Jack Nicholson

‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

When it comes to 1970’s cinema, there was a sense of exploration, discovery and reflection that hasn’t been found in Hollywood since that decade. The filmmakers had a lot to get off their chests, and their way to process what they were seeing and feeling was through their moviemaking.  One of my favorite films from that decade was 1975’s “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year with this 4K release. I’ve always connected with films which have a powerful message and leave a lasting impression on me as a viewer long after the viewing experience has ended. “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is one of my favorite films of all-time, and one I find myself returning to often as a viewer.

I must confess that one of the reasons I connect with the material is because I’ve battled with mental illness for a good majority of my life, and I’ve also spent time in a psychiatric hospital. When you have a mental illness and tell people about it, they usually look at you sideways and they handle you with care. They think if they do something to upset you, rub you the wrong way, or make you unhappy, you are going to end up back in the hospital again. Friends and family “proceed with caution” when they are around you.  It’s frustrating and challenging. In Miloš Forman’s film, written by Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman, it challenges you to expect more out of yourself, not be put in a box, and to live and be free despite your mental illness.

But I digress. Randle McMurphy (Jack Nicholson) ends up in a mental institution after having one too many brushes with the law. In his mind, instead of facing further punishment, it’s better to claim insanity and spend time in the mental institution.  Even though he’s a criminal, he’s no dummy. He’s charming, funny and charismatic, which immediately makes him enemies with Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher), who is colder than a mother-in-law’s heart with her treatment of the patients at the hospital. She knows they probably do not have the strength or energy to fight back, and she’s going to take full advantage of that.

Randle shows up, and he gives them a sense of purpose, an identity, and a reason to live. He encourages them to think for themselves, stand up for themselves, and not let their mental illness define them. The cast of actors is filled with Hollywood legends such as Christopher Lloyd, Brad Dourif and Danny DeVito. They all make their presence known with their performances without being too showy or over-the-top. In a film about people in a mental institution, it would have been easy to be loud, goofy, or to act like a complete loon. Instead, they are nuanced and unique. Another standout is Chief Bromden, played by Will Sampson. He’s a deaf-mute who is clearly processing a lot in his head, and Randle is determined to get through to him.

Another reason “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” speaks to me is the idea of standing up to authority.  I’ve always been someone who doesn’t like being told what to do, doesn’t like following rules which don’t make any sense, and likes to challenge outdated notions. If you tell me I can’t do something, I want to know why and not just be told, “Because I told you so. These are the rules.” I want to understand the rules and why they are in place, and if they don’t add up, I’m going to speak up on that issue. I’ve never been one who likes to be silenced. This was the way of 1970’s cinema. It was about being confrontational and in-your-face without apologies or excuses.

The great movies in Hollywood have been those which stand the test of time because they strike a chord with the audience. The screenplay for “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is absolutely perfect. I wouldn’t change a thing about it.  The performances, top to bottom, are amazing. For my money, this is Jack Nicholson’s best performance of his legendary and storied career. From his facial expressions to the way he delivers his lines, his performance is a masterpiece. You can’t take your eyes off him when he’s on screen. It reminds me of the old line from the legendary wrestler “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, “Just when you think you have the answers, I change the questions.” Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched is perfect to play opposite Jack, as she shows no emotion. She’s cold, matter-of-fact, and unflinching. She knows she has all of the power, and she’s not afraid to wield it. She enjoys being the puppet master.

If I’m lucky enough to live another 50 years, I’ll still enjoy “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” It’s a perfect example of old-school Hollywood craftsmanship. There is a reason why it is one of only three films to win Oscars in the major five categories (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Screenplay). This is a flawless piece of cinema, and it fuels me with energy, enthusiasm and passion. I’m going to sound like the old man shouting at the cloud here, but this is how Hollywood used to make movies.  This is a movie about people dealing with emotions, challenges and problems.  We are with them every step of their journey, and we are invested in them. When we are watching the movie, we forget we are watching characters.

* * * * out of * * * *

4K info: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment in celebration of its 50th anniversary. The film has a running time of 133 minutes and is rated R for language and violence.

4K Video Info: I love the way 4K HDR enhances the picture quality but still keeps the integrity of the film alive. The picture is crisp and clear, but it also knows when to be dark and moody depending on the scene and the mood.

4K Audio Info: The DTS-HD Master Audio track comes with subtitles in English, Spanish, and French. The audio track is more subdued throughout the film, as it’s in a mental hospital, but it’s not so subdued that you have to turn it up or can’t hear it.  It also knows when to make the soundtrack more powerful and intense during the impactful moments of the film.

Special Features:

Conversations on Cuckoo: Group Therapy (NEW)

Conversations on Cuckoo: Moviemaking Memories (NEW)

Completely Cuckoo

Deleted Scenes

Should You Buy It?

