Archive for October 2012
Flight Movie Review: Robert Zemeckis and Denzel Washington Soar, Script Crashes
Robert Zemeckis returns to live-action direction in a heavy drama with a light script.
Read MoreNazi Collaborators DVD Review: A Worthy Addition to any WWII Buff’s Library
A disturbing, yet fascinating perspective on Nazi collaborators.
Read MoreTouch: The Complete First Season DVD Review: A Complex, Entertaining Supernatural Thriller
Does being alone in the universe unite us?
Read MoreCopper: Season One Blu-ray Review: Dodge This Bullet
BBC America’s first original scripted series misses the mark in spite of the stellar track record of its creative execs.
Read MoreSesame Street: Old School Volume 3 DVD Review: Reliving the Sunny Days of Childhood
The newest batch of episodes, taken from 1979-1984, offers adult fans a selection of memorable episodes that are equally fun and bittersweet.
Read MoreCircle Jerks: My Career as a Jerk DVD Review: A Wonderful Documentary
David Markey’s film about one of L.A.’s most seminal punk bands.
Read MoreAlfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection Is the Pick of the Week
The Master of Suspense gets a big boxed set on Blu-ray.
Read MoreAlcatraz: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review: More Mysterious Mystical Crap from J.J. Abrams
More fodder for my ever-worsening mental condition.
Read MoreThe Game (1997) Criterion Collection DVD Review: Edgy and Uneven, But It Grows on You
Lesson learned: never accept a gift from Sean Penn.
Read MoreDirty Dancing: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition Album Review: You Can Own It
A new package celebrates 25 years since the film–and its memorable songs–first entered popular culture.
Read MoreSound of My Voice Blu-ray Review: A Taut, Controlled Thriller
Brit Marling demands your attention in this transfixing suspense film about a basement cult.
Read MoreReview: If You Like Quentin Tarantino… by Katherine Rife
A handy compendium of many of the obscure films Tarantino has championed over the years.
Read MoreTake This Waltz DVD Review: Not as Good as the Trailer
Though I’m glad I saw the actual movie, I can’t say it is entertaining or satisfying.
Read MoreComic Book Review: Bob Howard, Plumber of the Unknown Issue #4 by Rafael Nieves and Dan Dougherty
An homage to classic horror, pulp, and supernatural tales that’s absolutely worth your time.
Read MoreThe Black Tulip (2010) Movie Review: A Cluttered, Lumbering, Simplistic Mess
It may be tempting to give the picture a pass based on its subject matter and purity of heart, but as a film it is little better than the most rudimentary and manipulative of Hollywood’s dreck.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Ambassadors of Death DVD Review: A Hugely Convoluted Story
The Third Doctor encounters aliens from Mars who may not have come in peace.
Read MoreNarrow Escapes of World War II DVD Review: A Great Series
“The only new things in the world is the history you don’t know” – Harry S. Truman
Read MoreThe Walking Dead Video Game Review: A Scary Good Time
Well-written video game jettisons familiar characters in favor of a new cast and new situations set in the same vicinity of the original property.
Read MoreThe Slut Movie Review: A Provoking but Detached Film from Israel
Hagar Ben-Asher commits mind, body and soul.
Read MoreThe Robert Mitchum Film Collection DVD Review: A Gallant Line-up of Shamelessly Repackaged Releases
Any actor who shares the same name as my deodorant is A-OK in my book.
Read MoreQuantum of Solace Movie Review: A Rebooted James Bond Takes Two Steps Backward
After the game-changing Casino Royale, Marc Forster fell back on tired old tropes in Quantum of Solace.
Read MoreLes Visiteurs du Soir Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Medieval Tale of Love and Fate
As God said to Cain: “If you want to cast people into the deepest depths of despair, send in a couple of French folks.”
Read MoreKingdom: Season One DVD Review: No Treasure Here
Stephen Fry is charming as a country solicitor, but his show is a snooze.
Read MoreThe Ballad of Genesis and Lady Jaye DVD Review: Should be Titled Plastic Surgery Disasters
A flawed, yet ultimately moving account of the “pandrogynous” couple.
Read MoreThe Ice House (1997) DVD Review: A Twisty Mystery Sporting a Young James Bond
What’s that, guv’nah? A good British mystery movie? I say!
Read MoreBlade Runner 30th Anniversary Collector’s Edition Is the Pick of the Week
I’m not a huge fan of the film but this is a tremendous boxed set.
