Chinatown
The 1974 classic film noir "Chinatown" finally get its long overdue Blu-ray release and will please fans with an overabundance of features. This Roman Polanski directed mystery may seem too slow and atmospheric compared to the fast and frenetic films of today, yet it continues to be an intriguing watch.
Featuring Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in pitch perfect roles, the simple plot (that gets more complex as the film unravels) involves private eye Jake Gittes (Nicholson) in his search to find out who is stealing the city of LA’s water supply. He comes into contact with Dunaway, who plays a mysterious socialite. Dunaway surprises in a low-key acting approach that is light years away from her later over-the-top roles.
Of the 2-plus hours of special features, neither Nicholson nor Dunaway appear. Rather, an examination of the aqueduct featured in the film is examined in the 3-part documentary "Water and Power." Unless you’re a fan of the history of water supply, this overlong feature should be skipped. "Chinatown: An Appreciation" is a tribute from current filmmakers and their love of the filming techniques of director Polanski. Directors Steven Soderbergh ("Traffic") and Kimberly Pearce ("Boys Don’t Cry") are interviewed. Also featured are tributes to Robert Towne and his award-winning screenplay, as well as an audio commentary by him.
"Chinatown"
Blu-ray
$24.99
www.paramount.com
