Joseph Campbell & The Power Of Myth (1988/Film Movement Blu-ray Set)/Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx (1970/UMC/MVD/VCI Blu-ray)/Wicked 4K (2024/Universal 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray w/Blu-ray)

4K Ultra HD Picture: B+ Picture: C+/B-/B Sound: B-/C+/A- Extras: B- Main Programs: B/B-/B-

The following are titles that deal with fantasy, eccentricity and much more...

Joseph Campbell & The Power Of Myth (1988) is a very popular mini series that continues to be a curio and not just because of its connection to George Lucas and his Star Wars films.

https://fulvuedrive-in.com/review/12033/Joseph+Campbell+&+The+Power+Of+Myth+with+Bill

Issued by several home video companies over the years, that link also has a second link to more coverage of the series by another writer, plus links to others series dealing with Campbell's work. Since we last covered the series, George Lucas (who gets interviewed in this set) famously sold all of Lucasfilm to Disney Studios, which brings us to the glaring issue with the productions of late. Did anyone who made the next films or TV series actually know who Campbell is or understand how vital his work was to Lucas finishing the first film and the successes that followed?

Now, serious fans who have not heard of or seen any of this can start here and get a better, deeper idea of the concepts that Lucas liked the most (and many recently skipped) when it comes to that work, that franchise and really, any fantasy-based storytelling, genres, franchises and otherwise. That is why I recommend the series, as valuable as ever, with timing that could never have been better.

Extras repeat that DVD edition and includes a nice 24-page booklet with text and illustrations that are a plus.

Waris Hussein's Quackser Fortune Has A Cousin In The Bronx (1970) is the film Gene Wilder was in before Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory arrived, as his star slowly rose, but like Start The Revolution Without Me, arrived before his name was box office and he was a totally established star. Now we know how great he was (and still is) and these films show how he was always ready to take risks and give it his all.

Here, he is the title Irishman who in then modern-day Ireland, picks up and sells horse waste for gardens, et al. They still have more than a few horse-and-buggy sets in the country and he is taking advantage of something many would not. In this, a U.S. tourist (the great Margot Kidder) is visiting and when they meet, it starts a friendship and much more. He chemistry between the stars works well and when they get more serious, it is totally believable. Two of my favorite actors in a little-seen film that deserves wide rediscovery, Wilder uses a thick Irish accent throughout and Kidder has her natural charm and beauty that makes us and the camera love her.

We know they both had some tragedy before they left us, but were great actors and she was as good comedienne as anyone around when she had the opportunity. Having them together makes this an automatic curio as is, but that it is a slice of life film, Irish-set film and unusual comedy with romance is all the reasons you should see or rewatch this little gem. Glad it has been saved again!

Cheers too to Director Hussein, whose other work includes the legendary TV mini-series Edward & Mrs. Simpson, early key episodes of Doctor Who, The Possession Of Joel Delaney, Melody and so much more smart, competent feature film and TV work that he is not often remembered enough or given enough credit for his remarkable journeyman directing career. Also remarkably that, as we post, he is still alive and with us to see this film get saved and restored!

Extras include a really good feature length audio commentary track by Robert Kelly, Photo Gallery and Original Theatrical Trailers for this and a few other VCI releases: Night Visitor and Bird With The Crystal Plumage.

Last but not least is one of last year's best films. Jon M. Chu's Wicked 4K (2024) is based on the extremely successful stage musical and its new take on the original world of Oz as created by L. Frank Baum. It decides to tell the story of how Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo remarkable as the outcast and future Wicked Witch Of The West) and Glinda (Ariana Grande all out as the Good Witch) and how they met in school, eventually becoming friends. Then and soon, not.

It is at least partly a musical, but also a fantasy film that tries to do more and does better than most such films in the last few years. You need to know the 1939 movie and its related classic motifs to get the most out of this film, which is the first of two features, but the synergy of cast, crew, acting, singing, dancing and energy is remarkable and even if this is not necessarily your kind of film, you too will be surprised and shocked.

Finding new leads after the massive success of the stage version was not easy, but wow, did they hit the jackpot with Erivo and Grande not missing a beat. Once they start in their roles, they do not stop, quit and just grow and grow as you watch. The film shamelessly references the 1939 film at times (same font for the title, some of the same color schemes) but is not just ripping off or imitating the earlier classic like thousands (yes, not hundreds) of films, TV shows, TV commercials, music videos, toys and so much more have since the original books arrived with through the roof sales.

Ironically, all filmed versions of Oz (including the 1939 film and 1978 film of The Wiz) disappointed and bombed when first arrived, until this (and the forgotten Oz, The Great & Powerful) hit movie theaters. 100 years later, the world has caught up to all of it and this is not the biggest version of the material since the 1939 film more than made its money back.

Cheers to the supporting cast that includes Jonathan Bailey, Michele Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Jeff Goldblum and the voice of Peter Dinklage. Definitely worth checking out, but be sure to rewatch the 1939 film just before to get the most out of it.

Extras include a Digital Code Copy and Sing-Along version, while the discs also (per the press release) add:

• SING ALONG: ALTERNATE FEATURE-LENGTH VERSION: Rejoicify, it's your turn to sing your way through Oz! Sing-along to all of your favorite Wicked songs as you join Elphaba and Glinda on their magical journey.

• DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES

  • Pfannee & ShenShen Meet Glinda

    • Reunited at Shiz University, Glinda, Pfannee, and ShenShen recall their past by performing a twirling routine together.

  • Shiz Gazette Introduces Fiyero

    • Excitement spreads across Shiz as word gets out that Prince Fiyero is on his way.

  • Toss Toss

    • Glinda teaches Elphaba the art of Toss Toss, with mixed results.

  • Elphaba & Fiyero in the Forest

    • The relationship between Elphaba and Fiyero takes a turn as they come to care for a lost lion cub.

  • Elphaba's Promise

    • Elphaba makes a pledge to Glinda that they both hope will strengthen their friendship.

  • Train Platform Farewell

    • Glinda, Madame Morrible, and Governor Thropp gather to send Elphaba off to Emerald City.

  • Boq & Elphaba Talk

    • Elphaba challenges Boq to face the truth about his feelings for Nessa Rose, but she has difficulty doing the same when it comes to Fiyero.

  • Train Ride to Emerald City

    • Glinda and Elphaba expand their world by taking a luxurious train ride to Emerald City.

  • In the Emerald City

    • The bustling streets of Emerald City take Glinda and Elphaba one step closer to finally meeting the Wizard.

  • Palace Monkeys Chase

    • Elphaba and Glinda race through a maddening maze of winged monkeys determined to take them down.

• MAKING WICKED: Return to Oz for a fantastic behind-the-scenes journey with this expansive look inside the characters, choreography, and creativity that make up the movie's unforgettable world.

• WELCOME TO SHIZ: Unlimited imagination, couture fashion, and spectacular production design come together at Shiz University, providing a place for performers and viewers to be fully immersed in the fantasy. Designed from details in L. Frank Baum's books, the uniforms, clever contraptions, and circular sets create a sprawling campus where magic feels like an everyday occurrence.

• A WICKED LEGACY: Take delight in the cast and filmmakers sharing personal memories of their first encounters with the original Broadway production, and how those lasting connections created emotional experiences while making the movie. Also highlighted are the iconic cameos that pay tribute to the cultural phenomenon that became one of the most popular musicals of all time.

• THE WONDERFUL WIZARD: Follow the yellow brick road to Emerald City for an in-depth look at the infamous Wizard of Oz. Inside the palace's throne room, the Wizard himself, Jeff Goldblum, pulls back the curtain to peer at his character's magic and mechanics with senior special effects technician Christopher Clarke, who details how the Wizard's massive robotic head comes to life.

• FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR JON M. CHU

• and a second FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH STARS CYNTHIA ERIVO AND ARIANA GRANDE.

Additionally, a box set has been issued with even more extras as pictured with this text, but it is a limited edition and serious fans should grab it while they can.

You can read more about the 1939 classic Wizard Of Oz in 4K (with a link to the 3D edition) at this link:

https://fulvuedrive-in.com/review/15589/The+Wizard+Of+Oz+4K+(1939/MGM/Warner+4K+Ultra

Now for playback performance. The 2160p HEVC/H.265, 2.35 X 1, Dolby Vision/HDR (10; Ultra HD Premium)-enhanced Ultra High Definition image on Wicked 4K originated on 6.5K Ultra High Definition and looks really good, helped by the amazing sets, costume design and production design. The makers really pushed the format in addition with this being one of the few new films with CGI that does not look like it was finished five years ago. The lossless Dolby Atmos (Dolby TrueHD 7.1 mixdown for older systems) is even more impressive, rightly nominated for an Academy Award and I liked it even more than Dune, Part 2, and that was impressive to me as well. The singing was recorded on the huge sets and they were treated as musical soundstages. That really pays off! The combination of image and sound are remarkable and one of the best of the year of new releases.

The 1080p 1.33 X 1 digital High Definition image on Campbell is an upscale from the old analog videotape (NTSC) it was shot on and (unlike what Warner just did for That's Entertainment!) the older film clips were not upgraded. Analog videotape flaws including some video noise, video banding, telecine flicker, tape scratching, cross color, faded color and even a touch of tape damage. Otherwise, this is the best this series has ever looked. The PCM 2.0 Stereo is also the best this mini-series has ever sounded and as good as it ever will, flaws, limits and a little compression included. Nice to see it getting further respect and upgrading.

The 1080p 1.66 X 1 (and NOT 1.33 X 1 like the case says) digital High Definition image transfer on Quacker is far superior a transfer to all previous releases of the film on DVD VCI has issued a few times, but fine detail and some color is not as rich and fine as it could be, but this is a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative and not an actual 4K disc. Thus we can expect some limits. The lossy Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono repeats the soundtrack on the DVD versions, but is passable, yet could sound a little better despite being an independent theatrical mono release in its time.

Director of Photography Gilbert Taylor, B.S.C. (Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove, The Beatles A Hard Day's Night, Flash Gordon (1980,) Polanski's Repulsion, Hitchcock's Frenzy, the TV spy classic The Avengers, the original Star Wars) shot this film on 35mm Eastman color negative in a way that just heightens the beauty of the actors, locales and narrative. Needless to say with that legend adding to this, a 4K disc should be inevitable and this is still the best I have ever seen the film.

- Nicholas Sheffo