Garv’s Pick of the Week: Silent Avante-Garde (Kino Lorber)
For the release week of February 21st:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Silent Avante-Garde [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: This collection sounds like it will be both important in terms of film preservation and unique in terms of entertainment. Twenty-one experimental silent shorts are presented in HD to 5K scans from the best-surviving elements, and the films are newly scored with experimental music. The included films include Dadaist shorts by Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray. I saw a few of these films in art classes in college, and they are unpredictable, visually striking, and surprisingly fun.
Additional Titles of Interest —
The Remains of the Day [4K UHD / Sony]: If you enjoy being frustrated by romantically frustrated characters, this Merchant Ivory drama is just the film for you. Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson repress their feelings with aplomb.
Dazed and Confused [4K UHD/ Criterion]: I should have more affection for Richard Linklater’s 1993 “coming of age” comedy than I do. I don’t. Still, it is a favorite for many.
The Magnificent Seven [4K UHD / Shout Select]: Personally, I find this Western-set Seven Samurai remake to be overrated, but if you’re a fan, it should look great in 4K.
Magnificent Warriors [Blu-ray/ 88 Films]: The magnificent Michelle Yeoh stars in this pretty good 1987 Hong Kong actioner.
Requiem for a Heavyweight [Blu-ray/ Mill Creek]: You aren’t having déjà vu. This disc was delayed from a prior week. Rod “Twilight Zone” Serling scripted this excellent drama about a washed-up boxer (Anthony Quinn) trying to find employment outside the ring, while his amoral manager (Jackie Gleason, in a standout dramatic performance) tries to ring every buck out of the poor pugilist. Mickey Rooney and Julie Harris also star.
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