Blue Underground, which specializes in first class DVD editions of cult films, has released Circle of Iron (aka The Silent Flute) on Blu-ray. The 1978 martial arts movie was based on a story devised by Bruce Lee, James Coburn and Sterling Silliphant. Lee couldn't find studio interest in the metaphysical film that was designed to combine the spiritual qualities of Taoist philosophy with martial arts fight sequences. The movie languished for years until Silliphant was able to get a production deal. However, by then, Lee was a major film star and he turned his back on having anything to do with the movie. After Lee's death, studios were eager to capitalize on anything to do with his legend. Thus, the movie was heavily promoted as being a tribute to Lee, though the final result is probably light years away from what he envisioned. The movie is bizarre on many levels, yet is consistently entertaining and has a goofy and charming aspect to it.The plot takes place in a mythical land where Cord (Jeff Cooper), a top martial arts fighter is determined to take on the seemingly impossible quest to locate a mysterious figure named Zetan, who jealously guards a legendary book that supposedly contains the meaning of life. Cord must first accomplish numerous dangerous tasks along the way, if he hopes to actually meet Zetan. (Imagine The Wizard of Oz with kung fu fights).
For fans of French cinema, author Chuck Zigman has written the
definitive book on the career of iconic French actor Jean Gabin
entitled The World's Coolest Movie Star: The Complete 95 Films (and
Legend) of Jean Gabin, Volumes I and II featuring lengthy biography and
introductory chapters which place Gabin and his silver screen persona
into perspective. Voted one of the Best Performing Arts Books of 2009
by the Independent Publisher Book Awards and Foreword Magazine, this
impressive publication features over 100 photographs and forewords by
Michele Morgan and Brigitte Bardot.- Tom Lisanti
Click here to read more and to purchase your copy today.
Over
the last thirty years Taschen have consistently produced some of the most
lavish and eye-catching photography books ever published. This latest book, Los Angeles: Portrait of a City by Jim Heimann and Kevin Starr,
covers the history of L.A in photos, from the first known picture taken
in 1862 through to the present day. Whilst those first few chapters of photos
and maps are interesting, particularly to historians, for movie fans the real
gold comes later on. There are photos reproduced here from a variety of
collections, from personal archives to news media. There are even pictures
taken by the actors themselves, such as this one that Dennis Hopper took in his
car in 1961.
L.A. from the vantage point of Dennis Hopper's lens.
In the
book you can see Edward G. Robinson in reflective mood as he sits surrounded by
memorabilia in his office, or a bikini-clad Jayne Mansfield reclining in a pool
with dozens of floating toy replicas. We can even be present at the first
Academy Award ceremony in 1929. Some photos depict film making in its early
silent days. It’s incredible to see the elaborate indoor/ outdoor sets built to
ensure they captured as much light as possible, and it demonstrates that even
then, like modern-day movie sets, there are always plenty of people standing
around with no evident job role. There are also on set photos from some Busby
Berkeley musicals, demonstrating the amazing set design and vast camera cranes
needed to capture the choreographed action.