Archive for April 2012
George Harrison: Living in a Material World Is the Pick of the Week
The quiet Beatles gets the Scorsese treatment.
Read MoreSergeant Deadhead DVD Review: All Involved Should Be Sent to Leavenworth
The quality of porn without the nudity and sex.
Read MoreBook Review: Music on Film: Purple Rain by John Kenneth Muir
A behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest music films ever made.
Read MoreTiny Furniture Criterion Collection DVD Review: Lena Dunham’s Semi-Autobiographical Micro-Budget Mumblecore
Believe the hype: The acclaimed 2010 feature from the writer/director/star of HBO’s “Girls” brings early Woody Allen to mind.
Read MoreImmortals Blu-ray Review: Both a Must-See and Not Worth the Price of a Rental
Remember when the Blonde Ambition tour made a pitstop in Bosch’s depiction of Hell?
Read MoreBook Review: Conan Volume 11: Road of Kings: By Crom! Roy Thomas Delivers
A solidly crafted and accessible entry point for those unfamiliar with Robert E. Howard’s most famous creation.
Read MoreTinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) Blu-ray Review: The Spy Who Went Out in the Cold
Alec Guinness fully inhabits the famed role of retired spy George Smiley in this 1979 BBC miniseries.
Read MoreJoffrey: Mavericks of American Dance Movie Review: The Politics of Dance from the Ground Up
This documentary chronicles the Joffrey Ballet’s risk-taking journey through the often unstable world of American dance.
Read MoreSesame Street: Singing with the Stars DVD Review: Sure to Capture the Hearts of Both Parents and Children
A star-studded songfest. And if you’re not careful, you might just learn something.
Read MoreDoctor Who: Carnival Of Monsters Special Edition DVD Review: Oh, The Places They’ll Go
Trapped in an intergalactic peepshow with his companion, Jo, can the Doctor fight his way out before the monsters get them?
Read MoreThe Organizer Is the Pick of the Week
When in doubt, go with Criterion.
Read MoreThe Organizer Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Relevant in Today’s Political Climate
A worthwhile addition to any film lover’s collection.
Read MoreSaving Grace (1986) DVD Review: An Unsentimental Look at True Religion
Robert M. Young’s gently comedic drama about a reluctant pope avoids the pitfalls of many “inspirational” films.
Read MoreHamlet (1996) Blu-ray Review: The Medium’s The Thing That Makes This Version So Special
Well worth adding to either the movie or book shelf.
Read MoreThe Merchant of Venice (2004) Movie Review: Pacino Wants a Pound of Flesh
Minor plot quibbles aside, an enjoyable adaptation.
Read MoreRichard III (1995) DVD Review: A Great Introduction to the Bard’s Works
The dramatic change of setting to an alternative 1930s serves the story well.
Read MoreDark Shadows: Fan Favorites DVD Review: Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves, Oh My!
In nine more episodes from the classic series, the late Jonathan Frid proves that there’s only one Barnabas Collins.
Read MoreThe Convoy Collection DVD Review: Highway to Haul
Buckle up and prepare for three, forgotten grey market ’70s movies, kids.
Read MoreReporting on the 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival: Day 3 and 4
The festival concludes as does my coverage.
Read MoreThe Best of Barnabas DVD Review: A Perfect Primer for Dark Shadows Vampire Virgins
The late, lamented Jonathan Frid lives forever in this delightful new collection of nine classic episodes.
Read MoreLogan’s Run: The Complete Series DVD Review: Its Life Was Also Cut Short
Little more than a memory and footnote in television history.
Read MorePal Joey Blu-ray Review: Joey’s Definitely a Pal of Mine
Rita, Frankie, and Kim shine; as does Twilight Time’s presentation.
Read MorePokemon the Movie: Black & White DVD Review: One of the Better Entries in the Franchise
Needs more Team Rocket instead of two versions of the same thing.
Read MoreLate Spring Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Moving Look at a Family’s Season of Change
Director Yasujiro Ozu paints a heartbreaking portrait of a modern woman trapped by tradition.
Read MoreIn Their Own Words DVD Review: Entertaining and Informative
Archival footage from the Beeb is just one of the many highlights.
Read MoreBob’s Burgers The Complete 1st Season DVD Review: An Acquired Taste
Bob’s Burgers has grown on me, much like the green mold on Bob’s restaurant’s walls.
Read MoreThirst (2009) Movie Review: Korean Gothic Horror And Blood Disease
Korean Gothic horror underpinned by psychological drama and literary Naturalism.
Read MoreShazzan: The Complete Series DVD Review: Rather Repetitive
If Mystery Science Theater ever featured cartoons, Shazzan would be a perfect pick.
Read MoreReporting on the 2012 TCM Classic Film Festival: Day 1 and 2
Taking in the classics.
Read MorePharaoh’s Curse (1957) DVD Review: Silly, Dumb, and Very Enjoyable
MGM dives into their own tombs to excavate an ’50s horror obscurity.
Read MoreFrozen Planet Blu-ray Review: BBC Hits the Poles
The singular focus on polar nature wears thin, but the HD photography is spellbinding.
Read MoreYoung, Violent, Dangerous DVD Review: A Healthy Dose of Italian Cheese
Shootings galore, nudity en masse, and common sense in short supply.
Read MoreThe Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride DVD Review: Simba Can’t Be Proud of This
It simply does not live up to the original on many levels.
Read MoreChicago Comic and Entertainment Expo 2012 Review: Something for Everyone
Sorry Wizard World, your reign is over.
