5 Comments | Add
Rate & Share:
Related Links:
Info:
DVD Shopping Bag: Wolfman Unrated Director’s Cut Blu-ray
Dark Days Ahead? By
Robert T. Trate
June 01, 2010
Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving and Cap Wolf
© Bob Trate
The Wolfman arrives today on Blu-ray and DVD. Normally I would have skipped this title altogether but two words stopped me, Director’s Cut. I’ve been in the business long enough to know that this used to mean something special. Today I know it means one more way to milk the movie loving public out of a few more dollars. I thought about hitting you Maniacs with the Book of Eli a week early but my curiosity got the better of me. Curiosity and what I call the “Dead Poet’s Syndrome”. Several years ago I watched an 14 minute extended cut of the Dead Poets Society. What happened in these few additional minutes of Peter Weir’s classic fleshed out the characters, especially Ethan Hawk’s, and gave a greater depth and meaning to the overall film. Since then the words “Director’s Cut” have had some sway over me.
Captain Wolf – Theatrical Cut
I hated the original theatrical cut of Joe Johnston’s The Wolfman. So much that I have little to no expectations for Captain America (2011). This was the director that brought us the Rocketeer (1991) so initially I thought he was an excellent choice. After sitting through the mind numbing Wolfman I hunted down a picture of Captain America turned into the Wolfman just in case the Comics2Film part of Mania would need it. I felt nothing for these characters. The love story was a joke. The pacing was nonexistent. However the biggest annoyance in the whole film was how many times there was a full moon. It felt as if there was one every other night.
Moondance – Unrated Director’s Cut
“Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance…” as 17 minutes have been added to this film. Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) no longer just arrives at his father’s (Anthony Hopkins) estate and then the movie goes into wolf mode. No, we see Lawrence in his theater company as his brother’s wife Gwen (Emily Blunt), begs then guilts him into coming home to help. On his way Lawrence meets a kindly stranger, as in Ming the Merciless himself Max von Sydow, who gives him the wolf’s head cane. This is merely the beginning to a film that should have been seen in a darkened movie theater. Unfortunately there is no commentary track or interview to explain why this cut was done or why the theatrical cut went into the movie theaters. Thankfully we see a film that has better pacing, character development, gore and carnage we all expected from a modern telling of this classic story. To go through and describe it all would ruin the surprise that is this Director’s Cut.
Blu Moon / She-Wolf of London
The picture quality is amazing as it should be with any modern film. There are over 11 minutes of deleted and extended scenes but only one rises above the rest. Again it has to do with character development between Lawrence and Gwen. Theatrically their “love story” was a joke. In this unrated Director’s Cut their relationship grows from guilt, to trust, to friendship and then on to the beginnings of love. The very first deleted scene is so simple and yet solidifies the road these characters are on. If everything else now wasn’t there this scene should have been reincorporated back into the film. Now it is just a tad redundant but completely worth watching.
There are two different alternate endings for the film. The one they chose theatrically was the correct one. Yet both alternate endings are curiosities that open the film to different sequels. Sequels mind you that might have happened if the Director’s Cut were screened in theaters. The first has Wolfman Lawrence biting Gwen at the falls and then dying, whereas the second has him biting her and living with a quick cut to black. The would be sequel was already sewn with Hugo Weaving’s Abberline getting bit but this could have really opened the door to a She-Wolf of London (1946) remake or some other twisted triad of werewolves terrorizing London.
Dark Days Ahead
Why did this happen? Why did a better film come out on Blu-ray and DVD than the one we saw in the theater? Did the already delayed production schedule keep Johnston’s cut from hitting the theaters? Did Universal think that the theatrical cut was better? The dark days ahead look better for Captain America as I now see that Joe Johnston has not lost his touch. Yet on the horizon I see no sequel to The Wolfman. Everything seemed to be in place but someone somewhere screwed it up. Perhaps there are dark days ahead as Hollywood once again shows us it still doesn’t know what its doing.
