Blade Runner: The Final Cut Blu-Ray

Rated R (Violence and Brief Nudity)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 57 Minutes

Cast:

Harrison Ford-Rick Deckard

Sean Young-Rachael

Rutger Hauer-Roy Batty

Daryl Hannah-Pris Stratton

Joanna Cassidy-Zhora Salome

Brion James-Leon Kowalski

Joe Turkel-Dr. Eldon Tyrell

William Sanderson-J.F. Sebastian

James Hong-Hannibal Chew

Edward James Olmos-Officer Gaff

M. Emmet Walsh-Harry Bryant

Morgan Paull-Holden

Directed by Ridley Scott

"I want you."

Note: It is highly recommended that you view the film first as spoilers are freely discussed in this review.

What defines us as human? This is the central question posed in director Ridley Scott’s seminal science fiction masterpiece "Blade Runner," released in 1982 and loosely adapted from Philip K. Dick’s 1968 novella Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Although the film polarized critics upon its release and flopped at the box office, it quickly became a cult classic and is now viewed as one of the finest science fictions films ever made whose influence has continued to be felt in all forms of media. In addition to the original theatrical cut seen by audiences in 1982, several other versions of "Blade Runner" exist but the one considered by Scott to represent his definitive vision is the 2007 Final Cut. Despite being released almost three decades ago, time has not diminished "Blade Runner" as its thematic and philosophical significance, searing dystopian vision of the future, ground-breaking visuals, and darkly melodic score continues to both influence and remain unmatched by its contemporaries. 

In the early 21st century, the powerful Tyrell Corporation has advanced robotics to what they call the 'Nexus' phase, bioengineering artificial beings who are virtually identical to a human in every way. Commonly known as 'Replicants,' the current Nexus-6 models possess superior strength and agility, in addition to intelligence at least equal to their genetic creators. Used as a slave labor force to establish colonies on other planets, Replicants were declared illegal on Earth due to a bloody mutiny by a Nexus-6 combat team on an off-world colony. Special police units dubbed Blade Runners are ordered to shoot on sight any Replicant they find but this was not considered execution—'it was called retirement.' In Los Angeles, November 2019, retired Blade Runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) is detained by Officer Gaff (Edward James Olmos) and brought before his former supervisor, Harry Bryant (M. Emmet Walsh), to track down a number of Replicants who have escaped from an off-world colony to Earth. Deckard is informed that these are Nexus-6 models manufactured by the Tyrell Corporation and have a limited four-year lifespan as a fail-safe in order to prevent them from developing emotions, which results in a violent, unstable personality. The Replicants—Pris Stratton (Daryl Hannah), Zhora Salome (Joanna Cassidy), and Leon Kowalski (Brion James)—are led by a combat model named Roy Batty (Rutger Hauer) and are suspected to have come to Earth to try to extend their limited lifespan. Deckard is sent to Tyrell Corporation's headquarters to ensure that the Voight-Kampff machine (used to identify Replicants through a series of questions that test for an empathic response) works on Nexus-6 models. He meets Dr. Eldon Tyrell (Joe Turkel), who insists that his mysterious assistant, Rachel (Sean Young), be tested on the Voight-Kampff machine. After asking over a hundred questions, Tyrell asks Rachel to leave and reveals to Deckard that she is prototype Replicant with false memory implants, designed to act as a cushion for her developing emotions. Rachel has no idea she is Replicant and believes that she is human. She escapes from Tyrell Corporation upon learning her true origins and although forced to retire her, Deckard finds he is unable to as he has fallen in love with her. 

