Film Score Daily: Aisle Seat 2-18: MVD, Fun City, Arrow February Wrap

William Friedkin’s CRUISING (102 mins., 1980, R; Arrow) was one of the most controversial films of its era – a thriller starring Al Pacino as an NYC cop who goes undercover, into the S&M clubs of the Big Apple, in order to find a serial killer preying on gay men. Protests greeted the film, with homosexuals feeling as if the film painted themselves in a negative light, while the film’s sexual frankness turned off other viewers.

The end result met with mostly poor reviews and tepid box-office, and has only drawn reassessment here and there on home video over the years. Arrow’s restored 4K UHD release is an enhancement on their 2019 Blu-Ray – and while that premiere didn’t lead to a repeat of Friedkin’s “Sorcerer” (where new viewers by and large seemed to embrace one of the director’s larger commercial flops), this is still a superior presentation with an improved transfer and additional extras that could lead to a wider reappraisal of this messy Friedkin film.

Dramatically, “Cruising” is a problematic picture that’s far too ambiguous for its own good, relying mostly on the inherent shock value of the S&M setting and assorted murder scenes to grip the audience, and then leading them down possible endings that have no pay off at all. The main issue is that Pacino’s character is little more than a cipher – he doesn’t appear until 15 minutes have passed, and outside of scenes where he looks perplexed having sex with his girlfriend (Karen Allen), there’s little probing of his character in terms of his “immersion” into the culture he’s infiltrating. Is he gay? Is he a killer? Is he neither? “Cruising” comes to a grossly unsatisfying conclusion that’s entirely meant to leave the viewer wondering about those things, but since Friedkin’s script – adapted loosely from a Gerald Walker book – spends little time on dramatic development, the result is a detached, chilly work that’s slick but more dull than it is disturbing.

Making its 4K UHD this month, “Cruising” has been remastered and newly restored for this disc, with the movie appearing in a full reconstruction of its original theatrical version. Friedkin often made “tweaks” for many of his movies on home video, and “Cruising” had its credits and sound mixes altered across various DVD/Blu-Ray releases that preceded this UHD. This full-blown remaster goes back to the original theatrical color timing – much more neutral than the blue-hued transfers that followed it – and also restores the movie’s original text opening disclaimer and mono soundtrack. The latter is particularly beneficial, since the (also included) stereo/5.1 remixes produced more recently are over-amplified and draw attention to the mostly post-synced dialogue.

The result is a big step up from Arrow’s previous disc, which had a weird, noise-reduction smoothed section, in addition to the reworked color scheme. There’s no evidence of that on-hand here with fine detail and Dolby Vision HDR being effectively utilized throughout the new transfer (1.85).

While Arrow had licensed “Cruising” from Warner previously, this time the label had fuller access to the studio’s assets and their deep dive into the vault has resulted in a number of newly unearthed extras. These include several brief deleted scenes (including the audio for one such excised sequence) and workprint sequences with production audio, showing how loud the protests from the gay community were outside the movie’s shooting locales (no wonder why so much dialogue was looped). Lorimar produced the film and apparently disposed of every project’s trims, leaving behind only the original negatives, so the fact Arrow uncovered even these fragments, along with a rarely-screened teaser and archival Pacino interview, is a minor miracle.

The bounty of new extras carries over to fresh interviews with Karen Allen and actor/consultant/ex-police detective Randy Jurgensen; additional interviews with editor Bud Smith, actors Jay Acovone, Mike Starr, and Mark Zecca; a featurette on the movie’s fragmented soundtrack with the movie also having an alternate “rescore” from 2019; and an archival interview with club manager Wally Wallace. There’s also a visual essay from David McGillivray, a short film from Jim Hubbard looking at the movie’s protests, a 2022 Friedkin appearance at American Cinematheque, extensive booklet notes, a comparison with other versions of the film (including re-releases and international cuts), and two archival featurettes produced for the movie’s DVD. Commentaries are also carried over, including the engaging 2019 commentary with Friedkin prompted by Mark Kermode, who specifically asks a number of questions about the production and its (maddening) ambiguity. Friedkin’s older commentary from the DVD has been carried over in a deluxe limited edition set worthwhile for any admirer of the picture, Pacino or Friedkin.

A very young Brooke Shields is offed early during her First Communion (“Communion” was, unsurprisingly, one of the movie’s alternate titles), with all signs pointing to the girl’s older sister being the killer. An interesting, pre-slasher fusion of ‘70s horror with giallo influences, “Alice, Sweet Alice” is stronger on atmosphere than story, but the film has its fans, and those admirers should be thrilled with Arrow’s Blu-Ray.

