The first rule of Fight Club is:
There is no elliptical trainer at Fight Club.
I'll be honest about the downsides: Virtually every fan of David Fincher's work owns this movie already, whether as a single disc DVD or as the wonderfully done 2-Disc Special Edition DVD, jam-packed with commentaries and additional material. That brings us to downside #2: As it seems, WB didn't bother to produce new commentary tracks or any new bonus material. I'd be delighted if someone who has already bought this BluRay can claim otherwise, but from what I get from different reviews all bonus material is the exact same from the 2-Disc DVD.
In essence: You will probably own this film already and you will probably even have watched all the specials already. The only argument to buy this then would be that WB did seem to make sure to give you a crisp and brilliant HD transfer of the film, that will make it look better than ever on your home cinemas.
If you want to buy this title and support this blog without affording any extra cash,
order via this link.
Here's a run down of different reviews and opinions:
There's absolutely nothing new that you haven't seen before. I find it hard to believe that nothing more could be said, that a retrospective on the importance of this film to the thriller genre couldn't have been put together, or even throwing in your typical making-of featurette.
Source: http://www.seattlepi.com/movies/426725_film40856423.html
Warner Brothers delivers Se7en to Blu-ray with a fantastically filmic 1080p transfer that dazzles through every shadowy detail and and low-light environment that define the bulk of the film. Blacks are critical to Se7en, and this first-class Blu-ray transfer handles them to perfection (...) All told, Se7en represents one of the most natural, absorbing, and breathtakingly filmic transfers available on Blu-ray.
Source: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Se7en-Blu-ray/7743/
Presented in 2.35:1 high definition widescreen using the VC-1 codec, Se7en looks amazing on Blu-ray. Fincher's blacks are replicated in deep, dark consistent form throughout the film, skin tones and soft lights are reproduced accurately, with a thin layer of film grain popping in now and again during the feature. (...) I was startled at just how amazing Se7en looked.
Source: http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43868/seven/
I've never seen this many versions of darkness before, except in a black and white film. From inky black to grey, there's detail everywhere: droplets of rain on Morgan Freeman's coat, fine wisps of hair on Gweneth Paltrow's neck as she sleeps in bed, doggie foot prints on apartment door windows, costumes, sets. (...) This is the best I've ever seen the movie, from VHS, to the two North American DVDs, and even on HD cable. There is simply no comparison. An amazing upgrade where the film's clarity and shades of darkness complement one another wonderfully.
Source: http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/324/seven.html
While I can’t imagine it was an easy task, the folks behind this transfer did a wonderful job preserving this look while still cleaning up and sharpening the overall image to an impressive degree. (...) New Line/Warner Brothers have given one of the 90’s most important films the Blu-ray treatment it deserves, with a stunning transfer, excellent audio quality, and a dizzying array of extras, earning this release my highest possible recommendation.
Source: http://www.horrorview.com/movie-reviews/se7en
And also: There is an interesting comparison of the earlier "Alliance" BluRay release with this one, even a shot by shot comparison of the images and transfer. So for those of you, who dig the really technical stuff, check out this review.
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/.../se7en_blu-ray.htm
Btw. as dvdbeaver.com states, this BluRay disc is region code free and includes English, German, Thai, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish language tracks as well as additional language subtitles.
I hope to hear from some of you, who have already bought and watched this BluRay. What's your personal fanatic review?
This disc will be available in the US September 14 2010, and its creation is reported to be "supervised by Fincher". So considering the long list of perfect DVD releases of Fincher's films, I am sure this will come out great.
As for Bonus Features: As far as I can tell the commentary tracks will be the exact same ones, that previously were on the DVD Special Edition. Of course you can argue, everything that was to be said, already has been said. But personally, I would have appreciated new features as an additional tickle to buy this thing.
The Special Edition of "Chinatown" was amazing, for it had Fincher comment on the film, and I wish they would have come up with something original of that sort. "Se7en" is clearly a milestone in its genre, and I wish we could have heard a new wave of directors talk about it the way Fincher did on "Chinatown".
