Love and Death
Blu-ray Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Harold Gould, Alfred
Lutter, Olga Georges-Picot, Jessica Harper, Tony Jay, Aubrey Morris.
Plot: In a script only Woody Allen could make, a soldier in
Russia suffering from forms of mental disorder decides a plot to assassinate
Napoleon.
My Review and Thoughts:
Film 4.5/5
What can be said new or different, that has not already been
said about Woody Allen and his ultimate genius of film making. Even in the past
reviews I have done for other Twilight Time Blu-ray releases of this master
genius of film, I have a had a hard time coming up with new stuff to say. Woody
Allen is just one of those unique, mastery, gifted and iconic performers,
directors and writers that are, few in number. Love and Death is one of those
original Allen films that not only, did he write and direct, he also starred in
it. Now this is a one of those films that is forgotten about in a lot of ways.
Two years later Woody Allen and Diane Keaton would join together again, for in
my opinion, one of the greatest comic films to date, and that’s Annie Hall.
In Love and Death, like Annie Hall, Diane Keaton and Woody
Allen, have such amazing chemistry together and create a believable character
relationship. I think that is what is so genius about Woody Allen, is that his
films are honest and down to earth, in most cases, or at least play on the
emotional aspects of life, and a personal setting, no matter how far out there
it is. Love and Death, like most of Woody Allen films of his early days, are a
comical wonderment of pure laughs, and humorous moments that leave the viewer
filled with giggles, and memories of those giggles, long after it's over.
One can battle amongst themselves, specifically movie buffs,
cinema nerds, film gurus, on just what is the best Woody Allen film. He has
done so many films that stand out. Yes some are misses and some are just plain,
must see cinema. There is a battle between the realities of just what is the
best comic film of Woody Allen’s earlier career. Love and Death battles it’s
out with Annie Hall in my mind. Annie Hall has always been on my list of the
greatest comical films, and also in my top 100 greatest American Films. Love
and Death is one of those movies that has often battled it out in my movie
loving mind on just where it belongs on the list of comical films or greatest
films. I personal believe Love and Death is one of the great iconic films of
Woody’s early directing. I don’t think it’s as good as Annie Hall, but its dam
close.
When I heard that it was coming to Blu-ray, I was giddy like
a school boy, when school let out for the summer? Twilight Time has released
many of Allen’s films on their lovely Blu-rays and Love and Death goes right up
there with the others. Love and Death is a film that only Woody Allen could do,
and ace it with all its weird moments and comical genius.
Woody plays the character of Boris. A weird and almost
trippy like character. A coward that surprisingly becomes the focus of
attention as a war hero. Twist in the funny, odd reality of Boris becoming an
assassin, and you can tell that only Woody Allen could make this film the way
it is. Truly a one of a kind film, that is masterfully directed and most of all
acted. Allen along with Keaton shine in all it’s simple, silly creativity.
Diane Keaton is another one of those persona's that needs no
introduction. She has always graced cinema with a flawless example of just how
a performance can shine, and the role of Sonja in Love and Death is no
different. She has been a part of cinema for many years, and her talented
ability to own her characters, and basically become them, shines in anything
she does. I know that I speak a lot about certain actors and actresses who own
their characters, but to me, that is the example of how good a performer they
are. They are not just acting out a job, they have been paid for. The flawless
actors and actress’ are those, who look at a part and own it. They breathe it,
enter its soul and possess it; that is what Keaton does. Keaton is one of those
performers that in my viewpoint goes up there with all the greats of the past
and present. From starring in the greatest films like The Godfather series, to
the many Woody Allen films, she is a goddess of performance. She deserves all
the recognition she can get. Her ability to perform with Woody Allen is
priceless in many of his films from Sleeper, to Annie Hall and many, many
others, including Love and Death. She not only is an actress but also a
director. She is a multi-talented person of cinema that is gorgeous to watch in
anything she does.
Fans of Woody Allen's style of cinema will enjoy this movie.
