standard | Heroic Times

This is a nice collection of 3D films from a variety of studios. A few of these I had previously, but the vast majority were acquired this month. Basically these are (after researching and comparing multiple reviews, lists and videos) all must own movies. You can just make out in the pictures, I replace all the standard Bluray cases (seen in the stock pictures below), with clear Blue-ray cases.

The clear ones just present much better on a bookshelf/display shelf than the standard tacky blue ones. it is a bit of a pet peeve, but it does make a difference, the clear cases make the collection looks like it belongs to an adult as opposed to something that belongs in a college dorm :)! However, that’s just me. 🙂 .

As far as the films themselves, of the ones I’ve seen in 2D, INFERNO (courtesy of TWILIGHT TIME) is a great film. Just top notch throughout. And JIVARO (KINO LORBER) and GUN FURY (TWILIGHT TIME) are both very good. I also have about a dozen more 3D films, lots of Marvel/Star Wars, not shown in these pictures — that will be in my next collection overview.

Looking forward to seeing all these films in 3D, tops on my list are DRAGONFLY SQUADRON, INFERNO, THE MAZE, BLACK PANTHER, GHOST IN THE SHELL, LIFE OF PI. When my projector arrives next week, I’ll update with reviews at that time.

Ruminations on Micheaux’s BODY AND SOUL (1925) & Murnau’s FAUST (1926)

I find both of these films very odd, and both very daring and challenging for the times, but neither particularly satisfying.

Of the two Murnau’s FAUST is by far the better known, well… as well known as silent films get, with numerous re-masterings and expensive restorations done, and new scores routinely crafted for it, and volumes of critical analysis written, and the darling of film courses everywhere.

And while I’m a huge fan of F.W. Murnau’s SUNRISE (Sunrise along with Erich Von Stroheim’s GREED, and a handful of others, is considered, rightly I believe, one of the greatest silent films ever made); I’m not as enamored of his FAUST. The technical wizardry for the day was ground breaking, but FAUST, for me suffers a couple of flaws we’ll get into in a moment.

Because flaws aside FAUST has maintained a level of attention, accolades, and restoration to be envied, while Oscar Micheaux’s BODY AND SOUL, has pretty much become an invisible film. No restorations, no re-masterings, and fairly unseen and unknown.

Which is a shame because the two films make an interesting diptych on religion and carnality and the suffering of women; the almost crucifixion of women at the hands of a dismissive, patriarchal society. And they both offer intriguing performances by their respective female leads.

BODY AND SOUL, is one of the few surviving silent ‘RACE’ pictures (Pictures created by and for Black audiences and the thriving Black movie theater circuit that comprised 600 black owned theaters [as opposed to the half dozen in existence today], popular in the years from 1915 to 1928) and as such, is an intriguing and historically important part of both cinema and highlighting the cultural fabric and concerns of the day.

Well kids, read the entire article(14 pages approximately) in the excellent EPUB format (the beautiful defacto digital book standard, perfect for your E-reader, Ipad, Nook, Archos, or just about any other decent tablet or ereader device). or I can also provide it to you in PDF format (readable on your PC, Laptop and kindle).

Go here!!

I’m doing this for my more lengthy and popular articles, because one it’s a far better presentation, than a web-browser, I like the look and smooth browsing capabilities of the Epub format, and providing you with a higher quality reading experience helps me generate income for this blog, so I can keep producing some nifty content. Take a gander I think when you see what is being offered, and the ridiculous cheap pennies it’s being offered for, you’ll want to go ahead and get one for your Ipad or Kindle or Archos or other Ereader.

Thanks again for looking and thank you in advance for supporting. It really does make all the difference.