DVD buys this week.

Franklyn
A blind buy, as I couldn’t find it for rent anywhere. This British release was listed at the “Superhero Lives” website, but it’s not a traditional crime fighter flick. It’s a unique and challenging motion picture and it could take another viewing before I completely understand it all. Even then some aspects of the story may forever escape me.

It’s about parallel worlds: One, contemporary London, which is filled with several sad, lost people (a father searching for his son, a tortured artist, a hopeless romantic who hungers for love). The other, an alternate world called Meanwhile City, where a masked detective (Ryan Phillippe) hunts a fanatic who he believes killed a young girl that was under his protection. In this world it is mandatory to choose a religion. Clerics act as cops and the detective (a bit Rorschach like) is an outlaw as its only atheist. (I dig how every one is greeted with a “Your God bless you”)

It’s a movie that makes you work, needs you to work with it and concentrate as these seemingly random stories gradually converge into one. It won’t be for conventional tastes but I loved it. It’s difficult to give away too much of the plot without spoiling it, but it touches upon fantasy and faith, what is or isn't real (I believe that's ultimately up for you to decide). Though I eventually figured out where the story was going, it was so fresh and original that I didn’t want to play the 'Ellery Queen' game, and simply sat back and let the film play out. On a second viewing I did more exploration, focusing in on the details and the way the various threads tied together.

Director/screenwriter Gerald McMorrow makes an ambitious feature debut. Though Franklyn doesn't have a huge budget, the film looks sharp. The costumes and sets are memorable. The score is piano based and wasn't wonderful, but neither did it detract. Though the characters aren't warm and cuddly, the acting was all above board, especially Bernard Hill as Esser. Eva Green (Casino Royale) also stars and plays 2 different roles.

I believe most reviews were cool to the film. Some found it too confusing; others couldn't get into the (mostly) unlikable characters. A few tore apart the logic -- but I tend to be a more visceral viewer. I like character study and interplay; the philosophical and emotional aspects of a film are what's most important to me. “Franklyn” fit my film-mindset like a glove. I’m not sure if it belongs in my Superhero Marathon, though there are comic book elements. Never the less, this is probably the best ‘true’ blind buy I ever made.

Also, though not comic book related, it's worth mentioning...

North By Northwest 50th Anniversary Edition
I wonder how many more times I’ll buy this movie? ;) This version promises a new restore on Vista Vision "elements" – don’t know what that means and haven’t read any reviews from more knowledgeable folk - The previous restoration was pretty, and this one is equally beautiful, but the colors aren’t as bright/garish so it’s probably closer to how it originally looked.

There are 2 NEW extras. Both have today’s directors (among them del Toro and Scorsese) discussion Hitches style. Though very well done, it appears they only had rights to a handful of film and they don’t use the best examples. For example, discussing Alfred’s use of color without using Vertigo and Marnie as examples, doesn’t give full account of his genius. They also don’t make parallels to German Expressionism (Hitch would have used rear screen and Mattes regardless of what technology offered, because it was part of those expressionistic touches).

The other new extra explores the film. Very good too - the menu is funny as it places Hitch’s head among those on Rushmore.

Classic movie, brilliantly directed, sharply scripted, photographed with a unforgettable Bernard Herrmann score.


Lastly, I bought the Watchmen Ultimate Cut. For my thoughts and comparisons on it and the Directors Cut, check out The Superhero Marathon