Let's Get Physical Media: The Lee Gambin Memorial Column (June 2024)
Reviews of the following titles released on Blu-Ray courtesy of MVD Entertainment Group: American Gigolo, Mute Witness, Crocodile and Homework!
American Gigolo (Arrow) (1980)
Label: Arrow Video
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 117 MinutesÂ
Director: Paul Schrader
Cast: Richard Gere, Lauren Hutton, Bill Duke
Special Features
Brand new audio commentary with film critic Adrian Martin
Brand new interview with writer/director Paul Schrader
Six Ways to Sunday, a brand-new interview with actor Hector Elizondo on detecting his character
The Business of PLEASURE, a brand-new interview with actor Bill Duke on Leon’s profession
Montages and Monologues, a brand-new interview with editor Richard Halsey on putting American Gigolo together
The non-conformist, a brand-new interview with camera operator King Baggot on American Gigolo
Man Machine, a brand-new interview with music supervisor & KCRW DJ Dan Wilcox on the music of Giorgio Moroder
American Icon, a brand-new interview with Professor Jennifer Clark on American Gigolo and the fashion landscape of the 80s
Original trailer
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Tommy Pocket
Six postcard-sized reproduction art cards
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Neil Sinyard, an archival article by Bill Nichols, and original pressbook materials
Having done a podcast on the filmography of Paul Schrader, this particular entry in his mostly successful canon of titles, never really resonated with me the way a lot of his other work has. But viewing the latest 4K Release courtesy of Arrow, I began to see so much more than meets the eye this time. This is a stunning transfer to say the least with a lot of interviews that will undoubtedly please fans (as a Gere fanatic, clearly my mom is one of them).
High-end male escort Julian Kay (Gere) offers his love and attention to women in need. But when a client, the wife of a sadistic finance magnate, is found dead, all eyes turn to Julian as the prime suspect. Realizing he’s being framed, Julian races to prove his innocence, determined to unravel the mystery behind the setup. As he digs deeper into the case, he embarks on a journey that forces him to confront his identity all while trying to manage complicated feelings that arise with the wife of a politician (Lauren Hutton).
Gere’s stoicism doesn’t always entirely work but this most recent viewing cements precisely why he became a star and why this film was a success. It certainly helps to be a fan of Bresson’s Pickpocket for the final image (something Schrader would go back to again in his career), the film leaves viewers on a resounding positive sentiment. The actual plot isn’t very complicated so if there’s little substance, the style more than makes up for it. This movie is pure early 80s energy and a hint of things to come from directors like Michael Mann or William Friedkin.
From the fashion of Julian Kay to the sunny and vibrant colors of downtown Los Angeles, the movie is visually engaging. Giorgio Moroder’s disco fused soundtrack fits perfectly in with the movie (not to mention the choice to emulate Blondie throughout). As a neo-noir, Moroder’s music help paint the picture of downtown Los Angeles during the late 70s/early 80s. This is especially strong in the nightclub scenes, where Julian goes to meet with his pimp Leon, who works at a gay nightclub. There’s also no denying the incredible first encounter at a restaurant/bar with Gere and Hutton. That exchange alone encapsulates subtle flirtation and hidden desire better than anything outwardly explicit (although yes, there’s nudity from both sexes).
American Gigolo is not without imperfections (definitely runs a bit long) but at the same time, I continue to be more and more impressed with 4K transfers especially when it comes to Arrow. The sound design, the score, the look and feel of this movie - stunning in every way that makes this one well worth owning especially if you’re a Gere or Schrader completist. I recommend picking it up for your mom if she has a thing for Gere too. Watching this movie, you can totally understand why. American Gigolo 4K
Homework (Unearthed Classics) (1982)
Label: Unearthed Classics
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 90 MinutesÂ
Director: James Beshears
Cast: Michael Morgan, Wings Hauser, Carrie Snodgress, Joan Collins
Special Features: Interview with legendary producer Max Rosenberg
Sometimes my curiosity gets the best of me. It had been a long time since I watched an 80s sex comedy and when I was a teenager with cable, let me tell you, I viewed too many of them (thankfully, my parents were sound sleepers). I wish I could say that Homework is a lost gem worth discovering but let’s focus on the positive: the lone special feature is an absolute highlight to where I’d say it’s worth picking up this disc for just that supplement alone.
