Swingers: Collector's Series

Writing in VL-5/97, K. Lee Benson said: "Cheers, baby, to one of 1996's sweetest surprises. Writer Jon Favreau stars as lovelorn Mike, an aspiring comedian, who, with his buddies--a modern-day Rat Pack--cruise nocturnal Los Angeles's retro-cocktail lounges. In a star-making performance, Vince Vaughn is Trent, his womanizing best friend who urges him to be like the guy in the rated R movie, not like the guy in the rated PG-13 movie that everybody hopes can make it happen. To borrow Trent's favorite expression, Swingers is 'money.' It's a great guy movie, but its endearing hero--who we do hope can make it happen--will appeal to 'the beautiful babies' as well." Miramax's "collector's series" re-release adds a number of worthwhile extras to the original bare-bones release, including two commentary tracks (a funny riff-laden duet by Favreau and Vaughn, and a more technical track from director Doug Liman and editor Stephen Mirrione); a 49-minute retrospective documentary "Making It in Hollywood"; five alternate scenes; and--a mini-jewel--the 1997 short Swing Blade, a funny Swingers meets Sling Blade spoof. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Aug. 16, 2011—Lionsgate, 96 min., R, $14.99—Making its second appearance on Blu-ray, 1996's Swingers sports a solid transfer and DTS-HD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to the previous DVD release, including two audio commentaries (the first with costars Jon Favreau and Vince Vaughn; the second with director Doug Liman and editor Stephen Mirrione), a “Making It in Hollywood” featurette (50 min.), deleted scenes (14 min.), Nicholas Goodman's 1997 short “Swing Blade”—a spoof of Swingers and Sling Blade (4 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a fine Blu-ray debut for a winning film.]