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James Cameron's film Titanic accurately portrayed the real-life experiences of the passengers, including the bravery of some survivors. Notable figures like Margaret "Molly" Brown and J. Bruce Ismay were accurately depicted in the film, showcasing their roles and actions during the sinking. The film also shed light on lesser-known survivors, such as Officer Charles Lightoller and Chief Baker Charles Joughin, who played important roles in the rescue efforts.

James Cameron included several real-life survivors in his 1997 film Titanic. Many brave souls went down with the ship the night of April 14th, 1912, while some were able to board lifeboats or find other ways of surviving until the Carpathia arrived. While Cameron spent a lot of time perfecting his Romeo & Juliet love story between Jack Dawson and Rose Dewitt-Bukater, he also put effort into portraying the real-life passengers. He even did an incredible job casting these roles, especially with Captain Smith.

The newest collection of stories from the master of Horror Manga, Junji Ito. “Venus in the Blind Spot” contains a few iconic works of the mangaka along with adaptations of Edogawa Rampo and Robert Hichens.

Billed as a “best of” release of some the iconic creator’s work, the newest edition from Viz media exists as the highest quality one to date, an impressive feat granted the publisher’s history with the mangaka. However, the phenomenal approach in presentation becomes marred in the story selection which, many fans would agree, is a far-cry from the most notable work created by the master of horror.

To lead on a positive, the release gloriously frames the art of Ito, with opening pages on glossy stock, highlighting his unique visual approach (these pages also include a mini-poster which is a welcomed collectible). In the vein of previous releases, the book...

One of the first full Technicolor features is a romantic fantasy about an innocent beauty’s encounter with an equally innocent fugitive monk … all surrounded by sensuous, confected Hollywood exotica, courtesy of producer David O. Selznick. Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer steam up the screen, but dancer Tilly Losch steals the show with just one scene.

The Garden of Allah

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1936 / Color / 1:37 flat Academy / 79 min. / Street Date January 9, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring: Marlene Dietrich, Charles Boyer, Basil Rathbone, C. Aubrey Smith,

Tilly Losch, Joseph Schildkraut, John Carradine.

Cinematography: W. Howard Greene

Film Editor: Hal C. Kern

Art Directors: Edward G. Boyle, Sturges Carne, Lansing C. Holden, Lyle R. Wheeler

Original Music: Max Steiner

Written by W.P. Lipscomb, Lynn Riggs, from the novel by Robert Hichens

Produced by David O. Selznick

Directed by Richard Boleslawski

David O. Selznick’s personally produced movies combine canny commercial judgment...

By Jeremy Carr

Alfred Hitchcock may have directed The Paradine Case, the 1947 adaptation of Robert Smythe Hichens’ 1933 novel, but the film is most clearly a David O. Selznick production. It was his coveted property, he wrote the screenplay (with contributions from Alma Reville, James Bridie, and an uncredited Ben Hecht), and the movie itself discloses far more of its producer’s temperament than it does its director’s. The Paradine Case was, in fact, the last film made by the British-born master as part of his seven-year contract with Selznick, and by most accounts, Hitchcock’s heart just wasn’t in it. Unfortunately, it shows.

But this is no slipshod motion picture. Selznick spared no expense—the completed film cost almost as much as Gone with the Wind—and the entire project is built on quality and class. Set in London, in “the recent past,” The Paradine Case stars an...

This isn’t the only Alfred Hitchcock film for which the love does not flow freely, but his 1947 final spin on the David O. Selznick-go-round is more a subject for study than Hitch’s usual fun suspense ride. Gregory Peck looks unhappy opposite Selznick ‘discovery’ Alida Valli, while an utterly top-flight cast tries to bring life to mostly irrelevant characters. Who comes off best? Young Louis Jourdan, that’s who.

The Paradine Case

Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1947 / B&W / 1:37 flat Academy / 125 min. / Street Date May 30, 2017 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95

Starring Gregory Peck, Alida Valli, Ann Todd, Charles Laughton, Louis Jourdan, Ethel Barrymore, Joan Tetzel.

Cinematography Lee Garmes

Production Designer J. McMillan Johnson

Film Editors John Faure, Hal C. Kern

Original Music Franz Waxman

Writing credits James Bridie, Alma Reville, David O. Selznick from the novel by Robert Hichens

Produced by David O. Selznick

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock

There...