One from the Heart: Reprise

(1982/2024) Director: Francis Ford Coppola; stars Frederic Forrest, Teri Garr, Nastassja Kinski, Raul Julia. Six minutes of footage have been added to replace the original negative, previously thought to be destroyed, resulting in a brand-new Reprise version, approved by Coppola himself. Six brand-new special features (available on the 4K restoration) plus the 1982 cut on Blu-ray, filled with classic 1982 bonus content. Tells the story of a Las Vegas couple (Teri Garr, Frederic Forrest) whose break-up on the Fourth of July leads them both to a night on the Strip in pursuit of their romantic fantasies (Raul Julia, Nastassja Kinski). But in this town of gamblers and dreamers, should they bet it all on dreams, or give true love another roll of the dice? Featuring breathtaking design, show-stopping set pieces, the stunning photography of Vittorio Storaro (“Apocalypse Now,” “The Last Emperor”) and accompanied by the wonderful Oscar-nominated music of the one and only Tom Waits, this neon explosion of color, sound, and innovation is a cinematic valentine for all movie lovers. Formats: 4K Ultra HD/Blu-ray Combo + Digital Code, VOD, Digital. Extras: 4K disc – “One From the Heart: Reprise”: Francis Ford Coppola feature commentary; new “The Look of One From the Heart”; new “The Cast of One From the Heart”; new “The Choreography of One From the Heart”; new “Reinventing the Musical: Baz Luhrmann One From the Heart”; new “One from the Heart: Reprise” restoration comparison; 2024 trailer. Blu-ray disc – “One From the Heart: 1982 cut: “The Making of One From the Heart”; “The Dream Studio”; “The Electronic Cinema;” “Tom Waits and the Music from One From the Heart”; deleted scenes; videotaped rehearsals; Francis Ford Coppola speaks to the exhibitors; press conference at the studio; “This One’s From the Heart” music video; stop-motion demo; the Tom Waits score: alternate tracks; 2003 theatrical trailer; 1982 theatrical trailer. (Lionsgate). Read more here.

---

This Week’s Best Bets

“A Story of Floating Weeds / Floating Weeds: Two Films By Yasujiro Ozu” (1934/1959) In 1959, Yasujiro Ozu remade his 1934 silent classic “A Story of Floating Weeds” in color with celebrated cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa. Setting his later version in a seaside location, Ozu otherwise preserves the details of his elegantly simple plot wherein an aging actor returns to a small town with his troupe and reunites with his former lover and their son, a scenario that enrages his current mistress and results in heartbreak for all. Together, the films offer a unique glimpse into the evolution of one of cinema’s greatest directors. “A Story of Floating Weeds” finds Ozu in the midst of developing his mode of expression; “Floating Weeds” reveals his distinct style at its pinnacle. In each, the director captures the joy and sadness of everyday life. 4K digital master of “Floating Weeds,” with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. On Blu-ray. Read more here. From The Criterion Collection.

Buzzin’ the ‘B’s:

In a career that includes Oscar-nominated masterpieces such as “Serpico”, “Prince of the City” and “The Verdict,” director Sidney Lumet has cross-examined the fine line between those who enforce the law and those who exploit it, both in the courtroom and on the streets. Adapting a novel by former NYPD officer Robert Daley (“Year of the Dragon”), in “Night Falls on Manhattan” (1996) Lumet once again exposes the corrupt underbelly of the city that never sleeps. Sean Casey (Andy Garcia) is an assistant district attorney and a rising star in the New York City legal system. He is forced into a tough position when his ambitious boss, seeking re-election, asks Sean to prosecute a drug dealer caught by two NYPD detectives under controversial circumstances – one of whom happens to be Sean’s father (Ian Holm). As Sean gets closer to the truth in the case, what he uncovers may break his faith in the legal system, threaten his promising career and tear his family apart. Boasting a powerhouse supporting cast including Lena Olin, Richard Dreyfuss and James Gandolfini, this underrated entry in Lumet’s canon of crime classics can be freshly reappraised with a new restoration and illuminating bonus features. Brand new 2K remaster from the original negative by Arrow Films. On Blu-ray from Arrow Video/MVD Entertainment. Read more here … In “Amityville Bigfoot” (2024), starring Eric Roberts, Tuesday Knight, Lorelei Linklater, Shawn C. Phillips and Lauren Francesca, birdwatchers, activists, scientists, and a film crew unknowingly converge in Bigfoot’s neck of the woods in Amityville, where something even more sinister lurks. From SRS Cinema. … “Dr Jekyll and the Werewolf” (1972 — Spain), starring Paul Naschy, Jack Taylor, Mirta Miller and Shirley Corrigan, is the fifth film to feature Spanish actor Naschy as Waldemar the Wolfman. The previous episode – “Fury of The Wolfman” – had not been well received. Naschy was determined to get the series back on track and with his next appearance as the Wolfman he pulled out all the stops. Here, he comes to swinging seventies London, seeking a cure to his malady. Unfortunately he meets Dr Jekyll, who injects him with a serum that turns him into the lascivious killer, Mr Hyde. In his top hat and black cloak, Hyde haunts the fleshpots of Soho, while two gorgeous women fight for possession of his wolfman soul. Top grade Euro-horror and definitely the craziest werewolf film ever. Disc includes both the Spanish cut and the rarely seen export version of the film. On Blu-ray from Mondo Macabro.

Foreign Films:

“The Taste of Things” (2023 — France), starring Juliette Binoche, Benoit Magime and Emmanuel Salinger, is set in France in 1889 and follows the life of Dodin Bouffant as a chef living with his personal cook and lover Eugénie. They share a long history of gastronomy and love, but Eugénie refuses to marry Dodin, so the food lover decides to do something he has never done before: cook for her. From IFC Films.

---

All DVDs and Blu-rays are screened on a reference system consisting of an Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray Disc Player w/SACD & DVD-Audio, a Rotel RSX-972 Surround Sound Receiver, and Phase Technology 1.1 (front), 33.1 (center), and 50 (rear) speakers, and Power 10 subwoofer.