Page 36 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • June 5, 2013
DVD releases
(continued from Restaurant page) to track down the evil witches and return the children safely. Jeremy Renner and Gemma Atherton star and attempt to balance the frequent violence with clever quips and lighter moments that never quite click. Renner does not have Sean Connery’s facility with a clever line and Atherton is a rather bland Gretel. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack contains both the unrated and theatrical, R-rated version, with violence and strong language amped up in the unrated version. This is not the Grimm Brothers’ fairy-tale Hansel and Gretel by any means, but a testosterone-driven action flick rampant with computer-generated special effects, retro “modern” weaponry, and mayhem aplenty. Blu-ray special features include three behind-the-scenes featurettes. There is also a 3D edition packaged with Blu-ray 2D and DVD versions. “Perfect Understanding” (Cohen Media Group) is a 1933 comedy written by Michael Powell and starring Gloria Swanson and Laurence Olivier. Judy (Swanson) and Nicholas (Olivier) are a young society couple who marry based on the “perfect understanding” that they will enjoy extramarital adventures and never let jealousy come between them. That arrangement is soon put to the test. During their honeymoon, they go to Cannes to spend time with friends. Judy decides to go back to London to
set up their new home, but insists that Nicholas remain. One night, when drunk, Nicholas sleeps with a former lover (Nora Swinburne). When he returns to Judy, he feels guilt-ridden and confesses. She forgives him, but Nicholas soon battles his own feelings of jealousy when he suspects Judy has slept with an old friend (John Halliday). This film shocked audiences for its treatment of sexuality. Soon after, England and the United States put the reins on such cinematic frankness. Swanson, who had been a huge star in the silent period, struggled to maintain her status in the early talkie era. Olivier, an established Shakespearian stage star, was just three years into a screen career that would establish him as one of the greatest movie actors of the sound era. Bonuses on this Blu-ray release include two Mack Sennett comedy shorts. “Rawhide: The Sixth Season” (CBS/Paramount) is available in two DVD volumes, each a four-disc set containing 15 episodes of the 1963-64 season, a period when TV Westerns flourished. Trail boss Gil Favor (Eric Fleming) leads the way through harsh terrain. At his right hand is foreman Rowdy Yates (Clint Eastwood). With their cook Wishbone (Paul Brinegar) and a seasoned team, they lead 3,000 head of cattle through dangers including arid deserts, savage outlaws, vicious storms, and wild predators. Guest stars include James Whitmore, Simon Oakland, Beau Bridges, Frankie Avalon, Denver Pyle, Warren Oates, Barbara Eden, Miyoshi Umeki, Marie Windsor, Everett Sloane, Sally Forrest, Nehemiah Persoff, Mickey Rooney, and Chill Wills.