Print
Email
Share
The best film adaptation ever of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” (A&E, 1995, $49.95) leads the list of new titles arriving this week on the Blu-ray high definition format.
A co-production of A&E and the BBC, the six-part miniseries excellently captures Austen’s focus on the mores and social ladder of the era. At the same time, it manages to draw us into the romantic storylines while painting vivid portraits of the characters.
The period costumes, the memorable locations, a sterling cast, a solid directing job by Simon Langton and a marvelous music score by Carl Davis transport us back to early 19th century England. It is a journey through time well worth taking.
Particularly impressive are Colin Firth as Darcy and Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth Bennet. Darcy is smitten with Elizabeth but fights his feelings because he knows she is below his social status. Elizabeth considers his seemingly stoic personality as rude and un-gentlemanly. Thus, Elizabeth is surprised when she finds herself often thinking about Darcy.
Elizabeth’s sister Jane (Susannah Harker) has fallen for Darcy’s friend Charles Bingley (Crispin Bonham-Carter) who seems to have the same feelings for her. However, when Bingley is called away and she hears nothing from him, Jane is convinced there is no future with him. Eventually, both Elizabeth and Jane find out that love often takes a twisting trail with many bumps along the way.
Alison Steadman is unforgettable as the flighty, loud-talking Mrs. Bennet, whose main goal in life is to see that her five daughters end up with wealthy husbands. Just the opposite is her husband Mr. Bennet (Benjamin Whitrow) who has a laid-back manner and often seems amused at the events swirling around him.
The miniseries is packed with many delicious moments. The two-disc edition contains four featurettes that are worth watching. “Pride and Prejudice” is highly recommended.
Other Blu-ray releases:
“Mean Girls” (Paramount, 2004, $29.99): Lindsay Lohan plays Cady Heron, a girl who has been home-schooled before finally entering public high school at age 15. She quickly discovers that the social life is just as much of a challenge as the academics. Trying to make her life miserable is Regina George (Rachel McAdams), leader of a clique known as The Plastics. Also in the cast is Tina Fey. A surprisingly enjoyable, funny and entertaining film. Recommended.
“The Last Kiss” (Paramount, 2006, $29.99): Zach Braff stars in this film about four Madison, Wis., males who are about to turn 30 and are reluctant to embrace adulthood. Braff’s character Micheal is even more fearful because a long-time relationship is drawing him closer to marriage. Then he meets Kim (Rachel Bilson) and his life takes an upbeat turn.
“The Spirit” (Lionsgate, 2008, $39.99): Here’s a film that proves not all comic book heroes make successful jumps to the big screen. There is some action but the movie lacks ... well ... spirit. Gabriel Macht plays the hero and Samuel L. Jackson plays his enemy The Octopus. In 1940, Will Eisner created The Spirit as a crime-fighting character who was never really a hero with super powers. His “costume” was only a mask, a trench coat and a fedora hat.
“Universal Soldier: The Return” (Sony, 1999, $28.95): Jean-Claude Van Damme is back as Luc Deveraux to battle Seth and a gang of superhuman cyborgs. It seems the government has decided to quit making the cyborgs and they aren’t happy about that.
“8 Mile” (Universal, 2002, $29.98): Eminem plays Jimmy Smith, Jr., who struggles to make it in the world of rap and in life itself. His girlfriend is pregnant, his mother is an alcoholic and his job prospects are dim. That’s when he turns to the music world in hopes of finding a silver lining. Kim Basinger, Mekhi Phifer and Brittany Murphy also star.
“The Thirteenth Floor” (Sony, 1999, $28.95): What is real and what is fantasy? Maybe both are one and the same, according to this film. Computer ace Douglas Hall (Craig Bierko) has unlocked a door to another world which turns out to be 1937 Los Angeles. The title refers to the floor where Hall conducts his high-tech exploits.
“Splinter” (Magnolia, 2008, $26.98): This is one splinter you don’t ever want to get stuck in a finger. It is really fungus that transforms its human hosts into frightening beings. Shea Whigham, Jill Wagner and Paulo Costanzo head the cast.
“Strange Wilderness” (Paramount, 2008, $29.99): Steve Zahn plays Peter Gaulke, the host of a TV wildlife show that is in danger of being axed. In hopes of boosting ratings, Gaulke and his crew are determined to track down the real Bigfoot.
