Archive for March 2012
Ann Arbor Film Festival 2012 Review: Films in Competition, and Films by Phil Solomon
A night of unexpected endings.
Read MoreStrange Fruit: The Beatles’ Apple Records DVD Review: Gets to the Core of the Company
Learn about the fascinating rise and fall of The Beatles’ failed label Apple Records.
Read MorePhil Collins: Live at Montreux 2004 Blu-ray Review: Nice Overview of His Long Solo Career
A fine document of the singer’s “First Farewell Tour.”
Read MoreThe B-52’s: With the Wild Crowd!: Live in Athens, GA Blu-ray Review: The Emphasis is on Fun
The legendary party band is still going strong.
Read MoreBook Review: Dressing Marilyn: How a Hollywood Icon Was Styled by William Travilla by Andrew Hansford with Karen Homer
Successfully fills a niche in an otherwise oversaturated market.
Read MoreAnn Arbor Film Festival 2012 Review: Poetic Injustice and The Strawberry Tree
The historic 50th festival continues with a strong collection of shorts and a moving pictorial.
Read MoreAnn Arbor Film Festival 2012 Review: Student Film Showcase and Out Night
Day 2 features filmmakers of the past and the present.
Read MoreAnn Arbor Film Festival 2012 Review: Opening Night
The 50th AAFF opens with a short film program focused on technical experimentation.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Three Doctors Special Edition DVD Review: Are Three Doctors Better Than One?
The first three Doctors come together for the show’s 10th Anniversary.
Read MoreA Night to Remember Criterion Collection DVD Review: The Best Film about the Titanic Disaster
“The end of an era of arrogance.” – Producer William MacQuitty
Read MoreDavid Lean Directs Noel Coward Criterion Collection DVD Boxset Review: Box of Delights
A fascinating look at a winning creative partnership predating Lean’s later widescreen epics.
Read MoreSXSW 2012 Review: Paul Williams Still Alive
Director Stephen Kessler explores celebrity and addiction in the life of pop-culture icon, Paul Williams.
Read MoreSXSW 2012 Review: Paul Williams Still Alive
Director Stephen Kessler explores celebrity and addiction in the life of pop-culture icon, Paul Williams.
Read MoreDavid Lean Directs Noel Coward Is the Pick of the Week
Four films by the legendary writer and director get the royal treatment.
Read MoreThe Sitter Blu-ray Review: A Formless Mass of Unfunny
David Gordon Green’s career takes another tumble with this aggressively half-assed Jonah Hill vehicle.
Read MoreLetter Never Sent Blu-ray Criterion Collection Review: A Survival Flick from Russia?
A grandiose piece of Russian cinema that depicts the triumph of the human spirit.
Read MoreThe Descendants Blu-ray Review: A Dynamic Drama from Alexander Payne
A film that rightfully deserved the Oscar it won.
Read MoreThe Beat Hotel Movie Review: Expat Writers in Paradise
Reliving the glorious days of the Beats in Paris.
Read MoreIconic Movie Scenes from the ’80s
Any of these come to your mind?
Read MoreImmortals DVD Review: An Epic Myth-take
Tarsem Singh gives the world another reason to be disappointed in the Greeks.
Read MoreSecret Pleasures DVD Box Set Review: Asian Grab Bag
A sampler of unrelated and unspectacular but offbeat Asian films.
Read MoreThe Doors: Mr. Mojo Risin’: The Making of L.A. Woman DVD Review: The Story of a Truly Great Album and Band
All the dope on the Doors’ final album.
Read MoreSavage Sisters (1974) DVD Review: Filipino Exploitation Madness
Another weird and wacky oddity from Eddie Romero.
Read MoreThe Sitter: Totally Irresponsible Edition DVD Review: Adventures in Bad Ideas
Eighty-one minutes of my life I wish I could get back.
Read MoreAnatomy of a Murder Criterion Collection DVD Review: Anatomy of a Classic
A film that brings justice to the genre of courtroom dramas.
Read MoreThe Muppets (2011) Is the Pick of the Week
Jim Henson’s marvelous creation is back and as boisterous as ever.
Read MoreLetter Never Sent Criterion Collection DVD Review: Kalatozov’s Take on Man Vs. Nature
Diamonds aren’t forever.
Read MoreConversation Piece DVD Review: A Probing Penultimate Film from an Italian Master
Luchino Visconti re-teams with Burt Lancaster for an excellent character-driven chamber piece.
Read MoreIn the Garden of Sounds DVD Review: Who Says Blindness is a Disability?
A fascinating portrait of a caring man who refuses to be limited by his disability.
