Martin Scorsese is my favorite, living film director. When it was announced that he would be shooting an adaptation of Killers of the Flower Moon in Oklahoma, near where I live, I was super excited. I tried out multiple times to become an extra, but sadly that wasn’t meant to be. One of my friends did get to be a member of the KKK in one scene, so consider that mixed results (he was so excited to get to be in that film, less so for being a racist, and even less so for having to be covered up by a white hood).
Buy Killers of the Flower Moon (Criterion Collection)The film is based on David Grann’s nonfiction book about how the Osage Nation became some of the richest people in the world due to an abundance of oil being discovered on their land and how they were systematically disenfranchised, robbed, and murdered by greedy white folks.
It is an incredible story. One that was barely known outside of Oklahoma (and I wasn’t even taught it in school). The book raised its historical profile, and the film allowed it to reach an even bigger audience. It is a beautiful, sometimes difficult movie to watch, with a terrific performance from Lily Gladstone.
Criterion is giving it a new 4K transfer and loading it up with extras including documentaries, interviews, and more.
Also out this week that looks interesting:
The Survivor: David Hemmings directs this supernatural mystery about a pilot who is the sole survivor of a plane crash. A psychic attempts to help him understand why he survived and the others didn’t; meanwhile, some of the dead begin appearing in nearby villages.
Red Sonja: This sort of sequel to Conan the Barbarian features Brigitte Nielsen as the titular sword-wielding, vengeance-seeking Red Sonja, who kicks butt and takes names in prehistoric times. Reviews for this are pretty bad, but I recently watched and enjoyed the first Conan film, and since it is Arrow Video giving us this new UHD transfer, I’m all on board.
A Bridge Too Far: Richard Attenborough directed this star-studded war movie that depicts the Allies attempt to open a road to Germany in Operation Market Garden. It runs a bit too long and is a little confused in its narrative threads, but it is still worth watching. You can read my full review.
Cutter’s Way: Jeff Bridges and John Hurt star in this excellent neo-noir about a one-eyed Vietnam vet helping out an old friend when he’s accused of murder.
Uncommon Valor: Gene Hackman, Fred Ward, Patrick Swayze, and Robert Stack star in this war film about a group of Vietnam veterans who go back to the country to free one of their own who was left behind in a POW camp many years before.
The Dancing Hawk: A bizarre little film from Poland about a young farmer who rises through the ranks of the newly formed communist government and loses his soul in the process. That simple story is told in the most confusing manner, utilizing all sorts of cinematic trickery. I’ll have a full review up soon.
