July 2015 - Cinema Sentries

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation Movie Review: The Best of the Series

By Gordon S. Miller | July 31, 2015 |

Rogue Nation delivers great thrills, if you choose to accept it.

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Blu-ray Review: A Lot of Sizzle Without a Lot at Stake

By Chad Derdowski | July 31, 2015 |

A dark and gritty alternative to the bleak and dreary comics.

Every Secret Thing DVD Review: Chilling Crimes and Very Bad Parenting

By Adam Blair | July 30, 2015 |

Twisty tale of monstrous mother love wastes talents of Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks, and Dakota Fanning in downbeat police procedural.

I Am FEMEN DVD Review: Sex Sells Everything, Perhaps Even Revolutions

By Mark Buckingham | July 29, 2015 |

“Naked bodies and politics is an explosive combination.”

White God is the Pick of the Week

By Luigi Bastardo | July 28, 2015 |

Every dog has his day (And cult movie collectors will have theirs this week!)

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau is the Pick of the Week

By Davy | July 27, 2015 |

A few intriguing new releases for the fan of variety.

Cannibal Ferox Blu-ray Review: Umberto Lenzi’s Unforgiving Subgenre Swan Song

By Luigi Bastardo | July 26, 2015 |

The notorious cash-in of a craze beget by the cash-in of a cash-in makes its much-needed (?) High-Definition debut courtesy the finely deranged folks at Grindhouse Releasing.

Burying the Ex DVD Review: Joe Dante Tries to Bring His Sensibilities Back From the Dead

By Cinema Sentries | July 26, 2015 |

If you are the kind of person who watches a Dante movie waiting for the Dick Miller appearance, and then get excited when you see him, this is for you.

Cemetery Without Crosses Blu-ray Review: An Obscure French Western Gets Its Day

By Mat Brewster | July 25, 2015 |

The Good, The Bad, and the Boring.

Once a Thief (1965) DVD Review: Post-Beat America Meets the French New Wave

By Luigi Bastardo | July 25, 2015 |

The Warner Archive Collection releases an excellent, atmospheric, innovative, and gritty crime drama from yesteryear. A definite must-see.

Signpost to Murder DVD Review: Stuart Whitman Goes Loco for Joanne Woodward

By Luigi Bastardo | July 24, 2015 |

The Warner Archive Collection brings us a seldom seen psychological thriller that has trouble finding its own direction.

Slow West Blu-ray Review: Like Death, Westerns Are Universal

By Luigi Bastardo | July 23, 2015 |

German-Irish actor Michael Fassbender stars and co-produces this New Zealand-made tale from the American West, which features many a Scotsman and Aussie. How’s that for diversity?

42nd Street / Ladyhawke / Wolfen Blu-rays Review: The Musical, Magical, and Mythical

By Luigi Bastardo | July 22, 2015 |

The Warner Archive Collection brings us three classic catalogue titles out of the Standard and into the realms of High-Definition.

Wonderfully Perfect: Fathom Events and TCM Present Double Indemnity

By Mat Brewster | July 22, 2015 |

It’s a great pleasure seeing classic films on the big screen.

My Beautiful Laundrette Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Film Stands the Test of Time

By Davy | July 21, 2015 |

A ground-breakingly potent depiction of bleak social commentary.

Rush (1991) Blu-ray Review: The ’90s Drug Genre Looks Inward

By Cinema Sentries | July 20, 2015 |

A slow-burn examination of drugs and police corruption is revealed in Kino’s recent Blu-ray release.

Limelight Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Chaplin’s Coda

By Shawn Bourdo | July 20, 2015 |

Age must pass as youth enters.

What We Do in the Shadows Is the Pick of the Week

By Mat Brewster | July 20, 2015 |

Its a great week to be a horror fan.

Batman: The Television Series: The Second Season Part Two DVD Review: Back to the Batshow!

By Gordon S. Miller | July 20, 2015 |

For any Bat collector who doesn’t already have them, this is a must-own.

Shark Blu-ray Review: Swim Along with Charismatic Killers

By Mark Buckingham | July 19, 2015 |

You won’t need four rows of teeth to chew through this delicious Planet Earth appetizer.

Here Is Your Life Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: An Engrossing and Enervating Debut

By Dusty Somers | July 19, 2015 |

The first feature film from Swedish filmmaker Jan Troell has its visual merits, but it’s bogged down by a leaden narrative.

Can’t Stand Losing You: Surviving the Police DVD Review: An Inside Look at a Legendary Band

By Kit O'Toole | July 19, 2015 |

Based on Andy Summers’ memoir, the documentary reveals the rise and demise of the defining 1980s band.