ACTION / ADVENTURE / KUNG FU/ THRILLERS / WESTERNS
Absolute Power [Blu-ray] ~ Clint Eastwood
Air Force One / In the Line of Fire [Blu-ray] ~ Clint Eastwood, John Malkovich, Rene Russo, and Harrison Ford
Bad Boys [Blu-ray] ~ Martin Lawrence
Beautiful Creatures ~ Rachel Weisz, Susan Lynch, Iain Glen, and Jake D'Arcy
The Beguiled ~ Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, Elizabeth Hartman, and Jo Ann Harris
Behind Enemy Lines/The Thin Red Line ~ Owen Wilson, Gene Hackman, and Gabriel Macht
Blood Work (Ws Dub Sub Dol Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Jeff Daniels, Anjelica Huston, and Wanda De Jesus
Bronco Billy (Full Ws Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Geoffrey Lewis, and Scatman Crothers
Charley Varrick ~ Walter Matthau, Joe Don Baker, Felicia Farr, and Rudy Diaz
Crossing Over [Blu-ray] ~ Harrison Ford, Ashley Judd, Jim Sturgess, and Ray Liotta
The Enforcer / Sudden Impact (Action Double Feature) [Blu-ray] ~ Clint Eastwood
Firefox (Full Dub Ac3 Dol Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Freddie Jones, David Huffman, and Warren Clarke
The French Connection/The French Connection II ~ Gene Hackman, Fernando Rey, and Roy Scheider
Gauntlet (1977) [Blu-ray] ~ Pat Hingle, William Prince, and Douglas McGrath
Gen-Y Cops ~ Mark Hicks, Paul Rudd, Maggie Q, and Johnnie Guy
The Gingerbread Man ~ Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr., and Daryl Hannah
Havana ~ Robert Redford, Lena Olin, Alan Arkin, and Tomas Milian
Heartbreak Ridge [Blu-ray] ~ Mario Van Peebles, Everett Mcgill, Bo Svenson, and Moses Gunn
Hollywood Homicide / The Devil's Own ~ Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Josh Hartnett, and Isaiah Washington
Identity / Secret Window ~ Johnny Depp, Maria Bello, John Turturro, and John Cusack
I Spy / Medallion ~ Eddie Murphy, Owen Wilson, Famke Janssen, and Jackie Chan
Kelly's Heroes/Where Eagles Dare (Action Double Feature) [Blu-ray]
Kuffs ~ Christian Slater, Milla Jovovich, Ric Roman Waugh, and Steve Holladay
Kung Fu Hustle / The One [Blu-ray] ~ Jet Li, Carla Gugino, Stephen Chow, and Wah Yuen
Madigan ~ Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Inger Stevens, and Harry Guardino
The Man From Laramie / The Desperadoes ~ James Stewart, Arthur Kennedy, Donald Crisp, and Cathy O'Donnell
The Man with No Name Trilogy [Blu-ray] ~ Clint Eastwood
Maximum Risk / Double Team ~ Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Rodman, Mickey Rourke, and Natasha Henstridge
Memento & U-Turn (2pc) (Ws Dol)
Midnight in Garden of Good & Evil (Full Ws Sub) ~ John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, Jack Thompson, and Irma P. Hall
Mystic River (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, and Emmy Rossum
Outlaw Josey Wales (Full Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, Chief Dan George, and Bill McKinney
Outlaws: The Legend of O.B. Taggart [Blu-ray] ~ Ben Johnson, Randy Travis, Larry Gatlin, and Ned Beatty
Pale Rider (Full Ws Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Michael Moriarty, Carrie Snodgress, and Sydney Penny
Pale Rider [Blu-ray]
Perfect World (1993) (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol Ecoa) ~ Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Laura Dern, and T.J. Lowther
The Quest ~ Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James Remar, and Ryan Cutrona
The Quick & The Dead / Silverado ~ Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Kevin Kline, and Scott Glenn
Rampage ~ Brendan Fletcher, Matt Frewer, and Shaun Sipsos
The Red Baron ~ Matthias Schweighofer, Til Schweiger, Lena Headey, and Joseph Fiennes
The Red Baron [Blu-ray]
Replacement Killers / S.W.A.T [Blu-ray] ~ Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, and LL Cool J
Revolver / Run Lola Run [Blu-ray] ~ Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, Franka Potente, and Moritz Bleibtreu
The Rookie [Blu-ray] ~ Charlie Sheen, Raul Julia, and Tom Skerritt
Rules Limited Collector's Edition ~ Zak Lee Guarnaccia, Darren Kendrick, Amanda Chism, and Nina Manni
Savage Land [Blu-ray] ~ Corbin Bernsen, Corry Carrior, Brion James, and Martin Kove