Like “Cruising,” Arrow previously released “Alice” on Blu-Ray in 2019 and improves upon that disc’s 2K restoration with a new 4K (1.85, mono) restoration from the original camera negative. This includes all three cuts with its variants, alternately titled “Communion” and “Holy Terror” included for good measure. Extras include a commentary with Richard Harland Smith; archival commentary with director Sole and editor M. Edward Salier; and interviews with Sole, composer Stephen Lawrence, actor Niles McMaster, and filmmaker Dante Tosaelli, one of Sole’s cousins. There are also deleted scenes, a tour of shooting locations from Michael Gingold, Gilles Vranckx’s new artwork, and a booklet sporting writing by critic Michael Blyth.

A CERTAIN KILLER / A KILLER’S KEY Blu-Ray (82/79 mins., 1967; Arrow): Double-feature pairing of Kazuo Mori-directed suspense-thrillers, each based on novels by genre author Shinji Fujiawara. A CERTAIN KILLER stars Raizo Ichikawa as a hitman trying to lay low as a sushi chef when he’s approached by a yakuza gang member to eliminate the leader of a rival clan. Ichikawa then returns in A KILLER’S KEY, his assassin now fronting as a dance instructor when he’s embroiled in a yakuza political skirmish. Each beautifully shot in widescreen (2.35) by Kazuo Myogawa, fans of the genre should be suitably satisfied by Arrow’s Blu-Rays, both offering newly translated English subtitles; commentaries by critic Tony Rayns; a 30-minute intro to the movies from Mark Roberts; trailers, an image gallery, and a booklet featuring essays by Jasper Sharp and Earl Jackson...Coming March 4th from Arrow, PLAY IT COOL (94 mins., 1970) stars Japanese pop singer Mari Atsumi as a fashion student who winds up in jail after being attacked by her stepfather. Soon afterwards Atsumi’s character finds employment in a nightclub where men similarly are drawn towards her, in a sharp drama helmed by Yasuzo Masumura. Making its first ever video release outside Japan, “Play It Cool” features a dynamic 1080p (2.35) transfer with English subtitles in Arrow’s Blu-Ray; a commentary with Jasper Sharp and academic Anne McKnight; a video essay on the movie, and director, from Mark Roberts; and an illustrated booklet with an essay by Earl Jackson.

They don’t make low-key character studies like LIFEGUARD (96 mins., 1976, PG) much these days – a movie to be celebrated as the picture finally coasts its way onto Blu-Ray courtesy a 4K restoration from Fun City Editions that’s being released alongside another Paramount gem, Richard Benjamin’s WWII charmer “Racing With the Moon.”

Sam Elliott stars as a veteran lifeguard who doesn’t seem (or want) to get his life in gear beyond doing what he does best: soaking up the sun, saving the lives of inexperienced swimmers, and enjoying his time with as many lovely young ladies as he can. Elliott’s prototypical California lifeguard does, however, at least question his career goals after he meets up with his newly divorced, ex-girlfriend Anne Archer at their high school reunion. Her availability — and the prospects of a new job as a car salesman courtesy of pal Stephen Young — threaten to turn Elliott’s laid-back lifestyle upside down. Fortunately, a quick romance with young Kathleen Quinlan (who looks great in a bathing suit) and a few Paul Williams music montages later, Elliott gets his senses back and realizes what’s truly important.

Ron Koslow’s script and Daniel Petrie’s direction aren’t anything extraordinary: “Lifeguard” at times might seem like a PG-rated Movie of the Week, yet its casual atmosphere and lack of dramatic tension are part of its charm. Elliott is wonderful in one of his most well-remembered performances, and seeing young starlets Archer and Quinlan give the film plenty of eye candy for the guys.

Dale Menten’s score is likewise a treasure, sporting tuneful melodies and a pleasant Paul Williams song (“Time and Tide”) that opened and closed the movie during its initial theatrical release. If you ran into the movie on cable TV, Williams’ song was replaced with a terrific Menten instrumental track, and Fun City has done a solid for fans by enabling them to choose which soundtrack version they prefer. Visually, the 4K remaster (1.85) looks stunning with lovely detail and color, and extras include a stills gallery plus a commentary by Jim Healy and Ben Reiser.

“Lifeguard” isn’t for everyone: the movie doesn’t offer easy answers, preferring, much like its protagonist, to go with the flow. To some, Elliott’s solution may seem depressing, while others might find it optimistic. Either way, the movie’s performances and soundtrack make it a perfect summer movie…all you need to do is take a ride on its groovy, mellow, character-driven wave.

