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September 3
The Fugitive 20th Anniversary
(1993) Dir.: Andrew Davis; Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones, Sela Ward, Julianne Moore, Joe Pantoliano, Andreas Katsulas, Jeroen Krabbe. Extras: New featurette "The Fugitive: Thrill of the Chase" featuring Andrew Davis, Harrison Ford, Tommy Lee Jones and more; introduction by Andrew Davis and Harrison Ford; commentary by Andrew Davis and Tommy Lee Jones; "On the Run With the Fugitive" behind-the-scenes featurette; "Derailed: Anatomy of a Train Wreck" behind-the-scenes featurette; "The Fugitive" (2000 WB Pilot); theatrical trailer. (Warner).
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September 10
The Fly
(1958) David Hedison, Patricia Owens, Vincent Price, Herbert Marshall. Extras: Commentary with Hedison and film historian David Del Valle, "Biography: Vincent Price," "Fly Trap: Catching a Classic," Fox Movietone News. (Fox).
La Cage aux Folles
(1978) Renato (Ugo Tognazzi) and Albin (Michel Serrault) -- a middle-aged gay couple who are the manager and star performer at a glitzy drag club in St. Tropez -- agree to hide their sexual identities, along with their flamboyant personalities and home decor, when the ultraconservative parents of Renato's son's fiancee come for a visit. This elegant comic scenario kicks off a wild and warmhearted farce about the importance of nonconformity and the beauty of being true to oneself. A modest French comedy that became a breakout art-house smash in America, Edouard Molinaro's "La Cage aux Folles" inspired a major Broadway musical and the blockbuster remake "The Birdcage." But with its hilarious performances and ahead-of-its-time social message, there's nothing like the audacious, dazzling original movie. New 2K digital film restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Extras: New interview with director Edouard Molinaro; archival footage featuring actor Michel Serrault and Jean Poiret, writer and star of the original stage production of "La Cage aux Folles"; new interview with Laurence Senelick, author of "The Changing Room: Sex, Drag and Theatre"; French and U.S. trailers; a booklet featuring an essay by critic David Ehrenstein. (The Criterion Collection).
The Nightmare Before Christmas 20th Anniversary Edition
(1993) Dir.: Henry Selick; voices of Chris Sarandon, Catherine O'Hara, William Hickey, Paul Reubens.
Formats: Three-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy), two-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD), DVD. (Disney).
The Spy Who Came in From the Cold
(1965) The acclaimed, best-selling novel by John le Carre, about a Cold War spy on one final dangerous mission in East Germany, is transmuted by director Martin Ritt into a film every bit as precise and ruthless as the book. Richard Burton is superb as Alec Leamas, whose relationship with a beautiful librarian, played by Claire Bloom, puts his assignment in jeopardy. "The Spy Who Came in From the Cold" is a hard-edged and tragic thriller, suffused with the political and social consciousness that defined Ritt's career. High-definition digital film restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Extras: Exclusive, wide-ranging interview with author John le Carre; selected-scene commentary featuring director of photography Oswald Morris; "The Secret Centre: John le Carre," a 2000 BBC documentary on the author's life and work; interview with actor Richard Burton from a 1967 episode of the BBC series "Acting in the '60s," conducted by critic Kenneth Tynan; audio conversation from 1985 between director Martin Ritt and film historian Patrick McGilligan; gallery of set designs; trailer; booklet featuring an essay by critic Michael Sragow. (The Criterion Collection).
Star Trek: The Original Series -- Origins
Collection showcases the origins episodes of the most significant characters from "Star Trek: The Original Series." Introduced by Rod Roddenberry, son of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry, and starring William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Walter Koenig and Ricardo Montalban, this collection includes: "The Cage," thr original pilot episode of the epic series that introduced the iconic characters Captain Pike and Spock; "Where No Man Has Gone Before" second pilot episode in which Captain James T. Kirk is first seen at the helm of the Enterprise; "Space Seed" debut of the unforgettable super villain, Khan; "Errand of Mercy" introduces the legendary alien race the Klingons; "The Trouble With Tribbles." (CBS/Paramount).
Star Trek: Stardate Collection
All 10 original "Star Trek" films together on Blu-ray in a premium, collectible package with 12 discs and 25 hours of illuminating bonus content: interviews with the cast and crew, commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes and much more. "Star Trek I: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home," "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," "Star Trek VII: Generations," "Star Trek VIII: First Contact," "Star Trek IX: Insurrection" and ""Star Trek X: Nemesis." $119.99. Extras: Disc 11: "Star Trek Summit" Parts 1-3; Disc 12: "Evolutions": The Evolution of the Enterprise," "Villains of Star Trek," "I Love the Star Trek Movies," "Farewell to Star Trek: The Experience," "Klingon Encounter," "Borg Invasion 4D," "Charting the Final Frontier." (Paramount).