Filmed in 1981, the dystopian future depicted in "Blade Runner" is exceptionally well-realized thanks to its meticulous visuals and production design. Los Angeles in 2019 is a rain-drenched, oppressive metropolis suffering from the effects of pollution and over-crowding as neon-advertisements and fire-spewing smokestacks dominate the cityscape, reflecting the enormous power that mega-corporations such as Tyrell wield. Omnipresent police units roam the skies in 'spinner' vehicles as robotic voices blare over loudspeakers, asserting the loss of individual freewill while runaway advances in technology are unbounded by any legal or ethical restrictions. With the environment ravaged and animals all but extinct, the only ones that exist are bioengineered to serve as mere status symbols for the wealthy. As the masses scurry throughout the decayed and garbage-strewn streets of Los Angeles, the promise of a new life on an off-world colony looms overhead via enormous airships. What's amazing is that this dystopian vision of the future feels frightening real. Composed by Vangelis, the score is an aural experience like no other and mixes electronic sounds with more traditional, noir-like jazz themes that fit the film perfectly. 

"Blade Runner" isn't just a visual and sound showcase but also offers a thematically rich story that poses a question that continues to elude scholars to this day: what defines us as human? Replicants are identical to humans in every way, with the exception of their increased strength and agility but because of their artificial creation, they are not viewed as 'human.' Yet the compassion and remorse they display for each other stands in stark contrast to the emotional detachment experienced by the human characters. Like their creators, Roy and his band of renegade Replicants strive to overcome their limited four year lifespan and achieve the impossible, that of immortality. Although Roy fails to succeed in a literal sense, the end of the film has him saving Deckard from certain death. Why does he do this? He makes an impassioned speech and remarks eloquently that 'I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time...like tears in rain…time to die.' Knowing that he is near death, the best assumption is that Roy did not want to die alone and this last act of introspection allows him to live on in Deckard's memories and symbolically achieve immortality. This theme of loneliness is supported when Deckard finds solace in the arms of Rachel, who is herself a Replicant, and falls in love with her. Replicants are created without feelings but they ultimately attain a higher emotional state upon death. Before leaving with Rachel toward an uncertain future, he remembers Gaff yelling to him, 'It's too bad she won't live! But then again, who does?' Perhaps Scott is telling his audience that the search for immortality is fruitless and to cherish the time we are given. Tyrell even tells Roy that it is biologically impossible to extend his life and to 'revel in your time.' Our ability to feel and the fact that we are mortal is what defines us as human. Finally, there's also the issue of whether Deckard is a Replicant, a topic that has inspired fierce debate among fans but ultimately the answer is up to you as Scott deliberately left it ambiguous. 

The performances in "Blade Runner" range from good to outstanding. Hot off the successes of "Star Wars," "The Empire Strikes Back," and "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark," Harrison Ford was looking for something with more dramatic heft compared to his previous roles. While Rick Deckard isn't inherently a challenging role to play, Ford nails it and creates a haunted portrayal of a lonely man at the end of his rope, forming no real connections. There's only the job for him but despite the inhumane way in which he 'retires' the rogue Replicants, he ends up falling in love with one. Rutger Hauer, however, is the standout and infuses Roy Batty with a cunning yet charismatic personality. His monologue at the end of the film is incredibly well-written and delivered with a strange mixture of resignation and joy. Sean Young is fine but often comes off as too cold and impersonal, which undermines her character's ability to fool everyone (including herself) into thinking that she is human. The rest of the cast includes Daryl Hannah as Pris, who exhibits a lively child-like innocence that belays her acrobatic abilities, Edward James Olmos as the mysterious officer Gaff, and Brion James and Joanna Cassidy as the final two Replicants of Roy's band. 

