Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Black Widow
Collapse
-
- Published: 12-03-2015, 11:23 AM
- 3 comments
X
Collapse
-
Black Widow
Released by: Twilight Time
Released on: October, 2015.
Director: Bob Rafaelson
Cast: Theresa Russell, Debra Winger, Terry O'Quinn, James Hong, Dianne Ladd, Lois Smith
Year: 1987
Purchase From Screen Archives
The Movie:
Bob Rafaelson's BLACK WIDOW has always been a bit of a "twilight of the gods" sort of film. Made in 1987, this thriller represented the director's last serious tango with the studio system with a commercial film. And while it remains unfairly overlooked today, it certainly rings a few more bells than the man's later BLOOD AND WINE or MAN TROUBLE projects. Then there's the other old guard geniuses at work here: Conrad Hall - the brilliant cinematographer of IN COLD BLOOD is present and accounted for in his first project after a ten year hiatus. Michael Small - the criminally under appreciated minimalist composer who gave us the gripping MARATHON MAN and THE PARALLAX VIEW in the 1970's leaves his footprint. And this was also one of actress Debra Winger's last big featured starring roles before she seriously cut back on her work load.
Theresa Russell has discovered an interesting way to make a living. Marry rich men, poison them in such a way that you are nowhere nearby when they drop dead and then get out of Dodge. After procuring the proceeds of the generous provisions of the dead men's wills, of course. Russell's character uses a variety of different names and identities, and we are purposefully given no backstory on her. She's also quite the chameleon. Tacky Texas style floozy for hilariously crass toy magnate Dennis Hopper, shy rare coin expert for shy pasty Nicol Williamson: Russell knows more about disguise and deception than James Bond. And everything is going great guns with even the autopsies unable to prove her methodology. That is until genius justice department data miner/drone Alexandra Barnes (Winger) starts coming through crime reports and connecting the dots. But can she convince her boss to let her out of the cubicle and into the field?
BLACK WIDOW is a modern noir with a vintage soul trapped in 80's glitz. As writer Julie Kirgo astutely notes on the film's excellent audio commentary, this was the "Dynasty" era with its attendant tacky veneration of gauche fashion and the shallow one percent. But the story of the femme fatale itself is pure noir - and while Russell plays her part on the razor edge of camp at times she always remains convincing.
The narrative is gripping and the film immaculately shot. It is also a bit of a travelogue with Alexandra ultimately tracking her prey to Hawaii. The real strength of the film is in its characters however. Winger is terrific as the attractive but driven worker bee with no social life despite the various men in her life that desire her. Russell is alluring but blank in a carefully calibrated performance that hits just the right notes. And then there is the astounding supporting cast: Terry O'Quinn (THE STEPFATHER), James Hong (MISSING IN ACTION), Dennis Hopper (EASY RIDER), Dianne Ladd (CHINATOWN), Lois Smith (MINORITY REPORT), Leo Rossi (HALLOWEEN II) and famed nutter Nicol Williamson (EXCALIBUR). Hong in particular is quite memorable as an utterly sleazy private eye, and Rossi is a hoot as a pathologically sexist police detective.
But this is ultimately the Winger and Russell show. Both women carry the film with aplomb and put the lie out to pasture (still trumpeted in certain quarters today) that the "ladies" can't carry a film. They most certainly can - it's all in the writing and acting. One of the interesting facets of the film is that Winger's character lacks sexual confidence despite being lovely in a completely natural way whilst Russell is more obviously "sexy" but quite fake. Winger's character ultimately does get her passions awakened by a kind of skeevy European hotel magnate in one of the film's stranger tangents. Carefully plotted, beautifully filmed and brimming with sharp performances, this is an effective and enjoyable thriller with a few layers to it.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Twilight Time's 1.84:1. framed AVC encoded 1080p presentation hits all the right notes. Black levels are appropriately deep and overall fine image detail is strong. The color palette looks natural as well - which considering some of the strange set designs like the office with green windows - is a notable feat. Age related damage is minimal and there are no signs of digital tweaking. This looks filmic and sometimes stunning (the scuba and Hawaii sequences). Audio is covered by a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 that is robust and well balanced. Michael Small's great score - with its Bernard Hermann touches - sounds wonderful.
There is a theatrical trailer, some TV spots and an isolated score track included. But the best extra is the audio commentary with writer Julie Kirgo and film expert Nick Redman. These two are probably my favorite working commentary team today. Redman's naturally relaxed style interacts perfectly with Kirgo's analysis. The amount of information here is impressive: Redman knows a lot about the state of the studio system at this point in time, Rafaelson's career and gives an interesting summation of Russell as an actress. Kirgo talks about the sexism of the era (and sadly today's as well), and gives us her perspective on the female characters. The feeling you get is two experts having an intimate chat. The fact that these two both have beautiful speaking voices helps too.
The Final Word:
Unjustly overlooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this clever and well made thriller. Combine a solid Twilight Time AV presentation with an excellent audio commentary and what have you got? A solid RECOMMENDED.
