September (1987)
Company: Twilight Time
Starring: Jack
Warden, Dianne Wiest, Mia Farrow, Denholm Elliot, Sam Waterston, Rosemary
Murphy, Elaine Stritch
My Review and Thoughts:
My Rating: 4 out of 5
The story is about Lane. Lane has just gone through a failed
suicide. After this ordeal, she has moved into a country house in Vermont in
hopes to gather herself, heal and become mentally whole again. She is not alone during this trying time as her best friend Stephanie has joined her to help her
through the progress, which her main goal is not only to help her friend, but
also have time away from her husband. Now to make this a true Woody Allen
film you have to mix in the drama and dramatic overtones, that all of Allen’s
films have. Lane’s somewhat crazy mother Diana shows up with her husband, (Lane's Stepfather) Lloyd.
Add in two neighbors, Peter who is a writer or at least one struggling to
write. Also, Howard who is a teacher. Now to bring in the soap opera like
mentality, Howard the teacher is in love with our recovering Lane. But Lane is
in love with Peter, but Peter is in love with Stephanie.
Twilight Time always does an amazing wonderful job in
capturing great films on lovely 3,000 Unit Blu-rays. I think what is interesting
about September is it was shot twice. Created twice and was filmed in many
realities before Allen choose his path to completion. The movie originally
starred Sam Shepard as Peter and the film was filmed in this reality. Also,
actor Christopher Walken was filmed in many of the spots in the Peter role, but
Allen felt Walken was not right. Allen after filming the movie decided to
recast, rewrite and yes refilm the movie.
This is an interesting film in the way Allen filmed it. He
stated that he wanted the film to be like a stage play filmed on screen. He
captures this reality in that there are massive long shots and no real camera effects.
Twilight Time has released many Woody Allen films on Special
Edition, 3,000 Unit Blu-ray’s. Which you can read my reviews for all of them by
looking in the Twilight Time Section on the Left-hand side. From: A Midsummer
Night’s Sex Comedy / Love and Death / The Purple Rose of Cairo, Interiors, most
recently Another Woman, and many others. Woody Allen needs no introduction to
the cinema world. His vast career of films as both writer, director, actor and
so on, have been hits, misses, but always unique and interesting.
Woody Allen has a style that only he can do and get away
with in film. He has a natural talent of creating truly original pieces of
cinema. His ultimate completion of films is something that stands out as being
one of a kind experiences.
You either love or hate Woody Allen movies. Most of Allen’s
films are simple, down to earth and nothing grand, just great interaction and
performances. That performing holds the watcher, and creates a satisfied
experience, no matter how simplistic it is. Woody Allen is just one of those
unique, masterly, gifted and iconic performers, directors, and writers that
are, few.
One of your main female leads in many of Allen’s older films,
is his once wife, and often a stable, actress Mia Farrow. Always a wonderful
treat to see. An amazing actress that owns and creates a memorable character
that only she can do in every film she starred in. My personal favorite is one
of my favorite horror films of all time, the one and only Rosemary’s Baby. I
often return to this film repeatedly.
Farrow’s acting in Rosemary’s Baby is something that shines
with complete clarity in how to create a perfect horror film and build a
character. That brings me to the character of Lane in September. Mia can bring
this character to life in a believable reality like she always does.
While watching this and reviewing this you should mention
the brilliance and mastery of the cinematography done by the master talent of
Carlo Di Palma. Utterly brilliant and flawlessly created. His work truly stands
out in this movie. His mastery cannot, not be noticed. He makes the film real.
Starring one of my favorite male actors. The one and only
Denholm Elliott. Elliott was a true star. A man that knew his acting quality
and never wavered in his ability to capture perfection on film. He is and was
one of the shinning stars of cinema. Sadly, his name is often forgotten and
not mentioned in the circles of film buffs and film historians. To me he is
what acting is all about. His perfection in performing stands out above and
beyond many in cinema of the past and in the present. He passed away sadly at
the young age of 70, but left a legacy of perfection in film. Many will
remember him from the Indiana Jones films as Marcus Brody. Starring in over 160
films and TV, he mastered it all. Started acting in 1947 and did so all the way
up unto his death in 1992. A perfect character actor and great stable
performer. It was wonderful seeing him in this film again. He starred in so
many greats, personal favorites of mine like 1971’s The House that Dripped
Blood, 1973’s The Vault of Horror, 1976 To the Devil a Daughter, 1976’s Voyage
of the Damned, 1978’s The Hound of the Baskervilles, 1978’s Little Girl in Blue
Velvet. One of my all-time personal favorites 1978’s The Boys from Brazil. He
also did the voice to one of my favorite animated films, 1978’s Watership Down.
He just starred in so many memorable films.
Audio/Video:
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Yet again no fault in this department. Twilight Time tends
to always capture the perfection of audio and video quality. They never let me
down in this reality. The quality and perfection they put into their products
shines brightly with ease of sound clarity to the ear and beauty of video to
the eye.
LANGUAGE: English
VIDEO: 1080p High Definition / 1.85:1
AUDIO: English 1.0 DTS-HD MA
SUBTITLES: English SDH
Extras:
My Rating: 1 out of 5
Isolated Music & Effects Track
Original Theatrical Trailer
Overall:
Twilight Time did another amazing job at bringing forth
another fantastic experience that they accomplish so greatly. A beautiful transfer,
dynamic visual and hearing. Another priceless example of how to treat an older
film, and express it on a new worthy product. Highly recommend.
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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