Producer Max Rosenberg doesn’t hold back his honest feelings about director James Beshears, who only made one movie and mostly was known as a sound designer for several films over the years. The 20-minute interview finds Rosenberg to be surprisingly candid about his disappointing experience working with him. Not to mention the fact that Rosenberg passed away shortly after the interview. In the end, it all turned out to be a bit bittersweet. Certainly, there are things to recommend about Homework but in terms of the filmmaking on display, it’s clear that Beshears wasn’t the right fit. Something feels off throughout nearly the entire running time.
Blonde-haired teen Tommy (Michael Morgan) is good at something, but just what that exactly is, he’s still trying to figure out. He’s having trouble focusing because (surprise surprise) his mind wanders into fantasies about the opposite sex. He even sneaks a peak into the girl’s locker room! He’s got a girlfriend who is much more interested in breaking her swim team time than in helping him get laid for the first time, and, and when Tommy manages to get enough momentum to form a band, they write a few songs (about getting laid, of course) and manage to create a sound that suits them, hoping to premier their act in the school talent show in a few weeks.
Meanwhile, Tommy’s best friend gets private tutor lessons from their new French teacher (Lee Purcell), and Tommy’s girlfriend’s mom (Joan Collins) takes special notice of Tommy one day when he’s helping her with a household task, which redirects the course of his life (and confidence) when she makes the first move. Let’s just say that yes, this is a sex comedy, but it veers all over the place and often might even qualify as a musical with how many interludes there are. The music is definitely joyful and of the era - almost giving it a Phantom of the Paradise quality (without the confident style and absurdity behind it, sadly). Morgan does his best but the acting throughout is… certainly unique. It’s clear that there may have been too many cooks in the kitchen or a lot of conflict for this to entirely work as a whole.
Watching Homework, I thought of the late Mike McPadden who undoubtedly would’ve found so much to appreciate about a lost relic like this. The cast, especially, is worth checking out even if the material itself meanders along. Again, this movie might’ve been lost in the sex comedy shuffle for a reason, but I must admit, the transfer is solid, and the interview here is something special. Rosenberg does focus on what didn’t work about the film in a way that’s refreshing. That alone makes this worth your time. Homework Blu-Ray
Mute Witness (Arrow) (1995)
Label: Arrow
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 95 MinutesÂ
Director: Anthony Waller
Cast: Marina Zudina, Alec Guinness, Fay Ripley, Evan Richards
Special Features
Brand new audio commentary by writer/director Anthony Waller
Brand new audio commentary with production designer Matthias Kammermeier and composer Wilbert Hirsch, moderated by critic Lee Gambin
The Silent Death, brand new visual essay by author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, examining Mute Witness and its relationship with snuff films
The Wizard Behind the Curtain, brand new visual essay by author and critic Chris Alexander, exploring the phenomenon of the film-within-a-film
Original Snuff Movie presentation, produced to generate interest from investors and distributors, featuring interviews with Anthony Waller and members of the creative team
Original location scouting footage
Original footage with Alec Guinness, filmed a decade prior to the rest of Mute Witness
Teaser trailer
Trailer
Image gallery
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
Double-sided foldout poster featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Adam Rabalais
Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Michelle Kisner
The best release of the month and a true discovery for all is Mute Witness - a movie I’ve been meaning to watch for quite some time and glad I finally did. I vividly remember seeing the cover art, but somehow, this one escaped me for so long. Imagine my surprise and excitement. when a copy of this came my way after years of wanting to track it down. If you only buy one title this month, make this the one especially if you’re a fan of DePalma or Giallo films.
Billy Hughes (Marina Zudina) is a mute special effects artist who is currently working on a slasher film in Russia. One night, she stays behind to grab something for the next day's shoot, but accidentally gets locked inside the studio. Shortly after, she discovers a couple of her co-workers shooting what looks like a porno, but which actually turns out to be a snuff film in which a woman is brutally murdered. They soon realize that they are being watched, leading to a chase throughout the studio, but Billy is eventually able to get to safety when her sister Karen (Fay Ripley) arrives. Billy tries to tell everyone what she saw, but the murderers cover up the crime rather well, making the police think it was a special effects trick. However, even with everyone supposedly fooled, the man in charge of these criminals (Sir Alec Guinness) wants no witnesses left alive, meaning Billy's horrific night is far from over.
