Hardcore (1979)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: George C.
Scott, Peter Boyle, Season Hubley, Dick Sargent, Leonard Gaines,
David Nichols
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating: 5 out of 5
I was super excited learning this was going to be a Special
Edition Blu-ray by Twilight Time, for the simple fact this stars one of my all-time
favorite actors and second I had never seen this before, and so this was an
absolute treat. George C. Scott is one of those perfect performers that was
able to create and complete a persona and crafted an ability to own any film he
did. He built his characters in such a believable fashion that it left the
viewer with a passionate love for his acting wonderment. He starred in three of
my all-time favorite films.
The one and only World War 2 film, Patton which is
always the obvious one on most film lovers list. The second is the very
underrated Ghost horror film from 1980, The Changeling which is a creepy,
spooky and perfect little gem. And third, last but not least one of the greatest
sequels, The Exorcist 3. It was super exciting to see Hardcore, a George C.
Scott film I had never seen. Twilight Time did an amazing job in picking this
one.
The film is a very complex drama thick with a thriller
mentality. The subject matter is deep. George C. Scott plays Jake VanDorn a
business man that is seeking out to find his teenage daughter who has ran away
and is now making porno films in the underbelly of California’s porno business.
Also starring the wonderful Peter Boyle. Always priceless to
see him. Also the amazing Dick Sargent stars in this. Also keep an eye out for
the beautiful, amazing Jean Allison who starred acting in 1957 and continued to
do so until 1984. She to me never got the limelight she deserved. Her talent is
amazing. Huge TV performer but also film performer. She has graced her beauty
in just about all the popular TV shows of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. It was grand
seeing her in this.
I have to mention the performance by Season Hubley who plays
the porno actress and hooker Niki. Hubley gives a wonderful performance. The
interaction between Scott and her is priceless performing. Both bring that believability
to the screen that leaves the viewer feeling apart of what is happening.
Hardcore is directed by in my viewpoint one of the greatest
screenplay writer’s and also Directors. He might not get the same house hold
name love like Spielberg, Scorsese, Coppola, but his talent is just as equally
important. He is the man that wrote one of the greatest film scripts to ever
come out of cinema, the one and only 1976’s masterpiece Taxi Driver. Also wrote
the screenplays for Raging Bull, The Last Temptation of Christ, Affliction,
American Gigolo which he also directed. He is still going strong today. He has
had hits and misses but always is able to capture a uniqueness about each of
his films.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 5 out of 5
The film has never looked any better. The imagery is so
cleaned up, does not look at all as if it came from the 70’s. Looks fantastic
in High Definition. The sound is equally impressive. Both audio and Video is
both brilliant for this special edition Blu-ray.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
1979 / Color
108 MINUTES
RATED R
Extras:
My Rating: 3 out of 5
Isolated Score Track- This is a wonderful special feature for the
simple fact a genius, and often overlooked, or forgotten about musician is
behind this music. Bernard Alfred “Jack” Nitzsche, was an arranger, producer,
song writer and most of all film score composer. Sadly, this master passed away
in 2000, but left a world of music mastery. He was truly a guru of the music
world, working with bands such as The Rolling Stones, and many musicians, such
as Neil Young. But it was his movie world ties that expresses to me his
ultimate mastery. All one has to do is look at his resume for the movies. One
of the best soundtracks ever in my viewpoint, the masterpiece film, and my
personal number one choice of best horror film, 1973’s The Exorcist. He worked
on 1975’s masterpiece, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. The very underrated
1980’s Cruising. 1982’s An Officer and a Gentleman, 1984’s Sci-Fi classic
Starman. The perfection that is 1986’s Stand by Me, and many more. He was
perfection in film score and music world, and Twilight Time honored his mastery
with this special feature.
Audio Commentary with Writer-Director Paul Schrader.
Listening to the man himself talk about the movie is a great special feature.
Loved the info.
Audio Commentary with Film Historians Eddy Friedfeld, Lee
Pfeiffer, and Paul Scrabo. An awesome array of multi-talented film historians.
I love listening to passionate people who truly get film, and love film.
Original Theatrical Trailer
Also the amazing booklet insert by the one and only Julie
Kirgo which is always a plus. These booklets are always cherished.
Overall:
Another priceless example of pure Twilight Time perfection.
Always a treat to experience there 3,000 Unit production of awesome movies,
mostly over looked and forgotten about films. Twilight Time always chooses
great and interesting films and Hardcore is another one of those choices that
is perfect to praise.
INFO:
Make sure you head over to www.screenarchives.com to buy all
the wonderful Twilight Time Blu-rays. The main page that gives you these
beautiful releases on top quality Special Editions.
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