Read MoreBeatles Stories DVD Review: Tales Even Hardcore Beatles Fans May Not Know
Captivating hearsay delivered by Beatles fans for Beatles fans.
Read MoreThe Raven (2012) Blu-ray Review: Quoth the Reviewer, Worth Watching
For fans of murder mysteries and John Cusack.
Read MoreCure for Pain: The Mark Sandman Story Movie Review: An Enlightening Documentary
A look at the legacy of a man and his music.
Read MoreTurn Me On, Dammit! Movie Review: Ghost World with a Libido
An honest portrayal of girls during the awkward teenage years.
Read MoreCasino Royale (2006) Movie Review: James Bond Gets a Reboot in a Remake and It’s Remarkable
After a long slump, everybody’s favorite super spy comes back in style.
Read MorePeople Like Us (2012) Blu-ray Review: Wait, This Isn’t the Sequel to Spies Like Us
A movie that doesn’t live up to its title: I don’t like these people at all!
Read MoreBook Review: Classic Hollywood Style by Caroline Young
A rich, fetching collection that offers plenty of substance with its style.
Read MoreThe League: The Complete Season Three DVD Review: The Best Season Thus Far
A raunchy comedy about the three Fs: friends and fantasy football.
Read MoreIn the Mood for Love Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: An Astonishing Meditation on Longing
“Feelings can creep up just like that.”
Read MoreBest of Bond…James Bond: 50 Years – 50 Tracks Review: An Outstanding Collection
A wonderful set containing timeless theme songs and intense incidental music as well.
Read MoreHappiness is…Peanuts: Go Snoopy Go! DVD Review: It’s Mildly Entertaining, Charlie Brown
Charlie Brown and the gang are ready to play ball, but this collection of Peanuts shorts is not all fun and games.
Read MoreChernobyl Diaries Blu-ray Review: A Radioactive Turd
What may have sounded like an interesting premise on paper ended up as an absolute mess by the time it hit the screen.
Read MoreThe Face of Fu Manchu DVD Review: Obey Fu Manchu or Hey, Nice Moustache!
The forces of evil may be very much alive, but this film is not.
Read MoreDown in the Flood DVD Review: Bob Dylan and the Band Examined in New Documentary
Don’t think twice, this film is more than alright.
Read MoreBait 3D (2012) Blu-ray Review: Sharks in a Supermarket
This shark is even more dangerous roaming the aisles of a grocery store than I am.
Read MoreAlcatraz: The Complete Series DVD Review: Lost on the Rock
Bogged down in a confusing sea of pretension.
Read MoreThe War Room Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Peek Behind the Campaign Curtain
It’s The Criterion Collection, stupid.
Read MoreThe Forgiveness of Blood Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Nik Full of Angst
Joshua Marston’s first full film since Maria Full of Grace explores an Albanian blood feud and its impact on a teen boy.
Read MoreOne Bright Shining Moment Movie Review: What Made George McGovern Run
An insightful documentary that examines the candidacy of Senator George McGovern sans gonzo journalism.
Read MoreOctober Baby DVD Review: Pro-Life Christian Propaganda from a Hate Group
Wake me up when October ends.
Read MoreConfessions of an Opium Eater DVD Review: Would You Like a Side of Beef, or a Side of Man?
Casting Vincent Price as a “good guy” action hero is a sure sign of drug use itself.
Read MoreMoonrise Kingdom Blu-ray Review: Love in the Time of Eccentricity
Wes Anderson’s unmistakably heavy-handed style threatens but fails to derail innocent love story.
Read More12 Angry Men Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Guilty of Being a Great Film
This edition will make you one happy person.
Read MoreMad Men: Season Five Is the Pick of the Week
Not my favorite season of the show, but still a darn good one.
Read MoreG.I. JOE: Renegades: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: It Seems You Can, In Fact, Go Home Again
This take on the franchise atones for the sins of the live-action movie, takes a nomadic approach to character introduction, and tells a much-needed mature and interesting story along the way.
Read MoreEating Raoul Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Equal Parts High Camp and Urbane Comedy of Manners
Paul Bartel’s little-known 1982 film is a truly unique comedy.
Read MoreCinderella (1950) Diamond Edition Blu-ray Review: Sparkles Like a Glass Slipper in the Moonlight
It’s a must-own, particularly for those who don’t own the previous DVD edition.
