L.A. Story [Blu-ray]

L. A. Story is Steve Martin's love letter to his then wife, Victoria Tennant, and to the city of Los Angeles. Sadly, his marriage to Tennant did not endure; they divorced in 1994, three years after the film's release. His love of Los Angeles appears to be alive and well; he lives there to this day.The love of L.A. is the best part of the film. It's a Steve Martin movie so he lampoons it, often quite sharply, but you can feel the love behind it. The love story with Tennant is also sweet, but marred by a lack of visible chemistry between Martin and Tennant. (I don't know what the state of their relationship was at the time, but in any case chemistry doesn't come across on film.) Other notable characters are SanDeE*, a very Californian young woman played by Sarah Jessica Parker in her first notable film role, and Richard Grant as Tennant's ex. There is a funny minor part played by Patrick Stewart, and uncredited cameos by Chevy Chase, Woody Harrelson, Paula Abdul, Martin Lawrence, Rick Moranis, and Terry Jones. A hilarious bit by John Lithgow was filmed but cut for length; you can watch it in the deleted scenes on the disc. Finally, there is a highway sign that is an important character.The music in L.A. Story is mostly classic songs from the 50s and 60s. Three songs by Enya are used as the soundtrack of emotionally evocative scenes, to good effect.L.A. Story is sweet and funny. It's one of my favorite Steve Martin films. Recommended, especially for fans of Martin's films from the 80s and 90s.Now, on to the 30th Anniversary Blu-Ray...The film gets a good high definition transfer. It occasionally looks a bit soft but that appears to be in the original cinematography and may have been an artistic choice. The sound is in lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, is available both in 5.1 surround and a stereo downmix, and is also fine; there are no spectacular sound effects in the film. (The theatrical release was in analog Dolby Stereo, but all disc releases have had digital surround sound.) The picture and sound are both an upgrade from the earlier DVD versions. English and Spanish subtitles are available, and appear to be identical to the ones on earlier releases.The Blu-Ray includes a number of extra features. O2BEINLA: Mick Jackson's L.A. Stories is new to this edition; it's an interview with director Mick Jackson where he talks about how he came to be involved in making L.A. Story and the artistic choices he made. Two others, The Story of L.A. Story and The L.A. of L.A. Story, were originally made for the 15th anniversary DVD edition in 2006. The Story of L.A. Story intercuts bits from the featurette on the original DVD edition from the 90s with interviews of some of the cast. The L.A. of L.A. Story visits many of the locations that were used in the film, including the Ambassador Hotel which was used for a number of indoor scenes and was torn down just after the featurette was made. There is also a collection of deleted scenes, including the ones with John Lithgow, and marketing materials including multiple versions of the movie's trailer (some of which contain scenes that were cut from the actual film).Alas, there is no director's commentary track. There never has been. The second release of the DVD in 2001 listed one as an extra, but it contained the same disc as the original 1998 DVD and does not actually contain any commentary. But the new featurette with the director is a pretty good replacement.Fans of the movie are going to want this disc, even if they already have one of the DVD releases. If you haven't seen L.A. Story, watching this disc just might turn you into a fan.

Coming off the success of Roxanne, Martin wrote and starred in this film that...well, flopped at the box office. And I have no idea why. My thoughts are that too many people just didn't understand it. It's a fairy tale. And a delightful one at that. Pokes fun at 90's Los Angeles and the insane world that it was, but is also the most pure kind of love story. One of my favorite films.

By far one of Steve Martin's greatest works. A funny and poignant story about a weatherman's lackluster attitude towards relationships but his love for L.A. life. Great cast, directing, camera work, locations, and exceptional music which is not available on CD.Music from movie:EponaWritten by EnyaPerformed by EnyaCourtesy of Atlantic Recording Corp. / BBC Enterprises Ltd.By Arrangement with Warner Special ProductsExileWritten by Enya, Roma Ryan and Nicky RyanPerformed by EnyaCourtesy of WEA Records Limited / Geffen RecordsBy Arrangement with Warner Special ProductsOn Your ShoreWritten by Enya, Roma Ryan and Nicky RyanPerformed by EnyaCourtesy of WEA Records Limited / Geffen RecordsBy Arrangement with Warner Special ProductsI've Had My MomentsWritten by Gus Kahn and Walter DonaldsonPerformed by Stéphane Grappelli and Django ReinhardtCourtesy of Vogue RecordsBy Arrangement with GNP Crescendo RecordsLa MerMusic by Charles Trenet and Albert LasryLyrics by Charles TrenetPerformed by Django Reinhardt and Stéphane GrappelliCourtesy of RCA Records, A Division of BMG MusicDo Wah Diddy, DiddyWritten by Jeff Barry and Ellie GreenwichPerformed by Manfred MannCourtesy of BMI, A Division of Capitol Records, Inc.By Arrangement with CEMA Special MarketsLa MerWritten by Charles TrenetPerformed by Charles TrenetCourtesy of Capitol Records, Inc.By Arrangement with CEMA Special MarketsYou Drive Me To DistractionWritten by Chaz Sanford (as Chas Sanford) and Charles A. Judge (as Charles Judge)Performed by Big WorldWild ThingWritten by Chip TaylorPerformed by Seeds of Love featuring Jimmie WoodProduced by Carl SealoveAin't That A ShameWritten by Fats Domino (as Antoine "Fats" Domino) and David Bartholomew (as Dave Bartholomew)Performed by Fats DominoCourtesy of Heritage Entertainment, Inc.By Arrangement with Celebrity Licensing Inc.Smoke RingsWritten by Ned Washington and H. Eugene GiffordPerformed by Stéphane Grappelli and Django ReinhardtCourtesy of Vogue RecordsBy Arrangement with GNP Crescendo RecordsAmazing GraceArrangement by FairbairnPerformed by The Pipes and Drums and Military Band of the Royal ScotsDragoon GuardsCourtesy of RCA Records, A Division of BMG MusicCloudsWritten by Gus Kahn and Walter DonaldsonSymphony No. 5, 1st Movement(uncredited)Composed by Ludwig van Beethoven

Comedic Steve Martin brings a lighthearted tale of living in L.A., 1990s style, to the big screen.Don't take this one too seriously, though. It is sure comedy all the way and Steve doesn't disappoint.Lots of stars here from the late '80s early '90s.Steve finds himself being talked to by an L.A. freeway digital sign and follows the instructions it gives for his love finding lifestyle.Looks good and sounds good here on the Blu-ray. We also get a digital copy of the movie.Artwork is good.Personally would like to see a Steelbook Edition of this comedy with much more artwork from the film.I do recommend if you are a good Steve Martin fan of his movies like I am.

A joy to watch and relate to for almost anybody. Steve Martin and his best (this and Roxanne). It is the one movie I can watch over and over again and still find new things to marvel at.