September 13
Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection
All 12 films from Warner Bros. and Paramount in one "Horrific" collection: a 10-Disc set with seven Blu-ray debuts and 11 Hours of extra content in collectible tin packaging; includes a 40-page book with behind-the-scenes photos, a Camp Crystal Lake counselor patch, more. $129.95. The discs: Disc 1: "Friday the 13th" (1980), Disc 2: "Friday the 13th Part 2" (1981), Disc 3: "Friday the 13th Part 3" in 3D (1982), Disc 4: "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter" (1984) (new to Blu-ray), Disc 5: "Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning" (1985) and "Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives" (1986) (new to Blu-ray), Disc 6: "Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood" (1988) and Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan" (1989) (new to Blu-ray), Disc 7: "Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday" (1993) and "Jason X" (2002) (new to Blu-ray), Disc 8: "Freddy vs. Jason" (2003), Disc 9: "Friday the 13th" (2009) (theatrical version and "Killer Cut" extended version), Disc 10 – Killer Bonus DVD Disc. Also includes digital (UltraViolet) versions. (Warner).
September 17
Autumn Sonata
(1978) "Autumn Sonata" was the only collaboration between cinema's two great Bergmans -- Ingmar, the iconic director of "The Seventh Seal," and Ingrid, the monumental star of "Casablanca." The grand dame, playing an icy concert pianist, is matched beat for beat in ferocity by the filmmaker's recurring lead Liv Ullmann as her eldest daughter. Over the course of a long, painful night that the two spend together after an extended separation, they finally confront the bitter discord of their relationship. This cathartic pas de deux, evocatively shot in burnished harvest colors by the great Sven Nykvist, ranks among Ingmar Bergman's major dramatic works. New 2K digital film restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition. Extras: Introduction by Ingmar Bergman from 2003; audio commentary featuring Bergman expert Peter Cowie; "The Making of Autumn Sonata," a three-and-a-half-hour program examining every aspect of the production; new interview with Liv Ullmann; a 1981 conversation between Ingrid Bergman and critic John Russell Taylor at the National Film Theatre in London; trailer; a booklet featuring an essay by critic Farran Smith Nehme. (The Criterion Collection).
The Bride of Frankenstein
(1935) Dir.: James Whale; Boris Karloff, Ernest Thesiger, Colin Clive, Elsa Lanchester. Also available as a single-disc DVD. Extras: "She's Alive! Creating The Bride of Frankenstein," "The Bride of Frankenstein Archive," commentary with Scott MacQueen, trailer gallery, "100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics." (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection).
Dracula
(1931) Dir.: Tod Browning; Bela Lugosi, Dwight Frye, Edward Van Sloan, Helen Chandler. Also available as a single-disc DVD. Extras: "Dracula" (1931) Spanish version, with introduction by Lupita Tovar Kohner; "The Road to Dracula"; "Lugosi: The Dark Prince"; "Dracula: The Restoration"; "Monster Tracks"; "Dracula Archives"; alternate score by Philip Glass, performed by the Kronos Quartet; commentary with Film historian David J. Skal; commentary with Steve Haberman, screenwriter of "Dracula: Dead and Loving It"; trailer gallery. (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection).
Frankenstein
(1931) Dir.: James Whale; Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke. Also available as a two-disc DVD set. Extras: "The Frankenstein Files: How Hollywood Made a Monster," "Karloff: The Gentle Monster," "Monster Tracks," "Universal Horror," "Frankenstein Archives," "Boo! A Short Film," commentary with film historian Rudy Behlmer, commentary with historian Christopher Frayling, trailer gallery, "100 Years of Universal: Restoring the Classics." (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection).
A Letter to Three Wives
(1949) Dir.: Joseph L. Mankiewicz; Ann Sothern, Linda Darnell, Jeanne Crain, Kirk Douglas, Paul Douglas. Extras: Commentary with Kenneth Geist, Cheryl Lower and Christopher Mankiewicz; "Biography: Linda Darnell: Hollywood's Fallen Angel," Fox Movietone News: Oscars Presented for Achievements in Motion Pictures, theatrical trailer. (Fox).