Released on Blu-Ray in 2007 as a 5-Disc Collector's Edition, the final cut of "Blade Runner" is nothing short of stunning and features spectacular detail. The opening scene of the film over the belching smokestacks of Los Angeles and the subsequent aerial shots are simply gorgeous, revealing how hard the production design team worked to fully realize Scott's vision of a dark future. Colors are vivid, especially the neon-advertisements that dot the cityscape and despite being drenched in shadow, the film never looks murky. The effort poured into restoring "Blade Runner" deserves the highest praise and is in every way flawless. Likewise, the audio quality fully immerses you in the world that Deckard inhabits but what stood out for me were the atmospheric sound effects such as the pitter-patter of rain or the crowded masses milling about while the police zip around in their blaring 'spinner' vehicles to keep order in the streets. Vangelis' score shines as well but the dialogue does suffer a bit from a hollow effect yet this is really nitpicking and does not detract from the experience of the film. An exhaustive set of special features are included, among them a making-of documentary that is a whopping 3 hour and 31 minutes long, countless featurettes and audio commentaries, and in addition to the final cut, three other versions (domestic, international, and director's cut) are provided through seamless branching, plus the original workprint, although the changes in each do not fundamentally alter the film in any way. By far, this is as complete an experience a "Blade Runner" fan can achieve. 

"Blade Runner" was released on June 25, 1982 to a mixed reception from critics. Feeling they were misled by the marketing campaign, audiences were expecting a more typical sci-fi action/adventure flick as opposed to a more serious, slower paced film, a reaction that does not surprise me in the least as it was simply too ahead of its time. A financial failure at the domestic box office with a gross of $27.5 million ($64.7 million adjusted for inflation), the film quickly earned a cult following and is currently rated at 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics reevaluating their opinions and concluding that it was 'a visually remarkable, achingly human sci-fi masterpiece.' There's very little that remains to be said about Scott's film as it has been thoroughly dissected these past three decades so if you're one of the few who still haven't seen "Blade Runner," then you owe it to yourself to experience one of the most lauded science fiction films in American cinema.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time...like tears in rain...time to die."

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The Human Centipede [First Sequence] Blu-Ray Review

Not Rated (Disturbing Sadistic Horror Violence, Nudity and Language)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 32 Minutes

Cast:

Dieter Laser-Dr. Josef Heiter

Ashley C. Williams-Lindsay

Ashlynn Yennie-Jenny

Akihiro Kitamura-Katsuro

Andreas Leupold-Detective Kranz

Peter Blankenstein-Detective Voller

Directed by Tom Six

"Now you can bite me. Bite my boots! Bite my boots!"

Not all films are created equal but they always inspire a wide range of emotions. Directors pushing the limits of extreme cinema in order to explore the depths of human depravity are nothing new but when Tom Six’s “The Human Centipede [First Sequence]” began to make the rounds at various film festivals in 2009, the reactions to the body horror flick ranged from glowing praise to outright revulsion. The perverse premise gives new meaning to 'ass to mouth' and involves a mad doctor kidnapping three victims so he can realize his vision of a Siamese triplet…by surgically connecting their mouths and anuses together! Six was inspired to write the film when he saw a child molester on the news and joked, 'they should stitch this guy with his mouth to the ass of a very fat truck driver. It would be a really good punishment for him.' A sequel titled "The Human Centipede 2 [Full Sequence]" has already been completed with a limited release set for October 7, 2011 and from the reviews I’ve read, it looks like it ups the ante even more in depravity. Plus, the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has banned the film and the official trailer wears it like a badge of honor. "The Human Centipede [First Sequence]" may suffer from lapses in logic and an overreliance on tired horror clichés but the film succeeds due to the fact that Six has crafted something that’s never been done before, even if all the premise does is make you want to vomit. 

Lindsey (Ashley C. Williams) and Jenny (Ashlynn Yennie) are two American tourists on a road trip though Europe but while searching for a nightclub in Germany, their car unexpectedly breaks down with a flat tire in the middle of a forest. Unable to get any cell reception, the two friends attempt to find help and come upon the house of a Dr. Josef Heiter (Dieter Laser). Heiter ends up drugging and holding the two women captive in his basement cellar. He also kidnaps a Japanese tourist named Katsuro (Akihiro Kitamura). Heiter reveals to his three victims that he was once a world-renowned surgeon, an expert at separating conjoined twins but now envisions of creating a creature that share one digestive system. In order to accomplish his perverse goals, he plans to surgically sever the ligaments in their knees and connect the three by sewing their mouths and anuses together to form the world’s first 'human centipede.' 

