They’re the kind of hard-bitten, action-packed movies that separate the men from the boys, and are guaranteed not to separate the men from the couch.
The macho, manly men of movies past are being dusted off, dressed up and brought out in DVD boxed sets. Lots of them. Special editions of the films of Steve McQueen, James Dean, Marlon Brando and Gary Cooper all hit the stores Tuesday. Sets devoted to Errol Flynn and John Wayne and a special two-disc reconstructed version of Sam Fuller’s “The Big Red One” have just been released. And anniversary editions of “Jaws” and “Casino” are right around the corner (June 14).
The deluge is partly due to the huge profitability of studios’ home-entertainment divisions, and, more immediately, Father’s Day and graduations.
“They’ve become such a popular gift item,” said Michael Radiloff, vice president of theatrical catalog marketing for Warner Home Video.
Some are baffling. “The Marlon Brando 4-Movie Collection” consists of “A Countess From Hong Kong,” “The Appaloosa,” “The Night of the Following Day” and “The Ugly American,” movies a lot of people would pay not to see. The John Wayne box is equally lackluster.
But the Errol Flynn box is cream: “Captain Blood,” “The Sea Hawk,” “Dodge City,” “They Died With Their Boots On” and “The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.” Also, there’s the full-length documentary “The Adventures of Errol Flynn.”
Such bonus features make or break a box, especially sets that include previously issued DVDs. The “Casino” package, for instance, is loaded: In addition to the movie, there are two hours of behind-the scenes material featuring Martin Scorsese, Sharon Stone and co-writer Nicholas Pileggi. The McQueen box has five hours of extras, including two full-length docs within the “Bullitt” package, about the movie and its star.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of James Dean’s death, which makes his boxed set a fait accompli. Along with special added features, it includes the late actor’s three starring films – “Rebel Without a Cause,” “East of Eden” and “Giant.”
Perhaps the most intriguing actor – or at least the most intriguing comeback – is
McQueen. Virtually a household name in the ’60s, his star has been eclipsed by the years, but his particular brand of masculinity and pure movie stardom seem ripe for rediscovery – something made easy via three separate sets: “The Essential Steve McQueen” from Warners (May 31); MGM’s “The Steve McQueen Collection,” released May 17; and New Line’s repackaging of McQueen’s 1958 CBS-TV western “Wanted: Dead or Alive” (coming Tuesday).
“He’s a very contemporary actor,” said director Norman Jewison, who directed McQueen in “The Cincinnati Kid,” one of the features in the Warners’ box (and a film being touted as “the greatest poker movie of all time,” to coincide with the card-playing craze). “He was so hot, he was cool. He had a charisma on camera.”
“The Essential Steve McQueen” also includes “Tom Horn,” “Never So Few,” the prison-escape epic “Papillon” (with Dustin Hoffman), and “Bullitt” (which includes the documentary “Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool”).
NEW ON DVD & VIDEO
Be Cool ** 1/2 Almost no one expected this sequel to match the genius comic timing of “Get Shorty,” and it doesn’t. But Elmore Leonard’s caper about the Hollywood music business grows on you. John Travolta returns as Chili Palmer, tired of the movie biz and now producing records. Vince Vaughn is funny as a white rapper wannabe, but The Rock steals the show as a gay bodyguard who longs to be in music videos. PG-13; 110 minutes (Michael Booth)
Beyond the Sea ** 1/2 Kevin Spacey co-wrote, produced, directed and starred in this look at the life of ’60s crooner Bobby Darin, but he couldn’t overcome the one drawback to this otherwise engaging movie. Spacey is too old to play a Bobby Darin who smashed into show business in his early 20s, and there aren’t enough Hollywood tricks to hide the problem. Still, Spacey’s own voice supplies the impressive tunes, and the movie has an engaging loopiness that makes most of it fun to watch. PG-13; 118 minutes (Michael Booth)
The Machinist *** Christian Bale’s performance would be stunning enough, but “The Machinist” also creates a nightmarish mood and draining sensibility that make for a terrific movie. Bale lost 63 pounds to portray the deteriorating Trevor Reznick, whose past is so haunting that he can’t sleep or eat. He tries desperately to get to the bottom of his own addled mind, toiling away in a grimy, hellish machine shop while he gropes for clues. It’s a downer, but rich and surprisingly affecting. R; 97 minutes (Michael Booth)
Imaginary Heroes ** Newcomer Dan Harris scored a coup by landing Sigourney Weaver, Jeff Daniels and other stars for his script, but the results are disturbingly cliché. It feels like a juvenile version of “Ordinary People,” a broken family dealing with the suicide of the oldest son. Weaver seems to enjoy her turn as a dissipated mother figure, but none of the melodramatic speeches ring true. All adults are clueless, and people are cruel with no explanation. R; 111 minutes (Michael Booth)