Space Cowboys (Ws Amar Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner
The Stranger [Blu-ray] ~ Steve Austin, Adam Beach, and Erica Cerra
Stranger ~ Steve Austin
Tempo ~ Melanie Griffith, Rachael Leigh Cook, Hugh Dancy, and Malcolm McDowell
The Three Musketeers/The Four Musketeers (Two-Movie Collection) ~ Michael York, Raquel Welch, Oliver Reed, and Richard Chamberlain
Tightrope (Ws Sub Dol) ~ Clint Eastwood, Geneviève Bujold, Dan Hedaya, and Alison Eastwood
True Crime (Full Ws Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Clint Eastwood, Isaiah Washington, Lisa Gay Hamilton, and James Woods
The Truth About Charlie (including with original movie 'Charade') ~ Thandie Newton, Mark Wahlberg, Tim Robbins, and Christine Boisson
Two-Minute Warning ~ Charlton Heston, John Cassavetes, Martin Balsam, and Beau Bridges
Unforgiven (1992) (Ws Dub Sub Ac3 Dol Ecoa) ~ Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Harris
The Unsaid ~ Andy Garcia, Vincent Kartheiser, Trevor Blumas, and Chelsea Field
Where Eagles Dare (Ws Dub Sub Dol Ecoa Rpkg) ~ Richard Burton, Clint Eastwood, Mary Ure, and Patrick Wymark
Wild Things: Foursome ~ Marnette Patterson, Ashley Parker Angel, and Kourtney Brown
Wild Things: Foursome [Blu-ray]
White Hunter Black Heart (Ws Dub Sub Dol Ecoa) ~ Clint Eastwood, Jeff Fahey, Charlotte Cornwell, and Norman Lumsden
XXX / XXX: State of the Union [Blu-ray] ~ Ice Cube, Samuel L. Jackson, Willem Dafoe, and Vin Diesel
Yanks ~ Richard Gere, Lisa Eichhorn, Vanessa Redgrave, and William Devane
ANIME
Brighter Than the Dawning Blue: Complete Collect
Digimon Data Squad Wild Boy of the Digital World
Naruto Shippuden, Vol. 10
Slayers Evolution-R: Season 5 ~ Michael Sinterniklaas, Veronica Taylor, and Lisa Ortiz
Soul Eater: Part 3 ~ Micah Solusod, Laura Bailey, Brittney Karbowski, and Todd Haberkorn
CARTOONS
Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog: Let's Race
Koopas Rock! ~ Super Mario
Sonic Underground: Legend Has It
COMEDY AND LOVE Mania Style
Every Which Way But Loose [Blu-ray] ~ Clint Eastwood
50 First Dates / Click [Blu-ray] ~ Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore, Rob Schneider, and Sean Astin
Ghost Dad ~ Bill Cosby, Kimberly Russell, Denise Nicholas, and Ian Bannen
Groundhog Day / Hitch [Blu-ray] ~ Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Will Smith, and Eva Mendes
Sweet Liberty ~ Alan Alda, Michael Caine, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Bob Hoskins
The Three Stooges Collection, Vol. 8: 1955-1959 ~ Moe Howard, Shemp Howard, Larry Fine, and Joe Besser
HORROR
Absolute Zero ~ Jeff Fahey
Bram Stoker's Dracula / Grudge [Blu-ray] ~ Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jason Behr, Clea DuVall, and Gary Oldman
Class of Nuke 'Em High [Blu-ray] ~ Janelle Brady, Gil Brenton, and Robert Prichard
Cornered ~ Steve Guttenberg, James Duval, and Ellia English
Dark Nature [Blu-ray] ~ Niall Greig Fulton, Imogen Toner, and James Bryce
Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York ~ Costas Mandylor, Michael Ironside, Michael Boisvert, and Alexandra Paul
Disaster Zone: Volcano in New York / Absolute Zero ~ Jeff Fahey, Costas Mandylor, Michael Ironside, and Michael Boisvert
Dreadtime Stories Double Feature: Ring Around The Rosie / Death Tunnel ~ Gina Philips, Tom Sizemore, Jenny Mollen, and Randall Batinkoff
Dreadtime Stories Double Feature: Candy Stripers / She Creature ~ Brian Lloyd, Tori White, Rufus Sewell, and Carla Gugino
Dreadtime Stories Double Feature: The Woods / The Craft ~ Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, and Lauren Birkell
Dreadtime Stories Double Feature: Hollow Man / Flatliners ~ Kevin Bacon, Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and William Baldwin
Easter Bunny, Kill! Kill! ~ Timothy Muskatell, Charlotte Marie, and Ricardo Gray
The Hitcher II - I've Been Waiting ~ Jake Busey, Kari Wuhrer, C. Thomas Howell, and Shaun Johnston
I Know What You Did Last Summer / I Still Know What You Did Last Summer [Blu-ray] ~ Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Brandy Norwood
Killer Swarm ~ Janin Reinhardt, Stephan Luca, Paula Schramm, and Sonja Kirchberger
