JCVD (Jean-Claude Van Damme)

[Sky_Captain]

I'd like to know if the subs on the US release are proper English, the UK ones look like they were done by someone with English as their 3rd langauge.

[pro-bassoonist]

Originally Posted by iDarren

Anyone know if it is the same Eng subs as used on the UK and US release?

Hello,

No, the files are different. The UK version uses British English (colour, recognise,etc) while the US version uses American English.

Pro-B

[Evra]

How long is the documentary in the extra? No point bothering with it if it's 10 minutes or so : /

[jstn]

Only £3.97 at Amazon.

[Evra]

I know! I snatched it as well. But I am still wondering, how long is the documentary?

[Sithlord75]

"The Making-of JCVD" documentary (37:02)
"A Day in the Life of JCVD" documentary (52:57)

[LordCrumb]

Awesome price! I added this to my wishlist the other day too

[john907]

Crazy price! I'm finalizing my order before it goes up again

[razor81]

Wow freat price. I ordered yesterday.

[Evra]

Originally Posted by Sithlord75

"The Making-of JCVD" documentary (37:02)
"A Day in the Life of JCVD" documentary (52:57)

Ok, that seems a worthwhile extra.

Snatched!

[wolvereign]

I feel robbed. The special features on the uk disc won't work on my sony S360.

[AnimeOnBlu]

Originally Posted by wolvereign

I feel robbed. The special features on the uk disc won't work on my sony S360.

Extras are in PAL.

[KrugerIndustrial]

Does the extras on the French release come with english subtitles? Is the Canadian release identical to the US one or does it come with French DTS-HD?

[KrugerIndustrial]

^Anyone?

[pro-bassoonist]

If I recall correctly, and I think I do (), the French extras do not have English subs.

[Coligion]

New U.S. release coming out September 11th:

JCVD

This one says it is released through Phase 4 Films, instead of Peach Arch. however, I see JCVD also received a combo release with a movie called Exit Speed, and this was also supplied through Phase 4 films.

I guess it's just another repacking of the same lossy audio disc, but we get a fancy new cover that sports helicopters and explosions not found in the movie.

[ravenus]

Some time in the last week or so, I re-watched JCVD, the film that in a small way re-invented the career of Jean-Claude Van Damme. In JCVD, JCVD plays...(d-uh)...JCVD, or at least a version of himself taken from all the media stories about his career and personal life. He is a faded action star, doomed to working in low-budget indie financed movies in East European countries and fighting a custody case for an estranged daughter. He comes back to his native Belgium to take stock of his life...and gets embroiled in a local armed robbery situation, which the media and police think he has orchestrated.

In its modest way, JCVD is 8 1/2 meets Dog Day Afternoon, focusing on the bungling robbers (one of whom is closely modeled on John Cazale from DDA) and a confused and desperate Van Damme, reflecting on his life and the turns it has taken. The film takes a nakedly emotional look at its lead star, and scenes where JCVD is directly addressing the camera, bear an honest, unrehearsed quality that transcends the screen. It walks a razor's edge between seriousness and parody. Apparently a previous draft of the script was more jokey, but writer-director Mabrouk El Mechri balances these aspects to provide a poignant and emotional experience. It's a film I loved when I first saw it, and on this repeated viewing still holds good.

The UK blu-ray hosts a solid A/V presentation. The film has a deliberate bleached brown processed look, but these are artistic decisions. The soundtrack is provided as DTS-HDMA 5.1 or LPCM 2.0. The surround track is not a showcase in this low-key film, but it does provide an atmosphere when required, and occasional scenes like the opening where Van Damme is shown taking down a terrorist base in a movie shoot are sufficiently energetic. Extras include a half hour making of with some excellent BTS footage, and an interesting documentary giving a candid look at its lead star.



This re-watch led me to checking out the Amz Prime series, Jean-Claude Van Johnson. This one has JCVD playing...well, JCVD again, but who behind his movie star avatar is also a deadly secret agent called Johnson. In the course of the first two episodes, it feels more like what the initial jokey draft of JCVD was supposed to have been, with Van Damme channeling Leslie Nielsen from the Naked Gun series. It's decent thus far, although the fourth wall addressing Van Damme jokes can be a little hit and miss (the first has a delightful Timecop reference I won't spoil here). Let's see how it goes.

Jean-Claude Van Johnson - Official Trailer | Prime Video - YouTube