Slacker
(1991) "Slacker," directed by Richard Linklater, presents a day in the life of a loose-knit Austin, Texas, subculture populated by eccentric and overeducated young people. Shooting on 16mm for a mere $3,000, writer-producer-director Linklater and his crew of friends threw out any idea of a traditional plot, choosing instead to create a tapestry of over 100 characters, each as compelling as the last. Slacker is a prescient look at an emerging generation of aggressive nonparticipants, and one of the key films of the American independent film movement of the 1990s. High-definition restored digital film transfer, supervised by director Richard Linklater and director of photography Lee Daniel, featuring 2.0 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack. Extras: Three audio commentaries, featuring Linklater and members of the cast and crew; "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" (1988), Linklater's first full-length feature, with commentary by the director; "Woodshock," a 1985 16mm short by Linklater and Daniel; casting tapes featuring select "auditions" from the more-than-100-member cast; footage from the Slacker 10th-anniversary reunion; early film treatment; home movies; 10-minute trailer for a 2005 documentary about the landmark Austin cafe Les Amis; deleted scenes and alternate takes; original theatrical trailer; a booklet featuring essays by author and filmmaker John Pierson and Michael Barker, as well as reviews, production notes, and an introduction to "It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books" by director Monte Hellman. (The Criterion Collection).
Two Men in Manhattan
(1959) Rediscovered classic from master filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville. Melville's moody dramas, including "Bob le Flambeur," "Le Doulos," "Le Samourai" and "Army of Shadows," were deeply influenced by classic Hollywood crime pictures, making iconic use of cigarette-smoking, world-weary gangsters and detectives in trenchcoats and fedora hats. His minimalist style, including shooting on real locations rather than in studios, was a major influence on the next generation of filmmakers that would create the New Wave. The dark shadows of New York come to life here in Melville's rarely seen, jazz-soaked noir masterpiece. A French UN delegate has disappeared into thin air, sending reporter Moreau (Melville himself) and hard-drinking photographer Delmas (Pierre Grasse) on an ethically fraught mission to find him. Their only lead is a picture of three women. Set against a smoky jazz score and featuring stunning black-and-white cinematography by Nicolas Hayer that beautifully captures the gritty streets at night, this is director Melville's love letter to New York City and homage to American film noir. Extras: A conversation between critics Jonathan Rosenbaum and Ignatiy Vishnevetsky; a new essay by Melville scholar Ginette Vincendeau; trailers. (Cohen Film Collection).
The Wolf Man
(1941) Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains, Ralph Bellamy, Warren William, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Maria Ouspenskaya. Also available as a single-disc DVD. Extras: "Monster by Moonlight," "The Wolf Man: From Ancient Curse to Modern Myth," "Pure in Heart: The Life and Legacy of Lon Chaney Jr.," "He Who Made Monsters: The Life and Art of Jack Pierce," "The Wolf Man Archives," trailer gallery, "100 Years of Universal: The Lot," commentary with film historian Tom Weaver. (Universal Studios Classic Monster Collection).
September 24
The Dark Knight Trilogy: Ultimate Collector's Edition
Six-disc set with "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises" in a six-disc set with the existing extra content for each film; two new featurettes -- "The Fire Rises: The Creation and Impact of The Dark Knight Trilogy" (with never-before-seen footage, rare moments, and exclusive interviews with Guillermo Del Toro, Damon Lindelof, Michael Mann, Richard Roeper, Zack Snyder and others) and "Christopher Nolan & Richard Donner: A Conversation" (Nolan and Richard Donner ["Superman"] sit down to discuss the trials and triumphs involved in bringing the two most iconic superheroes of all time to the big screen, and how "Superman" influenced Nolan when developing" Batman Begins"); IMAX sequences: Scenes from "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises" in the original IMAX aspect ratio; exclusive new collectible memorabilia: Premium Mattel Hot Wheels Vehicles: Batmobile, Batpod and Tumbler, newly commissioned collectible art cards by Mondo featuring Scarecrow, Joker, Bane, Harvey Dent, and Ra's al Ghul, 48-page hardcover book featuring production stills and behind the scenes images from all three movies. Formats: Blu-ray Disc, $99.97. (Warner).
Halloween 35th Anniversary
(1978) Dir.: John Carpenter; Donald Pleasence, Jamie Lee Curtis, P.J. Soles, Kyle Richards, Nancy Loomis, Charles Cyphers, Brian Andrews. An all-new HD transfer personally supervised by the film's original cinematographer, 'Dean Cundey, a new 7.1 audio mix (as well as the original mono audio), a brand-new feature length audio commentary by writer-director John Carpenter and star Jamie Lee Curtis, an all-new bonus feature with Curtis, as well as selected legacy bonus features from previous releases. Available in a collectible limited-edition book-style package (available only for the first printing) with 20 pages featuring archival photos, an essay by "Halloween" historian Stef Hutchinson and specially commissioned cover art by Jay Shaw. $34.99. Other Extras: "The Night She Came Home" new featurette with Jamie Lee Curtis, "On Location," trailers, TV and radio spots, additional scenes from TV version. (Anchor Bay).
Paid in Full
(2002) Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, Chi McBride, Kevin Carroll. Extras: Commentary with director Charles Stone III. (Lionsgate).