Long Time Dead ~ Joe Absolom, Tom Bell, Lara Belmont, and Melanie Gutteridge
Silent Hill / Ultraviolet [Blu-ray] ~ Milla Jovovich, Cameron Bright, Radha Mitchell, and Laurie Holden
Slithis ~ Alan Blanchard
Village of the Damned ~ Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda Kozlowski, and Michael Paré
The Wolfman ~ Anthony Hopkins, Benicio Del Toro, and Emily Blunt
The Wolfman (2-Disc Unrated Director's Cut) [Blu-ray]
SCIENCE FICTION / FANTASY
Alice in Wonderland (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/Digital Copy + Film Cell Photo Frame) (Amazon.com Exclusive)
Alice in Wonderland (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy)
Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland [Blu-ray]
Close Encounters/Starman ~ Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, and Jeff Bridges
The Cold Equations ~ Bill Campbell
Dragonfly (Widescreen) ~ Lisa Banes, Kathy Bates, Kevin Costner, and Matt Crave
Darkman 2 - The Return of Durant ~ Larry Drake, Arnold Vosloo, Kim Delaney, and Renée O'Connor
Darkman III - Die Darkman Die ~ Jeff Fahey, Arnold Vosloo, Darlanne Fluegel, and Roxann Dawson
The Fifth Element / Gattaca [Blu-ray] ~ Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, and Ethan Hawke
The Net / Johnny Mnemonic ~ Keanu Reeves, Dolph Lundgren, Sandra Bullock, and Dina Meyer
Timecop 2 ~ Jason Scott Lee, Thomas Ian Griffith, and Mary Page Keller
War of the Worlds [Blu-ray] ~ Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins, and Miranda Otto
TV LAND
Aqua Teen Hunger Force 1-7 (14pc) (Std Sub Dol)
Band of Brothers with The Pacific Part One [Blu-ray]
Band of Brothers with The Pacific Part One
Burn Notice: Season Three ~ Jeffrey Donovan
The Cleaner: The Final Season ~ Benjamin Bratt, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Esteban Powell
The Cleaner: The Complete Series ~ Benjamin Bratt, Kevin Michael Richardson, and Esteban Powell
Foyle's War: Set 6 ~ Michael Kitchen
Ghost Hunters International: Season One, Part One ~ Robb Demarest, Barry Fitzgerald, Dustin Pari, and Brandy Green
Mister Ed: The Complete Third Season ~ Alan Young
Rescue Me: Complete Fifth Season ~ Denis Leary, Adam Ferrara, Mike Lombardi, and Steven Pasquale
We'll Meet Again ~ Michael J. Shannon
UNDENIABLE CLASSICS
The Sting ~ Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Robert Shaw, and Charles Durning
BOX SETS
Clint Eastwood Collection (Absolute Power / Dirty Harry / Gran Torino / Kelly's Heroes / Letters from Iwo Jima / Million Dollar Baby / Mystic River / The Rookie / Unforgiven / Where Eagles Dare) [Blu-ray] ~ Clint Eastwood
Essential Eastwood: Action Collection (Firefox / Heartbreak Ridge / Kelly's Heroes / Where Eagles Dare) ~ Clint Eastwood
Peanuts: 1970's Collection, Vol. 2 (Be My Valentine Charlie Brown / You're a Good Sport / It's Arbor Day / What a Nightmare / It's Your First Kiss / You're the Greatest) ~ Charlie Brown
The Professionals / The Quick & The Dead [Blu-ray] ~ Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Burt Lancaster, and Lee Marvin
The Three Stooges Collection, Volumes 1-8 Bundle ~ Moe Howard, Shemp Howard, and Larry Fine
LOGIN
REGISTER
RSS
HOME
Bob, I picked up a few Blu-Rays at the end of last when when my Blu-Ray player arrived. So far, what I've seen has been pretty good. Last Starfighter looked great, but I agree with what you said about it last year with respect to the special effects are what hurt the HD version. They really looked like a video game and were maybe a little too neat and clean.
The Wild Bunch director's cut was amazing! It looked like it could have been shot yesterday.
Carpenter's The Thing looked great too, but the lack of special features that easily could have been ported over from the special edition DVD was very disappointing.
1966's Batman feature looks pretty good too. Of course, the special features are what makes it worth buying for me.
I borrowed a few others from a friend like the original Planet of Apes. The picture looked good, but I've caught bits and pieces of the movie on the HD pay channels over the last year so it didn't "WOW me"that I really need to dig out my old DVD and do some comparsions.