Blu-Ray & DVD News Roundup

Robert Downey Sr.
On May 22 Criterion is set to release Eclipse Series 33: Up All Night with Robert Downey Sr.  This set will include five of Downey’s films, four of which I believe are making their DVD debuts.  Included in the set:

Babo 73
Taylor Mead plays the president of the United Status, who conducts his top-secret international affairs on a deserted beach when he isn’t at the White House (a dilapidated Victorian), in Robert Downey Sr.’s political satire.
Chafed Elbows
This bad-taste riot was a breakthrough for Robert Downey Sr., thanks to rave notices. Visualized largely in still 35 mm photographs, it follows a shiftless downtown Manhattanite having his “annual November breakdown.”
No More Excuses
Robert Downey Sr. takes his camera and microphone onto the streets (and into some bedrooms) for a close look at Manhattan’s swinging singles scene of the late sixties.
Putney Swope
The most popular film by Robert Downey Sr. is this oddball classic about the antics that ensue after Putney Swope, the token black man on the board of a Madison Avenue advertising agency, is inadvertently elected chairman.
Two Tons of Turquoise To Taos Tonight
“A film without a beginning or an end,” in Robert Downey Sr.’s words, this Dadaist thingamajig is a cascade of curious sketches, scenes, and shots that takes on a rhythmic life.

While I wish that Putney Swope was getting a Blu-Ray release, I’m still happy to see this announcement.  Any Downey on video is good.

Also from Criterion
Here are the Criterion titles hitting Blu-Ray in May

May 8th
La Haine

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 15th
Being John Malkovich

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 22nd
Certified Copy

 

 

 

 

 

 

  May 29th
Summer Interlude
Summer With Monika

 

 

 

 

 

 

MGM Limited Edition Collection
Here’s the new upcoming releases from MGM’s Burn-on-Demand program:
THE AMERICAN SNITCH (1983)
THE BIG NIGHT (1951)
COOL BLUE (1990)
HELL BOATS (1970)
HORNET'S NEST (1970)
NUMBER ONE WITH A BULLET (1987)
SAVAGE SISTERS (1974)
SINFUL DAVEY (1969)
SOUTHWEST PASSAGE (1954)
SPELLBINDER (1988)
SUMMER HEAT (1987)
THREE BAD SISTERS (1956)
TIMBUKTU (1958)
WANDA NEVADA (1979)
THE WONDERFUL COUNTRY (1959)
The only film on that list that I remember is Number One With A Bullet.  It’s a fun, ridiculous 80’s cop movie starring Lando Calrissian and Lewis Skolnick.

 



 

 

The Measure of a Man is How Tall He Walks.
Shout Factory is releasing a triple feature Blu-Ray of the Walking Tall films on May 15th.  They are already up for pre-order on Amazon for $24.49.  My experiences with Shout Factory Blu-Rays have been nothing but positive so I’m definitely looking forward to this.

 

 

Thou Shalt Not Delay...Except
Synapse recently pushed back the release date for Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except to April 20th.   Here’s an updated press release.

DON MAY, JR, PRESIDENT OF SYNAPSE FILMS has gone back to the digital drawing board to remaster THOU SHALT NOT KILL... EXCEPT properly. Synapse had hired an unnamed company to handle the transfer which unfortunately sent back unusable files—unusuable at least by a company of the caliber of Synapse Films. The entire film has been re-remastered for the best possible transfer and the best possible release. The full story, written by Don, is available here:
THOU SHALT NOT KILL... EXCEPT TRANSFER

 Synapse Films proudly presents THOU SHALT NOT KILL… EXCEPT in an all-new 2K high-definition transfer from the original negative.  Directed by Josh Becker, this “must see” (Detroit Free Press) cult classic features many of the creative personnel responsible for THE EVIL DEAD, including co-writer Bruce Campbell, writer/producer Scott Spiegel (INTRUDER), composer Joseph LoDuca, and actor Ted Raimi. The new release date is APRIL 10, 2012.