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Arrow Academy "UK/US TITLE: Smash Palace (Blu-ray) A brilliant, vivid messy portrait of masculinity in crisis Release dates: 28/29 May Premiering at the 1981 Cannes Film Festival, Smash Palace was the second feature of Roger Donaldson following the success of Sleeping Dogs, a film which had heralded the arrival of the New Zealand New Wave. Smash Palace concerns itself with the marriage of former racing driver Al (Bruno Lawrence, The Quiet Earth) and French-born Jacqui (Anna Jemison, Nomads). The pair had met when she nursed him back to health following a career-ending injury. They married, returned to Al’s native New Zealand to take over his late father’s wrecking yard business – the Smash Palace of the title – and had a child. But over time stagnation has set in, Jacqui’s resentment of Al has grown, and things are threatening to spill over… Playing out as a darker, more haunting New Zealand variation on such US separation movies as Kramer vs. Kramer or Shoot the Moon, Smash Palace offers a brilliant, vivid messy portrait of masculinity in crisis, driven by Lawrence’s immense central performance – once again confirming his status as one of New Zealand’s finest actors. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS • High Definition (Blu-ray) presentation • Original mono audio (uncompressed LPCM) • Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard-of-hearing • Commentary by writer-director Roger Donaldson and stunt driver Steve Millen • The Making of Smash Palace, a 51-minute documentary on the film’s production featuring interviews with Donaldson, actor Keith Aberdein, filmmaker Geoff Murphy and others • Theatrical trailer • Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Sean Phillips FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Ian Barr, a contemporary review by Pauline Kael and the original press book"
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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Arrow Academy "UK/US TITLE: Black Venus (Blu-ray) A stark portrait of the life of Saartjie Baartman, also known as the ‘Hottentot Venus’. Release dates: 21/22 May Between Couscous, winner of three César Awards, and the Cannes triumph of Blue Is the Warmest Colour, Abdellatif Kechiche made Black Venus, a stark portrait of the life of Saartjie Baartman, also known as the ‘Hottentot Venus’. Baartman was taken from South African home as a 21-year-old and shipped to Georgian London, where she would be caged and exhibited as a freak show. Presented semi-nude, her physique – especially her large buttocks – was the source of much curiosity. But as her ‘fame’ spread, so too did her exploitation… Centred on a remarkable performance by Cuban actor Yahima Torres as Baartman, Black Venus provides a bleak but barbed exploration of sex, science, race, colonialism and social attitudes. SPECIAL EDITION CONTENTS • High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation • Optional 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio and 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks • Optional English subtitles • Brand-new appreciation of Black Venus and the cinema of Abdellatif Kechiche by critic Neil Young • Theatrical trailer • Reversible sleeve featuring and original newly commissioned artwork by Peter Strain FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by Will Higbee, author of Post-Beur Cinema: North African Émigré and Maghrebi-French Filmmaking in France Since 2000"
__________________ People try to put us down Just because we get around Golly, Gee! it's wrong to be so guilty |
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They should change the name of the range from Arrow Academy to Films Riks Never Heard Of
__________________ If I'm curt with you it's because time is a factor. I think fast, I talk fast and I need you guys to act fast if you wanna get out of this. So, pretty please... with sugar on top. Clean the ****ing car! |
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You've got to admire the Academy branch for putting out so many obscure titles, but you have to wonder how well they really sell? I only own two at the moment, Night of the Hunter & the Marx Brothers box! I'd like to look at the full range though as there are sure to be some hidden gems in there. You're right though, never heard of 99 percent of their stuff! |
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Want to try Spirits of the Dead as it's Poe, but have resolved to stop buying until later in the year. It's on my list though!
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I quite like this new cover but hopefully it has some classic art on the other side!
__________________ Triumphant sight on a northern sky |
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