Archive for August 2013
To the Wonder Blu-ray Review: Another Malick Masterwork
Despite what some have said, this is hardly the same old bag of tricks rehashed or a filmmaker devolving into self-parody.
Read MoreThe Accursed [aka The Traitor] (1958) DVD Review: Early Christopher Lee? Sold!
Every once in a while, something gets pried out from within cracks of time.
Read MorePost Tenebras Lux Movie Review: From Darkness to Light, From Beauty to Madness
The imagery is engaging, dreamlike, and emotionally stimulating.
Read MoreThe Twilight Zone: The Complete Fourth Season DVD Review: Charles Beaumont Is the Star of This Season
The stories are what count, and there are some great ones here.
Read MoreThe Devil’s Backbone Criterion Collection DVD Review: Hell Is for Children
“I don’t think I need a spine. It’s holding me back.” – Satan
Read MoreLove Me Tender Blu-ray Review: Introducing Elvis Presley the Actor
While not a classic western, the story delivers enough to keep it interesting, allowing the film to be more than an answer to a trivia contest.
Read MorePrime Suspect: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Review: An Excellent Series
Ought to be seen by anyone who is interested in what the medium can do and certainly is a must-see for all mystery fans.
Read MoreFrom Up on Poppy Hill Blu-ray Review: The Son Also Rises
Miyazaki Jr. proves to be an adept director on his second attempt.
Read MoreThe Great Gatsby (2013) Is the Pick of the Week
Critical reception has been mostly poor and it didn’t fair any better at the box office, but I’m still willing to give it a shot.
Read MoreRobotech 2-Movie Collection DVD Review: The Shadow Chronicles Collector’s Edition and Love Live Alive: A Robotech Sequel and A Long, Long Clip Show
For an audience interested in an entertaining experience, I can’t imagine a duller time.
Read MoreShort Term 12 Movie Review: Intimate and Secretive
The indie film you should see this weekend.
Read MoreEpic Blu-ray Review: Heart of Darkness
Dark animated fantasy demands parental attention to PG rating.
Read MoreThe World’s End Movie Review: A Perfect Blend of Action, Comedy, and Drama
In a summer saturated with sequels and remakes, The World’s End is welcome respite.
Read MoreThe Muppet Movie: The Nearly 35th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review: How Things Got Started
For the lovers, the dreamers, and you.
Read MoreJustice League: The Flashpoint Paradox Blu-ray Review: A Flash in the Pan
What should have been a showcase for the talents and entertainment value of the Scarlet Speedster lags far behind his potential.
Read MoreThe Big City Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Girl Power
Satyajit Ray’s first portrayal of contemporary Indian life reveals the impact of women in the workplace.
Read MoreBill Moyers: Faith & Reason Collection DVD Review: The Intersection of Belief and Logic
Moyers treats the topic with care, but he’s not afraid to ask questions and maintain his critical spirit, ensuring that the content is grounded in reason as much as it is in faith.
Read MoreCharulata Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Indian Film, European Sensibility
Exquisite sets, direction, and performances serve a far too predictable tale.
Read MoreBabette’s Feast Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Tale of Love, Life, and Food
A venerable banquet unto itself.
Read MoreDoctor Who: The Green Death: Special Edition DVD Review: Hello, Giant Maggots; Goodbye, Jo Grant
Katy Manning went out on a high note with The Green Death.
Read MoreDoctor Who: Spearhead From Space Blu-ray Review: New Doctor, New Everything Really
A great introduction to Pertwee’s Doctor.
Read MoreAmour Is the Pick of the Week
Amour seems much more accessible than the rest of Haneke’s work and I suspect I’ll be watching it soon
Read MoreThe Thick of It: Seasons 1-4 DVD Review: More Than Just Creative Swearing
If nothing else, you will probably pick up a few new insults to hurl at people when the time comes.
Read MoreTo Be or Not to Be (1942) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: You’ll Get a ‘Terrific Laugh’ Out of This One
Ernst Lubitsch and the Criterion Collection are a match made in comedic heaven.
Read MoreShoah Criterion Collection DVD Review: Superb Release of Haunting, Tragic Film
Criterion Collection’s release of Shoah is a superb packaging of the powerful, haunting Holocaust documentary.
Read MoreI Give It a Year (2013) Movie Review: In Which Funny People Save a So-So Story
In the age of disposable marriages, two newlyweds struggle to decide whether they can be bothered to make good on “till death do us part.”
Read MoreParadise: Love Movie Review: Ulrich Seidl’s Grim Arcadia
A hopeless motion picture.
Read MoreHatchet III Blu-ray Review: The Proper End to a Trilogy
A buckets-of-blood throwback to classic horror.
Read MoreFrank Zappa: A Token of His Extreme DVD Review: FZ TV Circa 1974
Great 1974 studio concert from Zappa and company.
Read MoreThe Mindy Project: Season One Is the Pick of the Week
The Mindy Project is very silly and has not a inch of real depth but it’s tons of fun.
Read MoreRick Moranis: My Mother’s Brisket & Other Love Songs Album Review: Mazel Tov, You Hoser!
Yes, he’s still alive.
Read MoreBook Review: The Greatest Bad Movies of All Time by Phil Hall: A Great Compendium
A great addition to the bad-movie library.
Read MoreSmiley’s People Blu-ray Review: The Man with the Olden Gun
Alec Guinness is just so, so impressive in the role, offering a master class in both subtlety and directness as he contributes a reserved and yet passionately intelligent take on le Carre’s classic character.
Read MoreThe Beasts Are on the Streets DVD Review: Live-Action Hanna-Barbera Mayhem!
The forgotten disaster flick from the famous animators finally makes its home video debut.
Read MoreThe Thin Red Line Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: An Impressive Movie
Malick’s masterpiece unfolds for the patient.
Read MoreThe Ice Storm Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Person’s Body Is His Temple
Ang Lee’s The Ice Storm is a tremendous cinematic vision.
Read MoreStrike Back: Cinemax Season Two Blu-ray Review: 21st Century Production Values, ’80s Action Sensibility
’80s action cinema made anew. Whether you find that damning, or high praise, will determine whether or not the show’s for you.
Read MoreMitchell (1975) DVD Review: Uncut, Uncensored, and Uncouth – The Way It Should Be!
Break out the Schlitz and enjoy.
Read MoreAerosmith: Rock for the Rising Sun Blu-ray Review: Any Fan Would Be Happy to Own It
Their performances are flawless and as good as they’ve ever been.
Read MoreNiagara (1953) Blu-ray Review: A Decidedly Different Marilyn
At its best, the film is a lurid noir starring Monroe in an unlikely role.
Read MoreTrance (2013) Blu-ray Review: Suspenseful and Surprising
It was a treat to see Danny Boyle return to this style of film and he didn’t disappoint.
Read MoreThe Sapphires Is the Pick of the Week
Thanks, Technology, for making me interested in films like The Sapphires.
Read MoreBus Stop (1956) Blu-ray Review: Marilyn Monroe Finally Goes to Acting School
The “too little, too late” spot on the route.
Read MoreDragons: Riders of Berk Part 1 and 2 DVDs Review: More Vikings, More Dragons
Dragons: Riders of Berk continues from How To Train Your Dragon, with more Vikings and more Dragons.
Read MorePrince Avalanche Movie Review: A Meditative Study of People
A quite, methodical exploration of man’s ability to connect with each other.
Read MoreDetective Inspector Irene Huss, Episodes 7-9 and 10-12 DVD Review: Cliched Plots, Excellent Execution
You could call it the Swedish “The Closer” if you wanted.
Read More