Micah's March 2006 DVD Pics

1. Baron and the Kid (1984)
2. Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)
3. A History of Violence (2005)
4. Mental Maniacs: 6 Movies
5. Busby Berkeley Collection (PICK OF THE MONTH)
6. 2001 Maniacs (2006)
7. King Kong (2005)
8. Wonder Showzen: Season 1
9. The Fifth Cord (1971)
10. The Forbidden Photos Of A Lady Above Suspicion (1970)
11. Black Belly Of The Tarantula (1971)
12. The Pyjama Girl Case (1977) 

Is it just me, or have we had a couple of months of slow DVD releases? Oh well, a couple of good ones this month.

---

Baron and the Kid (1984)
Release Date: 3/14

This little-remembered movie stars Johnny Cash as The Baron, a washed-up pool player who comes out of retirement to provide guidance to a young hustler, The Cajun Kid. This pisses off the Kid's manager Jack Streamer (Darren McGavin), who vows to retire the Baron for good. The timing of this realease is obviously an attempt to cash in on both Walk the Line and McGavin's death, but it's a welcome release nonetheless. Not a great film by any means, but it's one thats worth a rental. Also stars June Carter Cash.

Back to top

Good Night, And Good Luck (2005)
Release Date: 3/14

It didn't win any of the big ones at the Oscars this year, but I don't think anyone honestly expected it would. Good Night and Good Luck isn't as flashy as the other Best Picture nominees this year, instead opting for presenting a compelling story with no distractions. It never felt like a 'movie with a message,' which was something I was worried about going in. I'm too young to remember when this time in our history... its hard to believe a guy like McCarthy could have existed.

Back to top

A History of Violence (2005)
Release Date: 3/14

This is one I've really been looking forward to watching. I don't go to the theater much anymore... I got fed up of all the talking jackasses that seem oblivious to the concept of shutting the hell up... but something about the trailer for this one almost convinced me to break my self-imposed theater exile. From what I can tell it was pretty well received... can't vouch for it myself yet though.

Back to top

Mental Maniacs: 6 Movies
Release Date: 3/14

You can get this ultra-cheap 6 pack for less than a buck a movie. The gem in this set is Crawlspace, the 1986 Klaus Kinski flick where he plays a creepy landlord/borderline-psychotic/nazi. Its one of my favorite Kinski roles, including a fantastic scene where Kinski (who plays a guy named Karl Gunther) puts on a Nazi uniform and goose-steps around his attic screaming "Heil Gunther, Heil Gunther!" Also included: Before I Die, Drawing Blood, High Desert, Matthew, and Mayhem Motel. If you're into this kinda thing, there's also a Serial Psychos 6 Pack (Blood Massacre, Hip Hop Locos, I Hate You, Las Vegas Blood Bath, Slasher, and Thirteen) and a Slasher Cinema 4 Pack (The Demon, Craze, The Glove, and Memorial Valley Massacre) this month... all super cheap.

Back to top

Busby Berkeley Collection
Release Date: 3/21

I've been waiting for this set ever since BNAT7, back in December, when we watched Footlight Parade. I'm a sucker for old musicals, and Berkeley was one of the undisputed masters of the genre. Along with Footlight Parade, the set features 42nd Street, Gold Diggers of 1933, Dames, and Gold Diggers of 1935, most of which are available for the first time on DVD. The set also features a bonus disc with 21 musical segments from 9 of Berkeley's other movies. Plus 5 featurettes, 13 Original-Era Shorts, and 9 Cartoons. Berkeley's films are stunning achievements of over-the-top song and dance numbers... if you've never seen one of his films, I suggest starting with Footlight Parade. The set is very affordable, so if you're going to get one, there's really no reason not to pick em all up.

Back to top

2001 Maniacs (2006)
Release Date: 3/28

OK, I know this one's going to be bad... it's a direct-to-video sequel/remake/reimagining of HG Lewis' classic, 2000 Maniacs. But I just love the original so much, that I can't help myself. It stars Robert 'Freddy Kreuger' Englund as the leader of a town where crazed rednecks cannibals spend their days fucking with lost spring-breakers. It'll likely be just a series of setpiece deaths... whether this film is any good or not depends on how good/creative those deaths are.

Back to top

King Kong (2005)
Release Date: 3/28

This is the kind of movie where there's probably nothing I can say that's going to influence whether you see it or not. As I said in my BNAT7 recap, I liked this movie, but I didn't love it... mostly because I didn't really like any of the humans in it. Kong himself was fantastic though. Not sure how this one is going to fare on the small screen...

Back to top

Wonder Showzen: Season 1
Release Date: 3/28

Wonder Showzen was one of the best shows on TV when it was on. If you haven't seen it, its kinda like South Park meets Mr. Rogers: twisted, hilarious, and wrong. It originally aired on MTV2 at seemingly random times, so I don't think I've seen all of the episodes. I was under the impression that this was the only season, but this release is being billed as Season 1, instead of The Complete Series, so who knows. Don't watch this one with your kids. Or your wife. Or your parents. Trust me.

Back to top

The Fifth Cord (1971), The Forbidden Photos Of A Lady Above Suspicion (1970), Black Belly Of The Tarantula (1971), The Pyjama Girl Case (1977)
Release Date: 3/28

I'm listing all of these Blue Underground releases together... every month I'm amazed at the films that this company picks to release. They always pick the most amazing films, and find pristine prints to master them from. This month's offering features films featuring talent like Franco Nero, Luciano Ercoli, Barbara Bouchet, and Ray Milland. With sexy girls, deranged killers, depraved pornographers, and violent murders, these Italian thrillers are light-years beyond anything we're getting in the theaters these days. Thank you Blue Underground.

Back to top

See you in 30!

- Micah