Blu-Ray Review: ‘Contempt,’ ‘The Ladykillers,’ ‘Ran’

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CHICAGO – I have to admit to a bit of trepidation every time a studio outside of the widely acknowledged masters tries their hand at catalog releases but the Lionsgate/StudioCanal Blu-ray releases of “Contempt,” “The Ladykillers,” and “Ran” are spectacular. Not only do the films look amazing in HD but they’ve been given copious special features. Don’t miss them.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.5/5.0

What do Jean-Luc Godard’s “Contempt,” Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran,” and Alexander Mackendrick’s “The Ladykillers” have in common? Basically nothing other than loyal followings and, apparently, the same production company that allows them to be released on Blu-ray on the same day. They’re all films well worth adding to any collection of classic titles, especially in packages this lavish and lovingly produced.

Contempt was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010.
Contempt was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010.
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video

Four words - “Brigitte Bardot in HD”. For movie lovers who know their classics, that alone should be enough to pick up the Blu-ray release of “Contempt”. Godard’s gorgeous film is technically about the production of a film version of Homer’s “Odyssey” but it’s more a display for its director’s remarkable eye for scenery, tracking shots, and beautiful people. It’s a perfect fit for HD and the transfer is stunning, particularly in the outdoor scenes, of which there are many in the Italian countryside. Some line detail is lost in the interior scenes, but it’s not overly noticeable.

The Ladykillers was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010.
The Ladykillers was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010.
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video

The beloved “The Ladykillers” was remade by the Coen brothers and starred Tom Hanks but the original is widely seen as the superior film. The cast alone of “The Ladykillers” makes it worth a look - Alec Guiness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, and Danny Green. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, “The Ladykillers” still works over fifty years later.

Akira Kurosawa’s “Ran” is a perfect fit for HD, a gorgeously recreated final epic from one of the filmmakers that defined the genre. The Japanese period drama and Academy Award winner for Best Costume Design looks stunning in HD. All Kurosawa films should be in 1080p. Get to it.

Special features:

“Contempt”

o Introduction by British film producer and Godard expert Colin MacCabe
o “Once Upon a Time There Was…Contempt” – documentary on the making of the film
o “Contempt… Tenderly” – documentary on Godard’s legacy in film
o “The Dinosaur and the Baby” – a discussion between Godard and director Fritz Lang
o Trailer
o BD-Live
o 20-page collectible booklet

Ran was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010.
Ran was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010.
Photo credit: Lionsgate Home Video

“The Ladykillers”

o Introduction by filmmaker Terry Gilliam
o “Forever Ealing” - documentary on the famed British studio
o Audio commentary by film historian and The Ladykillers expert Philip Kemp
o Interviews with British filmmakers Allan Scott and Terence Davies and writer Ronald Harwood on the film
o BD-Live (includes bonus interview with British filmmaker James Mangold)
o 20-page collectible booklet

“Ran”

o “A.K.” – the acclaimed feature-length documentary on the making of Ran from writer/director Chris Marker
o “Akira Kurosawa: The Epic and the Intimate” – documentary on the director
o “The Samurai” – documentary on Samurai art
o “Art of the Samurai” – interview with a Japanese art of war expert
o BD-Live
o 20-page collectible booklet

‘Contempt’ is released by Lionsgate Home Video and stars Brigitte Bardot, Michel Piccoli, Jack Palance, Fritz Lang, Giorgia Moll, and Linda Veras. It was written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard. It was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010. It is not rated.

‘The Ladykillers’ is released by Lionsgate Home Video and stars Alec Guiness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers, Danny Green, Jack Warner, Katie Johnson, and Frankie Howerd. It was written by William Rose and directed by Alexander MacKendrick. It was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010. It is not rated.

‘Ran’ is released by Lionsgate Home Video and stars Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Niezu, Daisuke Ryu, and Mieko Harada. It was written by Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, and Masato Ide and directed by Kurosawa. It was released on Blu-ray on February 16th, 2010. It is rated R.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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