Stanley
and Iris (1990/MGM)/Two For The Road (1967/Fox/both
Twilight Time Limited Edition Blu-rays)
Picture:
B Sound: B Extras: B Films: B-/B
PLEASE
NOTE: Both
Blu-rays are now only available from our friends at Twilight Time,
are limited to only 3,000 copies each and can be ordered while
supplies last from the links below.
And
now for two more key films issued on Blu-ray by the great specialty
label Twilight Time...
Stanley
and Iris
Robert
DeNiro and Jane Fonda star in Stanley and Iris (1990), an
interesting drama directed by Martin Ritt (who also made Hombre,
also available from Twilight Time and reviewed elsewhere on this
site). Featuring a great score by John Williams, which can be
enjoyed on the disc's isolated score track, the film feels very real
and genuine and is a ''slice of life'' film in its purest form.
Also
starring in the film are Swoosie Kurtz, Martha Plimpton, Harley
Cross, Jamey Sheridan, Loretta Devine and Feodor Chaliapin.
Stanley
and Iris both work at a food factory in a New England town and form
an unlikely friendship. Iris is a recent widow and Stanley is an
illiterate, yet hard working cook. When it is exposed that he is
illiterate at the workplace, Stanley loses his job and has to work a
less flattering one as a janitor. Feeling less than his worth,
Stanley gets a little help from Iris - who helps him conquer his
disability. The film also explores the relationship with father and
son as Stanley has to enter his father in a nursing home and ends up
losing him and mother and daughter with Iris and her pregnant teenage
daughter.
My
favorite scene of the film is when Stanley first asks Iris to teach
him to read. The rain is pouring down and Iris is on her way to
catch a bus. As Stanley attempts to ask her, he can't get the words
out as the bus is boarding up with passengers. As he blurs the words
out to her, Iris is already on board as the bus pulls away. The
scene is beautifully shot and acted and is a fine example of great
cinematic storytelling.
The
high definition presentation looks fantastic in 1080p with a 2.35:1
widescreen aspect ratio and sounds great in its lossless English 2.0
DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) Stereo mix with Pro Logic surrounds from the
older Dolby A-type analog soundmaster. Shot on 35mm film with real
anamorphic Panavision, the skin tones and textures here are sharp and
natural, looking better than previous releases of the film on home
video, as originally processed by the DuArt Labs.
Special
Features...
Isolated
Music Track with score by legendary composer/conductor John Williams
Audio
Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
Original
Theatrical Trailer
Insert
Booklet with illustrations and another excellent essay by Kirgo
A
great feel good film that you can watch with the whole family that is
captured beautifully on disc by Twilight Time.
Two
For The Road
Albert
Finney and Audrey Hepburn star in Two For The Road (1967), a
charming journey of a relationship which highlights love, loss, and
the adventures of marriage. Directed expertly by the famous Stanley
Donen (Singin' in the Rain) and penned by Frederic Raphael
(Darling, Eyes Wide Shut, Daisy Miller) with a
score by Henry Mancini that is highlighted on the disc's score only
track, the talent behind the lens is as evident as it is in front.
Known as one of the seminal films of the 1960s and nominated for
Oscars, I'm sure it was an influence on director Wes Anderson when
you see some of the costume designs.
The
ten-year marriage of Mark and Joanna Wallace is on the rocks. In
flashback, they recall their first meeting, memorable moments in
their courtship and early wedded life, their travels through Europe,
their broken vow never to have children, and their increasing
tensions that led to both of them having extra-marital affairs.
Two
for the Road also stars Eleanor Bron, William Daniels, Claude
Dauphin, Nadia Gray, and Jacqueline Bisset. I found the film to be
pretty romantic as it shows the highest and lows of their
relationship. The story is a bit disjointed with a timeline that
jumps from past to present scene to scene that may give some viewers
whiplash, though still the film is very interestingly made and
definitely worth checking out if you haven't seen it. The cutest
scene for me is when they both get sunburn and analyze each other in
the mirror struggling to kiss each other. If that isn't true love
than I don't know what is!
Presented
in 1080p high definition with a 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio and a
lossless English 1.0 DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) Mono track, the film
both looks and sounds fantastic on Blu-ray disc with superb colors
and detail on the subjects that brings out the texture of the
original 35mm film presentation (also 35mm with real anamorphic
Panavision lenses) beyond what was a fine DVD release years ago for
its time.
Special
Features...
Insert
Booklet with illustrations and yet another excellent essay by Kirgo
Isolated
Music Track of Henry Mancini's score as noted
Brand
New Audio Commentary with Film Historians Julie Kirgo and Nick Redman
Vintage
Audio Commentary with Director Stanley Donen
Fox
Movietone Newsreel
Original
Theatrical Trailer
A
great release from Twilight Time. For more on the film, try our
coverage of the DVD from a long while ago at this link....
http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/3216/Two+For+The+Road
And
to order either of these limited
edition Blu-rays, buy them while supplies last at these links:
www.screenarchives.com
and
http://www.twilighttimemovies.com/
-
James Lockhart
https://www.facebook.com/jamesharlandlockhartv/
