Johnny Showtime: Recent Spins

 by JB

The Magical Disc-ery Tour is dying to take you away... dying to take you today.

Because my local multiplex has of late, and wherefore I know not, become a dumping ground of summer blockbusters and also-rans, I have sought cinematic succor in the usual places: little shiny discs and little shiny streaming services. The following list represents films that have charmed and/or delighted me in the last two weeks.

Hatari! (Kino-Lorber 4K)

Howard Hawks was the master of many genres: screwball comedies like His Girl Friday, Westerns like Rio Bravo, and what I will term “male-bonding adventure spectacles” like Only Angels Have Wings. Hatari! gives us a chance to see Hawks working in this latter wheelhouse with one of his favorite actors, John Wayne, and in magnificent widescreen Technicolor. Cinematographer Russel Harlan was nominated for an Oscar for his work here, and the new 4K Blu-ray delivers a beautiful transfer. Wayne leads a ragtag group of big-game hunters who catch wild animals for zoos and circuses. The screenplay was written by Leigh Brackett; she co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back.

Remember: “Hatari!” is Swahili for “Danger!”

Sorcerer (Criterion Collection 4K)

Famously misunderstood and snubbed upon its initial release (misinformed filmgoers thought it was a sequel to Friedkin’s previous film, The Exorcist) this magnificent film spent decades quietly building a reputation as one of the best of the 1970s. Roy Scheider leads a ragtag group of mercenaries transporting volatile nitroglycerin across a dangerous (and very bumpy) jungle.

Twelve years ago, the F This Movie! crew and I attended a very special screening, featuring a new restoration of the film along with Friedkin appearing live to introduce the film and sit for a delightful Q & A. Much later a Blu-ray release finally saw the light of day. It looked great, but the new Criterion 4K trumps all previous releases. This is a film to savor. (Plus, I am still patting myself on the back for seeing the film during its original release and loving it. I was 15.)

Earthquake (Universal 4K)

I last wrote about this crowd-pleaser eleven years ago, and used its recent release on 4K Blu-ray as a chance to revisit an old friend. The picture is much improved from the previous Blu-ray, the sound is more robust on the included “Sensurround” audio option, and Walter Matthau’s cameo as an unfunny drunk is still pointless and cringe-worthy. Charlton Heston and George Kennedy lead a ragtag group of survivors through the streets of LA to their eventual fates. Will they find survival OR THEIR DOOM?

Nonnas (Streaming on Netflix)

If you are in the mood for something a little old fashioned, but just a touch more-hip- and-clever than the average Hallmark Christmas movie, may I recommend Nonnas? I was raised Italian, so this kind of thing is right up my alley. Your mileage may vary. Vince Vaughn is laid low by the death of his mother and decides to use his inheritance to open a restaurant in her honor. He leads a ragtag group of real Italian grandmothers to do all the cooking. You can guess the rest. Talia Shire, Linda Cardellini, Brenda Vaccaro, and Campbell Scott turn in great character performances. I thought this film was much more insightful and honest about dealing with older female characters than the somewhat similar 80 For Brady.

Based on a true story. You can actually go to the restaurant; it’s in Staten Island.

Friendship (Video on Demand, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV+)

My favorite comedy of the year so far, perhaps because Tim Robinson’s comedy never fails to reduce me to gasping tears of laughter. Very much like the “movie version” of his Netflix series I Think You Should Leave, Robinson here plays a socially maladroit suburban schlub who strikes up an unlikely friendship with new neighbor Paul Rudd. He longs to join Rudd’s ragtag group of friends for fun nights of male bonding in his mancave. Navigating the interesting subject of adult friendship, the film takes wild detours into exploring forgotten urban tunnels, amateur punk rock bands, basement boxing matches, and male pattern baldness. I don’t want to spoil too much, but this film needs to be seen by all readers who bemoan the fact that “Hollywood has forgotten how to make comedies.”

So — what have YOU been spinning, dear reader? Until there's something at the local 'plex worth scooting a mile to see, I'm taking suggestions; allow me to join your ragtag group of fanatic film fans?