People who are hoping for an all-out gore fest will be disappointed as "The Human Centipede [First Sequence]" is relatively restrained compared to films like "Saw" or "Hostel," with the only gruesome scenes being a teeth removal and flesh on the buttocks being surgically cut as Dr. Heiter creates his own version of Frankenstein’s monster. No, much of the shock and revulsion comes from its premise, which is rather ironic considering that humor involving excrement is considered funny but with Six's film, it's immoral and offensive. What a hypocritical society we live in! As for its '100% Medically Accurate' tagline, that's nothing but a misnomer to drum up hype. I do not doubt that Six consulted with a Dutch surgeon but no one can survive being fed fecal matter due to all the bacteria, even if that person was receiving nutrients through an intravenous drip. It's just not possible. As for the film itself, the first half isn't particularly imaginative and even feels somewhat dull as it follows the usual horror clichés beat for beat with our two female leads being stranded due to a flat tire and looking for help…in the middle of a forest at night! Such illogical occurrences are peppered throughout the film, including a prolonged escape attempt that left me scratching my head at the total lack of common sense on display. Once Heiter creates his human centipede, the film improves as Six crafts a tense atmosphere of hopelessness and despair in order to make our skin crawl. There's this one scene that will make those with weak stomachs spill their lunch as Katsuro empties his bowels and Lindsey is forced to swallow it. Hell, it's almost played up for comedic effect when Heiter screams with glee, 'FEED HER!' 

Strange as it may be, the film does contain elements of black comedy, largely stemming from Dieter Laser's over-the-top performance. When he explains to his victims what he's about to do, he uses a cheap projector straight out of high school and almost child-like diagrams! A common question that will crop up is what point Six is trying to make. From a critic's point of view, there is no moral subtext because everything that happens in the film simply…happens. Six's goal is to humiliate and dehumanize his characters in a similar way like Pier Paolo Pasolini's infamous 1975 film "Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom," which was loosely based on The 120 Days of Sodom by the Marquis de Sade. This is an endurance test where Six wants to push the audience's boundaries and although "The Human Centipede [First Sequence]" is never actually about anything, the film remains oddly compelling throughout and you're unable to turn away. On that alone, it is a runaway success. Due to the low budget nature of the film, the cast are all unknowns but Dieter Laser (what a cool last name) has had a long, successful career in Germany. Laser's performance is nothing short of brilliant as just the mere look from his bulging eyes and vulture-like grin will inspire chills. This is a man who's smart enough and mad enough to create a human centipede and you can compare him to the director following through with his idea to its dark conclusion. Akihiro Kitamura shines as well but Ashley C. Williams and Ashlynn Yennie's 'talents' leave much to be desired as it feels like they're reading off cue cards but I do give them props for participating in a film like this! 

Released on Blu-Ray back in October, 2010, "The Human Centipede [First Sequence]" looks and sounds decidedly…average. Shot on high definition cameras and apparently up-scaled from 720p, the picture quality is passable with some fine detail during close-ups but colors are often dulled to add to its bleak atmosphere. A subtle blue filter is used, giving the film a sterile appearance. Audio quality fails to impress as dialogue is too low at times and the effects sound cheap but this is more a fault of the film's low budget. These issues aren't huge deal-breakers but it's not a significant upgrade from the DVD. Supplements are also on the weak side with the only worthy extra being an audio commentary with Tom Six. The rest of the extras (presented in standard definition) are fluff pieces but you can marvel at the actresses 'skills' as their audition tapes are included. 