Prince of Darkness (Collector's Edition)
(1987) Dir.: John Carpenter; Donald Pleasence, Jameson Parker, Victor Wong, Lisa Blount, Alice Cooper, Dennis Dun. Extras: Commentary with John Carpenter, "Sympathy for the Devil": new interview with writer-director Carpenter, "Alice at the Apocalypse": new interview with actor and rock legend Alice Cooper, "The Messenger": new interview with actor and special visual effects supervisor Robert Grasmere, "Hell on Earth": A look at the film's score with co-composer Alan Howarth, "Horror's Hallowed Grounds" with host Sean Clark, alternate opening from TV version, original theatrical trailer. (Shout! Factory/Scream Factory).
Psycho II (Collector's Edition)
(1983) Dir.: Richard Franklin; Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, Meg Tilly, Robert Loggia, Dennis Franz. Extras: New commentary with screenwriter Tom Holland, vintage interviews with cast and crew including Anthony Perkins and director Richard Franklin, vintage audio interviews with cast and crew, TV spots, original theatrical trailer. (Shout! Factory/Scream Factory).
Psycho III (Collector's Edition)
(1986) Dir.: Anthony Perkins; Anthony Perkins, Diana Scarwid, Jeff Fahey, Roberta Maxwell, Hugh Gillin. Extras: New commentary with screenwriter Charles Edward Pogue, "Watch the Guitar": New interview with Actor Jeff Fahey, "Patsy's Last Night": New interview with actress Katt Shea, "Mother's Maker": interview with special make-up effects creator Michael Westmore, "Body Double": interview with Brinke Stevens, original theatrical trailer. (Shout! Factory/Scream Factory).
3 Films By Roberto Rossellini Starring Ingrid Bergman
In the late 1940s, the incandescent Hollywood star Ingrid Bergman found herself so moved by the revolutionary neorealist films of Roberto Rossellini that she sent the director a letter, introducing herself and offering her talents. The resulting collaboration produced a series of films that are works of both sociopolitical concern and metaphysical melodrama, each starring Bergman as a woman experiencing physical dislocation and psychic torment in postwar Italy. It also famously led to a scandalous affair and eventual marriage between filmmaker and star, and the focus on their personal lives in the press unfortunately overshadowed the extraordinary films they made together. "Stromboli" (1950), "Europe '51" (1952) and "Journey to Italy" (1954) are intensely personal portraits that reveal the director at his most emotional and the glamorous actor at her most anguished, and that capture them and the world around them in transition. New digital film restorations of the English- and Italian-language versions of "Stromboli" and "Europe '51" and the English-language version of "Journey to Italy", with uncompressed monaural soundtracks. Formats: Five-disc DVD, four-disc Blu-ray. Extras: Archival television introductions by director Roberto Rossellini to all three films; audio commentary for "Journey to Italy" featuring scholar Laura Mulvey; "Rossellini Through His Own Eyes," a 1992 documentary on the filmmaker's approach to cinema, featuring archival interviews with Rossellini and Bergman; new visual essays about Rossellini by scholars Tag Gallagher and James Quandt; "Rossellini Under the Volcano," a 1998 documentary that returns to the island of Stromboli 50 years after the making of Stromboli; new interview with critic Adriano Apra about each of the films; new interview with Fiorella Mariani, Rossellini's niece, featuring home movies shot by Bergman; new interview with film historian Elena Degrada about the different versions of "Europe '51"; new interviews with Isabella Rossellini and Ingrid Rossellini, daughters of Rossellini and Bergman; "Ingrid Bergman Remembered," a 1996 documentary on the actor's life, narrated by her daughter Pia Lindstrom; "My Dad Is 100 Years Old," a 2005 short film, directed by Guy Maddin and starring Isabella Rossellini; "The Chicken," a 1952 short film by Rossellini, starring Bergman; "A Short Visit With the Rossellini Family," a six-minute film shot on Capri while the family was there during the production of "Journey to Italy"; a booklet featuring essays by critics Richard Brody, Fred Camper, Dina Iordanova, and Paul Thomas; letters exchanged by Rossellini and Bergman; "Why I Directed Stromboli," a 1950 article by Rossellini; a 1954 interview with Rossellini conducted by Eric Rohmer and Francois Truffaut for "Cahiers du cinema"; and excerpts from a 1965 interview with Rossellini conducted by Apa and Maurizio Ponzi for "Filmcritica." (The Criterion Collection).
An Unfinished Life
(2005) Robert Redford, Jennifer Lopez, Morgan Freeman, Josh Lucas, Damian Lewis, Camryn Manheim. Extras: Commentary with director Lasse Hallstrom, "The Making of An Unfinished Life" featurette, "Training Bart the Bear" featurette. (Lionsgate).
This Month's BR
