AnneCarlini.com Home
 
  Giveaways!
  Insider Gossip
  Monthly Hot Picks
  Book Reviews
  CD Reviews
  Concert Reviews
  DVD Reviews
  Game Reviews
  Movie Reviews
  Check Out The NEW Anne Carlini Productions!
  [NEW] Belouis Some (2024)
  [NEW] Jay Aston’s Gene Loves Jezebel (2024)
  [NEW] Mark Ruffalo (‘Poor Things’)
  [NEW] Paul Giamatti (‘The Holdovers’)
  [NEW] Crystal Gayle
  [NEW] Ellen Foley
  Gotham Knights [David Russo - Composer]
  The Home of WAXEN WARES Candles!
  Michigan Siding Company for ALL Your Outdoor Needs
  MTU Hypnosis for ALL your Day-To-Day Needs!
  COMMENTS FROM EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE READERS!


©2024 annecarlini.com
DJ Supply

'Went To Coney Island On A Mission From God ...'
(Jon Cryer, Rick Stear, Rafael Baez, Ione Skye, Frank Whaley, et al / Blu-ray / R / (1988) 2018 / MVD Rewind)

Overview: Two young men (Jon Cryer, Rick Stear) who have been friends since early childhood decide to go on a trip to find a third friend (Rafael Baez) who has long since disappeared.

Stories they have heard indicate that the friend has been seen in an apparently rambling, incoherent state at Coney Island.

Their trip leads them to a number of adventures involving the other world-like life at the Park and revelations related to their own pasts including the death of one's sister, a failed past relationship, financial failings, and alcoholism.

Blu-ray Verdict: If you are looking for a laugh out loud, happy-go-lucky, Jon Cryer fun film, then by all means do not watch 'Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God ... Be Back by Five'! For while it has a few funny moments, the film also has a dark tone and much about it might leave you feeling a bit depressed.

Unlike most films, however, it isn't afraid to tackle depressing subjects and simply accept that there might be nothing you can do to change things ... and that is also one of the film's strengths.

The story begins with a prologue, showing what life was like for three kids growing up in New York City as well as how they met and how they drifted apart.

Now, a decade has passed and Stan (Rick Stear) seeks out his friend Daniel (Jon Cryer) because their old pal, Richie (Rafael Báez) disappeared some time ago and Stan heard a rumor that Richie might be hanging out around Coney Island.

So the pair of very unlike friends go to Coney on a most unlikely day. It's cold, it's overcast and it's practically empty. But, they spend the day meeting odd characters and following leads that might take them to Richie; who is now apparently homeless and mentally ill.

I actually appreciated the film mostly towards the end. Up until then, I was somewhat indifferent about it. But Richie's plight and mental health issues were handled so realistically that I had a lot of respect for the picture. Especially in light of my mother's own background as a social worker and psychotherapist.

The writers got this part spot on, in my humble opinion, and didn't offer any trite ending where everything is magically resolved; like too many Hollywood films. In addition, the film featured some lovely performances and is well worth your time if you don't need explosions and action (or laugh out loud comedy moments), but value studies of real (as it's based on a true story) human beings. This is a brand new High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs and comes with the Special Features of:

High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the main feature from a frame-by-frame digital restoration from original 35mm film elements
5.1 Surround Audio (Uncompressed PCM) and 2.0 Stereo
NEW Introduction from director Richard Schenkman and Jon Cryer (HD)
Audio commentary from director Richard Schenkman and Jon Cryer
'Went to Coney Island ... To Make a Movie' Behind the scenes featurette (18:36, SD)
'The Producer' Comedy short film directed by Richard Schenkman (3:00, SD)
Photo Gallery
Original Theatrical Trailer (SD)
Collectible Mini-Poster

www.mvdb2b.com





...Archives