Read MoreBrave New World with Stephen Hawking DVD Review: The Hunt for Humanity’s Next Great Leap Forward
An examination of the modern technological breakthroughs that promise a “brave new world” for humankind.
Read MoreThe Raven (2012) Blu-ray Review: A Miscast Muddle
“A long agony.”
Read MoreThe Sorcerers DVD Review: Old Folks Supply Old School Horror
If films like this are your sort of thing, it will make a great addition to your collection.
Read MoreChildren of Paradise Criterion Collection DVD Review: The Film is Paradise
Love is simple.
Read MoreTight DVD Review: Can Porn Stars Become Rock Stars?
Just as shallow as porn, but with far fewer sexy bits.
Read MoreDie Another Day Movie Review: The Epitome of 007’s Descent into Dumb Action Tropes
Pierce Brosnan’s final outing as Bond makes it clear why the franchise desperately needed a reboot.
Read MoreEating Raoul Criterion Collection DVD Review: A Biting Social Satire
Paul & Mary’s Country Kitchen is open for business.
Read MoreChillers (1987) DVD Review: Generic Grape Juice Does Not Fine Wine Make
A cheapo horror film gets an equally cheapo DVD release.
Read MoreThe World Is Not Enough Movie Review: This Bond Is Not Enough
Michael Apted’s misstep.
Read MoreHow I Met Your Mother: The Complete Season 7 The Ducky Tie Edition DVD Review: A Not-Too-Ugly Duckling
Though the show has already jumped the shark, its buoyant cast keeps this ducky afloat.
Read MoreJohn Cusack Alludes to Say Anything at Peter Gabriel’s Hollywood Bowl Concert
Lloyd Dobler lives!
Read MoreDoctor Who: Vengeance on Varos Special Edition DVD Review: The Doctor Prescribes Death
There are enough good moments to make up for the flaws.
Read MoreAmerican Horror Story: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: Incredibly Watchable and Well Crafted
The Shining meets Peyton Place in a combination of creativity and cliche.
Read MorePrometheus Is the Pick of the Week
I’ve avoided the spoilers and now I’m ready to watch Ridley Scott’s prequel to Alien.
Read MoreNew Girl: The Complete First Season DVD Review: Nothing New to See Here
A formulaic sitcom that hinges entirely on Deschanel’s “adorkable” appeal.
Read MoreGive Up Tomorrow DVD Review: A Story That Needs to be Watched and Shared
“In the face of injustice, no one is safe.”
Read MorePeter Gabriel: Secret World Live Blu-ray Review: An Impressive Combination of Music and Visuals
Gabriel is a phenomenal musician/performer and this document proves it.
Read MoreWaterloo Road: Series 1 DVD Review: The Headmaster Ritual
The marketing blurb’s most popular drama series; seems a bit farfetched based on this uninspired material.
Read MoreDesperate Housewives: The Complete Eighth and Final Season DVD Review: End of Days on Wisteria Lane
A winner on many fronts.
Read MoreTomorrow Never Dies Movie Review: Enter The Dragon
The addition of martial arts star Michelle Yeoh kickstarts the franchise and breaks the mold of the typical Bond girl.
Read MoreRock of Ages Blu-ray Review: Overstuffed Rock That Lasts Ages
“Oh, the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on”; Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey.
Read MoreProduced by George Martin Blu-ray Review: A Stroll Down Melody Lane with Britain’s Most Lauded Music Maker
Record producer George Martin talks wartime, music school, comedy records, The Beatles, and beyond.
Read MoreHoly Flying Circus Blu-ray Review: A Docudrama in the Style of Monty Python
While it doesn’t approach the inspired lunacy of the Pythons, this fitfully successful film is still worth a look.
Read MoreGoldenEye Movie Review: The Best, Though Most Conservative, Modern James Bond Film
Pierce Brosnan’s debut is the last Bond movie to really feel like a Bond movie.
Read MoreJoseph Campbell: Mythos: The Complete Series DVD Review: ‘The One Great Story of Mankind’
His lecture series is a fascinating examination of the evolution of mythology and the archetypes that define us.
Read MoreHomeland: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: Intriguing Premise and Great Acting Defeated by Terrible Writing
The season offers great moments, which is likely why the bad ones deliver such disappointment.
Read MoreUniversal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection Is the Pick of the Week
All the classic Universal monster movies in one box.
Read MoreLicence to Kill Movie Review: Reconsidering the Revoking
This is a different kind of James Bond, and that’s a good thing.
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