Another library title debuting in high-def for the first time from Fun City is director Richard Benjamin’s RACING WITH THE MOON (108 mins., 1984, PG). This delightful slice-of-life follows a pair of boyhood pals (Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage) growing up in their small northern California town in the final days before they leave for WWII. Elizabeth McGovern is the object of Penn’s affection, while Dana Carvey and Michael Madsen can be glimpsed in early supporting parts.

Writer Steve Kloves went onto pen nearly all of the scripts for the “Harry Potter” film series, but started out in the business with his moving script for “Racing With The Moon.” The project was picked up by Paramount producers Stanley Jaffe and Sherry Lansing, with veteran Richard Benjamin opting to helm the project. The resulting film isn’t overly melodramatic or saccharine; it’s a leisurely paced and flavorful picture with many wonderful scenes, all beautifully shot by John Bailey and perfectly performed by the three leads. Dave Grusin’s score adds just the right emotional touch to the picture, and Benjamin’s direction is true-to-life, without a wrong note being struck.

Fun City’s 4K-sourced Blu-Ray remaster (1.85) is exceptional and extras are carried over from Paramount’s DVD. These included a fine Making Of documentary produced by Laurent Bouzereau. Sporting interviews with Benjamin, Jaffe, Lansing, producer Alain Bernheim and Elizabeth McGovern, the documentary is filled with anecdotes covering the production from start till end, while Benjamin contributes a talkative, relaxed, and enlightening audio commentary. New supplements include another commentary with Bill Ackerman and Marya E. Gates plus booklet notes from Walter Chaw. On the audio side, this was one of numerous Paramount mono titles the studio had remixed to true stereo/5.1 back in the DVD era, and it’s a lovely remix with channel separation, doing justice to the music and providing more atmosphere to the film than its previous mono soundtrack (also on-hand).

New from Radiance, Dominik Graf’s THE CAT (118 mins., 1988) is a suspenseful thriller about a bank heist where the robbers have holed up inside, demanding millions – and with the authorities unaware a steely-eyed accomplice outside has his eyes set on the cops trying to maneuver their way inside. Graf’s well-reviewed film here makes its English-subtitled world premiere on Blu-Ray in a 3000-copy limited edition, the disc boasting a new transfer (1.85, 5.1/2.0 German) supervised by the director; interviews with Graf, writer Christoph Fromm and producer George Feil; a select-scene commentary with Grad; a limited edition booklet sporting writing by Brandon Streussnig; and reversible and original artwork in Radiance’s OBI-adorned package…HOKURIKU PROXY WAR (98 mins., 1977) provides Japanese crime thriller fans with a memorable effort from director Kinji Fukasaku, who, in his final genre exercise, takes advantage of wintry northern Japan filming locales. Here, Hiroki Matsukata stars as a gangster who ends up taking on yakuza forces, even after they form an alliance with his own, disloyal boss. Radiance’s Blu-Ray (2.35) features gorgeous widescreen imagery with extras including fresh interviews with writer Koji Takada and actress Yoko Takahashi, plus Akihiko Ito discussing the real-life case that inspired the movie. New English subtitles along with archival writings on the movie are included in Radiance’s Blu-Ray.

Eureka’s latest presents a later Kinji Fukasaku picture, LEGEND OF THE EIGHT SAMURAI (136 mins., 1983), which sports a mix of fantasy and historical drama, as an exiled Princess recruits a group of distaff soldiers in an attempt to stop a witch leading the rival Hikita Clan from taking over the nation. Hiroko Yakushimaru, Hiroyuki Sanada and Sonny Chiba star in this lengthy but well-regarded Kadokawa production, new on Blu-Ray (1.85) sporting 2.0/5.1 DTS MA Japanese audio as well as an alternate English dub. There’s also a new commentary by Joe Hickinbottom; a new interview with Fukasaku’s son, Kenta; a video essay from Stuart Galbraith IV; and Tom Mes’ booklet note essay…New from 88 Films is another effort from 1983, albeit one from Hong Kong and the famous Shaw Brothers: THE LADY ASSASSIN (90 mins.), director Tony Lou’s superbly-choreographed period piece following the difficult transition China faces after the emperor passes away, with his vicious son claiming his path to the top. Lots of action dominates with 88’s Blu-Ray sporting a Fortune Star-licensed (2.35) transfer with 2.0 Cantonese mono, English subtitles, the trailer, a reversible sleeve and new artwork by Sam Green.

