Archive for July 2012
Muddy Waters & The Rolling Stones: Live at the Checkerboard Lounge Chicago 1981 Review: The Students Join the Teacher On Stage
Blues and rock titans collide in a Chicago club.
Read MoreLouie: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review: Don’t Believe the Hype
If you’re curious, there’s enough to make the show worth sampling.
Read MoreSix Pack Annie DVD Review: Southern Fried and Scantily Clad
More double entendres than in the entire eight-year run of Three’s Company.
Read MoreMichael Wood’s Story of England DVD Review: 2,000 Years of Tales from Kibworth
Michael Wood and the residents of Kibworth investigate the village’s rich history from the ground up.
Read MoreMetropolitan Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Two Decades Later, I Still Don’t Get It
More than 20 years after its theatrical release, it’s just as alien and off-putting as ever.
Read MoreThe Grand Illusion Is the Pick of the Week
Jean Renoir’s classic war film gets a digital makeover.
Read MoreThe Deer Hunter Blu-ray Review: The Portrayal of the Characters Seems Odd
Aside from its signature scene, the film doesn’t hold up.
Read MorePink Floyd: The Story of Wish You Were Here Blu-ray Review: Their Musical Talents Shine On
The story of Pink Floyd’s classic album of absence and disillusionment.
Read MoreStone Temple Pilots: Alive in the Windy City Blu-ray Review: They Still Deliver
STP rock a packed Riviera Theatre.
Read MoreClaudia DVD Review: She’ll Steal Your Heart and Mock You For It
A snapshot of a young bride who must come to terms with real life in the 1940s.
Read MoreThey Came to Blow up America DVD Review: A Propaganda Piece Through and Through
A fictionalized tale of a truly frightening Nazi black-op.
Read MoreKasabian Live!: Live at the O2 Blu-ray Review: A Spirited Performance
British indie rockers deliver their first Blu-ray.
Read MoreDuran Duran: Live 2011: A Diamond in the Mind Blu-ray Review: They’ve Lost Nothing to Time
The ’80s MTV poster boys are still going strong 30 years later.
Read MoreThe Three Stooges: Rare Treasures from the Columbia Pictures Vault DVD Review: An Excellent Collection of Odds and Ends
A release that definitely lives up to its name.
Read MoreRings on Her Fingers DVD Review: A Perfect Fit for Screwball Comedy Fans
Take another bite of The Lady Eve’s apple with this entertaining knock-off of the Sturges classic.
Read MoreWrath of the Titans (2012) Blu-ray Review: Wrath of the Critic
Sequel nobody wanted proves to be just as hapless as its predecessor.
Read MoreMadame Bovary (2000) DVD Review: An Erotic Take on an Erotic Classic
BBC’s second take on Gustave Flaubert’s classic is a sexy stunner.
Read MoreThe Disco Exorcist Movie Review: A Strangely Entertaining Highlight Reel of ’70s Cliches
Not for everyone, but fans of cheesy horror comedy should give it a chance.
Read MoreThe Last Days of Disco Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Witty Look at the End of an Era
Whit Stillman’s hilarious, perceptive film offers a genuine look at the bygone past.
Read MoreThe Last Days of Disco Is the Pick of the Week
I’m hoping my memory of this movie holds up after ten years.
Read MoreThe Dark Knight Movie Review: Raised the Bar on What Superhero Movies Can Be
There is something to please everyone.
Read MoreVan der Graaf Generator: Live at the Metropolis Studios, London Review: Who Doesn’t Love the Prog?
The ’70s proggers feature new and old material in concert.
Read MoreLove Is News DVD Review: The News Is Good
A charming romantic comedy starring Tyrone Power and Loretta Young.
Read MoreSan Diego Comic-Con 2012: Firefly Panel
Want to see what happened at this popular panel?
Read MoreDon’t Go See A Movie This Weekend
Sounds crazy, I know, but hear me out.
Read MoreMidsomer Murders: Set 20 Blu-ray Review: Crime and Bemusement in the English Countryside
Retiring star John Nettles is the best reason to watch these uninspired mysteries.
Read MoreSpin a Dark Web [aka Soho Incident] DVD Review: Forgotten British Film Noir
Ever wonder where both Bernard Fox and Ken Adam got their start?
Read MoreHere (2011) DVD Review: The Story Is Still Asleep
Of map-making and charting the human heart.
Read MoreMirror Mirror (2012) Blu-ray Review: Please, Make It Stop!
Julia Roberts delivers yet another god-awful performance in this abysmal comedy.
Read MoreBill Nelson and the Gentlemen Rocketeers: Live at the Metropolis Studios, London Review: An Electrifying Set Spanning Nelson’s 40-Year Career
The guitar hero has made a welcome return with this DVD/CD combo concert package.
Read MoreWilfred: The Complete First Season DVD Review: Thank You, Australian Television
I’m not sure if I’m supposed to love it or loathe it.
Read MoreMondo Bastardo: Spaghetti, Sleaze, and Mysteries
Luigi Bastardo takes a look at six recent Blu-ray releases guaranteed to either delight or degrade.
Read MoreTransformers: Prime: One Shall Stand DVD Review: The Good Outweighs the Mediocre
Not a strong thumbs-up, but it is definitely a solid one.
Read MoreThe House on Garibaldi Street DVD Review: Primetime TV Nazi Hunters
The man who captured Eichmann before Arliss Howard.
Read MoreLEGO Ninjago Masters of Spinjitzu: Season One DVD Review: A Fun but Lightweight Extended Toy Commercial
Show serves as a marketing vehicle for successful Ninjago toy line but fails to serve as serious entertainment.
