Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “Go”
Following the success of “Pulp Fiction,” the late ‘90s and early ‘00s were flooded with a wave of nonlinear, perspective-shifting crime indies trying to replicate Quentin Tarantino’s trademark style. Most of the would-be copycats came and went with little fanfare, but this 1999 crime comedy from Doug Liman (“Swingers”) is one of the few films to successfully imitate the Tarantino formula while still existing as its own thing. Though it wasn’t a big hit in theaters, “Go” has since gone on to become a generational cult classic that perfectly captures the manic, vibrant energy of the late-‘90s youth scene. It also served as a launching pad for a lot of up-and-coming talent, including Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes and Timothy Olyphant. “Go” isn’t without its problems, but it’s a fun and stylish ‘90s time capsule that holds a special place in my heart.
Extras include a pair of audio commentaries (one by Liman and editor Stephen Mirrione, and the other by critics Bryan Reesman and Max Evry), as well as an archival making-of featurette, interviews with writer/producer John August and actor Desmond Askew, some deleted scenes and more. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
Also Out This Week:
“Dead Poets Society” — Enough has been written about Peter Weir’s 1989 coming-of-age drama, “Dead Poets Society,” that it would be fruitless to try to add anything new to the conversation, but the fact that we’re still talking about it nearly 40 years after its release only goes to emphasize the film’s cultural impact. Robin Williams delivers one of the best performances of his career as the passionate literature teacher who inspires his class of students at an elite preparatory school, while the young ensemble cast is equally as impressive, particularly Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke and Gale Hansen. However, none of it would be possible without Thomas Schulman’s Oscar-winning screenplay, which deftly balances lighthearted humor with profound drama to create a deeply human story about the passion and beauty of being alive. The film’s romantic idealism may feel a bit cheesy by today’s standards, but “Dead Poets Society” remains just as powerful and emotionally moving as when I first saw it. Extras include an audio commentary by Weir, Schulman and cinematographer John Seale, as well as a 2006 retrospective, a tribute to sound designer Alan Splet and more. FINAL VERDICT: BUY
“Mrs. Doubtfire” — Robin Williams’ performance in the 1993 family dramedy “Mrs. Doubtfire” never got the accolades that some of his more dramatic work received, but it’s a masterclass in acting that showcases Williams’ ability to effortlessly transition between characters at the drop of a hat. Though the movie is perhaps best known for Williams’ physical comedy as the title character, “Mrs. Doubtfire” succeeds not because of the humor but because of the emotional vulnerability that sits beneath all the makeup, prosthetics and silly accents. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role, which is why it’s become such a defining film for Williams in a career filled with memorable performances. “Mrs. Doubtfire” may not be his most celebrated work as an actor, but it’s one that continues to resonate with audiences after all these years. Extras include a collection of deleted and extended scenes, a behind-the-scenes look at making the film and more. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