After premiering at several film festivals, "The Human Centipede [First Sequence]" had a limited release on April 30, 2010, playing in one theater in New York City (the IFC Center) and grossing a rather miniscule $181,467 with an additional $70,740 internationally for a total of $252,207. If IMDB is correct, its production budget was an estimated $2 million, which would make it a financial failure but it has already earned something of a cult following. Reception was mixed with a 50% on Rotten Tomatoes as critics concluded that while it was 'grotesque, visceral and hard to swallow, this surgical horror doesn't quite earn its stripes because the gross-outs overwhelm and devalue everything else.' Ultimately, it's hard to quantify "The Human Centipede [First Sequence]" as a film you 'like' or 'dislike' as it is more of a boundary-pushing experience. I do not regret seeing it but I won't be popping the disc in anytime soon as once is enough for me. Roger Ebert encapsulates my thoughts best, 'The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter? It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine.' One thing's for sure, we'll never look at our rear ends the same way ever again!

Final Rating: N/A (Does not mean 0 out of 5)

"Ingestion by A, passing through B, to the excretion of C. The human centipede…first sequence!"

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50/50 Review

Rated R (Language Throughout, Sexual Content and some Drug Use)

Running Time: 1 Hour & 39 Minutes

Cast:

Joseph Gordon-Levitt-Adam Lerner

Seth Rogen-Kyle

Anna Kendrick-Dr. Katherine ‘Katie’ McKay

Bryce Dallas Howard-Rachael

Anjelica Huston-Diane Lerner

Serge Houde-Richard Lerner

Philip Baker Hall-Alan

Matt Frewer-Mitch

Directed by Jonathan Levine

He's doing it! He's really shaving it all!

People in their twenties,or young people in general, often get caught up in that mindset where they feel they’re invincible. I know this because I’m still in my twenties and my grandmother often berates me about the cavalier attitude I have towards my health. This does not mean I'm not concerned but I'm of the belief that even if I do get sick, I will bounce back, better than ever. Now imagine this scenario: what if you were diagnosed with a rare, malignant form of cancer and you're only just twenty-seven? This is the premise of "50/50," a comedy/drama directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Will Reiser, loosely based upon his experiences living with cancer when he was diagnosed with a spinal tumor at the age of twenty-four and how his best friend, Seth Rogen, helped him on the long road to recovery. Reiser is currently in his sixth year of remission and has cheerfully remarked that it 'apparently lasts forever…or until you die.' A comedy about a man dealing with cancer is a tricky film to do but Levine and Reiser pull it off with ease, providing a heavy dose of laughs but never losing sight that every day we are faced with our own mortality. Reiser's experiences lend a sense of realism to "50/50" as the drama is heartfelt without feeling forced or maudlin. This is, without a doubt, one of the best films of 2011. 

Twenty-seven year old Adam Lerner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) lives life on the safe side: he waits for the walk sign to appear while doing his morning jogs even if there are no cars in sight and refuses to learn how to drive, as it is the 'nation's fifth leading cause of death.' Suffering from intermittent back pains, Adam visits the doctor for a check-up and discovers to his shock that he has a rare form of spinal cancer. The doctor, who appears to be unsympathetic, informs Adam that if he wants, he can speak to a psychiatrist at the hospital. At home, Adam tells his girlfriend, Rachel (Bryce Dallas Howard), and says that she has an opportunity to leave with no hard feelings if she feels she cannot handle the stress. Although clearly uncomfortable, Rachel refuses and tells him that they'll get through it. His best friend Kyle (Seth Rogen) is upset at this unpleasant news but upon learning that Adam's chances of survival are 50%, he immediately cheers up, remarking that those are great odds and that he'll be fine. With great reluctance, Adam reveals his condition to his mother, Diane (Anjelica Huston), who wants to move in so she can take care of him but he stops her since she already has to take care of his father, Richard (Serge Houde), who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. During his chemotherapy treatments, Adam befriends two older cancer patients, Alan (Philip Baker Hall) and Mitch (Matt Frewer), who share some macaroons filled with marijuana. He also begins to see a young psychiatrist working toward her doctorate named Katherine 'Katie' McKay (Anna Kendrick) and an awkward romance forms between them. Despite the efforts of his best friend to uplift his spirits, Adam soon begins to slip into a depression as he comes to terms with the fact that he will die. 

