Archive for January 2014
Book Review: Captain Midnight: Volume 1: On the Run by Joshua Williamson and Fernando Dagnino
Little-known superhero gains new life at Dark Horse Comics.
Read MoreVera: Set 3 DVD Review: Great Scenery, Plenty of Murders
Vera: Set 3 is a well-made, well-drawn series that would make an excellent part of anyone’s mystery set.
Read MoreAgatha Christie’s The Queen of Crime Collection DVD Review: No Poirot, but Plenty of Madcap Amateur Sleuths in this Fun Set
These films should keep Christie and British mystery fans entertained, too.
Read MoreWolverine Versus Sabertooth DVD Review: Not the Best There Is at What Loeb Does
Jeph Loeb’s underwhelming return to Marvel goes nowhere and isn’t helped by Bianchi’s polarizing art.
Read MoreDallas Buyers Club Is the Pick of the Week
A recipe for my Pick of the Week.
Read MoreThe Long Day Closes Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Terence Davies’ Personal Vision of Liverpool
The Long Day Closes is consequently a series of recollections, opaquely linked over a relatively short period of time in the director’s life.
Read MoreSnow Babies DVD Review: A Look at the Challenges Baby Animals Face in Life’s First Year
The harsh reality of life for baby animals in some of the world’s coldest climates.
Read MorePenguins: Spy In The Huddle DVD Review: A Look at a Penguin’s Life from the Inside
A penguin’s eye view of the lifecycle of these remarkable birds.
Read MoreTerminator Anthology Blu-ray Review: An Unstoppable Franchise
If you don’t own any Terminator Blu-rays, this set is for you.
Read MoreConcert Review: The History of the Eagles, The Forum, Inglewood, CA, 01/22/14
“The History of The Eagles” finds the band performing songs from their impressive collection at a high level.
Read MoreLa vie de bohème Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Aki Kaurismäki Does Tragedy and Comedy Equally Well
Finnish great Aki Kaurismäki spins his tonally flexible take on Paris bohemian life.
Read MoreTop of the Lake DVD Review: Top of My Best of 2014 List
A well-made, atmospheric, beautiful series from Jane Campion.
Read MoreNever Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy Blu-ray Review: A Must-Own for Any Nightmare Fan
The definitive behind-the-scenes for the Nightmare franchise gets the HD treatment.
Read MoreBlue Jasmine Is the Pick of the Week
I pretty much make all of his new releases my Pick of the Week.
Read MoreThe Doors: R-Evolution Blu-ray Review: Your Eyes Can See Them
The program for this evening will be not new to longtime fans, but that doesn’t make the collection any less entertaining.
Read MoreArcher: The Complete Fourth Season Four Blu-ray Review: Laugh Another Day
Archer remains one of the top comedies in my book, so this release is a must-own alongside the previous three seasons.
Read MoreBook Review: The Wrong Quarry by Max Allan Collins
Max Allan Collins’ latest is a thrilling send-up of the grittiest pulp paperbacks.
Read MoreThe Blue Eyes Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Review: Another Strong Entry in the JG Thirlwell Catalog
JG Thirlwell’s “chamber soundtrack” for The Blue Eyes bodes well for the supernatural thriller.
Read MoreEnough Said Blu-ray Review: A Sweet, Realistic Romantic Comedy
A lovely portrait of real characters with real problems played realistically.
Read MoreSesame Street: Be a Good Sport DVD Review: Fun and Education for Babies (and Adults Too)
Over two hours worth of sketches that are sure to keep any ankle biter enthralled.
Read MoreInside Llewyn Davis Movie Review: At Least It Got One Oscar
This movie feels more traditional, but with enough of that Coen brothers charm to keep their diehards happy.
Read MoreFamily Guy: Volume Twelve DVD Review: More of the Crass, Vulgar, and Childish Humor We’ve All Come to Enjoy
Most importantly, it’ll make you laugh.