-
#1Jason CSenior MemberFind all postsView Profile12-09-2015, 11:08 AMEditing a commentEnjoyed your review Horace. You sold me. Now let's hope it doesn't sell out before getting a price break on SAE.
-
#2Jason CSenior MemberFind all postsView Profile01-25-2016, 12:52 PMEditing a commentUsed the %20 SAE code to pick this up. Expires today Code: wish012016
-
#3Jason CSenior MemberFind all postsView Profile02-04-2016, 10:07 AMEditing a commentWhat a treat. BLACK WIDOW is a visual feast from beginning to end. There isn't a moment when there isn't something interesting to look at on screen. The two leads are terrific and the premise is aces. My one issue is the ending. I hated it. It felt so contrived and unbelievable. I'm still very happy I picked this up and will definitely revisit. I might pick up the UK release for the special features.
Posting comments is disabled. -
Categories
Collapse
article_tags
Collapse
- album review (218)
- album reviews (274)
- arrow video (271)
- blu-ray (3225)
- blu-ray review (4144)
- comic books (1392)
- comic reviews (872)
- comics (988)
- dark horse comics (484)
- dvd and blu-ray reviews a-f (1969)
- DVD And Blu-ray Reviews G-M (1711)
- DVD And Blu-ray Reviews N-S (1757)
- DVD And Blu-ray Reviews T-Z (878)
- dvd review (2512)
- idw publishing (216)
- image comics (207)
- kino lorber (385)
- movie news (260)
- review (318)
- scream factory (279)
- severin films (296)
- shout! factory (537)
- twilight time (269)
- twilight time releasing (231)
- vinegar syndrome (497)
Latest Articles
Collapse
-
Released by: Universal Studios
Released on: April 9th, 2024.
Director: Zelda Williams
Cast: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Carla Gugino, Joe Chrest, Henry Eikenberry
Year: 2024
Purchase From Amazon
Lisa Frankenstein – Movie Review:
The feature-length directorial debut of Zelda Williams, 20214’s Lisa Frankenstein takes place in 1989 and follows a teenaged girl named Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) who, two years ago, lost her mother...-
Channel: Movies
04-03-2024, 03:40 PM -
-
Released by: Vinegar Syndrome
Released on: March 26th, 2024.
Director: Piero Regnoli
Cast: Walter Brandi, Lyla Rocco, Maria Giovannini, Alfredo Rizzo, Marisa Quattrini, Leonardo Botta
Year: 1960
Purchase From Amazon
The Playgirls And The Vampire – Movie Review:
Piero Regnoli’s 1960 goofy gothic horror, The Playgirls And The Vampire, revolves around a quintet of beautiful showgirls - Vera (Lyla Rocco), Katia (Maria Giovannini),...-
Channel: Movies
04-03-2024, 03:30 PM -
-
Released by: Blue Underground
Released on: April 23rd, 2024.
Director: Gualtiero Jacopetti, Franco Prosperi
Cast: Stefano Sibaldi, Susan Hampshire, Dick Gregory
Year: 1971
Purchase From Amazon
Goodbye Uncle Tom – Movie Review:
In what has to be one of the most unexpected ‘special edition home video releases ‘of the year, Blue Underground brings to 4k UHD (and to a separate Blu-ray edition) both versions of the extremely controversial...-
Channel: Movies
03-28-2024, 04:23 PM -
-
Released by: Cult Epics
Released on: March 26th, 2024.
Director: Tinto Brass
Cast: Claudia Koll, Paolo Lanza , Franco Branciaroli
Year: 1992
Purchase From Amazon
All Ladies Do It – Movie Review:
Filmmaker Tinto Brass' 1992 masterpiece, All Ladies Do It, stars the drop dead gorgeous Claudia Koll in the role of a woman named Diana. She's been happily married to Paolo (played by Paolo Lanza who would show up again in P.O. Box Tinto...-
Channel: Movies
03-28-2024, 04:22 PM -
-
Released by: Peekarama
Released on: February 28th, 2024.
Director: Fred Lincoln
Cast: Hillary Summers, Susan Nero, Lysa Thatcher, Starr Wood, Dorothy LeMay, Desiree Cousteau
Year: 1979/1978
Purchase From Amazon
Daisy May / A Formal Faucett – Movie Review:
Probably best known for his turn in front of the camera in Wes Craven’s notorious Last House On The Left, Fred J. Lincoln got behind the camera in the late seventies and started...-
Channel: Movies
03-28-2024, 04:04 PM -
-
Released by: 88 Films
Released on: March 11th, 2024.
Director: Wellson Chin
Cast: Sibelle Hu, Sandra Ng, Amy Yip, Regina Kent, Ellen Chan
Year: 1989
Purchase From Amazon
The Inspector Wears Skirts 2 – Movie Review:
When the first Inspector Wears Skirts film proved a box office success, a second film was rushed into production and while Cynthia Rothrock’s character from the first movie is nowhere to be seen, Director Wellson...-
Channel: Movies
03-22-2024, 11:56 AM -