First DVD of another film covered here over the months of 2005 at Twitch. Another I haven't seen either, though I've watched the trailers and consider Cronenberg a first class director. Particularly keen on 'Dead Ringers' and impressed but baffled by 'Naked Lunch', but never seen more than passing glimpses on late night TV showings of older films like 'Rabid' and 'Scanners'. Yes that's right, there are some classics out there I haven't seen, some I could buy... bit lost amongst all the more unfamiliar work that catched my eye though. Anyway, this is the first Cronenberg in years to get me really interested once again. Great sense and ability to compromise makes for some really unusual but commercially viable (don't know just how successful) films.
Anyway, this is due February 28th 2006. Looks like that (glimpse left... didn't they run a vote on this cover and two other choices?) and contain this : 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen presentation, Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo Surround 2.0 sound, English DTS, English & Spanish subtitles, Feature commentary by director David Cronenberg, Deleted scene with commentary by director David Cronenberg, “Acts of Violence” documentary, “Violence's History: United States Version vs. International Version” featurette, “The Unmaking of Scene 44” featurette, “Too Commercial for Cannes” featurette, and finally a Theatrical trailer (which is still online at Apple, see below).
'History of Violence' Embedded Quicktime Trailer at Apple.
source : DVD Times.
Hey wow, is it just me, or does the cover of the dvd have the aesthetic of a Korean Movie Poster (a country which always has interesting posters for their top-shelf releases...)?
Nice.
Meh, not too impressed with the cover. The picture is nothing special and the text is too obtrusive. Not a fan of reviewer-quotes on covers either.
But anyway, I don't care that much about covers. The movie was good, that's what matters.
You really should get out more, for once the multiplex's were showing a decent, well made and some would argue, a little "subversive" film. Cronenberg has a nice little back catalogue if your interested, check out Videodrome for a start.With regards to Naked Lunch, a movie based on a book written under the influence of mind altering substances, chopped up and pieced back together again!! but is it any more baffling than some of the more esoteric offerings we sometimes sit thru?
Anyway, back to "History.... I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, the way it sucked you into its small town Apple pie charms, then twisted around your preconception before going for the jugular. THe violence may have been miniscule by the standards of Battle Royale etc.. but when it came it packed a punch that felt real.
As long as Cronenberg can still put out movies which show to the mainstream, that will be enough for me.
Shite DVD cover by the way, must have taken, a good 30mins to knock that one up!!!
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