Chinese Puzzle Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Romain Duris

Director: Cedric Klapisch

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, Subtitled, Widescreen

Language: English, French

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: R (Restricted)

Studio: Cohen Media Group

Release Date: October 14, 2014

Run Time: 117 minutes

        There are plenty of sequels to action movies, because there are always new villains and injustices for heroes to battle against. There are no shortages of horror sequels, giving the impression that some monsters will never die; at least not as long as their survival continues to sell tickets. The one genre which rarely sees a sequel is the romantic comedy, because to continue the story often means admitting that the ‘happily ever after’ ending from the previous installment was somewhat of a lie. Filmmaker Cédric Klapisch tackles this impossible task for the second time in one narrative, with time between each sequel being his only saving grace.

 

Le Chef Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Jean Reno, Michael Youn

Director: Daniel Cohen

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: French

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: PG-13

Studio: Cohen Media Group

Release Date: October 21, 2014

Run Time: 84 minutes

 

        Hollywood has long had the tendency to look towards the foreign film market for new ideas to replicate, but Daniel Cohen’s lighthearted culinary comedy is a French film which seems to be imitating the bubbling simplicity of an American comedy. Realism and originality are thrown out the window for a carefree romp in the cinematic world of French haute-cuisine. While this approach is likely to keep Le Chef off of any lists for artistic achievements, it makes for an engaging evening of entertainment.

 

Nightcap Blu-ray Review

     Actors: Isabelle Huppert, Jacques Dutronc

Director: Claude Chabrol

Format: Multiple Formats, Blu-ray, NTSC, Widescreen

Language: French

Subtitles: English

Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1

Number of discs: 1

Rated: Unrated

Studio: Cohen Media Group

Release Date: September 30, 2014

Run Time: 99 minutes

 

        Claude Chabrol’s Nightcap (Merci pour le Chocolat) is what you might have gotten from Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca had it been a comedy. There is a mystery at the center of the film, but the reveal comes as less of a surprise as the casual manner with which the film’s murderous culprit justifies and dismisses these evil actions. Even the revelations of criminal insanity are not enough to disturb the pristine veneer of upper class wealth.