Blu-Ray Review: The Ten Commandments

There's no denying the cinematic power of Cecil B. DeMille's 1956 biblical epic The Ten Commandments. With its cast of thousands, breathtaking locales, glorious sets and costumes, then-revolutionary effects and bold VistaVision photography, the grand retelling of the story of Moses and the Exodus remains a lasting tribute to the Golden Age of Hollywood and an important chapter in the history of cinema. But even with all its merits, we just don’t seem to give the film the respect it deserves.

Nowhere is it present on AFI’s 100 Years 100 Movies list. Not once have I heard it mentioned as someone’s favorite or top-ten movie. Maybe it’s the nearly four-hour running time. Maybe we’re just so used to seeing it in bits and pieces on network television every year that it doesn’t even register and as a complete film anymore. Well, after viewing Paramount Home Video's highly touted new Blu-ray release, like a thunderbolt from God himself, I respect The Ten Commandments.

Newly restored in full 1080p for its high-def debut, The Ten Commandments is quite simply stunning to behold. The widescreen-enhanced 1.78:1 presentation fills the screen with the vibrance and clarity of a freshly struck painting. Colors are rich and glossy and keep your eyes constantly moving to soak up every sumptuous detail of a given scene. From its radiant blue skies, ornate palaces and far-stretching sandscapes, Ancient Egypt has never looked so good. Forget whatever Blu-rays you have in your collection. This is your new reference disc.

This is the type of transfer, however, that truly benefits from a large (42" or greater) 1080p screen. If you have a 32" 1080i monitor and are thinking of upgrading from the DVD to the Blu-ray, you might want to wait, as it most likely will not have the jaw-dropping effect I'm talking about.

Commandments is so engaging you hardly notice the once-exhausting 232-minute running time. The film is still spread over two discs (disc one runs approximately 135 minutes and ends at the intermission), most likely to duplicate the theatrical experience and provide the sharpest screen resolution possible.

The Blu-ray features a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track and it provides a nice, immersive sonic experience at minimal levels. Dialog is crisp and Elmer Bernstein's sweeping score never sounded better.

Extras include a commentary track by Katerine Orrison, author of Written in Stone: The Making of Cecil B. DeMille's Epic, The Ten Commandments, a newsreel of the 1956 premiere in New York and theatrical trailers.

The Ten Commandments lives anew in a unforgettable home-video edition you'll want to revisit again and again. Do the family a favor this Easter and instead of watching the tired, old network-television presentation, pick up the Blu-ray and marvel everyone at your Sunday brunch.

The Ten Commandments (1956)
Restored, Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray, Paramount Home Video
SRP: $39.99 ($19.99 at Amazon.com)
Picture: A+
Sound: A
Extras: B
Worth Upgrading From DVD: Yes

Sidney Lumet Dead at 86

Legendary film and television director Sidney Lumet, whose distinguished list of credits include 12 Angry Men, Dog Day Afternoon and Network, died Saturday of lymphoma. He was 86.

Lumet directed more than 40 feature films over a career spanning six decades and earned the reputation as a master of gritty, character-driven morality plays, many set in his hometown of New York.

Lumet began his career as a television director for CBS in 1951 and spent most of the next six years directing episodes for nearly a dozen different programs. On the strength of that work, he was offered his first feature assignment in 1957. The film was 12 Angry Men and it garnered him his first of four Academy Award nominations for Best Director. Next came The Fugitive Kind with Marlon Brando in 1960 and after a few more years of television, he committed to features full time in 1962 and never looked back.

At 83, Lumet directed his last film, 2007's Before The Devil Knows Your Dead with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke. It received some of the best reviews of his career and earned him Best Director awards from several critic associations.

Other notable Lumet films include Serpico, Murder on the Orient Express, Prince of the City, The Verdict, Running on Empty, Family Business and Night Falls on Manhattan.

Film Review: Win Win

With just two previous features to his credit, filmmaker Tom McCarthy has quietly established himself as one of the most original voices in contemporary cinema. Both 2003's The Station Agent and 2007's The Visitor were rich, intimate character studies that wound up on most critics' top 10 lists for their respective years. McCarthy's third film, Win Win, is another such gem, one that will likely extend the tradition of year-end accolades.

Win Win tells the story of small town elder-law attorney Mike Flaherty (played by Paul Giamatti). Business is down for Mike and he's struggling to make ends meet. Out of desperation, and unbeknownst to his family, he agrees to become the guardian of incapacitated client Leo Poplar (played by Burt Young) so he can obtain a $1,500 monthly commission from Leo's estate. Mike, however, has no interest in taking care of Leo and quickly deposits him in the local assisted-living facility.

Mike's plan is soon complicated, though, when Leo's troubled teenage grandson Kyle (played by Alex Shaffer ) appears looking for a place to stay. Apparently Kyle's mother is in rehab and he couldn't stand living with her physically abusive boyfriend any longer. With little choice, Mike takes Kyle back to his place until he and wife Jackie (played by Amy Ryan ) can sort things out.

It's eventually decided that Kyle will stay with the Flahertys until his mother concludes her treatment. Mike coaches the underachieving high school wrestling squad and soon Kyle joins the team and proves to be its savior. It's not long before Mike and Jackie come to like having Kyle as part of the family. That is until his mother ( played by Melanie Lynskey ) shows up wanting to take him back home and assume Leo's guardianship from Mike.

Giamatti wears these type of hapless, imperfect roles like a glove. He's really become the Richard Dreyfuss of his generation, the Joe Smoe everyman we all can sympathize with. Ryan is a riot as the tough but good-hearted Jackie and Bobby Cannavale (Blue Bloods, The Station Agent) and Jeffrey Tambor provide amusing supporting work as Mike's assistant wrestling coaches.

Win Win is considerably lighter than McCarthy's previous two films but it remains just as textured and personal. With this film he's crafted a fresh, entertaining and extremely relatable family dramedy that keeps a smile on your face and never outstays its welcome.

New Robbie Robertson Disc A Welcome Return

Do yourself a favor and pick up/download a copy of Robbie Robertson's new album How To Become Clairvoyant, his first collection in 13 years and the best since the erstwhile Band guitarist's 1987's eponymous release.

Each of the 12 tracks is a moody, eclectic gem that that makes you realize just how much Robertson has been missed.

Amazon.com is actually featuring the album today as its MP3 Deal of Day - all 12 tracks for just $3.99.