So it seems it will be a 1:1 version of the DVD. But hopefully at least they do a decent new 1080p transfer and not try ripping us off with an unworthy upscaling.
Here's the details:
I know critics of the film didn't wait too long to drop their "Button ain't gonna make any money" hymn to sing along to the "Button shouldn't be a Criterion release" tune. But what the hell. We all know everyone will end up buying the DVD anyway -- because even for the poor souls that just couldn't like the story, it's still a must-have Fincher flick!
Over at Criterion you can find not only a neat little photo gallery and cast and crew credits. You can take a look at the special features assembled for the 2-disc DVD and BluRay release:
Disc Features
Interviews with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett Audio commentary featuring Academy Award-nominated director David Fincher Never-before-seen footage revealing the innovative techniques behind the Academy Award–winning visual effects and makeup Step-by-step examination of the motion-capture process aging Brad Pitt In-depth exploration of David Fincher’s creative process on the set Interview with acclaimed composer Alexandre Desplat about the score Featurettes on the film’s storyboards, costumes, and Academy Award–winning art direction Stills galleries, including costume design and candid behind-the-scenes production photos Optional French- and Spanish-dubbed soundtracks Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing, and optional French and Spanish subtitles PLUS: An essay by film critic Kent Jones
The In-depth exploration (hopefully at least an hour long!) of Fincher's process is really the biggest selling point for me, for this special version of the DVD I mean. I figure, since I am getting the film anyway, what the heck, I'll just buy the Criterion version -- since any examination of Fincher's craft cannot be anything less than worth devouring!
US-release date for these titles is May 5th 2009, so that's just around the corner. And if you feel like it and haven't already done it, you can pre-order the single DVD, 2-disc DVD and BluRay edition via my Amazon store -- it beats Criterion's shop price by about 5 bucks each. Please note: The single disc version, to my knowledge, DOES NOT include the special features!
Anyway, happy shopping!
Criterion Website: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
FincherFanatic Amazon Store
Seems like TCCOBB will get the Criterion treatment, single disc (DVD), and 2-disc (DVD and Blu Ray) all released on the same date, no double dipping, commentary by David Fincher and a four part Making Of.
Gotta love it. Never looked forward to May this much...
Here's the link. What do you think:
DVDactive.com: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, US-release
... a little more detail here:
HollywoodChicago.com: Benjamin Button
... pre-order from Amazon.com:
http://www.amazon.com/Curious-Benjamin-Button-...
Bidders must be residents of the United States and willing to undergo a complete background check (which is quite paranoid, considering you PAY for the tickets!)
But anyway, once you win the ticket you can sip champagne December 8th and watch 'Benjamin Button' pretty much before anyone else. If anyone of you plans to bid and win, please let us know ... we'd like to know how it feels!
Ebay.com: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Premiere Tickets
... and for the extra ebay-experience, here's some more: A Teddy Bear made by Baby Benjamin Button, auctionable with a photo of the kid with David Fincher and Cate Blanchett. Hilarious!
Officially that doesn't qualify as merchandising. But anyway. For hardcore fans it might be fun to see, how other visual artists tackle Fitzgerald's original material, and what themes and story points they added to the source material compared to what Roth and Fincher will have come up with.
To be honest, I am far from ordering this. I don't much like its style. But if anyone feels like getting it and sharing their opinion here, I'm sure we would all appreciate that.
Just for fun. Have a look:
Amazon.com: The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button (Graphic Novel)
Thanks to Kevin for discovering this great news, and I bet you won't believe it: For the filming of "Benjamin Button" Fincher and his crew were in desperate need for an authentic victorian-style mansion. They discovered an existing property from the exact right time-period for the story and gave it a total Hollywood make-over.
Now this beautifully restored New Orleans house, in which Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett and David Fincher have spend quite a few days, is for sale ... for only $3,200,000!
Of course if I get to chose I would probably prefer 537 Paper Street, since it's just more of a family home! ;-) But yeah, wouldn't that be the coolest kind of merchandise to have as a Fincher fanatic?
