Archive for July 2013
Combat Girls DVD Review: Looking for a Place to Happen
Combat Girls works because it avoids the cliches that often sink the genre into melodramatic terrain.
Read MoreRobert Williams: Mr. Bitchin’ Movie Review: A Love Letter to the Man and His Work
A documentary about one of the greatest living artists today.
Read MoreAnnika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter: Episodes 1-3 and 4-6 Review: By-the-Book Swedish Crime Drama Needs a New Author
I found myself wishing each episode was done by about the halfway point.
Read MoreBanshee: The Complete First Season Is the Pick of the Week
I’m ready to let Cinemax show me they can make good quality original programming just like their sister channel.
Read MoreBook Review: The Greatest Bad Movies of All Time by Phil Hall
A fun read, but I wouldn’t consider it a worthy collection of reviews.
Read MoreSpotlight on San Diego Comic-Con 2013 Day Three
In which I dabble in some hip hop-related panels and a few Spotlights On.
Read More3:10 To Yuma (1957) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The High Cost of Living
Every man has a price.
Read MoreTwixt Blu-ray Review: Imagined in a Dream, Should Have Stayed in Bed
Coppola still knows how to shoot a beautiful film; it’s just too bad he’s forgotten how to write one.
Read MoreFringe: The Complete Fifth and Final Season DVD Review: Observing the End
A good wrap-up to a series.
Read MoreLaura (1944) Blu-ray Review: The Sum Is Better than Its Parts
An odd film that never really should have worked, and yet it does.
Read MoreBabette’s Feast Criterion Collection DVD Review: Eye- and Mouth-Watering Delights
An absolute must-have for any lover of film.
Read MoreThe Gangster (2012) Blu-ray Review: Ambitious but Flawed Gangland Epic
Sixties-era Thailand gangs rumble in the streets of Bangkok in The Gangster, an ambitious but flawed new film.
Read MoreTrance Is the Pick of the Week
I’m totally on board and looking forward to seeing what Boyle has in store.
Read MoreJubal Criterion Collection DVD Review: An Underrated Western Gem
A true stand-out in the genre.
Read MoreWhen Comedy Went to School Movie Review: Spends Too Much Time on Where It Went to School
Since the show business philosophy is “Leave them wanting more,” this may be a huge hit when it is released.
Read MoreLord of the Flies (1963) Criterion Collection DVD Review: Lightning Struck Twice
See it now.
Read MoreFrom the Head Movie Review: What Happens in the Bathroom, Stays in the Bathroom
Spend a little while with the unusual yet familiar psyches of strip club patrons and the man who gives them soap.
Read MoreBullet to the Head (2012) Blu-ray Review: Stallone Takes Us Back to the Past. Again.
Think of it as enjoyably brainless entertainment.
Read MoreLord of the Flies (1963) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Definitive Version of a Classic Text
The Criterion Collection adds a bevy of compelling bonus content on top of a fantastic adaptation of William Golding’s novel.
Read MoreKung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness: Good Croc, Bad Croc DVD Review: Over Two Hours of Animated Fun
A good mix of action and humor that kids should enjoy.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Doctors Revisited: First to Fourth DVD Review: The Fantastic Four
Fabulous introduction to the first four Doctors.
Read MoreThe Life of Oharu Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Mizoguchi’s Breakthrough Masterpiece
The Life of Oharu is devastating and gorgeous.
Read MoreOrphan Black: Season 1 DVD Review: Send in the Clones
I cannot recommend Orphan Black highly enough.
Read MoreOrphan Black: Season 1 Blu-ray Review: Black is the New Black
Through it all, Maslany develops thoroughly convincing and wholly independent characters.
Read MoreDio: Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986 Blu-ray Review
Executive produced by Wendy Dio, Finding the Sacred Heart documents Ronnie James Dio at the top of his game.
Read MoreSesame Street: Elmo the Musical DVD Review: Not Recommended for Adult Consumption
President Elmo. Our long national nightmare is over.
Read MoreThe Twilight Zone: The Complete Third Season DVD Review: An Epiphany
Thirty-seven episodes of one of the greatest television shows ever made.
Read MoreEvil Dead (2013) Is the Pick of the Week
Word is director Fede Alvarez took the basic story ramped up the adrenaline and gore and made a terrific, no-frills horror flick. That’s enough to get me on board.
Read MoreRobot Chicken: DC Comics Special Blu-ray Review: Aquaman’s Identity Crisis
Robot Chicken focuses on the DC Universe for laughs.
Read MoreBlood and Sand (1941) Blu-ray Review: Three-strip Technicolor Death in the Afternoon
The torrid tale of a man who dreams of single-handedly exterminating the world of its excessive amounts of male bovines.
Read MoreThe Life of Oharu Criterion Collection DVD Review: The Downward Spiral
Portrait of a Japanese woman’s gradually declining station in life takes far too long to make its entirely obvious point.
Read MoreAmerican Courtesans Movie Review: More Case Study than Documentary
A documentary about the lives of American escorts.
Read MoreThe Way, Way Back Movie Review: Visits Other Films Along the Way
Ultimately, we’ve seem similar stories told better.
Read MoreWolverine: Origin DVD Review: The Best There Is at What He Does.
An admirable job of bringing kinetic energy to the static frames.
Read MoreThe Life After Death Project DVD Review: An Academic Approach to the Afterlife
Your doubts will be challenged.
Read MorePhantom (2013) Blu-ray Review: This Submarine Story Sinks Fast
Take my advice and avoid having it sneak up on you.
Read MoreSpring Breakers Is the Pick of the Week
I don’t expect to really like the results, but I’m definitely interested.
Read MorePaul McCartney and Wings: Rockshow Blu-ray Review: Listen to What the Band Played
A great document of a memorable tour for both devoted and casual fans.
Read MoreBorgen: Season 2 DVD Review: Nothing’s Rotten in Denmark
Denmark’s first female prime minister continues to battle adversity at home and work.
Read MoreThe Matador (2005) Review: A Hitman Movie That Misses
Brosnan did the best he could getting the chance to step out of the role of James Bond. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.
Read MoreTodd & the Book of Pure Evil: The Complete Second Season DVD Review: Once More with Feeling
Second season finds the show firing on all cylinders, making its cancellation all the more baffling.
Read MoreThe Ghastly Love of Johnny X Movie Review: A Too-Hip Good Deed
Struggles under a lack of its own ideas.
Read MoreBook Review: Tarzan: The Complete Russ Manning Newspaper Strips, Volume One: 1967-1969
For fans of comics and adventure, I can’t recommend it highly enough
Read MoreLife Is Sweet Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Mike Leigh’s International Breakout
Life is sweet but it can hurt too in Mike Leigh’s tribute to family love in north London.
Read MoreStoker Blu-ray Review: A Film to Be Savored
Stoker is visually stunning and satisfied my desire for a suspenseful and thoughtful film.
Read MoreThe Guard Movie Review: When Irish Guys Are Quipping
There is enough done well to make The Guard a decent watch.
Read MoreThe House I Live In Is the Pick of the Week
It features David Simon a great deal and I’ve never been disappointed in anything he’s ever been involved with.
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