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STUDIO: Magnet Releasing
MSRP: $26.98
RATED: R
RUNNING TIME: 115 Minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES:
* Deleted Scenes (6 minutes)
* Behind the Scenes Featurette (8 minutes)
* Photo Galleries
* Trailers
THE PITCH
“If it weren’t such a put-down, you could consider this the best Vampire film ever made!”
THE HUMANS
Cast: Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar
Director: Tomas Alfredson
THE NUTSHELL
The story of a young, emotionally disturbed kid and his relationship with a vampire of the same age, at least on the outside. It’s a haunting and bleak (yet beautiful) tale of two people that just don’t fit in society finding each other and trying to make things work. Regardless of the incredible scenes of violence and gore it’s a remarkably touching story… something for horror fans and romantics alike.
THE LOWDOWN
I already wrote up a profanity-laden review for this when it opened theatrically last October, when I realized that it was easily my favorite film of last year. It still continues to play in theaters around the country, because people are still figuring out just how stunning this film is. Check that review for my initial impressions. The amazing thing is that even though I gave it a perfect score at the
time, I’ve managed to fall more in love with the film with each successive
viewing.
The most fascinating thing about the film is that there are so many different ways you can look at, so many different interpretations you can make. It’s a solid bit of evidence for the death of the author, because regardless of his intentions you can see whatever you want to see in the film and still be right. It all still fits. This isn’t a movie that holds you by the hand, it shows you everything you need to know and leaves it up to you to figure out. This is a film that requires you to think and be a constant participant.
One thing that struck me is how the film has changed for me since I’ve now watched it a total of four times. Whereas once I saw a burgeoning love story, now it’s more about comradery. It might be because of some details that pass you by in the first viewing, but this is a relationship that’s built on two people absolutely needing each other to survive. Oskar is not a normal individual- his dark thoughts take him places that not many people go. His constant teasing by his classmates guarantees him a violent existence, even if he doesn’t have the guts for it, and he needs Eli just as much as she needs him.
Each time you watch the movie you’ll pick up on little moments that help tie together the film even more. This film is a masterpiece, and there’s a reason it recently swept the Swedish Oscars and should grab an Acadamy Award when it’s finally in contention for next year’s ceremony.
THE PACKAGE
The cover is decent but it has two stupid quotes that call it a vampire movie on the cover, and once on the back… just in case you couldn’t figure out what kind of movie it is. There’s a lenticular sleeve that you can place on top that only says vampire once, so I guess that’s better.
The first thing you should do when you put this on is change the language options. I’m not quite sure why they even bothered creating an English dub, because it’s just about the most horrible thing I’ve ever heard. Hearing the death rattle of your parents might be more pleasing to the ear. The dub almost turns the movie into a comedy- the voices are completely off, and not only does it feel like the actors weren’t given a full script or told anything about the movie, but that possibly they had spent their entire lives in sensory deprivation tanks and never been given a chance to have a real conversation with another human before. It’s just that bad. Do yourselves a favor and switch it over to the Swedish track and put on the (new and supposedly improved) English subtitles.
There are four deleted scenes that are interesting enough. There’s one more scene of Oskar getting bullied, two more little cute character pieces with him and Eli and another scene with Virginia, whose importance in the film is perhaps the most underrated.
There’s also a seven and a half minute behind the scenes featurette that has the director speaking about some of the themes in the film, and shows how some of the effects were done. Oh, that amazing climactic scene.
There’s also a photo and poster gallery, and trailers for the film as well as the rest of Magnet’s Six Shooter Film series- Special, Timecrimes, Eden Log, Donkey Punch and Big Man Japan.
It’s a nice little selection of features but not nearly the special edition that this film deserves.
