No Country For Old Men: Collector's Edition | Joe Zad reviews, Blu-ray, Drama | DONNE TEMPO
No Country For Old Men: Collector's Edition
Set in an isolated part of western Texas in the 1980s, the tale centers on the interwoven stories of three men and a drug deal gone bad.
Josh Brolin plays Llewelyn Moss, the Vietnam veteran who stumbles on the deal's deadly aftermath. Finding a case full of cash, Moss begins making a series of bad choices.
Javier Bardem plays Chigurth, a psychotic killing machine hunting the lost money. This is a guy Batman’s nemesis The Joker would appreciate.
Finally, Tommie Lee Jones offers balance as the pontificating Sheriff Bell, a fellow in the midst of horrific violence and not sure how to deal with it.
I enjoyed the movie but found the ending unsatisfying (I'll pass on the book). I preferred the comparable genre busters such as "History of Violence" and "Road to Perdition" much more.
The complete lack of hope throughout the piece, the wrestling with fate versus randomness and how a choice may or may never affect a life can make one's head hurt.
I just wasn't in the mood to shoulder that much responsibility with my entertainment choice. I needed to pop in "Wanted" just to snap back into my cinematic comfort zone.
Also, if it were not for the smattering of gorgeous panoramic views of Texas, the high definition would be pointless. I don’t need to see a bone sticking out of a guy's arm in 1080p.
My biggest gripe comes with the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Does "No Country for Old Men" really stand up as the winner of an Academy Award for best picture when compared to "Gandhi," "Unforgiven, "Schindler's List" and "Casablanca?"
I don't think so, "friend-o."
The goods: Top-notch acting from all of those involved but I needed an appearance from Bruce Willis to cement this violent ensemble piece.
Heck, Woody Harrelson, playing Carson Wells one the films more likeable bad guys, stopped by to have fun, why not Bruce?
The bads: It is so sad to see the Blu-ray format following down the lame path of its DVD brethren. With that I mean releasing a film in Blu-ray and then re-releasing the film again in Blu-ray as a "super special," collector's edition with not much super or special. Blu-ray technology can offer so much more. Stop gouging the consumers Hollywood.
The mandatory extras: Pretty much the same featurettes found on the original Blu-ray and still no commentary track from the Coen Brothers.
New to the Blu-ray is a 16-segment time line offering cast and directors on the promotional juggernaut. They visit television, radio shows, have to deal with obnoxious hosts and make a few public appearances. Bottom line, Josh Brolin is amusing and I was surprised how well Javier Bardem handled continually being asked about Chigurh's haircut.
Above and beyond: The second disc of the set offers the vaulted "Digital Copy," a downloadable version of the film ideal for computers and miniature media players.
Yes, the perfect way to follow up watching "No Country For Old Men," after digesting the majestic Blu-ray version, is squinting to it on a 3.5-inch iPhone screen. My friends, this is "no extra for old men."
— Joe Zad