‘Rebel,’ ‘Maltese,’ ‘Cool Luke’ – oh my!

What a way to celebrate 100 years! Warner Bros. Studio has graciously released three powerhouse films, “Rebel Without a Cause,” “The Maltese Falcon,” and “Cool Hand Luke,” to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc.

It’s all part of the year-long centennial celebration of the renowned studio.

Rebel

Hoosier native James Dean stars in “Rebel Without a Cause,” a 1955 film that electrifies today and shocked the country at the time. Three high school students who should lead idyllic lives in stable suburban families instead burst with violence and sexuality that their parents can’t understand. Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, and Dennis Hopper co-star.

“The Maltese Falcon,” from 1941, is one of the greatest films in history and marked John Huston’s directorial debut. Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, and Mary Astor star in this classic film noir. Bogart plays private detective Sam Spade, who becomes involved with international thieves who are after a jewel-encrusted statue.

“Cool Hand Luke,” from 1967, stars Paul Newman as a man who will not surrender to authority, even at the cost of his life. George Kennedy and Strother Martin (as a dictatorial prison warden) co-star.

Other title

“Chess Story” (Film Movement) concerns an imprisoned Austrian lawyer who combats the psychological torture of the Nazis’ Gestapo by finding refuge in the world of chess. The lawyer was a former notary to the depose Austrian aristocracy but he refuses to hand over access to private bank accounts. To cope, he must memorize every move of famous chess matches, which he reads about in a book.

Article written by Steve Slosarek

Staff Writer
Covers travel, home entertainment, culture and dining