Read MoreChariots of Fire Blu-ray Review: A Fine Presentation for an Overrated Film
The 1981 Best Picture winner isn’t an all-time classic, but it remains a worthwhile film.
Read MoreAlice: The Complete First Season DVD Review: Three Broke Girls in Search of a Voice
She may not live here anymore, but were glad she’s back for a visit.
Read MoreThe Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan: The Complete Series DVD Review: Wham-Bam, They’re in a Jam!
Keye Luke’s elevation to the character of Charlie Chan hits DVD via the Warner Archive.
Read MoreA Necessary Death DVD Review: How Do You Film Someone Who Wants to Kill Themselves?
Well presented with likable characters, not quite as shocking as expected, but with welcome twists along the way.
Read MoreElmo’s Magic Numbers DVD Review: 1-2-3 with Elmo, Max, Zoe, and Will Arnett
The Sesame Street gang adds their two cents on the subject of math.
Read MoreSingin’ in the Rain: 60th Anniversary Edition Is the Pick of the Week
One of the greatest American musicals ever made gets a Blu-ray release, and it’s not the only Hollywood classic to get a high-def upgrade this week.
Read MoreThe Sinking of the Laconia DVD Review: A Top-Notch BBC Program
A fascinating dramatization of a lesser-known, yet incredible incident during World War II.
Read MoreResurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles Movie Review: An Intriguing Documentary about a Decades-Long Mystery
Jon Foy uses beautiful artwork and well-placed music to draw you in.
Read MoreThe Outside Man (1972) DVD Review: A Contemplative Mob Thriller
French and American cinematic sensibilities come together in this enjoyable crime film.
Read MoreSingin’ in the Rain from TCM and Fathom Events: Still Making ’em Laugh in Theaters 60 Years Later
What a glorious feelin’, as the beloved 1952 musical comedy returns to theaters for one day only.
Read MoreLancelot Link: Secret Chimp Special Collector’s Edition DVD Review: The Monkey Who Came in from the Cold
Presenting all 17 episodes of simian silliness.
Read MoreThin Ice (2011) / The Convincer Blu-ray Review: Greg Kinnear and Alan Arkin Reunite
“Don’t be surprised when a crack in the ice appears under your feet.”
Read MoreJimi Plays Berkeley DVD Review: Flawed but Fascinating
A near-riot ensues outside while Hendrix blazes onstage.
Read MoreThe Samurai Trilogy Criterion Collection DVD Review: Mifune in His Physical Prime
Director Hiroshi Inagaki and acting legend Toshiro Mifune combine to tell the epic story of folk hero Musashi Miyamoto.
Read MoreDoctor Who: Death to the Daleks DVD Review: A Very Suspenseful Story
A temporary truce between the Doctor and the Daleks fuels this serial.
Read MoreMuddy Waters & the Rolling Stones: Live at the Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago 1981 Is the Pick of the Week
The great bluesman and the popular rock ‘n’ rollers played one
memorable night together.
American Reunion Blu-ray Review: Reunited and It Feels So Good
The American Pie gang reconvene to celebrate their 13th high school reunion.
Read MoreDoc Martin Series 5 DVD Review: Baby Makes Three, Doesn’t Spoil the Chemistry
The good doctor and the rest of his neighbors in Portwenn continue to produce a charming show.
Read MoreBook Review: If You Like The Terminator, Here Are Over 200 Movies, TV Shows, and Other Oddities That You Will Love by Scott Von Doviak
A handy digest of the best sci-fi over the past 110 years.
Read MoreTR!CK2TER: Bringing Options to San Diego During Comic-Con
An interview with Anita Coulter about TR!CKSTER and the art of setting up shop.
Read MoreDuran Duran: A Diamond in the Mind: Live 2011 Blu-ray Review: A Virtually Flawless Live Performance
An influential veteran act shows how to make an audience swoon.
Read MoreLAFF 2012 Review: A Band Called Death Rises from Obscurity
An overlooked proto-punk band from the 1970s is rediscovered.
Read MoreOutlaw Trail DVD Review: The Trails Blazers Save the Day (Again)
Another enjoyably bad brain-dead b-western from Monogram Pictures.
Read MoreThis Is Civilization DVD Review: Examining the Controversial Role of Art in Civilization
A powerful study of mankind’s development through the centuries.
Read MoreCinema Summary: My Summer Movies of 2012
A sampling of what Hollywood had to offer over the summer.
Read MoreG.I. JOE: A Real American Hero Series 2, Season 2 DVD Review: No, Joe!
This cartoon broke my heart.
Read MoreJohn Lee Hooker: Cook with the Hook: Live in 1974 DVD Review: It’ll Serve You Right to Watch This
Long-lost concert film reappears on DVD.
Read MoreWomen in Danger: 1950s Thrillers DVD Review: Highly Recommended
If you love classic noir, this is a must-have.
Read MoreZombieland Movie Review: Remember the Rules and You’ll Be Fine
Comedy and horror don’t always mix, but when you get the alchemy right it’s really gory good fun.
Read MoreIn Their Own Words DVD Review: A Great Treat for History Buffs
The best and brightest minds of the 20th Century from the BBC Archives.
Read MoreThe Pirate Movie Is the Pick of the Week
In an incredibly lackluster week, nostalgia wins.
Read MoreThe Lord of the Rings Motion Picture Trilogy (Theatrical Edition) Blu-ray Review: Many Fans Will be Disappointed in This Product
A wonderful, intelligent adventure but the extras are limite and Fellowship’s video is disappointing.
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