As James Earl Jones career was winding down at the turn of the century in 1999 he starred in one of his last one screen roles in "The Annihilation of Fish". Surprisingly this film has never been released on home video, until now. Kino Lorber is now giving this off beat romantic film a Blu-ray debut!
Synopsis: Obidiah “Fish” Johnson (James Earl Jones), a Jamaican widower recently released from a mental hospital, despite his continuing battles against an invisible demon named Hank. Relocating to Los Angeles, he moves into the boarding house of eccentric landlady, Mrs. Muldroone, (Margot Kidder, Superman). There he meets Poinsettia, played by Lynn Redgrave (Georgy Girl, Gods and Monsters), who has recently fled San Francisco and her fiancé, the ghost of composer Giacomo Puccini.
The Annihilation of Fish was written by Anthony C. Winkler and Directed by Charles Burnett. This film is a rare love story between two "damaged" adults that neither mocks nor pities them. Lynn Redgrave and James Earl Jones are in the latter part of their careers here, yet they don't phone in a performance, they give their and you can tell it! In a cinematic landscape often dominated by formulaic romances and predictable character arcs, Annihilation of Fish stands out as a refreshingly strange and tender love story.
The Annihilation of Fish has been transferred to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in 1.85:1 aspect ratio. There are two audio tracks there is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and 2.0 tracks. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing. This transfer is not just any transfer; it is taken from a 4K restoration by UCLA Film & Television Archive and The Film Foundation in collaboration with Milestone Films with funding provided by the Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation.
This new 4K restoration brings a crystal clarity to this film. The colors are warm, the skin tones are natural, the cinematography is well preserved and finally the grain is present but not overwhelming. As for the audio the dialogue is clear throughout, with a balanced mix that really enhances Michael Archibald score.
Now in addition to a simply gorgeous 4K restoration Kino Lorber added some nice bonus features to this Blu-ray release. Take a look at what is included on this Blu-ray disc.
Special Features:
* NEW Audio Commentary by Director Charles Burnett moderated by Film Scholar Maya Cade
* The Final Insult (1997, directed by Charles Burnett, 55 minutes)
* Q&A with Director Charles Burnett moderated by Film Scholar Racquel Gates
* Re-Release Trailer
If you are going to have an audio commentary it needs to be with the director after all who knows more about the making of the film than the filmmaker himself. I love the addition of the Q&A, but the best part of the bonuses would have to be the addition of the '97 film The Final Insult, a look at homelessness in Los Angeles.
For fans of unconventional love stories and under-the-radar cinema, this release offers a long-overdue spotlight on a film that celebrates the beauty of being different. The Annihilation of Fish is available for the first time on Blu-ray, and you can order a copy for your home video library by heading over to Amazon.
Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Kino Lorber's Blu-ray release of The Annihilation of Fish receives.....
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