Love and Death goes up there as one of his personal best. It’s in reality a
movie that never gets old. I have seen this film many times and is always a
treat of laugh at. No matter how many times I see it, I love it, and it’s a
priceless gem of cinema, no matter how many times you watch it, as a fan of
Allen or as a cinema fan period.
Look out for some great, iconic persons involved in cinema
in this film. The wonderful Tony Jay who most might not know as a name, or as a
face, but might know him as his voice. He is a pivotal part of my childhood. He
is best known for his ultimate voice work, giving life to many wonderful
animated characters throughout his life. A voice actor like no other and is so
wonderful to remember. He sadly passed away, but his legacy lives on. From
being the voice of the Supreme Being in the 1981 Fantasy masterpiece film, Time
Bandits, to being the wonderful voice of Shere Khan in the wonderful Disney
animated series Talespin. Doing major voices for characters in all the great
animated series of my childhood, Rugrats, Hey Arnold, Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles, Skelton Warriors, Mighty Max, The Tick, Mighty Ducks, Reboot, and even
small parts in Darkwing Duck, 2 Stupid Dogs, Aaahh Real Monsters, Gargoyles,
Animaniacs, and many, many more. From
acting in one of my favorite TV series of all time Twin Peaks. He was a true
voice that shined in all of his amazing glory. It’s always a wonderful reality
for me seeing him in Love and Death.
Also look out for Jessica Harper, another magical performer
who has graced cinema in many of the wonderful films of cult status. From the
one of a kind and amazing, twisted and weird and brilliant Brain De Palma’s
Phantom of Paradise, to the iconic horror masterpiece 1977’s Dario Argento’s
Suspiria, to the weird squeal to The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Shock
Treatment. She also is in one of my ultimate guilty pleasures of cinema, the
very funny, forgotten and comical mastery, 1989’s Big Man on Campus ----lord I
wish someone would release Big Man on Campus on Blu-ray or DVD----. She also
acted in another Woody Allen film Stardust Memories. I feel she is another one
of those performers that never got the chance to shine on screen. She is a
wonderful performer that deserves and deserved so much more.
Look out for the wonderful actor James Tolkan. Been acting
since the 60's and still going strong today. Another wonderful example of a
character acting genius. Starring in some of the great films such as Serpico,
Wolfen ----someone needs to release Wolfen on Blu-ray---- Iceman, WarGames,
Back to the Future 1 and 2. Most people growing up in the 80’s will know him
from the TV series Remington Steele, playing the character Norman Keyes. I
think I will always remember him from the ultra-cheesy b-movie, 1987’s Masters
of the Universe. He is always a fantastic character actor that shines in any
part he plays, from small, to super small. He has a memorable face and a
performance quality that makes you remember him. He plays the character of
Napoleon in Love and Death, and he is wonderful as always.
Also on a side note I have to throw out there the
performance by Alfred Lutter. He plays the young persona of Woody Allen’s character
Boris. Lutter will most famously be known from his character of Ogilvie in
1976’s The Bad News Bears and 1977’s The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.
Also for all you horror fans out there keep an eye out for Aubrey Morris.
Morris is a stable in the horror movie world being in such
B-movie/Drive-in/Horror/Sci-fi classics like, 1965’s Blood Beast from Outer
Space, 1971’s Blood from the Mummy’s Tomb, 1973’s amazing The Wicker Man,
1985’s weird and unique Lifeforce, the utter cheesy guilty pleasure 1995’s Project
Shadowchaser III, 1996’s bloody, corny, nudity induced, Bordello of Blood,
1998's b-movie Legend of the Mummy. He was also in one of the greatest films of
all time, Stanley Kubrick’s 1971’s masterpiece A Clockwork Orange.
There is a lot of wonderful character actors in Love and
Death, just giving it another awesome reality.
Love and Death you can’t help but notice what Allen is doing
in the film. There is really many moments that pay respect to the ultimate
classic performers of the past that made way for comical genius such as Woody
Allen. The Marx Brothers, Bob Hope and most of all the master talented Charlie
Chaplin is paid respect to, in the style of Love and Death.
