Soon, I hope to be back on track, as this blog is now finished, and the blog for June should not be far behind. In the meantime, if you haven't done so, be sure to check out my newly redesigned homepage and the LightningFilmz Store (powered by Amazon.com). Notably, I update the "Coming to DVD/Blu-ray" section of the store, at least, 3 times a week.
Best Film of the Month – The Road
Released by Sony Pictures on May 25, 2010.
The Road is a post-apocalyptic tale about a father and son's journey across America and their struggle for survival. It is directed by John Hillcoat, who previously directed one of my favorite films, The Proposition, and is based on the book by Cormac McCarthy, author of No Country for Old Men. Also, the music is composed by Nick Cave (my favorite musician) and Warren Ellis.
Watch the Trailer | Buy the Blu-ray or DVD from Amazon
'Under the Radar' Film of the Month – One Deadly Summer
Released by Bayview Entertainment/Widowmaker on May 11, 2010.
A beautiful, young woman (played by Isabelle Adjani, who won the best actress César award in 1984 for her performance) moves to a small, French town with her German mother and handicapped father. Fairly quickly—almost too quickly—she is engaged in a relationship with a local young man. As One Deadly Summer progresses, it becomes more complex, mysterious, and thrilling. I believe this is one of the most 'under the radar' films that I have picked, thus far; and it's a shame One Deadly Summer has not been seen and enjoyed by more people, outside of France.
Buy the DVD from Amazon
Another 'under the radar' film I enjoyed this month: North Face (Watch the Trailer).
Blu-ray of the Month – Walkabout
Released by the Criterion Collection on May 18, 2010.
After a tragic event at the beginning of Walkabout, a young brother and sister find themselves stranded in the Australian desert. While journeying through the harsh terrain, they meet a young Australian Aborigine, who is on his walkabout—a rite of passage in which adolescent, Aborigine boys are initiated into manhood by journeying into the Australian wilderness alone, for a period as long as six months. With his help, the siblings attempt to find their way back to civilization. There seems to be something mystical (as in, otherworldly, spiritual, and mysterious) about films set in the Australian Outback, and Walkabout is no different. This Blu-ray gorgeously displays the natural beauty, and severity, of the the Outback. A great double-feature would be to pair Walkabout with Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Visit the Criterion Collection | Buy the Blu-ray or DVD from Amazon
DVD of the Month – Oshima's Outlaw Sixties
Released by the Criterion Collection on May 18, 2010.
Oshima's Outlaw Sixties is the 21st release in the Criterion Collection's Eclipse Series line. According to Criterion, "Eclipse is a selection of lost, forgotten, or overshadowed classics in simple, affordable editions. Each series is a brief cinematheque retrospective for the adventurous home viewer." This 5-disc DVD set includes five, Japanese New Wave, films directed by Nagisa Oshima.
Visit the Criterion Collection | Buy the DVD from Amazon
For information about the criteria I use to choose the best films releases of the month, please read my other blog post, located here.
