virtualurth DVDs, Music and Poetry

Thursday, December 28, 2006

Casino DVD

by Robert Carter

CAST: Robert De Niro, Alan King, Joe Pesci, Kevin Pollack, Don Rickles,
Sharon Stone, James Woods

DIRECTOR: Martin Scorsese (1995)

THE RATING
Movie: ** DVD: ***

THE FILM
“IT WAS PARADISE WHILE IT LASTED...” That’s what Robert De Niro’s character says about the events chronicled in “Casino.” But, if Adam and Eve were thrown out of this Paradise...the Serpent definitely remained. The movie chronicles the rapid rise of lucky gambler and casino boss De Niro in 1970’s Las Vegas. ("The Riviera” doubles for the fictional “The Tangiers") De Niro is arguably the only likeable front-row character in this drama, though I have to confess a fondness for Don Rickles’ nicely underplayed--near-silent-- casino manager.

As lucky as De Niro’s character “Ace” is his stay in Pardise is doomed by his choice of friends (Joe Pesci), and his choice of a fiancee (Sharon Stone), to be a brief sojourn. Many times Ace insists that he needs to be able to trust the people around him. Unfortunately, (like Al Pacino’s character in the De Palma movie “Carlito’s Way"), he trusts the wrong people, and doesn’t learn from his mistakes.

The disc indicates the story is based on writer Nicholas Pileggi’s notes for an unpublished book on a real-life casino boss. Look for a sly reference to Scorsese’s “New York, New York"--the “Aces High” number. Also look for cameos by Steve Allen and Dick Smothers (!)

Good Points: Excellent acting all around. An engrossing story, well told--Scorese is a master. A snappy soundtrack--featuring music from artists as diverse as Dean Martin, Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones and Devo. (In fact, Scorsese introduces a new song--closely tied to the action--in almost every scene!)

Bad Points: The casino is (surprise!) backed by the Mob; so by the end of the film there’s so much repulsive and graphic violence you’d think you were watching “The Godfather.” The movie leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth...and a low opinion of people.

“Casino” aptly illustrates that the only difference between “high rollers” and “low lifes” is...time.

THE DVD
DVD afficionados will be pleased to know the disc is one-sided--that is, the whole three-hour movie runs continuosly--no flipping. The film’s presented in widescreen. The disc includes “production notes” and cast bio’s.

NITPICKS
In the opening scene the switch from a live actor to a dummy for a shot of an explosion is fairly obvious. At one point there’s a close-up of two newspaper articles; if you pause the DVD you’ll see the articles start out “legitimate,” but become gibberish a short way in… There’s a glitch on the disc at about 1 hour, 26 minutes (the point at which the DVD switches layers?)

Cousin Bette DVD

by Cezanne Huq

THE RATINGS
Movie: *** DVD: **

THE FILM
The setting for Cousin Bette, directed by Des McAnuff and scripted by Lynn Siefert and Susan Tarr (from the novel by Honoré de Balzac), is France on the eve of the Revolution of 1848. Its story involves the revenge wreaked on the distinguished Hulot family by the cousin of the recently deceased Madame Hulot, Bette (Jessica Lange), a spinster of 40, whose life has been a series of affronts and humiliations. Baron Hector Hulot (Hugh Laurie) is a womanizer who has spent the family fortune on a series of mistresses. The chances of his daughter, Hortense (Kelly MacDonald), marrying decently are rapidly dwindling. It is the final straw when Hortense falls in love with and “steals” a young sculptor, Wenceslas (Aden Young), from Bette, who has fantasized about a relationship with the artist. In alliance with the Baron’s former mistress, Jenny Cadine (Elisabeth Shue), Bette executes a plan that ruins the family financially and morally.

McAnuff’s film is fraught with sex and treachery and characters with a variety of accents that would make Koffi Annan feel out of place. The betrayals come from just about everyone, but reside mainly in the breast (and head) of Cousin Bette, who’s been treated like a doormat by Hulot and everybody else in the family. Having never experienced the big “O,” Bette goes on a rampage as she tries to muck up the lives of the greedy Hortense and her love, Wenceslas, after he spurns poor Bette.

While the film may not have the depth or allure of Balzac’s book, it does keep you wanting more. Hate to say it, but it’s a lot like an R-rated soap opera. Contrary to soap operas, however, is the fantastic musical score written by Simon Boswell that accompanies the frivolous destruction of souls. British composer Boswell has contributed scores for a number of recent films including Shallow Grave (1994), Hackers (1995) and American Perfekt (1997), and the thematic elements in his composition highlight each scene beautifully.

THE DVDOther than the now de facto standards-language options, interactive menus and a theatrical trailer-the DVD is devoid of any features. Fox needs to take some pointers from Criterion. Come on, this is a movie based on Balzac’s book! How about some historical anecdotes like feudalism, the dichotomy of a feudal economy--old money versus new money? The DVD could also benefit from a commentary by director McAnuff, explaining the intricacies of the film and the way he adapted the book.

FINAL WORD
Cousin Bette is a movie that should be on any Balzac fan’s movie rack - how many of you are out there? Stand up for yourselves now! The movie is well balanced and really portrays the elements socioeconomic conditions of the pre-revolutionary France. Keep in mind that what Cousin Bette lacks in features it makes up in historical lessons and rich performances.