JOSHUA TREE / ARMY OF ONE (Vic Armstrong, 1993)

[Jox]

Back cover

[savagesketch]

The 30-minute documentary, "Look Back at Joshua Tree" on the blu-ray release was a ton of fun to watch. However, they got a "fact" wrong at the beginning. The narrator proclaims that Joshua Tree was Dolph's first starring role as lead actor. I don't find this entirely true... Sure, his films prior had co-stars, yet he was still the top-billed actor in six of those productions.

Otherwise, some great insight into the film. Wish they woulda got Kristian Alfonso as the early reports of the release had stated though...

[Jox]

Yeah, that's a bit of lack of professionalism on the part of whoever wrote this cheesy voiceover making it seem like the movie was a blockbuster hit at the time.

The featurette is okay but could have been better though, and I wish they had used their usual bonus company, Red Shirt Pictures, which also worked on the RED SCORPION special features. The Armstrongs stay a bit on the surface, whereas they could have told a lot more anecdotes (if you read the 1993 presskit or the interview run by Impact). Either they stayed on the surface or they don't remember much (they've worked on SO many movies over the years).

Actually I think got mixed up too by saying that he met Vic on the set of A VIEW TO A KILL: as Armstrong says himself in the commentary it must have been on CONAN THE DESTROYER (Vic didn't work on AVTAK although he did on many James Bond).

review
http://craneshot.blogspot.com/2013/02/d ... f-one.html

EDIT:

Otherwise, some great insight into the film. Wish they woulda got Kristian Alfonso as the early reports of the release had stated though...

I've tried requested an interview with her several and never heard back from anyone: I doubt she cares or wants to talk about it.

[Jox]

JOSHUA TREE Blu-ray Review: Early ‘90s Action Encapsulated
For anyone who ever wanted to see Dolph Lundgren kick and punch a WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF? cast member, this movie will answer your prayers.

... you have a pretty solid movie, one that didn't deserve its fate. And I'm not just talking about the lack of a US theatrical release - it was also never released on DVD in its proper 2.35:1 aspect ratio until now. Director Vic Armstrong isn't exactly John Carpenter when it comes to utilizing the frame for maximum impact, but it certainly helps during the action scenes. Kudos to Shout Factory for doing right by this one, and adding in a few bonus features for good measure, though I wish it had given the option to watch the alternate ending (which I am positive was the one that I saw back when this aired on HBO or whatever it was in 1994 or so) with the rest of the feature. Not only does it have an extended fight at the end and more explanation for how Segal's character is brought down, it also loses the goofy epilogue that the current ending has, and is thus the superior climax. The Armstrongs disagree, however - they chat a bit over it in an optional commentary, one you might as well just listen to on your first time since they barely talk and you can always hear the (minimal) dialogue anyway.

They do the same for the movie itself, sometimes going two or three minutes without really saying anything. When they are chatty they're discussing the stunts and locations, and commenting on the cast (a lot of praise for Alfonso, who is a pretty decent action heroine), plus talking about other guys in their field who they have a lot of respect for - that sort of stuff. If you're into stunts and their process, the track will be of much interest, but otherwise it comes off more like a couple of guys watching a movie for the first time and acknowledging what they read about it elsewhere. The two and Dolph also provide new interviews which run about a half hour and cover the rest of the cast, shooting in Joshua Tree, Dolph talking about being an inexperienced actor (he inexplicably says he had only done three or for movies before this - it was his tenth), etc. If you don't have time for the commentary, this covers the highlights and adds Dolph, making it the best of the supplements. The trailer is also included, and as is usually the case with Shout's combo releases, all of the extras are available on the included DVD disc as well, making it an attractive purchase even if you haven't upgraded to the superior format yet.

The solid transfer and bonus features are icing on the cake - it's great to finally have this one properly shown with its title restored here in the States.

http://badassdigest.com/2013/03/01/josh ... capsulated

[Jox]

Schlockmania Blu-ray review
http://www.schlockmania.com/ds-joshua-tree/

[Jox]

http://www.starpulse.com/news/Jason_Col ... oshua_tree

[ShawnWatson]

[leigh1975]

Any news at all if this is being released on blu in any other country? It's rare that the company who spends time restoring the films keep the print in single territories, and usually licence it out...

[Jox]

It depends coz sometimes they actually want or have to keep their mastering for them.

I was told Koch Media Italy would release JT on Blu as well though I also provided materials for a German DVD re-edition two years ago that never saw the light of day...

[leigh1975]

As long as it's region B, all is good...

[Jox]

French dubbed theatrical trailer

[Jox]

Taiwanese VCD
http://img.ruten.com.tw/s2/c/6a/ba/21108132520634_276.jpg

http://img.ruten.com.tw/s2/c/6a/ba/21108132520634_653.jpg

[Sgt.AndreaScott]

Stumbled upon this yesterday.

[ERASED LINK]

[Jox]

Sorry no posting or supporting feature length links here.

[Jox]

Vic Armstrong meeting the Queen Elizabeth last week, photo courtesy of his nephew Jesse Johnson (yes from THE PACKAGE, and who started his career on JOSHUA TREE)