Short Cuts

Having waited years for this release in R2 dvd, i am slightly disappointed...why no extras ?? Still, great film and definitely worth the price
:)

Well, its been a long wait for the R2 release of Robert Altman's classic 1993 release - did it really need his death to prompt it?. It's hard to think of a significant director who has been so sorely mistreated on R2 DVD (except for Hal Hartley). The prolonged, eye-catching opening title sequences of a group of insecticide spraying planes wheeling through the LA night sky paves the way (and sets the pace) for this sprawling, meandering three hour epic which comprises a myriad of characters - mostly flawed or wanting ordinary joe's from a variety of backgrounds for whom life, circumstance or fate have something in store for just around the corner. The impressively long and varied cast list produce mostly fine, almost cameo performances and a familiar Altmanesque bluesy score permeates the background.

This film paved the way for more recent films with disjointed and interconnecting plot lines (not that there is much of a plot as this is more a collection of character studies) and will appeal to fans of films such as 'Magnolia'.

The R2 print and sound are fine (but not as good as the R1 release) and the format is of the 'narrow' widescreen type, but it only scores 3 stars because this barebones DVD has no extras whatsoever. See the Criterion R1 release for the treatment this film really deserves. That said, for first time viewers this is worth the relatively low purchase price.

meandering story about real family life with all its ups an downs in LA City. it's like a jigsaw puzzle, with people connecting to each other in the different substories (you can easily see wher PT Anderson found inspiration for Magnolia).
a formidable cast containing a lot of young actors who had to become famous yet (and also did, later on)
five *****

Fans of Magnolia take note"This films long with multiple characters and slightly surreal,Its one of Altmans last great films.The high lights are the Earthquake,The fishing photo,s,Phone sex,Chainsaw Setee,Chris penns Breakdown and julianna moores Rant with a difference at mathew modine.The films not as snappy as Magnolia,but fans of films that take a look at the strange lives of Los angeles residents should get some enjoyment from this,"Also check out"2 Days in the Valley.

So why one star eh? The one star is for the DVD release NOT the film. This film is Robert Altman's masterpiece. I've been waiting for a R2 release of this film for years and years, and now it's here I am incredibly disappointed. After this incredibly long wait all we get is a flamin' 1 disc release with no extras. Criminal!

I have the Criterion collection release of this film, which is superb...but of course it is NTSC (R1). However, the quality is luxurious, and as well as a new transfer, with new 5.1 audio, commentaries, the works really, and the transfter being overseen by Altman himself before he died, the Criterion collection set also includes many extras on a second disc, and the book Short Cuts, specially reprinted for the DVD set. And what do we get on R2? A 1 disc no frills no extras version.

As I said, the film is a masterpiece, but this DVD release just wasn't worth the wait. I'll be continuing to wait JIC there's a R2 two disc version on the horizon, but I won't hold my breath.

If you're an Altman fan however, and you haven't got a copy of this film, you'd probably be best to grab this as this is better than nothing at all.