Garv’s Pick of the Week: Popeye (Paramount)
For the release week of December 1st:
Garv’s Pick of the Week: Popeye [Blu-ray / Paramount]: There are Blu-rays of greater historical significance being released this week, but this column is more about favorites rather than prestige; and I love this bizarro film. Robert Altman was a odd choice to direct a live-action musical based on a popular cartoon character, and the resulting movie was a box office disappointment. Cartoonist/playwright Jules Feiffer went back to the original E.C. Segar Thimble Theatre comic strips in developing the script, rather than the more familiar Fleischer Brothers animated cartoons. Songs by Harry Nilsson, arranged by musical madman Van Dyke Parks, only added to the wonderfully unique feel of this film.
Additional Titles of Interest —
Too Many Kisses [Blu-ray / Film Preservation Society]: A couple of Marx Brothers rarities are provided on Blu-ray for the first time. The disc carries the title of the 1925 silent feature that was Harpo Marx’s silver screen debut. Just as exciting, the Blu-ray will include the 55-minute Paramount promotional film, The House That Shadows Built (1931), in which Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo recreated a scene from their Broadway stage success I’ll Say She Is. This release isn’t available through Amazon, so here is a direct order link on the Film Preservation Society website.
Bugs Bunny 80th Anniversary Collection [Blu-ray / Warner Brothers]: Sixty cartoons starring the Oscar-winning rabbit are collected in this three disc box set with several extras and an unwanted Funko Pop figure. That’s what’s up, Doc.
Attack! [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: I haven’t seen this war drama from director Robert Aldrich, but it has a reputation of being one of the best war films ever made.
Continental Divide [Blu-ray / Kino Lorber]: This film is evidence that had John Belushi lived longer, he would likely have the same type of career as Bill Murray does today.
The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy [4K UHD / Warner Brothers]: One of the most artistically and financially successful film trilogies makes the leap to 4K. It should look spectacular.
The Hobbit: The Motion Picture Trilogy [4K UHD / Warner Brothers]: The Hobbit trilogy wasn’t as successful as The Lord of the Rings, but it had its moments.
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