The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment

 

It's been a fair amount of time since the WWE/WWF/WWWF was created, well the title sort of gives it aware really doesn't it.  The latest release from the nice people in Stanford is an exhaustive documentary of the company's history and plenty of old school matches as well.

 

 

The documentary is excellent and covers the beginnings up to the modern day.  There are stacks of interviews/talking heads about the company in general and their careers there.  Bruno Sammartino has his stories (I could listen to this fella all day) along with plenty of other oldies as well as today's superstars.  Controversial issues are covered such as the steroid scandal and Owen Hart's tragic death.  On the blu-ray extras there are other bits and pieces as well as a couple of extra matches.  I only have one gripe it would have been interesting to see some reaction to a certain tragedy involving a certain CB, but perhaps its too recent and maybe too sad, who knows?



There are some class matches included a Sammartino/Bill Graham encounter and lots of recent stuff.  I hope the archives will be open for more older stuff on other releases.  Not everyone wants to see matches from the Attitude era onwards.

All in all, a class release.  Now, where's that Bruno Sammartino release WWE?

• Starring Superstar Billy Graham  Howard Finkel  Koko B. Ware
• Distributor WWE/Fremantle

Triple H - Thy Kingdom Come

Now with a certain Paul Levesque taking a break from active in-ring competition, it seems only fair that the WWE video people give him a fitting tribute DVD package.  Now playing the evil corporate boss (channelling his Father in Law very well) this 3 disc set (2 blu-rays) looks back at his career from day one.

Starting off with his pre wrestling life, the story shifts from his training to his run in WCW as Terra Ryzing (great name) to Jean Paul Levesque.  Jumping ship to the then WWF Levesque soon showed that he had bags of charisma and a great work ethic.  The documentary could have easily been a showy back slapping piece but credit to the makers, it covers controversial stuff such as The Clique, breaking keyfabe and even mentioning Chyna.  There's also plenty on his home life with his kids and his wife Stephanie McMahon.  What I thought was cool is that it didn't gloss over their relationship, you saw their wedding and stories about how they got together.

Also, there's behind the scenes footage at FCW/NXT, television production and (thankfully) briefly the two dreadful WWE films he made - sorry Hunter I preferred you in Blade.  New and old wrestlers say their piece and all in all, an excellent documentary and one of their best to date.

As well as the doc there are some truly brilliant matches on offer including his Iron Man match with The Rock and a great World Title match with Rob Van Dam.  Even more stuff is thrown in on the Blu-ray so if you can get that one.

Another essential purchase from WWE and possibly even better than their Mid South disc. 

• Starring William Regal  Dude Love  Jeff Hardy  Kevin Nash  Terry Taylor
• Distributor WWE Home Video / Fremantle

The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill

There is an old derelict church just outside the village of Clophill in Bedfordshire with a sinister past.  That past is littered with sightings of spirits, strange goings-on and devil worshipping.  A documentary film crew decide to spend several days in Clophill interviewing witnesses and trying to catch a ghost on camera.

Whilst you could argue this is another bloody 'found footage' film, it's one that is made with professionalism and has the look and feel of a television documentary.  The whole picture is shot like a feature length 'Most Haunted' with studio interviews of the crew cut together with the footage they shot.  The film gives you several chills throughout it's running time and at times you actually don't want nothing to happen, so the film crew will stay unharmed as you grow to actually like them.  In fact all the principal actors are likeable, there isn't one of them you actually want harm to come to which is unusual in a horror film (usually I can't wait for someone to bite the bullet).

An interesting, enjoyable piece of film making which I recommend to anyone who like their films of the supernatural kind.  My only criticism is the film is presented in a full scope ratio which I feel betrays it's pseudo television feel, but hey that's only my opinion.  I would have preferred it shot in the TV friendly 1:85 ratio.

• Starring Craig Stovin  Criselda Cabitac  Kevin Gates
• Director Michael Bartlett
• Distributor Second Sight

The Beatles - All You Need is Love

Back in the mid 1970's documentarian Tony Palmer set himself a huge task, to document the history of popular music in a series of films covering all kinds of musical genre.  Encouraged by John Lennon amongst others, the series 'All You Need is Love' is considered a masterpiece of documentary film making by his peers and critics alike.

This release is the one which features mainly The Beatles and their early beginnings up to around the death of their manager Brian Epstein.  In fact Epstein's Mother is interviewed in the film which marks her one and only on screen interview I believe.

Also thrown in are the usual suspects of the band's beginnings such as their first manager Allan Williams and the American DJ who championed them first Murray the K.  McCartney appears to have had some fresh interviews but the other band members' seem to be heard through archive footage and strangely Ringo Starr is nowhere to be seen.

It's not too bad and there is some fantastic footage of hippies 'doing their thing' with more chat from members of the Byrds and Beach Boys but as its just one part of a huge series it's a little light on any real facts.  Beatles fans will know all the stories anyway but overall its a reasonable time filler.  However, I myself would like to see the whole series which I believe our friends across the pond have on DVD.

• Distributor Boulevard Entertainment

Slice and Dice: The Slasher Film Forever

 

The slasher film, probably one of horror's most infamous sub-genres has been around for a few years now.  I can't recall any specific documentary covering it fully, so step forward Journalist Calum Waddell and his partner Naomi Holwill with a real labour of love.

Interviewing countless film makers, the beginnings, rules and effects of the slasher film are discussed in details with clips and stills from the movies we all love in between.  I have read some on line reviews prior to seeing it today and some have been quite cruel as Calum and Naomi made it with a virtual non existent budget.  Yes, there are some big names perhaps missing but there are plenty of insights of people who know what they are talking about such as Mick Garris, Tobe Hooper and fellow Bristol boy Christopher Smith.

One of the highlights of the documentary is not only are the usual suspects covered (Halloween and Friday the 13th) we have clips and trailers from the sleazy older stuff like The Prowler and Don't Answer the Phone.  88 Films has stacked the DVD with trailers, extended interviews and a bonus documentary covering backwoods horror.

A really nice put together package (with some nice editing and graphics) and well worth investing in.

• Distributor 88 Films

Ray Harryhausen: Special Effects Titan

 

Anyone who is a fan of fantasy cinema, whether young or old should know who Ray Harryhausen is.  Either you were brought up seeing his films on TV (sadly not shown enough now) or experienced them as they were meant to be seen at the cinema.  Ray's films has influenced film makers such as Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and James Cameron.

For those unfamilar with Ray, he is the chap who brought to life the creatures in the original Clash of the Titans and various Sinbad pictures amongst many others.  He was a pioneer in stop motion animation and a lot of his creations still stand up today.  This documentary made over a number of years charts his early beginnings and takes us on a journey throughout his career.

Various film makers are interviewed and all have praise for the man himself.  Ray is extensively interviewed and comes across a very nice chap, who really enjoyed his work.

It's a cracking documenatry and there are loads of extras on the two disc DVD set including trailers and extended interviews.  Very good stuff indeed.

• Director Gillies Penso
• Distributor Arrow