In Bruges out on DVD this week --

[peter johnson]

"In Bruges", the best theatrical release I've seen in 25 years, is out on DVD either today or sometime this week --

As it is a somewhat obscure title, despite the presence of stars Colin Farrel, Ralphe Finnes, and Brendhan Gleason, you may have to nag your local video outlet to get in a copy, but this one is worth nagging for.

Even though I saw it twice on the big screen, I definitely plan on picking it up again for the possible commentary and extras(?I hope!!) that may or may not be on it.  I hope it plays on the smaller scale of my old fashioned TV/not a home theatre by any means.

If you missed the earlier thread, I'll repeat some of it here:  Has elements of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, fantastic realism, midgits on horse tranquilizers, running gun battles in the snow, Hyronemos Bosch, and the most literate script I've heard in I can't remember when.  Also more gore than I thought either my wife or I could tolerate, but this film made me realize that it really isn't blood and guts we can't stand as much as blood and guts for no reason.  And boy, howdy, does the blood and guts have a reason for being in this one -- Did I mention Christian Allegory?

The writer/director of this film has only ever made one other, and that was a 20-min short.  Echoes of Orson Welles.  There is no doubt that there is some serious ability on display here.  Maybe y'all will hate this thing -- Lord knows we've got a wide wide WIDE range of taste on this board -- but I'd be really interested in comments and observations even from those of you who may be unimpressed or outright hate it.  Though I must say I don't think it will leave anyone feeling neutral.

Get back to me, please.

peter johnson/denny still in shock

[The Burgomaster]

I didn't see it in the theater, but I'll probably buy the DVD.  I've been to Bruges 3 times and probably spent upwards of $800 on chocolate if you add up all 3 trips . . .

[Torgo]

I really wanted to see this in theaters but no one around where I live got it.

Looked really funny though.  I'll rent it this week at some point.

[peter johnson]

Re.  $800 on chocolate . . .
Never been to Bruges, but I accomplished the same feat in Salzburg -- also throw in another $200 or so on Enzian liquer . . . And the bread, and the brezen (pretzels), and the cheese, and the sausage . . . What is it about European takes on that stuff that makes it taste so dang great?
I did do the fries bit in Bastogne!
peter johnson/denny fat as a pig

[The Burgomaster]

Bruges literally has 1 or 2 chocolate shops on just about every block.  The stuff looks so damned good in the display case that you can't help saying, "give me 500 grams of those, 750 grams of those, 250 grams of those" and the next thing you know you're signing a $100 credit card slip.  Then you walk another block and do it again . . .

[peter johnson]

I got it & watched it at home, and it loses very little in the transition to small screen.
There is a "making of" extra, and some deleted scenes, but sadly, no director's commentary & the film that was released to theatres apparently IS the "director's cut", so no extra there.
There is also a gag reel and a special segment called "F***ing Bruge" that should be seen by all those on the Profanity thread.
This could be the Best Film of The Year, come Oscar time.  Check it out --
peter johnson/denny crane