Talk Radio

Oliver Stone cemented himself as a cinematic provocateur early on in his career. With "Platoon," he was one of the first filmmakers to take on the Vietnam War and its many mistakes. And as his films grew in budget, so seemingly did his ego. I'm not saying that was a terrible thing, but it definitely hampered the righteous fury that his earlier films exuded. "Talk Radio" was a low-budget effort that works as the perfect showcase for his sensibilities. Primarily, the constant yearning for purpose and deep understanding of how the world works. Squeezed in right between "Wall Street" and "Born on the Fourth of July," the 1988 drama that evokes a national fear that still reverberates today and, as is Stone's wont, it's acutely crafted to thrill and shock the viewer.

"Talk Radio" is a hybrid of sorts, drawing inspiration from a one-man play by Eric Bogosian and from Stephen Singular's novel "Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg." Barry Champlain (Bogosian) is a shock jockey in Dallas pissing people off left and right with his hateful rhetoric. As he grows increasingly bitter, he starts to deal with consequences of slinging words that cut at the basest and most American (as of late) emotions: Anger. It doesn't matter who Barry pisses off, as he's disappeared so deep into himself that his radio personality threatens to overtake who he really is. And as a nationwide syndication deal looms overhead, Barry feels the onus is on him to take his politically charged bit deeper and deeper to avoid being watered down by a large radio corporation. The result? A propulsive downward spiral that you can't help but watch.

I'll say this about Bogosian's performance as Barry – he has the exact diction and charm that you've come to expect from radio personalities such as Howard Stern. You can see why the character draws such a crowd. He seems unfazed in the face of the kind of vitriol he invites onto his show. But as the Neo-Nazis of this country draw from the same anger exuded by a president that will remain nameless here, Barry stokes a fire that he's unable to put out.

Twilight Time's gorgeous new Blu-ray of "Talk Radio" properly shows off some of cinematographer Robert Richardson's best work. The film takes place in only a few locations, but the camerawork always finds a new way to look or present the most dramatic notes. You can see that was important to Oliver Stone in the new featurette "Filming Rage: Oliver Stone on 'Talk Radio,' " included on this release. For Oliver Stone fans or even anyone that wishes to watch a story that definitely feels a bit relevant in today's political climate, I highly recommend this disc. Other special features include:

� Isolated Music Track
� Original Theatrical Trailer
� Booklet essay by Julie Kirgo

"Talk Radio"
Twilight Time Blu-ray
$29.95
https://www.twilighttimemovies.com/talk-radio-blu-ray/