Archive for May 2016
The Naked Island Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Picture is Worth a Thousand Words
Japanese film explores the travails of a poor farming family without the use of dialogue.
Read MoreThe Assassin (2015) Blu-ray Review: Mesmerizingly Beautiful, Maddeningly Obtuse
Hsiao Hsien Hou won Best Director at Cannes for this gorgeous, but largely plotless and completely unsatisfying historical drama.
Read MoreWim Wenders: The Road Trilogy Is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us three films from Wim Wenders, a human tornado, a city of women, a blood bath and much more.
Read MoreCarol + 2: The Original Queens of Comedy DVD Review: A Look into a Kinder, Gentler Era
Iconic comediennes Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball star in the 1966 TV special, which gives viewers a glimpse of what to expect a year later on The Carol Burnett Show.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: Fear the Walking Dead: “Shiva”
“An amalgam of all of the crap rolled in to one last hurrah before getting a break.” – Kim
Read MoreKiller Dames: Two Gothic Chillers by Emilio Miraglia Blu-ray Review
Arrow Video creates another fantastic set featuring two Italian giallo films.
Read MoreBlood Bath (1966) Blu-ray Review: Alternately Bloody Good and Awfully Bad Stuff
Arrow Video brings us the ultimate release of the Roger Corman horror film best known for its bizarre and convoluted production history.
Read MoreGrateful Dead 2016 Meet-Up at the Movies: Sullivan Stadium, MA – 07/02/89 Review
It was so good I am already anticipating next year’s event.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: Preacher: “Pilot”
An above average start to what looks like a fun series with people blowing up.
Read MoreHired to Kill Blu-ray Review: The A-Team’s Project Runway
An awesome action movie premise suffers from lack of any real interesting characters.
Read MoreKiller Dames: Two Gothic Chillers is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us a couple of Italian horrors, Jesus, a midwife, and Scott Baio using magic to look up girls skirts.
Read MoreMajor Crimes: The Complete Fourth Season DVD Review: The Series Found Its Groove
Season four was unique because the last five episodes followed one story arc.
Read MoreEisenstein in Guanajuato DVD Review: An Ode to Stuff
Greenaway tackles Sergei Eisenstein with no shortage of chaotic passion.
Read MoreBook Review: Hollywood Cafe: Coffee with the Stars by Steven Rea
A coffee table book about coffee and the stars who drink it.
Read MoreOutlaw Gangster VIP: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Review: It Don’t Feel Good To Be a Gangster
Obscure Japanese films from the 1960s get an excellent release.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: Fear the Walking Dead: “Sicut Cervus”
“I didn’t get enough Nick to make me happy and I can’t bring myself to even say it was a mediocre episode.” – Shawn
Read MoreThe Zero Boys Blu-ray Review: A Thrill-less Thriller
Nico Mastorakis’ cult horror-action movie does nothing with an interesting premise, gets great Blu-ray release anyway.
Read MoreThe Witch is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us an acclaimed horror, some women in prison, a dirty grandpa and much more.
Read MoreBook Review: Pinocchio: The Making of the Disney Epic by J.B. Kaufman
No lie. This is a great book.
Read MoreWhen Everything is WAC: A Visual Buffet from the Warner Archive
From one of Lucille Ball’s first big roles, to one of John Carradine’s last, this assortment of odds and ends from the Warner Archive Collection has it all.
Read MoreBook Review: Firefly: The Gorramn Shiniest Dictionary and Phrasebook in the ‘Verse
Perfect for linguists and show fans alike.
Read MoreJustice League: The New Frontier DVD Review: An Adventure Worth Exploring
Good, superhero fun, but it noticeably falls short of the greatness it strives for.
Read MoreThe Witch Blu-ray Review: An Incredibly Spooky Descent into Gothic Madness
A chillingly original depiction of Gothic horror and familial breakdown.
Read MoreDillinger (1973) Blu-ray Review: Times Were Tough, So He Got with the Times!
Arrow Video brings us John Milius’ directorial debut, featuring eager performances by Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Harry Dean Stanton, and Richard Dreyfuss.
Read MoreMacbeth (2015) Blu-ray Review: Heavy on Visuals, Light on Poetry
A new take on the Scottish Play is visually stunning, but skips a few too many of the Bard’s words.
Read MoreMoney Monster Movie Review: More Like Mediocre Monster
Jodie Foster’s latest turn as director is too little, too late.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: Fear the Walking Dead: “Captive”
“Can we have more Patsy Cline tunes in future episodes?” – Kim
Read More2016 TCM Classic Film Festival Review: Day Four
Each year, I always wonder when they will run out of great films to fill the schedule and there was no shortage again this year.
Read More2016 TCM Classic Film Festival Review: Day Three
Which film “still brings tears to [her] eyes”?
Read MoreThe Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Blu-ray Review: A Disappointing End to a Disappointing Series
The Hunger Games series concludes with a dull roar.
Read MoreDeadpool Is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us an R-rated superhero, a classic Bogart, a miniseries take on Tolstoy, and much more.
Read MoreBandits (2001) Blu-ray Review: Not As Bad As You’ve Heard
Come sleep around with the sleepover bandits.
Read MoreRifftrax Live: Time Chasers Review: The Weakest Rifftrax is Still Fun!
This ’90s cheese fest could only be elevated by our Rifftrax trio.
Read MoreThe Stuff Blu-ray Review: Once Is More Than Enough
A creature feature that would work much better today than it would back in 1985.
Read MoreBarcelona Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Innocent Imperialists Abroad
Whit Stillman’s winning romantic comedy about politics set in late Cold War Spain.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: Fear the Walking Dead: “Blood in the Streets”
Blood in the streets, Strand in the sheets.
Read More2016 TCM Classic Film Festival Review: Day One and Two
Illustrations of why I love this festival.
Read MoreEmelie Blu-ray Review: Strong Performances Elevate Generic Horror
From the Tudors to terror, actress Sarah Bolger shines as an unhinged babysitter.
Read MoreStar Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray Review: Return of the Franchise (to Great Heights)
One of the more memorable blockbusters in recent years, and the high-def presentation is a fantastic showcase for it.
Read MoreIndependence Day 20th Anniversary Edition is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us invasions, counterculture icons, Holocaust survivors, and a fancy mop.
Read MoreKristen’s Book Club for May 2016
What’s worth reading in the month of May?
Read MoreDangerous Men Blu-ray Review: Professionally, Thoroughly Terrible
A greater package than the movie itself warrants.
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