Anchor Bay New Releases: The life and times of the late Gunnar Hansen is the subject of DINNER WITH LEATHERFACE (106 mins., 2024), Michael Kallio’s documentary profile of the actor best known for wielding a chainsaw as villainous “Leatherface” in the original “Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” Yet as so often happens, Hansen was generally a low-key and smart actor, the complete reverse of most of his on-screen performances, and Kallio’s doc features a number of associates who worked with him, including Bruce Campbell, Barbara Crampton, Linnea Quigley and others. Anchor Bay’s Blu-Ray also sports extended interviews with Michael Felsher, Jeff Burr, Danielle Harris and others, plus a commentary and more (1080p, 5.1)…Writer-directors Neal Kelley and Jono Sherman’s DADDY (98 mins., 2024) is set in a world where “the state” dictates who can father children, focusing on four men who have to prove themselves after attending a government mandated retreat. Dark comedy abounds in this quasi-futuristic piece with Anchor Bay’s Blu-Ray sporting commentary with the duo (who also star), a web series, extended dance sequence, and improv reel.

Visual Vengeance/Wild Eye Releasing present DINOSAUR VALLEY GIRLS (94 mins., 1996, Unrated), an enjoyable low-budget outing from Marvel Comics vet Don Glut that follows a Hollywood star into a lost land of dinosaurs, cavemen, and scantily-clad cavegirls. Amusing stuff with lots of laughs and ample music, this is the kind of thing nostalgic “video store” fans should gravitate to, with stop-motion dinos on-tap for creature-feature loving kids of all ages. MVD’s Blu-Ray offers an SD-remastered transfer (1.33) as the movie was shot on tape; a 2023 commentary with Don Glut and C. Courtney Joyner, plus an older commentary with the duo; interviews, a Making Of, an alternate PG-13 rated version, storyboards, a collectible slipcover, and even a VHS sticker set!

Also new from Wild Eye/Visual Vengeance is the nutty 1984 martial arts hodgepodge FURIOUS (73 mins.), which stars martial arts superstars Simon and Philip Rhee in the story of a man, looking to solve his sister’s death, who unwittingly uncovers a villain that covets half of his ancient amulet. The premise, though, is just an excuse for a wacky assortment of fight sequences wherein Rhee takes on bad guys of all shapes and sizes, including talking pigs. A weird cash-in on genre elements circa the MTV era, “Furious” offers a director-approved SD master (1.33) from tape elements; commentary with co-director Tim Everitt; another commentary with podcasters; video essays, behind the scenes footage, a reversible sleeve with its original VHS art, a mini-poster and sleek, collectible slipcover.

THE PRIMEVALS 3-Disc Blu-Ray Collection (Full Moon): Stop-motion animator David Allen sadly passed away before he could complete what he believed was his magnum opus: “The Primevals,” the story of a a Yeti-believing scientist (Juliet Mills) who leads a team into the Himalayas to prove its existence. There, they find not only the beast but aliens lurking about, with all of the VFX handled with Allen’s trademark stop-motion. Shot in the early ’90s, “The Primevals” was completed by Full Moon and Chris Endicott, with the resulting feature preserved in a dynamic Full Moon special edition Blu-Ray box. The set includes not only the formally completed version but also an approximation of Allen’s own version with pure footage and some storyboards included; there’s also an engaging documentary, “Lost to Time,” which details Allen’s efforts. Special features abound, from interviews to a 1984 promo reel (back when producer Charles Band’s Empire Pictures was just cranking up its production) and another from 1997, along with featurettes and a Q&A held at ILM. The 1080p (1.78) transfer is fine but the Dolby Digital 2.0 sound is a little bit thin, not helping a hard-working score by Richard Band.

Quick Takes

SEPTEMBER 5 Blu-Ray (94 mins., 2024, R; Paramount): Taut, compelling if abbreviated look at the ABC Sports broadcasters who shifted from the “thrill of competition” to the horror of covering the Israeli athletes held hostage, and soon executed, while covering the 1972 Summer Olympics. Tim Fehlnaum’s picture is well-acted by an ensemble cast and generates a good amount of tension despite the oft-told events of that day, yet somehow the movie still leaves you wanting a bit more meat and detail, coming to a close precisely at the 90 minute mark. Paramount’s Blu-Ray of “September 5” includes a 1080p transfer and 7.1 Dolby TrueHD sound along with a digital copy.

NEXT TIME: Kino Lorber’s latest, including UNCLE BUCK in 4K, HOT PURSUIT, and more! Until then, don’t forget to drop in on the official Aisle Seat Message Boards and direct any emails to our email address. Cheers everyone!