Moonstruck

As nine out of 10 romantically-inclined astrologers agree: when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore. Norman Jewison's 1987 Moonstruck is a delightful comedy starring Cher in an Oscar-winning performance as Loretta Castorini, an Italian-American woman who falls in love with her fiancé Johnny Cammareri's (Danny Aiello) estranged brother Ronny (Nicolas Cage), who's never forgiven Johnny for messing with his love life earlier—which cost him a girlfriend and a hand in a bakery accident (by Ronny's logic). But, when love is in the air during a full moon, bygones become bygones, and even those near and dear to Loretta and Ronny are busy either having their own love affairs or reaffirming commitments. Costarring Olympia Dukakis, who is particularly appealing as Loretta's cynical mother, Moonstruck was also nominated for Best Picture. Boasting an excellent transfer, DVD extras include an audio commentary (by Cher, director Jewison, and writer John Patrick Shanley), a retrospective “making-of” featurette, a “Pasta to Pastries: The Art of Fine Italian Food” interactive tour of Little Italy, and a featurette on the music. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Mar. 15, 2011—MGM, 102 min., PG, $19.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 1987's Moonstruck boasts a fine transfer with DTS-HD sound. Blu-ray extras are identical to the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by star Cher, director Norman Jewison, and writer John Patrick Shanley, a “Pasta to Pastries: The Art of Fine Italian Food” featurette (30 min.), an “At the Heart of an Italian Family” featurette (26 min.), a soundtrack featurette (7 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a welcome Blu-ray debut for a beloved film.]