Read MoreSwamp Water Blu-ray Review: Jean Renoir Comes to America
A larger-than-life, captivating feature starring Walter Brennan and Dana Andrews.
Read MoreMission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol Is the Pick of the Week
I can’t say no to Tom Cruise.
Read MoreBook Review: Flash Gordon Comic Book Archives Volume 5
Not the best Flash Gordon collection, but worthy of its place on a collector’s bookshelf.
Read MorePicnic (1955) Blu-ray Review: William Inge’s Play Comes to Life
Okay, so maybe it’s no picnic, but it is damn good.
Read MoreBook Review: Music on Film: Purple Rain by John Kenneth Muir
Go inside the filming of one of the best rock movies ever made.
Read MoreAstonishing X-Men: Dangerous DVD Review: Joss Whedon Earns His Marvel Stripes
Whedon proves to be a master in Marvel’s mutant universe, but the motion effects are subpar in the early stages.
Read MoreTorchwood: Miracle Day Blu-ray Review: A Welcome Return with an Unsatisfying Ending
Familiar faces caught up in a messy storyline.
Read MoreThe Darkest Hour (2011) Blu-ray Review: Attack of the Imperceptible Intruders
Dumb? Yes. But it has an enjoyable 1950s drive-in movie feel to it.
Read MoreDomain (2009) DVD Review: A Magnetic Lead Performance Saves a Muddled Script
Béatrice Dalle’s unraveling performance is the centerpiece of Patric Chiha’s 2009 film.
Read MoreWizards 35th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review: Artwork Trumps Story
Recommended for animation fans.
Read MorePray for Death DVD Review: Recalls the Heyday of the Ninja
Sho Kosugi redefines revenge in this martial arts classic!
Read MoreA Night to Remember (1958) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Stunning Presentation for a Genuine Classic
I’ve never paid to see James Cameron’s film, but I’d gladly pay ten-times over to see this one again and again.
Read MoreHellacious Acres: The Case of John Glass DVD Review: Occasionally Impressive but Ultimately Uneven and Boring
There always seemed to either be something missing or an abundance of effects and tricks intended to cover up a sparse plot.
Read MoreSurviving Progress Movie Review: A Wake-Up Call About the Progress Trap
Could be aptly re-titled Surviving Greed.
Read MoreBook Review: Frank Sinatra: A Life in Pictures, Edited by Yann-Brice Dherbier
Old Blue Eyes’ story is retold through photographs ranging from childhood to his elder years.
Read MoreNightmares (1980) DVD Review: Australia’s Contribution to the Slasher/Giallo Genres
“Mama, mama, I keep having Nightmares. Mama, mama, mama, am I ill?”
Read MoreThe Lion King 1 1/2 Special Edition Combo Pack Review: One Movie, Less Than 1/2 a Story
Overly contrived scenes with little payoff from a humor perspective.
Read MoreThe Iron Lady Is the Pick of the Week
She’s so tough she beat out a classic French film for the pick.
Read MoreWe Bought a Zoo Blu-ray Review: A Whole Hell of a Lot Better Than Buying the Farm
A feel-good family flick that tries to make you feel a lot more than you need to. In fact, it gets downright pushy at times.
Read MoreSmiley’s People DVD Review: The Spy Who Came in from Retirement
Just when he thought he was out, they pulled him back in.
Read MoreExtremely Loud & Incredibly Close Blu-ray Review: Both Extremely and Incredibly Shameless
Stephen Daldry’s maudlin sensibility meets Jonathan Safran Foer’s irrepressible preciousness.
Read MoreThe Passion of the Christ Movie Review: Too Much Good Friday, Not Enough Easter Sunday
The film presented more questions than answers.
Read MoreThe War Room Criterion Collection DVD Review: The Men Behind the Man from Hope
This two-disc DVD of the 1992 campaign documentary is a delightful trip down memory lane.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Daemons DVD Review: Something’s Going Down in Devil’s End
Could it be…SATAN?!?!
Read MoreHornets’ Nest (1970) DVD Review: Not Really Recommended but Good for a Gander
Rock Hudson leads a group of orphaned Italian kids into war against the Nazis.
Read MoreTo Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Blu-ray Review: Do the Right Thing
“What kinda man are you?” – Bob Ewell
Read MoreDavid Lean Directs Noel Coward Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Four Distinctly British Films From a Fruitful Partnership
David Lean’s first four films are presented here in glorious Blu-ray editions sourced from the 2008 BFI restorations.
Read MoreTinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Blu-ray Review: A Scintillating Espionage Thriller
Paranoia, insecurity, and Cold War espionage, all wrapped up in a beautifully drab 1970’s package.
Read MoreBook Review: Film Noir: The Directors by Alain Silver and James Ursini
Essays on 30 of the most influential film noir directors of all time.
Read MoreDazed and Confused Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: An Authentic, Evocative Slice of Life
“You just gotta keep on livin’, man. L-I-V-I-N.” – Wooderson
Read MoreWar Horse Blu-ray Combo Pack Review: Worth Watching Though Poorly Paced
At times, I was more interested in watching Spielberg talk about “War Horse” rather than watching it.
Read MoreBeing Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey Is the Pick of the Week
The too-cute fuzzy red guy gets his own movie.
Read MoreSinners and Saints (2010) Movie Review: What Was I Thinking?
You’re supposed to be laughing with the sinners instead of crying with the saints, not just laughing at the plot line.
Read MoreAnn Arbor Film Festival 2012 Review: Palaces of Pity and THX 1138
Films that don’t quite fit anywhere else.
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