Garv’s Pick of the Week: Murder on the Orient Express (Paramount)
For the release week of February 8th:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Murder on the Orient Express [Blu-ray / Paramount]: The first and best of the 70s/80s Agatha Christie adaptations finally gets a U.S. Blu-ray release. It’s been available on Blu-ray disc in other countries for years. Sidney Lumet directed this highly entertaining and atmospheric 1930s murder mystery with an all-star cast, headed by Albert Finney as master detective Hercule Poirot. The supporting cast includes Martin Balsam, Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Vanessa Redgrave, Michael York, Jacqueline Bisset, Anthony Perkins and Wendy Hiller. It’s surprising that this 1974 classic did not merit a prestige “Paramount Presents” release, but it’s great to see it finally upgraded to Blu-ray disc stateside.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Miller’s Crossing [Blu-ray / Criterion]: Until 2010’s True Grit, Miller’s Crossing was my favorite Coen Brothers film. It might also be my favorite gangster film, so consider this Criterion edition highly recommended.
Some Like It Hot [4K UHD / Kino Lorber]: Some Like It Hot topped the AFI’s list of best American comedies, but it wouldn’t even crack my list of top five films directed by Billy Wilder. Still, it’s a classic (and a very well made film), so I’m happy to see it get the 4K UHD treatment.
Gold Diggers of 1933 [Blu-ray / Warner Archive]: “We’re in the money, We’re in the money, We’ve got a lot of what it takes to get along…”
Harvey [Blu-ray / Universal]: If you ever wondered what a Pooka is, do I have a movie for you.
Princess Tam Tam / Zou Zou [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: Josephine Baker left New York for Paris, France in 1925 to find stardom unavailable to her on Broadway. She also dipped a toe into French cinema. Here are a couple of early talkies she made from 1934-35.
Foul Play [Blu-ray / Paramount]: My Chevy Chase tolerance is fairly low, but I remember enjoying this mystery comedy when I was young. I can’t speak for how it holds up.
Paranoic [Blu-ray / Scream Factory]: Oliver Reed stars in this psychological thriller from Hammer Studios.
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