People always say laughter is the best medicine. After all, if you were faced with your own imminent mortality, wouldn't you want to spend your final days among the people you love rather than being trapped in a depression? For the most part, the script of "50/50" hits the expected beats as Adam goes through Elisabeth Kübler-Ross' five stages of grief (sometimes all at the same time) but the film skillfully avoids turning into an exploitative, melodramatic tear-jerker along the lines of 2009's "My Sister's Keeper" by providing humor in such a way that it does not trivialize what he is going through. Although certain elements recall 2008's "Pineapple Express," there are still several laugh-out-loud hilarious scenes, including the much advertised head-shaving and using cancer as a pick-up line in order to get laid but much of the comedy is often morbid, especially when Adam gets high on marijuana during a chemotherapy session with two patients and leaves the hospital laughing at everything. As Will Reiser partially based the script on his own experiences, the pain that Adam goes through has a palpable realism where the drama never feels artificial in order to induce a reaction from the audience. When he finally breaks down and screams in anguish knowing he may die the next day, I felt tears well up in my eyes and even the most jaded viewer will find it hard not to be affected in such a way. The emotional core of "50/50" lies in Adam and Katie's burgeoning romance and it's the kind I always love to watch: sweet, innocent, and awkward but most importantly, believable. As an inexperienced psychiatrist, Katie has a tendency to put her hand on Adam's shoulder to comfort him but he remarks that it feels 'creepy.' By the film's end, you're just yearning for Adam to survive his ordeal just so we can see him finally happy and be with someone who appreciates him. Balancing comedy and drama is a tightrope act but Levine and Reiser succeed beyond a reasonable doubt, crafting a film that will make you cry just as much as it'll make you laugh. 

The success of "50/50" can be contributed to Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who appears to be unable to do no wrong as he continues to effortlessly grasp all the nuances that his numerous roles ask of him. His performance is so good it's as if he lived the life of a cancer patient because the emotion on display has a raw, genuine quality to them. While I have no doubt that he will be nominated for an Academy Award, it remains to be seen whether he'll win as the competition is fierce, especially from Ryan Gosling. It's amazing to see how far Levitt has come since "3rd Rock from the Sun." Seth Rogen is basically playing an exaggerated version of himself but he shows a rare depth that's largely unseen in his previous work. Anna Kendrick, who has one of the most adorable smiles, continues to prove that the "Twilight" films are beneath her as a sympathetic yet also sweet and awkward psychiatrist. In fact, it's that awkward quality that lends "50/50" its heart and soul. Bryce Dallas Howard once again plays someone unlikable as her character decides to cope with the stress by having an affair. It's a role that plays to her strengths, although I'd wish she step outside her comfort zone. Anjelica Huston, Philip Baker Hall, and Matt Frewer have minor supporting roles but they make the most of it by stealing every scene they're in. 

Riding a wave of positive buzz, "50/50" was released on September 30, 2011 to critical acclaim and has earned a stunning 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, running neck and neck with Gosling's "Drive." Critics hailed that the film 'maneuvers between jokes and drama with surprising finesse.' Unfortunately, interest for the film appears to be middling judging from the sparsely populated theater (granted, it was a morning screening) and its low debut of $2.9 million points to a weekend total of approximately $8 million, the same as its production budget so positive word-of-mouth should make it a minor success. Another reason that audiences might not be going in droves is its rather depressing subject matter and I have read some comments from those who find it in poor taste in mixing cancer with comedy. However, their opinion was based on the official trailer alone but they're unlikely to change their minds to see the film, which is disappointing given its quality. Funny without being obnoxious, emotionally affecting without being manipulative, "50/50" does everything right and if it isn't obvious already, this is easily one of my favorite films of 2011 so stop dilly-dallying and run to the theater!

Final Rating: 5 out of 5

"You can't change your situation. The only thing that you can change is how you choose to deal with it."

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