I would hope after reading my review, you would know the answer is a resounding HELL YES. If you haven’t picked up on that, I haven’t done a very good job in my review. The film also comes with a pair of fun new special features, with my personal favorite being the one that includes conversations with vital cast members about the casting process they went through fifty years ago. Warner Brothers is one of the few big studios that is not only releasing classic films on 4K, but they are also taking the time and effort to include some new special features as well. The film has never looked or sounded better than it does with this 4K release. You can buy the 4K in either a slipcover version or a steelbook. The film itself is a masterpiece and one of the greatest films of all time. This has been one of my favorite releases of 2025.  As a film lover, you owe it to yourself to add this film to your collection.

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

‘The Departed’ Movie and 4K Review

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.

When it comes to filmmaking, Martin Scorsese is not known for his brevity.  His films are lengthy and complex. However, because there are so many moving parts that are interesting and layered, it rarely feels like a slog to sit through them.  He also makes sure to assemble an all-star cast of some of the best actors in Hollywood so, as an audience, we are glued to the screen with each and every performance. It’s so hard to pick a favorite Scorsese film, as he’s trying to achieve something different and unique with each one.  From an entertainment standpoint, however, I think “The Departed” might be the most thrilling movie he’s ever made.  It was also the film which earned him his first and only Best Director and Best Picture Academy Award.

“The Departed” is initially set in 1980’s Boston and introduces us to a series of seedy and underhanded characters.  The local Mob boss is named Frank Costello, played by Jack Nicholson. He befriends a young Colin Sullivan and buys him groceries, as he knows he comes from a struggling family.  Fast forward to present day in the film, and Colin (Matt Damon) is now working on the inside for the Massachusetts State Police in their Special Investigation Unit.  Frank is still the leader of the Mob, but he has even more power because he knows Colin will keep him in the loop when the police get too close to him.

Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio), a police academy recruit, is brought in to meet Captain Queenan and Sergeant Dignam, played respectively by Martin Sheen and Mark Wahlberg. Considering Billy’s family has a criminal record a mile along, they think he’s the perfect mole to go undercover and bring Frank down once and for all. In order for Billy to gain the trust of Frank, he needs to serve some time in prison and also commit some crimes with the help of his cousin, so his cover isn’t blown.  However, Billy is starting to feel as though he’s living a double life and his mental health is suffering.  This is when he meets Madolyn (Vera Farmiga), a police psychiatrist who is also currently dating Colin Sullivan.  Needless to say, this is a messy and tricky situation for all parties involved.

The beauty of “The Departed” is that it keeps you guessing all the way until the finale. There are a lot of different characters and pieces of the puzzle here, but the film never feels overplotted or too complicated.  It’s very engaging, well-paced and highly entertaining.  As an audience member, it takes you on quite a ride from start-to-finish. Scorsese also takes his time in developing his characters, and he trusts his actors to put their own personal touches on their performances.  There are so many standout performances here to choose from, but Nicholson and DiCaprio in particular are remarkable.  Nicholson brings an unhinged charisma to his role as the mob boss while DiCaprio is tortured and powerful in his performance.  As the old adage goes, “Do Your Job.” Everyone in this film knows how to do their job, and Scorsese gives them the platform to do their jobs to the best of their abilities.

The screenplay, which was written by William Monahan, is also able to keep the audience engaged and thrilled without ever feeling too gimmicky or implausible.  These are well-written characters that are looking to stay alive and pull the wool over the eyes of those looking to bring them down.  They have to stay one step ahead of the audience and also one step ahead of the characters in the film.  “The Departed” is also a remake of the Hong Kong Film, “Infernal Affairs,” which I own as part of the Criterion Collection. I have yet to see that one, but I definitely need to check it out after having seen “The Departed” numerous times.

All in all, “The Departed” shows Scorsese at his best in a world he has inhibited many times in the past.  This time, though, he has new players to work with.  Of course, we are familiar with the Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro films of the past such as “Casino” and “Goodfellas,” but it’s great to see him working with Nicholson for the first and only time along with Damon, Mark Wahlberg, and Alec Baldwin. Of course, his collaborations with DiCaprio have become legendary, but this was in the early stages of their working relationship, and you can see why they work so well together.

Screenshot

Hollywood has always had a fascination with crime movies and the characters who inhabit that world. Scorsese knows this world very well and how to make it accessible and fun for mainstream audiences. If I had to choose, my favorite Scorsese movies are “Raging Bull,” “The King of Comedy,” and “Taxi Driver.”  However, as stated earlier, if you are talking about pure entertainment value and pure fun, it’s hard to deny the power of “The Departed.” Even eighteen years later, this film still captivates and engages with its words, its story, and its players.   It only gets better and better with age. If you are seeing it for the first-time, you are in for a real treat.

* * * * out of * * * *

4K Info: “The Departed” is being released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment.  There is also a steelbook version of the film as well.  Whether you pick up the steelbook or the 4K slipcover, you can’t go wrong with either copy of “The Departed.”  It also comes with a digital copy of the film. It has a running time of 151 minutes and is rated R for strong brutal violence, pervasive language, some strong sexual content and drug material.

