-
movies, dvd
& that... -
the
best and worst of 1998
- movies -
The ten greatest of the year, and will they fit onto a 12cm disc?
The film that brought Jennifer Lopez to the attention of the world, and showed that camera zooms and freeze frames could be stylish.
Enduring
image:
A freeze frame in
the love scene
Coming
to DVD?
February '99 for a
special edition in the US - unknown in the UK (Universal)
Remembered mainly for that gut-wrenching yet dramatically redundant first half hour - the rest of the film makes its points better.
Enduring
image:
The first cut from
the graveyard to the beach.
Coming
to DVD?
Speilberg is
weakening to the DVD cause, so a strong chance sometime late 1999 in
the US (and it'll probably be good when it arrives), unknown in the
UK (Dreamworks)
8. There's Something About Mary
Perfectly summarised by the reviewer who said "A film whose heart is in the right place, but whose brain is considerably lower".
Enduring
image:
The hair. Of course.
Coming
to DVD?
Almost certainly
in the US (but don't expect much), unknown in the UK (Fox)
A gem of an idea, attractive leads and a good director. We'll overlook the blemishes, and make the most of what we've got...
Enduring
image:
The lift at the end
Coming
to DVD?
Featureless
version just released in the US, not yet announced in the UK (Columbia)
Adult animation of the best kind
Enduring
image:
The placard.
"1 - 0! We won!"
Coming
to DVD?
Spring in the US,
with a wonderful sounding special edition. Unknown in the UK (Dreamworks)
5. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
The UK's best and funniest crime caper since... since...
Enduring
image:
The final shot
Coming
to DVD?
Spring in the UK
via Polygram, allegedly, though still waiting for the MGM
ramifications to become clear.
One of the more surprising and intelligent romantic comedies of recent years. And yes she did deserve the Oscar...
Enduring
image:
Jack singing to
the dog.
Coming
to DVD?
Already out in
both US and UK
No-one can really believe that Matt and Ben wrote it. But they did, albeit with a teeny bit of help. Superb premise, and dialogue doesn't get much better than this.
Enduring
image:
Minnie Driver
telling a joke
Coming
to DVD?
Expensive special
edition out in US, no announcement yet in UK (Disney)
A one-of-a-kind movie - funny, scary, throwaway and poignant all at once.
Enduring
image:
Cue the sun.
Coming
to DVD?
February in US
(but a throwaway no-features and non-anamorphic release), unknown in
UK (Paramount)
Yes, it was released here in 1998. The script is as structurally sound as the ship wasn't. 3 1/4 hours has never gone so quickly.
Enduring
image:
Rose when the
lights go out below deck. Or the three propellers and the lifeboat.
Or final demise of the ship. Or the old to new transitions. Or Di
Caprio's eyes as he paints. Damn it, it's the whole film, and we all
know it.
Coming
to DVD?
God (Cameron) only
knows. The Great One has publicly stated that he wants the disc to be
the first ever dual sided, dual layer release, but the techie-types
need to invent it first. Hopeful projections are that the technology
will be ready in the spring. UK release - unknown (Fox).
- dvd -
Top 10 UK DVDs
The
ten of our first year that you must own
(a
combined look at the DVD and the movie)
Another top Warner
special edition, with effects documentaries and a commentary by the
stars to help you make sense of what is, sadly, a truly terrible film.
9. Das Boot: Director's Cut - Columbia
One of the greatest Dolby Digital soundtracks you'll ever hear, an illuminating commentary from star and director and a mini docco. The ultimate submarine movie? Probably, and DVD to boot. Ouch, sorry...
8. Tomorrow Never Dies - MGM
It's loud and it's Bond, and comes complete with commentary and lovely booklet. And it's got a pretty good bike chase.
7. GoldenEye - MGM
It's loud and it's Bond, and comes complete with commentary and lovely booklet. And it's got a FANTASTIC tank chase.
6. A Night To Remember - Carlton
Great double bill of the classic 1958 Titanic film and a 1 hour documentary on its making - also the US and UK original trailers are a fun eye-opener.
5. As Good as it Gets - Columbia
Boasts one of the best ever commentaries, featuring just about everyone including Jack and Helen. A veritable riot, and a great film.
4. The Shawshank Redemption (reissue) - VCI
The UK DVD community's first triumph, this now contains the ideal full frame and widescreen prints, plus a mini docco and other goodies. Oh, and it's one of the best films ever made, by the way.
Want to see how the film was originally gonna end? That, plus a running commentary and the gorgeous dual layer, anamorphic visuals of another genuine 90's classic
Top of many people's list last year, this has a stunning DVD treatment with documentaries, maps...
1. Contact - Warner
Three commentaries, music only soundtrack (not available on the region 1 version), computer animations... it truly is a wonderful thing, baby. And the film makes up in imagination what it lacks in characterisation.
Honourable
mentions:
Fallen, Mars
Attacks!, The Right Stuff, Sleepers, Bullitt, Michael Collins, The Postman
Top 5 Turkey DVDs of the year
5. Four Weddings and a Funeral - Polygram
Fullscreen and glitch infected - yuck. Oh for a widescreen version with a Curtis / Newell / Kenworthy commentary, please...
Quentin Tarantino's spurious dialogue is mouthed (at least on Pioneer and Panasonic machines) by rubber lipped goons. Out of sync - out of order, mate!!!
Nothing stops action dead in its tracks so much as stopping dead in its tracks. A senseless two sided monstrosity.
2. From Dusk Till Dawn - Disney
Disney have managed to make many of their titles out of sync on some machines. With this, it's out of sync on ALL machines. Hope you all enjoyed your drinks down the pub while the film was being authored, folks...
1. The Usual Suspects - Polygram
Memorably monickered The Usual Crap by Home Cinema Choice magazine, this classic movie was reduced to a gibbering wreck by a fullscreen only picture containing boom mikes and all sorts, and a soundtrack which had voices coming from all round the room. Definitively region 2's lowest point thus far, although the disc now has the sound corrected and has been re-issued. Apparently...
- dvd studio of the year -
Warner Brothers
Honourable
mentions:
MGM, Carlton, VCI
turkey dvd studio of the year
Disney
/ Buena Vista
of course....
I'll be kind to Polygram, 'cos they are getting better (unlike ol' Big Ears)
- best DVD magazine -
Total
DVD
Well, I would say
that, of course...
worst dvd magazine
What
DVD?
How many errors?
- best us dvd website -
The
Digital Bits
A lone voice of
sanity in a frequently insane community.
- best uk dvd website -
They're ALL Great!!!!
All reviews / articles copyright Guy Rowland (1998).