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel Blu-ray Review: Not as Exotic as the First, but Still Charming

By Mat Brewster | July 19, 2015 |

Were it not for those remarkable actors even Lifetime would be embarrassed by this.

Book Review: Bravo For Adventure by Alex Toth

By Chad Derdowski | July 18, 2015 |

Bravo for Alex Toth!

Book Review: The Ultimate Woody Allen Film Companion by Jason Bailey

By Gordon S. Miller | July 17, 2015 |

It’s a book to be savored, yet it’s so good one may rush through to discover all it offers.

Stray Cats: Live at Rockpalast Review: A Great Live Concert DVD

By Darcy Staniforth | July 16, 2015 |

Two amazing Stray Cats concerts from 1981 and 1983 recorded live in Germany.

State of Grace Blu-ray Review: Characters Anchor Crime Drama Neo-Noir

By Cinema Sentries | July 16, 2015 |

Twilight Time releases this underseen 1990s noir.

’71 DVD Review: A Winning Depiction of a Losing Battle

By Michelle Prather | July 15, 2015 |

In tackling the divisive topic of The Troubles in Northern Ireland director Yann Demange blurs the boundaries of loyalty and highlights humanity.

Stray Cat Rock Blu-ray Review: Motorcycle Girl Gangs and Hippy Crime Sprees

By Kent Conrad | July 15, 2015 |

Five loosely connected Japanese exploitation movies capture the spirit, and looseness of their age.

A Newly Widened Screen, Part II: Alibis and Those Who Sympathize

By Luigi Bastardo | July 15, 2015 |

The Warner Archive Collection brings us two more titles from the early days of DVD in widescreen for the first time.

The Maltese Bippy DVD Review: Rowan and Martin Comedy is No ‘Laugh-In’ Matter

By Luigi Bastardo | July 14, 2015 |

The first and only post-fame feature-length film from the classic sketch comedy hosts is a mostly dreadful horror spoof.

Ant-Man Movie Review: Big Heroes Come in Small Packages

By Gordon S. Miller | July 13, 2015 |

An exciting heist movie, rooted in science fiction, anchored by the comic charisma of its star, Paul Rudd.

Ex Machina Is the Pick of the Week

By Mat Brewster | July 13, 2015 |

This week brings us sexy artificial intelligence, sexually transmitted haunting, boys with horses, exotic sequels and more.

Twilight Time Presents: Rebellion! Turmoil! Endless Talking!

By Luigi Bastardo | July 13, 2015 |

From the hormonally-charged historical wrongdoings of King Henry VIII to David Mamet’s acclaimed verbal diarrhea, this batch of flicks has all bases covered.

Rifftrax Live: Sharknado 2 Review – The Second One is Still Funny!

By Cinema Sentries | July 12, 2015 |

While not as raunchy as The Room, Sharknado 2 has the Rifftrax guys doing what they do best.

Sesame Street: Count on Elmo DVD Review: That’s One, Ah-Ah-Ah, Great Family DVD

By Mat Brewster | July 11, 2015 |

Don’t be a grump, a grouch or a Trump, and fall in love with Sesame Street again.

Enter the Ninja Blu-ray Review: It Is Awesome

By Cinema Sentries | July 10, 2015 |

For fans of ’80’s action / exploitation / genre films, this disc is a must-have.

Do I Sound Gay? Movie Review: Not Your Typical LGBT Documentary

By Davy | July 9, 2015 |

An often hilarious, but very timely depiction of the ‘gay voice’.

The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) Blu-ray Review: Anarchy, Sentiment, Family, Karaoke

By Critical curmudgeon | July 9, 2015 |

Takashi Miike’s surrealist musical comedy finds its way to Blu-ray thanks to Arrow Video.

Book Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 1, 1979-1981 by Stan Lee and John Romita

By Steve Geise | July 8, 2015 |

This collection provides ideal format for cohesively enjoying the long-form stories.

Society Blu-ray Review: Glorious Mess of an ’80s Horror Movie

By Kent Conrad | July 8, 2015 |

Brian Yuzna’s bizarre directorial debut is wildly uneven, but never less than fascinating.

The Killers (1946) / (1964) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: An Intriguing Double Feature

By Gordon S. Miller | July 7, 2015 |

A great opportunity to see how artists and craftsmen handle the same material and obtain different results.

Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: The Complete Series DVD Review: This Is Good Stuff

By Rons Reviews | July 7, 2015 |

This series is worthy of new recruits.

The Big Chill Is the Pick of the Week

By Mat Brewster | July 6, 2015 |

This week brings us some nostalgia via the Criterion Collection, Mick Jagger as an outlaw, two versions of a Hemingway story, the Governator battling zombies, and much more.