Garv’s Pick of the Week: Martin Eden (Kino Lorber)
For the release week of January 19th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Martin Eden [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: I haven’t seen this sprawling Italian drama, based on a Jack London novel, but I have heard it is one of the best films of the year. The trailer above looks beautiful, so it is likely a safe blind buy.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Gang Busters [Blu-ray / VCI]: I’m told that this serial, based on the popular cops versus criminals old radio show, is above average in terms of both action and humor. The 13-chapters have been restored in 4K from 35mm elements. I don’t see this one on Amazon, so there is no link below. However, I do see it offered at other outlets, such as Oldies.com.
Prince of Darkness [4K UHD / Scream Factory]: Scream Factory is upgrading a couple of John Carpenter titles to 4K UHD. I’ve always liked this one more than the general consensus. It is a bit silly, but Donald Pleasance is excellent as always.
They Live [4K UHD / Scream Factory]: Roddy Piper is all out of bubble gum, but at least he’s in 4K UHD.
Accepted [Blu-ray / Mill Creek]: It’s surprising that this fun teen comedy from 2006 hasn’t received a Blu-ray release before now.
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese [Blu-ray / Criterion]: I’m a bit torn on this fake documentary by Scorsese. On the one hand, it features fantastic concert footage of Bob Dylan at the height of his artistry. On the other hand, the interviews and behind-the-scenes stories are complete bs. I would love to watch a real documentary about this concert tour. Instead, what we got is kind of maddening.
Laurel or Hardy: Early Solo Films of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy [Blu-ray / Flicker Alley]: I named this as my “Pick of the Week” last week, but the set was delayed a week. No harm in mentioning it again. Laurel & Hardy are one of the most beloved movie comedy teams of all time, but they spent over a decade working in film before they officially became a team. This 2-disc Blu-ray set collects 35 newly restored silent shorts starring either Stan Laurel or Oliver Hardy, produced between 1914 and 1926, before they joined forces. The films were scanned in 2K, sourced from materials contributed by archives and collectors around the world, and new scores were commissioned from the top silent film composers working today.
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