DIRECTOR.EDITOR.PHOTOGRAPHER
Previously at Miramax Films & The Weinstein Company
Chicago: Diamond Edition (Blu-ray)
“CHICAGO IN THE SPOTLIGHT"
Brennan McClean - Editor
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
This new "Diamond Edition" is a two-disc set.
The biggest draw is the newly created Chicago in the Spotlight (2:22:19/HD), which is a retrospective with the cast and crew. Marshall, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the lead actors, and a number of supporting players provide interesting insight into the production, from its genesis to Oscar season to the film's lasting impact. This is a very nice piece.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tarantino XX: Celebrating 20 Years of Filmmaking (Blu-ray)
“QT: 20 Years of Filmmaking”:
Brennan McClean - Editor
Lionsgate has gone the extra mile to beef up this set with two exclusive Blu-Ray bonus discs.
Everyone should enjoy the 8-part "Quentin Tarantino: 20 Years of Filmmaking" documentary (2:13:21, HD). Lawrence Bender, Richard N. Gladstein, Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellán, Greg Nicotero, John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, Pam Grier, Robert Forster, and Dean Parisot (husband to the late Sally Menke) chat about Tarantino's career from Reservoir Dogs through to Inglourious Basterds. There's some really wonderful material here, particularly Parisot's discussion of Menke's relationship with Tarantino and her love of cutting his material. The doc moves along at a snappy pace and those who do contribute are all appreciated, particularly Travolta, who has some fresh, fun stories about committing to the material and research he did to play Vincent.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good Will Hunting: 15th Anniversary Edition (Blu-ray)
Reflecting on a Journey: Good Will Hunting 15 Years Later (1:02:14, HD):
Brennan McClean - Editor
The first two-thirds or so transforms into a great "story" of the film's conception, while the latter-third enthusiastically covers the cast, crew, and reception of the film. Damon, Affleck, Van Sant and Moore treat us to stories about casting Skyler and Minnie Driver's accent, as well as about Casey Affleck's relationship with college and how he factored into Van San't connection with the film. And, once the piece cascades into the close, Smith offers a quirky story about Damon and Affleck's acceptance speech at the Oscars. The piece is separated into four segments: The Era of Good Will Hunting (14:27); Cast and Crew Spotlight (34:15); Academy Awards: A Winning Season (4:42); and Life Goes On (8:49). Highly Recommended.