Fun City Editions

[ChunkyLover]

I wonder if it’s because of FCE breaking away from OCN/VS. I’m surprised that they haven’t released another MGM title since then.

[What A Disgrace]

It could be that it's more to do with their MGM relationship coming to an end.

[dwk]

It could be that it's more to do with their MGM relationship coming to an end.

This is most likely. Still, like those Kino UHDs, FCE's MGM deal seemed shorter than normal. Which makes me wonder if this has always been the case with MGM or is it something new due to their acquisition by Amazon.

[rapta]

It's a shame they didn't port the rest of their MGM titles to the UK via Radiance (who still have an active deal with MGM via Park Circus), as I would've snapped up Born to Win, Rancho Deluxe and Smile in a heartbeat (and probably got Alphabet City, The Coca-Cola Kid; and Breathless too if Second Sight's rights have expired). Unfortunately the US discs are region locked, so I didn't bother even when they were recently dirt cheap.

Maybe Radiance might be interested in at least a couple of these if Fun City don't want to continue being one of their 'hosted labels'?

[colinr0380]

I'd second rapta on that hope, especially since the first couple of Fun City titles getting released in the UK actively encouraged me to hold off on importing in the hopes that more would come out here directly.

[domino harvey]

Canadian aerobicsploitation classic Heavenly Bodies (1984) is coming soon! Go into it as blind as possible, and remember to thank me later

I went in blind and enjoyed some of its ridiculous idiosyncrasies (as well as genuinely at face value, as a low-stakes "aerobicsploitation" film, like you say), but didn't come away bowled over by any 'shock' - other than an early moment where we surely witness the first on-screen

Spoiler

"orgy" conversation between a mother and her son. Also, apparently orgies cannot contain love, but if it's a man and a woman getting together monogomously, it's always love!

Yeah, I have no idea what surprises Heavenly Bodies could possibly have held for anyone, with every plot point (and there aren't many) coded as obviously as possible. I found this a tediously bad movie with absolutely nothing (and I mean nothing) to recommend about it, and I think the deluge of people trying to reclaim this as some sort of cult object need higher standards.

[domino harvey]

It's been over a decade since I saw Born to Win, but recall it being the best of Ivan Passer's American films.

I liked this a fair amount, even if it was an uneven film (which I understand resulted from conflicts in post, but also fits the vibe of the delusional, meandering lifestyle that is equal parts sobering realist grit and darkly humorous surreal experience). Segal turns in an outstanding performance, and Black complements him well. In a sense this is a “romantic” shaggy dog addict tale to counter California Split’s platonic one, though this never reaches the exciting narrative possibilities, dynamic characterization, or existential depths that the Altman achieves. Still, infusing some light coating into this dark lifestyle works at reflexively matching the real delusions of enjoyment addicts convince themselves of during these episodes, and I always appreciate that approach in measuring the “good” with the bad over a sneering and condescending method a la Requiem for a Dream

Kael's review notes that ultimately no films at the time were interested in any story about a junkie that doesn't end with their failure, and I think that inevitability of plot resolution hampers the film quite a bit. This is a bigger deal in this particular film, because the most interesting aspects are when it slides into a madcap comedy. It seemed to me that a truly rebellious, if irresponsible, film about this subject matter would have gone all in and let Segal glide to victory over all his adversaries while remaining an addict. It's the comic moments that ultimately win me over into a marginally positive assessment of the film, and certainly none of the dramatics can compete. Though, to be fair, Karen Black's dippy MPDG is so unlikely a love interest no matter how charming Segal is that it's hard to get too invested in that strand either. Kudos to Paula Prentiss' agent for getting her second billing and no doubt a big paycheck for one day's work-- though why you'd cast an actress bursting with neurotic, full-throated energy and put her into a passive role is beyond me.

[dwk]

FCE has teased that they are releasing Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains later this summer.

[domino harvey]

Nice, I missed the Imprint edition

[dwk]

They've announced that Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains will be UHD.

[andyli]

Baby It's You (releasing this Tue.) is going for $16.99 at the moment on Amazon. Am I correct in assuming the Amazon edition only loses the exclusive slip cover so I still get the booklet inside the case if I order from them?

[andyli]

Baby It's You (releasing this Tue.) is going for $16.99 at the moment on Amazon. Am I correct in assuming the Amazon edition only loses the exclusive slip cover so I still get the booklet inside the case if I order from them?

To answer my own question, yes the booklet is inside the case therefore I get the cover with original poster as well as the booklet to accompany an identical disc for cheap. Sweet!

[Finch]

Another Paramount licence coming up: Goodbye Columbus (1969)

[beamish14]

I remember a lot of spirited arguments on the IMDB message boards regarding this film supposedly being edited for its VHS release. Probably faulty memories from Boomers who hadn’t seen it in decades

[dwk]

FCE's Morvern Callar Blu-ray has gone OOP.

[Drucker]

Hopefully that means Criterion are in the mix, as Lynn Ramsey specifically spoke out against the FCE edition (which I did, admittedly, enjoy!)

[dwk]

I'm not sure if the Morvern Callar is still owned by FIlmRise in the US or not (at least that is who I think FCE licensed it from, but I could be wrong), but FilmRise recently merged with Shout Studio (formerly Shout Factory) to form a new company called Radial Entertainment and I don't know what that ultimately means for FilmRise has licensing out to other labels. Are they going to stop that and only release under the Shout or Scream Factory or will they continue to license to third parties?

[Zot!]

Hopefully that means Criterion are in the mix, as Lynn Ramsey specifically spoke out against the FCE edition (which I did, admittedly, enjoy!)

What did she say about it? I might try to grab this cheap while it's still around, I last owned this on DVD and that was crap.

[Drucker]

Shame on me for not being able to cite my source, but it must be a tweet I saw. She responded the edition similar to how Lynch responded to Lost Highway on Kino, from my recollection. And wanted Criterion to pick it up.

[Zot!]

No worries conjecture is fine The BD is going for under $10 new and Gary's review is positive. SOLD! (cue 4K announcement)

[beamish14]

Shame on me for not being able to cite my source, but it must be a tweet I saw. She responded the edition similar to how Lynch responded to Lost Highway on Kino, from my recollection. And wanted Criterion to pick it up.

She said this at an American Cinematheque screening of Morvern Callar. She wants a 4K, and the original camera negative is still currently unavailable to use. She also hates the design of FCE’s release

[Zot!]

Shame on me for not being able to cite my source, but it must be a tweet I saw. She responded the edition similar to how Lynch responded to Lost Highway on Kino, from my recollection. And wanted Criterion to pick it up.

She said this at an American Cinematheque screening of Morvern Callar. She wants a 4K, and the original camera negative is still currently unavailable to use. She also hates the design of FCE’s release

Ah thanks, teamwork wins the day. We'll see if she can get this done, I remember this being such a sensory experience in the theater, that when I got the DVD I was really disappointed, and the BD should be a big upgrade. Concerning the legitimately ugly cover, FCE claims it is reversible and the flipside is the totally stylish original poster. Will confirm on my receipt.

[Finch]

[jazzo]

I’m stupidly excited about this. It’s my favourite Morrissey.

[Forrest Taft]

Paul Morrissey touched briefly on this film in one of the interviews on either the Dracula or the Frankenstein releases that came out a few years ago, and it's been on my radar since. But in the same interview Morrissey described Sasha Mitchell as one of the great film actors, IIRC, and as someone who knows his work from Step by Step and various Albert Pyun-collaborations, I don't necessarily agree!