If anyone of you guys decides to buy it, please send us some pictures and have us over when you're moving in! -- Thanks, Kevin. Enjoy:
Men's Vogue: Brad Pitt Slept Here (article)
Sotheby's International: Benjamin Button's Home For Sale
Let's start things up with the trailer to something you might have heard before. Yes, there actually is a 'Fight Club' PS2 and XBOX game.
To be very fair, I haven't played it myself and all I have now seen of the game is this trailer. The graphics don't look too brilliant, but then the game is almost four years old now. Also I am not so sure, how much story, theme and message they have put into it or if maybe all this game is about is breaking each others jaws. However good or bad it may be -- I found it cool that there is a game at all. And the trailer for it certainly is a cool thing to watch!
Hey, and now that I come to think of it: Wouldn't it be awesome to have a game for "The Game"?
Next in the mega-package is two short interview clips I found with Pitt and Norton talking about the movie with some scandinavian (?), danish (?), netherlandish (?) guy. When I say "short" in this case unfortunately "short" really does mean "short". The original interview was probably a lot longer and I would love to see and share it with you in its entirety. Anyhow, for now we only have this short glimpse. And wouldn't you agree: It's just good to see Brad Pitt and Ed Norton together on the screen. It's so easy to make a FincherFanatic feel comfy.
And to round things up I'd like to give you a tour of some wonderful fan-made FC music videos on youtube. The quality of the editing varies, but most of these videos I found to be very entertaining, whether it was in the choice of music or the way they were put together: For some reason everytime I see scenes and sequences from 'Fight Club' it makes me realize, just how different, how original and how unearthly cool this film is! My personal favorite by the way is the version featuring the music of Papa Roach's "Last Resort". Which is your favorite?
Do yourself a favour and also check out this video, where the guy re-enacts the Raymond K. Hessel scene -- all by himself. It's highly entertaining!
Enough chit-chat. This should keep you pretty busy:
FIGHT CLUB Brad Pitt & Edward Norton Interview (1)
FIGHT CLUB Brad Pitt & Edward Norton Interview (2)
FIGHT CLUB fanmade, feat. P.O.D "Boom"
FIGHT CLUB fanmade, feat. Slipknot "Eyeless"
FIGHT CLUB fanmade, feat. NIN "Hurt"
FIGHT CLUB fanmade, feat. Papa Roach "Last Resort"
FIGHT CLUB fanmade, feat. Linkin Park "Breaking the Habit"
FIGHT CLUB fanmade, feat. Blur "Song 2"
Enjoy!
As you guys know the director's cut will be (only) a few minutes longer than the theatrical release and hit the shelves on January 8th 2007. But on top of these few extra minutes you will find this on the DVDs:
Audio commentaries by director David Fincher, Jake Gyllenhall, Robert Downey Jr., producer Brad Fischer, screenwriters James Vanderbilt and James Ellroy 3 The Film featurettes ("Zodiac Deciphered", "The Visual Effects of Zodiac" and "Digital Workflow") 3 Sequence Breakdowns ("Blue Rock Springs", "Lake Berryessa" and "San Francisco") 5 "The Facts" featurettes ("This is the Zodiac Speaking", "Lake Herman Road", "Blue Rock Springs", "Lake Berryessa" and "San Francisco") 4 "Prime Suspect" featurettes ("His Name Was Arthur Leigh Allen", "Linguistic Analysis", "Jeopardy Surface: Geographic Profiling" and "The Psychology of Aggression: Behavioral Profiling") 2 text-based features ("Special Agent Sharon Pagaling-Hagan's Behavioral Profile of the Zodiac" and "Dr. Kim Rossmo's Geographic Profile of the Zodiac") ... and the film's theatrical trailer.
Wow! So that sure sounds like the typical Fincher package, crammed with extras and specials that definitely make this worth a buy or two!
What surprises me is the mentioning of a commentary track by screenwriter James Ellroy, who does not have an official writing (or producing) credit for this film. Since Ellroy and Fincher had probably been collaborating on the film-adaptation of "The Black Dahlia", maybe Ellroy did some uncredited work on "Zodiac" as well? Guess we'll have to wait for the Director's Cut to find out.
This way to the original post:
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/mytwocentsa144.html
