Archive for February 2013
Safety Not Guaranteed Movie Review: Your Mileage May Vary
If you just want a sort of coming-of-age comedy drama, Safety Not Guaranteed can fill that need for you quite well.
Read MoreSansho the Bailiff Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Ties That Bind
Director Kenji Mizoguchi’s adaptation of a classic Japanese story is actually about a family torn asunder by a political feud, and their decade-long quest to reconnect.
Read MoreChronicle of a Summer Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Fascinating Glimpse into Paris in 1960
A unique portrait of a very specific time and and a very specific place.
Read MoreThe Master (2012) Is the Pick of the Week
P.T. Anderson is one of my favorite modern filmmakers.
Read MoreI’m Now: The Story of Mudhoney DVD Review: The History of the Godfathers of Grunge
They somehow survived with their integrity intact.
Read MoreBook Review: Zero Dark Thirty: The Shooting Script Transcends the Finished Product
If you’re hoping to become a screenwriter, or just enjoy reading a good piece of writing, then grab this.
Read MoreAtlas Shrugged Part II Blu-ray Review: Critic Shrugged
Continuing adaptation of Ayn Rand’s epic novel recasts lead roles but doesn’t improve lackluster quality.
Read MoreThe Insider Blu-ray Review: An Engrossing, Troubling Thriller
Michael Mann is firing on all cylinders in his indictment of corporatization.
Read MoreThe Ballad of Narayama Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Kinoshita’s Kabuki Theatre Envisions Ubasute
This meditation on aging benefits from its theatrical style.
Read MorePhotographic Memory DVD Review: An Intriguing Essay on Images and Memory
Ross McElwee’s fractured, introspective documentary is often appealingly beguiling.
Read MoreThe Sessions Blu-ray Review: A Beautiful Story About the Desires That Make Us All Human
John Hawkes plays Mark O’Brien so well that you forget you are not actually watching a disabled actor on the screen.
Read MoreSpecial Forces (2011) DVD Review: Worth a Look if You Listen in French
Not the best of the recent crop of Desert Storm-related flicks, but not the worst either.
Read MoreGame of Thrones: The Complete Second Season Is the Pick of the Week
Season Two ventures a bit away from the source material but remains an excellent bit of fantasy television.
Read MoreOn the Road Movie Review: Whither Goest Thou, America, in Thy Shiny Car in the Night?
Sex and drugs and…jazz in On The Road. And despite all that it’s still a little tame.
Read MoreThe Descendants (2011) Movie Review: All the Award Acclaim Seems Odd
A pretty good movie, but it doesn’t really rise above that.
Read MoreMaigret (1992) Complete Collection DVD Review: Does What You Expect and with Great Satisfaction
The French detective is played by an Englishman and filmed in Budapest.
Read MoreArgo Blu-ray Review: Sealed with a Presidential Kiss
Home video release features exclusive interviews with President Carter and the actual subjects of the film.
Read MoreGirl Model DVD Review: New Faces Faced with Unglamorous Realities
Filmmakers David Redmon and Ashley Sabin reveal how swiftly the international modeling industry can chew up and spit out unsuspecting beauties.
Read MoreMy Worst Nightmare (2011) Movie Review: American Rom-Com Goes French
Anne Fontaine gleefully dives into genre clichés and comes out winning.
Read MoreSkyfall Blu-ray Review: Nobody’s Done It Better
Both Skyfall and the Blu-ray on which it appears are highly recommended.
Read MoreSlugterra: Return of the Shane Gang DVD Review: Pre-Teenage Dream
Animated series has a tired monster-battling premise but a winning art style.
Read MoreSkyfall Is the Pick of the Week
I might not be able to stream it, but I’m definitely watching Skyfall soon.
Read MoreA Liar’s Autobiography: The Untrue Story of Monty Python’s Graham Chapman DVD Review
It’s–
Read MoreThe Avengers (2012) Movie Review: A Good Action Movie
Who would have thought that bringing together a bunch of popular characters in one movie and handing the reins to a cult hero would yield such positive results?
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Reign of Terror DVD Review: Re-Animating the Doctor
The First Doctor lands the TARDIS in the middle of the French Revolution.
Read MoreHouse of Cards (UK) Trilogy Blu-ray Review: Long Live the King
Masterful political drama anchored by a mesmerizing lead performance by Ian Richardson.
Read MoreUndersea Edens DVD Review: A Marvelous Viewing Experience
For those who enjoy nature programs about nature, Undersea Edens is a great choice.
Read MoreBully (2011) Blu-ray Review: A Disappointing Approach to a Complex Issue
Simplistic and showy, this documentary leaves a lot to be desired.
Read MoreBatman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 Blu-ray Review: Supes vs. Bats, We All Win
Faithful adaptation of Frank Miller’s classic comic book delivers epic clash of the superhero titans.
Read MorePina Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Striking Elegy for an Artistic Giant
Wim Wenders’ tribute to modern dance legend Pina Bausch is gorgeous and moving.
Read More2013 Oscar-Nominated Live Action Shorts Review: From Mediocrity to Absolute Perfection
Need some help for your Oscar pool?
Read MoreFollowing Criterion Collection DVD Review: Glimpse a Genius Just Finding His Voice
Young Christopher Nolan shows off his storytelling prowess.
Read MoreThe Artist Movie Review: A Good Film, but Best Picture Worthy?
The way they decided to make the film can’t help but make it feel somewhat hollow.
Read MorePicks of the Last Three Weeks
Due to a series of unfortunate events I was unable to write about new releases for a few weeks, so I’m catching up.
Read MoreCompliance DVD Review: It’d Be Awful If It Weren’t True
This prank call goes horribly wrong.
Read MoreAfter Kony: Staging Hope DVD Review: The Play’s the Thing
A documentary that shows how theater can help heal the pains of war.
Read MoreMeskada Movie Review: Small Town Crime Drama with Less Punch Than It Could Have Had
Detective Noah Cordin goes to investigate the murder of a young boy and winds up returning to his home town – not that he’s all that welcome.
Read MorePeter Pan (1953) Diamond Edition Blu-ray Review: The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up Turns 60
An entertaining film, packed with action, memorable characters, and quality artwork.
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