Video Info: This is a gritty looking 4K that is able to keep the dark and moody look of Boston and its seedy characters alive while also cleaning up the dirt and artifacts to make it look sharp and vivid.  This is a solid 4K transfer. The HDR is a big improvement from the Blu-ray.

Audio Info:  I would have liked a Dolby Atmos soundtrack on this 4K release, but as it stands, this is still a powerful audio transfer. At times, the music and the action scenes can be a little too loud as the dialogue is more leveled, but that’s a minor issue.

Special Features:

Guilt and Betrayal: Looking into The Departed (new)

Stranger than Fiction: The True Story of Whitey Bulger, Southie, and The Departed

Crossing Criminal Cultures

9 Deleted Scenes with introductions by Martin Scorsese

Should You Buy It?

When great films, Academy Award winning films at that, are available on 4K, you have to buy and add them to your collection, if you are a film collector.  It is the only way studios are going to keep releasing these films on physical media. Now, more than ever, with more and more brick-and-mortar stores getting rid of physical media altogether, we have to purchase these films and add them to our collection.  “The Departed” looks really, really sharp on 4K.  There are the previously released special features from the Blu-ray along with a new special feature as well. This is a great film from the legendary Martin Scorsese being released in the best format possible to watch movies.  This is a no-brainer in my book.  You can’t go wrong with either the steelbook or the slipcover version of this film on 4K. This 4K of “The Departed” comes highly recommended!

**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free.  The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.

Favorite Opening Titles: ‘A Few Good Men’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

When I started thinking of writing about my favorite opening credits to movies, the first which came to mind were the ones for “A Few Good Men.” Directed by Rob Reiner, it is based on the play by Aaron Sorkin who also wrote the screenplay, and it is about the court-martial of two United States Marines who have been charged with the murder of a fellow Marine. Furthermore, it deals with the difficulties the lawyers are forced to endure in their defense, but you knew this already as the film stars Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson and Kevin Bacon among others.

What I love about these opening credits is the military exercises, or choreography if you will, by the Marines on display. They were performed here by the Texas A&M University’s Corps of Cadets Fish Drill Team, and I was enthralled at how in sync each member of this team was with the other. Throughout, they all move and react in a uniform way to where there is no weak link in the bunch. These military officers have been trained thoroughly to act as one unit, and it shows here as not one of them misses a beat throughout their exercises. They do not even have to look at one another to make sure they are in sync as all of them move like a well-oiled machine.

The drill these Marines perform during the opening titles hang over the rest of “A Few Good Men” as the film deals with many characters who are forced to deal with the death of a recruit whose passing has now put this platoon completely out of sync. The unity is now broken, and it may be a permanent break unless those in power can fix the situation to where everything is back in balance. But what will it take to put this platoon back to a unifying standard While some suggest charging the two marines with murder, others come to see they were only acting under orders by their superiors who had a different, yet illegal, way of bringing order to chaos. The whole movie, in essence, is about bringing an unbreakable unity back to a military system which has been seriously run off course by those whose powers have long since become corrupt.

Please check out the opening titles of “A Few Good Men” down below:

All-Time Favorite Trailers: ‘The Shining’

Posted on by The Ultimate Rabbit

I guess you could say this particular trailer for Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” was an early example of a teaser trailer. These days we get teaser trailers for all the big Hollywood releases, and they are designed to whet our appetite not just for the next big blockbuster, but also for the next trailer which will give us even more information of what is in store for us. These days, we even have teaser trailers for teaser trailers, something which I hope will be stopped soon because they are ever so annoying. We get teased enough as kids, so doing this at the movies does not help.

What I love about this trailer for “The Shining” is how simple it is in its design, and yet it still feels deeply unsettling. All we see at first is part of a hotel lobby with two elevators and chairs. The camera never moves an inch as the movie’s credits move upwards indicating the title, the actors starring in it (Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall), the names of the screenwriters, how it is based on “Stephen King’s Best-Selling Masterpiece of Modern Horror,” and the one credit us movie buffs are always happy to see, “Directed by Stanley Kubrick.” Seeing this had me wondering what one could expect with this adaptation of King’s work, and the music composed by Wendy Carlos and Rachel Elkind certainly sends a shiver down my spine.

Watching this trailer reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” as Kubrick, like Hitchcock, managed to find a sinister quality in everyday things and the ordinary. There’s nothing particular special about this hotel lobby here as it looks like any other we have ever been through. This makes it all the more horrifying when those gallons of blood start pouring out of the elevators and into the lobby,

Once again, the camera never moves or pans away, and seeing the blood wash over it is incredibly frightening as you feel trapped and unable to escape. Our instincts tell us to run away, but Kubrick is not about to let his audience off the hook. As the blood drips off the camera to reveal the damage left in its wake, it is clear how the “Dr. Strangeglove” director is more than prepared to take us on a most unsettling ride.

Opinions about Kubrick’s “The Shining” have varied over the years, and King himself has said numerous times how much he despised it. Whatever you may think of the film, this trailer for it is a brilliant piece of work. It’s a shame we don’t see more trailers like this one these days. Of course, if you know of any, please feel free to share them with me.