Read MoreParadise: Hope: Seidl Concludes His Trilogy with Grace
There is a sensitivity to Paradise: Hope that concludes the series beautifully.
Read MoreRunner Runner Blu-ray Review: I Fold
The smart bet is not to watch.
Read MoreMaidentrip Movie Review: A Journey of Both Personal and Historical Significance
A trip worth taking.
Read MoreThe World’s End Movie Review: Cheers!
A fitting capper to the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy.
Read More20 Feet from Stardom DVD Review: An Essential Addition to Any Music Fan’s Library
This riveting documentary shines a deserved spotlight on the most unknown MVPs in rock and soul music.
Read MoreCharlie Countryman DVD Review: Confused Romance / Neo-Noir Mashup
Shia LaBeouf hurtles through a few days of danger, drugs, and debauchery; his almost-believable romance with Evan Rachel Wood doesn’t redeem this mess of a movie.
Read MoreTV Review: Archer: “White Elephant”
Archer Vice!
Read MoreFruitvale Station Blu-ray Review: As Emotional As If It Happened Yesterday
The shocking death of Oscar Grant is reenacted tragically and reverently by debut director Ryan Coogler.
Read MoreRififi Is the Pick of the Week
Because it features one of the most tense, carefully crafted scenes in all of cinema.
Read More20 Feet from Stardom Blu-ray Review: The Year’s Best Documentary Appreciates Music’s Unsung Ladies
20 Feet From Stardom is still a long way to fame in this beautiful documentary devoted to the ladies of music.
Read MoreMilius Movie Review: The Director Who Wanted to be a General
Milius documents the rise and fall of raconteur and Hollywood rebel John Milius.
Read MoreThe Fifth Estate (2013) Blu-ray Review: When Tension Becomes Tedious
(aka ‘The Anti-Social Network’.)
Read MoreBook Review: The Filmmaker Says: Quotes, Quips, and Words of Wisdom, compiled & edited by Jamie Thompson Stern
A great read for those intrigued by those who make films intriguing.
Read MoreBirth of the Living Dead DVD Review: An Entertaining Documentary
The documentary Birth of the Living Dead examines the evolution of the granddaddy of zombie films, Night of the Living Dead.
Read MoreThe Golden Voyage of Sinbad (1973) / Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977) / Royal Flash (1975) Blu-rays Review: A Vintage Hero and a Classic Cad
Twilight Time brings us the last of a Harryhausen trio and the only entry from a proposed series.
Read MoreTV Review: The Good Wife: ‘The Decision Tree’ & ‘Goliath and David’
Still one of TV’s best shows, but midway through season five there are ominous signs of future shark-jumping.
Read MoreTop of the Lake Is the Pick of the Week
Apologies for those who love their rednecked water-fowl, and foul-mouthed animated spies.
Read MoreBook Review: Grimm: Aunt Marie’s Book of Lore: A Novel Idea for a Very Limited Audience
A nice idea for the fans.
Read MoreThe Following: The Complete First Season Review: Dark and Truly Horrifying
For those that enjoy intense thrillers and being scared, the first season of The Following is not to be missed.
Read MoreBook Review: The Mayor of MacDougal Street by Dave Van Ronk
Dave Van Ronk’s fascinating memoir is the basis for the Coen Brothers new Inside Llewyn Davis film.
Read MoreBook Review: Saturday Night Live FAQ by Stephen Tropiano
Tropiano’s book will help you learn a bunch of the good stuff.
Read MoreHell Baby (Unrated) DVD Review: Destined to Be a Cult Classic
From Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon comes the best horror movie spoof in a long time.
Read MoreThe Act of Killing Movie Review: Art, Reality, and History Collide
A biting documentary casting a lens on war, genocide, and moviemaking.
Read MoreDon Jon Blu-ray Review: How Porn is Better Than Scarlett Johansson
Joseph Gordon-Levitt attempts to deal with how fantasy worlds collide with our real ones, causing untold problems and unhappiness.
Read More