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Blu-ray movie reviews: ‘Man in the Moon’ and ‘Gucci House’



Here’s a look at a couple of new movies released on Blu-ray disc with award-winning performances.

Man in the Moon: Special Edition (Kino Lorber, R rated, 2.39:1 aspect ratio, 118 minutes, $29.95) — Arguably one of the best performances of actor Jim Carrey’s career debuted on Blu-ray disc to make American home theater audiences appreciate his enigmatic transformation into the legendary Andy Kaufman.

For those unaware, Kaufman was a performance artist who turned into a fearless stand-up comic who made people laugh by making them as uncomfortable as possible.

His characters, Elvis, were legendary, ranging from lounge singer Tony Clifton to culminating in his portrayal of Latka in “Taxi” and acting as a professional wrestling champion with a warning to only fight female opponents.

Director Milos Forman crafted the ingenious and memorable biography in 1999 and relied heavily on Mr.

The actor also received a lot of support from actors like Danny DeVito as executive George Shapiro, Courtney Love as his girlfriend Lynne Margulies, and Paul Giamatti as best friend and co-conspirator Bob Zmuda.

The film also featured Kaufman’s real friends and acquaintances: Mr. Zmuda (Jack Burns, author of the TV show “Fridays”); “Saturday Night Live” by Budd Friedman, founder of Improv, by Lorne Michaels; David Letterman; and most of the cast of “Taxi” reprising their roles.

Viewers get a 2K remaster of the film certified and color graded by cinematographer Anastas Michos; this is by far the best looking version of “Man on the Moon” ever released in the home entertainment realms.

Color pops up when needed (eg Tony Clifton’s live tuxedo, star backdrop on the “Merv Griffin Show,” Andy’s outdoor meditation sessions, and the Carnegie Hall Christmas show); clarity shines through; and overall visuals, it looks like the movie was released last week.

The best extras: A new optional commentary piece features film historian Howard S. Burger interviewing the film’s screenwriters, Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.

Viewers are primarily reminded that everyone is socially distancing in different locations due to COVID-19, a completely irrelevant piece of information as Mr. Burger’s pandemic police listened.

The group keeps talking. As the writers examine his work and the artist’s life, it’s clear that Kaufman is full of stories about numerous production fodder and casting choices.

Mr. Burger is basically moderation as the couple remembers that Mr. Shapiro meticulously archives all of their conversations and appearances; how director Mr. Forman focused on pure audience response when portraying Mr. Carrey; and what character Mr. Carrey was on set the whole time.

The track remains fun from start to finish and is the highlight of the extras.

Viewers also receive a 21-minute audio recording filled with more memories of Mr. Alexander and Mr. Karaszewski’s interview with Mr. Forman on 13 August 1999.

Additionally, a former Universal Studios producer of “Spotlight on Location” from the 2000 DVD release further explores “Man on the Moon” with interviews of cast and crew, including Mr. Zmuda and Mr. Carrey.

Finally, viewers receive 12 minutes of deleted scenes. All of this could have been part of the movie to further explore Kaufman’s rationale for engaging his audience at all costs.

the House Gucci (Universal Studios Home Entertainment, TV-14 rated, 1.66:1 aspect ratio, 468 minutes, $44.99 — Filmmaker Ridley Scott’s biographical crime drama switches to Blu-ray players to give home theater owners a chance to appreciate another intriguing, award-winning performance by Lady Gaga.

Miss Gaga stars as Patrizia Reggiani, an ambitious woman on a mission to meet Maurizio and cast a marriage spell. Gucci (Adam Driver), grandson of the famous Italian clothing designer Guccio Gucci.

When Maurizio’s father threatens to disinherit him, the brash son marries anyway, leading to Maurizio being cut off from the famous family.

The couple goes in again GucciThe kindness of his mentoring uncle, Aldo (Al Pacino), and the fact that Patrizia has a child also solidifies the deal.

The couple’s acceptance leads to family conflicts and unwittingly dissolving the dysfunctional. Gucci dynasty, as well as one of the most famous tabloid-style murder plots in Italian history.

The extravagant performances of Lady Gaga, Mr Driver and Mr Pacino are rounded off by the unrecognizable Jared Leto as Paolo, Aldo’s clumsy goofy son, and Jeremy Irons as Aldo’s brother Rodolfo. Gucci and Salma Hayek as psychic Giuseppina “Pina” Auriemma.

Mr. Scott offers a long-winded, almost satire of events in a period piece from the 1970s. “The House Gucci” may be high in production detail and star power, but a bit cumbersome in terms of energy and purpose.

The high-definition presentation will be best remembered by director of photography Dariusz Wolski for its panoramic exploration of Italy and highlighting Miss Gaga’s stream of fashion statements.

The best extras: The audience gets a trio of introductions (approximately 22 minutes total) of the production, superficially explaining why we should love Lady Gaga, the sets, and the costume design. They’re all too cocky and gushing for my liking, and I would have preferred an optional commentary piece with the venerable but always grumpy Mr.





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