Stars:
Jeremy Davies, Angela Lindvall, Gerard Depardieu, Jason Schwartzman, Billy Zane,
Elodie Bouchez, Giancarlo Giannini, Massimo Ghini, John Phillip Law, Sylvio
Muccino, and Dean Stockwell
Writer:
Roman Coppola
Director:
Roman Coppola
Feature
length: 88 minutes
Extras:
Filmmaker’s Commentary, Codename Dragonfly Films, Documentaries, Featurettes,
Mellow Live In Japan, Deleted Scene, Hidden Gallery, Photo Gallery, Theatrical
Trailer
Languages:
English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Closed Captions and French and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 32
Sound:
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 2002/DVD Release: 2002
Theatrical
Distributor: United Artists
Home
Video Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: R
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
“CQ”
came and went pretty quickly in American theaters, but I think those looking for
something a little different will really enjoy MGM’s recent “Special
Edition” DVD release. Jeremy Davies is a Film Editor living abroad making a
personal 16mm documentary about his life outside of a low budget sci-fi flick
he’s involved with named “Codename Dragonfly.” When the film’s Director
(Gerard Depardieu) is fired by the studio and the subsequent Director (Jason
Schwartzman) meets with an accident preventing him completing the film, the
directing opportunity falls to Davies, who must figure a way to make up a new
ending to finish the film or lose his big break. Along the way the world of the
film and the filmmaker’s world becomes blurred as we follow a filmmaker’s
odyssey of self-discovery and fulfillment.
“CQ”
is a drama with light bits of comedy, fantasy, and imagination. I guess it is
true what they say about the apple not falling too far from the tree because
Roman Coppola shows great potential as a filmmaker. MGM’s DVD presents
“CQ” in both an anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) aspect ratio and a
full-framed (1.33:1) aspect ratio on the same dual layered side. The picture
quality on both is equal. There is a bit of grain here and there, but I think it
is inherent to the film’s style and not the DVD authoring, which was done by
American Zoetrope. Both versions feature a good English Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Soundtrack with English Captions and Closed Captions as well as French
and Spanish Language Subtitles encoded on to the dual layered side of the
DVD-14. I love the soundtrack by “Mellow” and it is really cool to hear the
instruments and so on in 5.1 Surround Sound. Writer and Director Roman Coppola
and Cinematographer Robert Yeoman deliver a screen specific and articulate
commentary track that appears to have been recorded separately and then mixed
together almost flawlessly. (Please
note that this is my impression regarding how the commentary was created, and
for all I know the both may have been there recording it together so if I’m
wrong, sorry.)
The
single layered side has the balance of the DVD features. First of is the
complete “Codename Dragonfly” sci-fi film in either Davies’ character’s
cut at (14:33) or Depardieu’s character’s cut at (9:52). The longer cut
features a commentary by “Dragonfly” herself, model and first time actress
Angela Lindvall. There is a documentary about the making of the 60s sci-fi film
within the film that has a running time of (7:27) and the 41-second “Codename
Dragonfly” trailer to boot. 6 featurettes covering Actors (8:18), the Director
(7:57), Cinematography (8:49), Music & Sound (8:49), and a wrap up at (6:59)
along with four personal documentaries in varying styles with various medias are
also included. The first one by Roman Coppola’s mother runs at (10:52), his
sister (7:22), and two others that have respective running times of (17:41), and
(11:19). Every documentary has it’s own unique signature style to it that
makes them all intriguing to see. There is a still gallery of 75 shots that can
be magnified as if you were looking at sides on a light board and a concert
performance of “Mellow” live in Japan playing the music and song from the
movie are also included along with a deleted scene, a hidden gallery, and the
theatrical trailer.
Another
great DVD from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment, “CQ: Special Edition”
is available at retailers on and off line now.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.