Read MorePublic Image Limited: Live at Rockpalast DVD Review: A Must for PiL Fans
John Lydon at the top of his game.
Read MoreThe Town Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review: Double Dipping? You Bet Your Affleck It Is!
The new ending of the lengthier cut of the already-long two-hour-plus feature is an appropriate one — but is it worth it?
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Tomb of the Cybermen Special Edition DVD Review: A Great Time Piece with a Fun Story
The Cybermen arise from the dead – just another fun trip with the Second Doctor.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Robots of Death Special Edition DVD Review: Highly Recommended
It’s like Clue. In space. With Twiki.
Read MoreThe Last Temptation of Christ Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Still Controversial
The loopy ending still detracts from the rest of the fairly conventional film.
Read MoreArcher: The Complete Season Two Blu-ray Review: License to Laugh
Another frequently hysterical season of outrageous and offensive espionage adventures.
Read MoreHell Boats DVD Review: An Island-Based, Low-Budget Dirty Dozen
Suds, bullets, and boats during World War II.
Read MoreSinful Davey DVD Review: Pleasant But Hardly Memorable Adventure Comedy
John Huston’s 1969 obscurity features John Hurt in his first leading role.
Read MoreTodd & the Book of Pure Evil: The Complete First Season DVD Review: Join the Cult
Slackers team up to save the world from an evil book of spells.
Read MoreTom and Jerry: In the Dog House DVD Review: Out with the New and In with the Old
Just the right blend of sadism and violence that every child should be brought up on.
Read MoreThe Adventures of Tintin (2011) Is the Pick of the Week
Steven Spielberg’s take on the classic comic looks brilliant.
Read MoreBeauty and the Beast (1946) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Jean Cocteau Creates Magic
Allow yourself to fall under its spell.
Read MoreThe Visitor (1963) DVD Review: A Nuanced Look at Romance
Raro Video releases another from the overlooked Antonio Pietrangeli, although the transfer leaves something to be desired.
Read MorePianomania DVD Review: Surprisingly Compelling Study of a Master Piano Technician
I will never watch or listen to a great pianist quite the same way again.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Face of Evil DVD Review: Immensely Satisfying
Excellent writing and terrible special effects pay a house call.
Read MoreIt Takes a Thief (1968) The Complete Series Review: Fans Will Find This Set Terrific
They don’t want you to steal; they want you to buy it.
Read MoreVanya on 42nd Street Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Timeless Theatrical Experiment
Louis Malle’s final film captures a performance that was never intended to be public.
Read MoreClassic Films Made After 1991
Seven examples that classic films need no waiting period.
Read MoreTooth Fairy 2 Blu-ray Review: Dumbfounding in Its Dumbness
Larry the Cable Guy in a pink leotard farting fairy dust; yes, that’s EXACTLY what I wanted to see.
Read MoreI Melt with You Blu-ray Review: Unforeseeable and Unforgettable
A haunting masterpiece starring Thomas Jane, Rob Lowe, Jeremy Piven, and Christian McKay.
Read MoreRobert B. Sherman, Songwriter for Disney and Others, Dies at 86
Final curtain call for composers of memorable film music.
Read MoreWyatt Earp’s Revenge DVD Review: Just Another Lousy Modern Western
A low-budget affair that really isn’t worth your time.
Read MoreGame of Thrones: The Complete First Season Is the Pick of the Week
HBO creates another winning series.
Read MoreColumbus Circle Blu-ray Review: A Turkey of a Thriller from Kevin Pollak
I’m afraid Columbus just doesn’t succeed in coming to a full circle.
Read MoreThe Roots of Heaven Blu-ray Review: John Huston Has an Off-Day
A forgotten flick from the 20th Century Fox vaults finally finds a home.
Read MoreVanya on 42nd Street Criterion Collection DVD Review: Chronicling the Last Days of Multiple Eras
Not everything is always as it appears.
Read MoreThe Three Musketeers (2011) Blu-ray Review: Definitely Worth Watching
A Swashbuckling Surprise or The Very Best “Meh” that Cinema Has to Offer.
Read MoreJustice League: Doom Blu-ray Review: Action Triumphs over Plot
Plenty of action, but not much in the way of story or character development.
Read MoreRapture (1965) Blu-ray Review: A Forgotten, Poignant Masterpiece
Twilight Time brings us a genuine obscurity, and the results are hauntingly pleasing.
Read MoreElmo’s World: Elmo’s Favorite Things DVD Review: Fun, Colorful and Educational
A perfect mixture of live action, animation, and puppets.
Read MoreMartha Marcy May Marlene DVD Review: A Daring Feature Film Debut
As a true independent film, it is a refreshing look at a challenging subject.
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