Lastly I have to talk about the cinematography. What can
only be described as, out of this world? The impressive and almost ravishing
quality of this cinematography, is mind blowing perfection. One, only has to
look at, who is behind this cinematography, to fully understand why this
picture is so gorgeous. If the term flawless was a person, it would be Ghislain
Cloquet. For if you do not know who Cloquet is, then you might want to
reconsider your viewing, and terms of cinema buff. Cloquet is the master behind
so many pieces of cinema that is masterpiece worthy, and the very definition of
excellence. From cinema greats like 1966’s Au Hasard Balthazar, 1967’s
wonderful Mouchette. The great musical comedy 1967’s The Young Girls of
Rochefort. The powerful drama, 1969’s A Gentle Woman. Roman Polanski’s 1979
classic, Tess. Most will know him from his documentaries. From working
alongside Sacha Vierny on the one of a kind and high regarded achievement, in
capturing the dehumanization and final solution, brought to fruition by the
Nazi’s, the nightmarish brilliance, that is Night and Fog, which stands out,
and always will, as being one of the greatest short documentary’s ever to be
done. He also is behind another wonderful example of documentary brilliance,
1967’s Far from Vietnam. Anything he touched, he caught in perfection with the
eye of what to do in filming memorable and amazing moments, and Love and Death
is no different.
What is so interesting about Love and Death, is there is an
ultimate artistic reality in the filming. There is almost an art-house
approach, or even in a sense an avant-garde reality playing throughout, in key
moments. It’s like a comical movie mixed with the ideas of experimental
filmmaking. So many wonderful directors are played homage to in this movie,
from the master Sergei Eisenstein, to the god of all things original cinema,
Ingmar Bergman. Love and Death is a film that knew itself and became something
so important to the art of film. Twilight Time thankfully has honored this
important piece of cinema, with this amazing transfer to Blu-ray. This 3,000
Unit, special edition is a must own for Woody Allen fans, and lovers of cinema.
They did a fantastic job in giving this film an outlet on Blu-ray.
Audio/Video: 5/5
1080p transfer in 1.85:1 is golden. Masterfully transferred.
I saw no real flaw, what so ever. It’s crisp and beautiful. The colors are
vibrant and the audio is something of ear perfection. I don't nitpick small
things that don't matter, or that don't take away from the movie experience. I
felt this was masterful. I say that a lot when reviewing these Twilight Time
Blu-rays, but when a company knows what they’re doing, you can’t help but
applaud them, for their mastery.
LANGUAGE: English
1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Extras: 2/5
You get the wonderful isolated music and effects. Nice to
listen to and look at a film in a different way, by just hearing the music and
effects. The one behind the music, is another master, not in film but music.
Sergei Prokofiev. Sergei was a true composer of outstanding music. He died way
too soon at the age of 61. He died way before this movie was even made or
wrote. His music has been sampled and composed throughout cinema. He left an
extraordinary career of music. One of those talents was supplying and composing
worthy music that stands out and gives the directors many composed pieces to
use for the soundtracks of their films. His music has been a part of many
important pieces of cinema. His music was used by one of my all-time favorite
directors, Pier Paolo Pasolini. Pier used the music in his masterpiece, The
Gospel According to St. Matthew. The music of Sergei was used in the shocking
controversial gem, 1979’s Caligula. Sergei wrote the famous music number, PETER
AND THE WOLF, which has been used in many films and TV programs. His expertise
and craft is unmistakable. From the many mainstream or lower set of movies, his
talented music, has shined, and Love and Death, is another prime example, of
his beauty, used inside of film.
Original Trailer
Awesome little booklet by film Historian Julia Kirgo. Like I
have always stated, a plus to these products is reading these booklets about
the film.
Overall:
Another flawless example of a product for an equally
important film. The blu-ray is top notch quality that has no real flaw
whatsoever. Another blu-ray, I highly recommend, and it should be owned by any
true lover of cinema. Great product with an awesome transfer.
INFO:
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the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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