Mute Witness is beautifully executed in every way. It’s certainly dark and suspenseful but there’s plenty of levity to be found throughout as well. Certainly, it’s not hard to think of similar films that have adopted this plot before such as 8MM or Thesis, but Mute Witness has graceful cinematography, memorable characters and a lot of tension to make it stand out. The extras tell a fascinating story about how the project was cobbled together. The director commentary and the crew commentary (featuring the production designer and the composer of the score) are both very engaging. Waller was a young director based in Germany who specialized in commercials, wanting to make his way into narrative features. After reading an article about snuff films, he wondered how one would be able to discern reality from movie magic if this was occurring on a set. It inspired him and he fashioned the screenplay, originally named Snuff Movie, around this idea.
Extras include two brand-new audio commentaries — one from Waller and another with production designer Matthias Kammermeier and composer Wilbert Hirsch moderated by critic Lee Gambin. Author and critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas contributes The Silent Death, an excellent visual essay examining Mute Witness’ relation to snuff films. Meanwhile, author and critic Chris Alexander contributes The Wizard Behind the Curtain, exploring the phenomenon of the film within a film.
As with most 4K’s I’ve seen recently, I’ve been consistently impressed by the sound and picture to where it’s hard to imagine going back. I still wonder why my initial experience was lackluster (the Goodfellas 4K in particular looked so dark on my TV that I ended up selling it on eBay). No matter, Arrow continues to deliver the goods and Mute Witness is a prime example of why physical media releases and re-releases are so imperative for cinephiles and collectors. You will be left speechless with your jaw on the floor throughout this entire movie and then relish the excellent features! Do not pass this one by - this movie deserves to be seen the best way possible. Mute Witness 4K
Crocodile (Synapse) (1978)
Label: Synapse
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 92 MinutesÂ
Director: Won-se Lee
Cast: Nat Puvanai, Tany Tim, Angela Wells, Kirk Warren
Special Features: Video interview with original director Won-se Lee; Audio commentary with the late, great film historian Lee Gambin, Deleted Scenes.
Ending with this one for a reason. This was a movie I knew nothing about outside of the fact that the late, great Lee Gambin contributed a full-length commentary track for it. Similar to my review of Homework, I will say, the special feature is the reason to pick this one up even more so than the experience of watching the film itself. But if you’re in the right mood for nature-themed gore, you’ll ultimately be pleased. There are still joys and pleasures to be found regardless of quality. If you only see one Taiwanese/Korean Jaws rip-off in your lifetime, Crocodile is definitely the one to seek out. Yes, it’s quite flawed and has too much downtime in-between kills but there’s no denying the joy in watching nature run amok, attacking any human that comes into its path.
Dr. Akom and Dr. Stromm are on a perfect family vacation, but it takes a tragic turn when three of their loved ones suddenly disappear. When the bodies are found, the two doctors conduct a thorough examination of the remains and discover a killer crocodile is the culprit. Teaming up with Tanaka, a tough and rugged fisherman, Akom and Stromm head out to dangerous open waters to find and destroy the nasty beast once and for all.
This is a messy movie that might’ve been relegated to MST3K-like ridicule but as mentioned earlier, the true pleasure here is listening to film historian Lee Gambin talk about what makes this movie (and this genre) so worthwhile. He provides so much context and so many examples of films that are similar. The ecologically themed horror film certainly has been done many times and Lee is an expert in what makes stories like this something filmmakers go back to time and time again over the years. In fact, Lee wrote an entire book on this!
If there’s ever a film decimated by editing, it’s clear that this was tampered with to the point of incoherence at certain moments. But you also know where this is headed if you’ve seen any man vs. nature story. If anything, Crocodile is a fun showcase of a monster-wrecking-miniature set. It's an exciting sequence when the Croc attacks a crowd of swimmers, then destroys the place to the point that some of the buildings are on fire and creates a whirlpool. The third act and final confrontation is certainly hilarious in how it unabashedly rips off Jaws, but I guess that’s to be expected. In fact, just keep your expectations low, have some beverages (or edibles) handy, invite over some friends and you’ll all have a good time. And of course, how blessed we are to have the late Lee Gambin guide us along the way with his excellent commentary that you’ll enjoy as much as I did. Crocodile Blu-Ray
What a great month of titles (not to mention the 4K release of Bound from The Criterion Collection). See you all next month for more from MVD & Allied Vaughn too! Once again everyone should own Arrow’s Mute Witness!