Archive for December 2016
Book Review: Only the Dead Know Burbank by Bradford Tatum
A literary display of the origins of horror in film, harkening back to terrors from our past.
Read MoreSnowden DVD Review: Joseph Gordon Levitt’s Performance is a Fun Thing to Watch
Oliver Stone plays it straight with the surprisingly subtle, subdued, and nuanced docu-drama Snowden.
Read MoreHellraiser: The Scarlet Box Trilogy Blu-ray Review: A Puzzle Box Worth Solving
This box has such sights to show you.
Read MoreMoby Dick (1956) Blu-ray Review: A Newly Restored Whale of a Tale
Twilight Time brings us the most famous filmic Melville adaptation of all, lovingly restored to match the original theatrical presentation.
Read MoreAmerican Masters: By Sidney Lumet Review: See the Master in a New Light
An engrossing and thoughtfully revealing portrait of an American cinema master.
Read MoreMan of the World: The Peter Green Story DVD Review
An often fascinating, but equally frustrating study of the guitarist and songwriter, once spoken of in the same breath as guitar-Gods like Clapton, Page, and Hendrix.
Read MoreSnowden Is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us Oliver Stone’s take on a whistleblower, Ethan Hawke committing violence, teenagers cruising around the country, and more.
Read MoreTwilight Time Presents: A Quartet of Quirky Killers
Susan Hayward, Anthony Perkins, Tony Curtis, and Shelley Winters commit killer performances in this assortment of murderous movies.
Read MoreBook Review: The Complete Dick Tracy, Volume 20: 1961-1962 by Chester Gould
Gould’s writing over the 18 months collected here is entertaining and the art remains first rate.
Read MoreAmerican Honey Blu-ray Review: Director Andrea Arnold Takes Kids on the Road
A cross-country road movie that will either be held up as a treatise to the restlessness of youth or tossed off as pointlessly boring.
Read MoreBob Hope: Hope for the Holidays DVD Review: Pop-culture Relics from a Bygone Era
This disc should be enjoyed by fans of Hope and the era as well as those curious about both.
Read MoreHeart of a Dog Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Moving Meditation from a Singular Artist
Laurie Anderson’s essay film sees her moving comfortably between abstractions and personal revelations.
Read MoreBook Review: The Blacklist: Elizabeth Keen’s Dossier by Tara Bennett and Paul Terry: A Reminder of the Show’s Original Vision
One of the finest and most detailed companion books that I have ever seen.
Read MoreBook Review: Star Trek: 50 Artists 50 Years
A big book with only a few memorable art pieces.
Read MoreChad Derdowski Chooses to Answer Questions about ‘Fortune Favors the Bold’
“[It] is not a parody because it is a fantasy/sword n’ sorcery book – but maybe it’s safe to say that it gently teases those genres a bit.” – Chad Derdowski
Read MoreBook Review: The Art and Making of The Flash by Abbie Bernstein
It feels like a special feature found on a Blu-ray or DVD.
Read MoreCreepshow 2 Blu-ray Review: Stick to the Original
I’d been better off not remembering this thing exists.
Read MoreBook Review: To Pixar and Beyond by Lawrence Levy: Surprisingly Accessible Financial Memoir
The engaging and detailed story about the business strategies surrounding Pixar’s IPO.
Read MoreThe Autopsy of Jane Doe Movie Review: Contains a Lot to be Recommend
Terrifically thrilling first half is marred by too many genre cliches in its back end.
Read MoreFinding Dory Blu-ray Combo Review: You Will Believe an Octopus Can Drive
An entertaining film though it suffers from similarities to its predecessor.
Read MoreMoby Dick (1930) DVD Review: The Version You Never Thought Possible
For those of you who think they know Dick, the WAC salutes you.
Read MoreThe Search for Weng Weng DVD Review: The Height of the World’s Shortest Star
Filipino cinema’s least-likely leading man was only 2-foot 9-inches tall, but his appeal to cult cinema aficionados is immeasurable.
Read MoreHitchcock/Truffaut Is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us a documentary about an influential book, a true life film about a pilot, some horror films, a remake, and more.
Read MoreRogue One: A Star Wars Story Movie Review: The Rebels Strike Back
A special-effects wonder filled with good action; however, the plot is not well thought out.
Read MoreStrange and Unusual Christmas Films DVD Review: I Am in Hell, Help Me
Alpha Video compiles a selection of creepy shorts guaranteed to leave your mattress well soiled.
Read MoreFathom Events Presents Spirited Away: 15th Anniversary
The re-release of the Miyazaki classic just breathes on the big screen.
Read MoreTime After Time (1979) Blu-ray Review: And Now for Something Completely Different
Nicholas Meyer’s quirky sci-fi classic ‒ wherein Jack the Ripper and H.G. Wells travel through time ‒ gets a much-needed makeover from the Warner Archive Collection.
Read MoreThe Quiet Earth Blu-ray Review: A Brilliant Take on the Last-Man-on-Earth Scenario
One of the most beautifully ambiguous science fiction masterworks of the 1980s.
Read MoreThe Secret Life of Pets Blu-ray Review: Too Simple?
It fails to rise above the barrier separating the good from the iconic.
Read MoreJennifer Lopez: Dance Again DVD Review: An Interesting Glimpse into Life on the Road
If you’re a fan of Jennifer Lopez, then this is a DVD worth having.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: The Walking Dead: “Hearts Still Beating”
“Jesus and Daryl were on the screen at the same time…was, quite possibly, the best 15 seconds in The Walking Dead’s history.” – Kim
Read MoreBody Snatchers (1993) Blu-ray Review: Uneven, But Not Unnecessary
The Warner Archive Collection dusts off filmdom’s oddest pod people Invasion yet.
Read MoreMiss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children Is the Pick of the Week
This week features Tim Burton’s latest, Ridley Scott’s son, zombies, never-before-seen Star Trek, and more.
Read MoreLittle Men (2016) DVD Review: An Amazing Film About People and Their Live
A minimalist but sharply observed depiction of friendship and family turmoil in modern New York.
Read MoreMichael Collins / Man in the Wilderness Blu-rays Review: Super Heroes
The Warner Archive Collection brings us both a legendary man and a man of legend in these two High-Def offerings.
Read MoreThe Driller Killer Blu-ray Review: If Looking for a Routine Slasher Film, Look Elsewhere
A misunderstood cult masterpiece of late ’70s New York urban squalor.
Read More808 Movie Review: All About That Bass
Documentary about the Roland TR-808 drum machine explores its indelible contributions to modern music.
Read MoreComic Book Review: Motor Crush #1 by Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr
Batgirl of Burnside creative team now releases Motor Crush from Image Comics.
Read MoreThe Right Stuff (30th Anniversary Edition) Blu-ray Review: A Real Superhero Movie
A marvelous look at the men who risked their lives to make the impossible possible.
Read MoreDirector Matthew Ross Talks Low Budgets and Big Stars with “Frank & Lola”
Director Matthew Ross talks about making his directorial debut with the romantic drama Frank & Lola.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: The Walking Dead: “Sing Me A Song”
“‘It’s going to be hard to watch.’ – Negan warning us a little too late into the episode.” – Shawn
Read MoreLone Wolf and Cub Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Manga Comes to Life
Chanbara film series is aided by the screenwriting of the manga series creator, Kazuo Koike.
Read MoreFrank & Lola Movie Review: Not Your Average Love Story
First-time director Matthew Ross proves he’s someone to keep watching.
Read MoreJason Bourne Is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us a new Bourne movie, a couple of Criterions, Mad Max in black and white and more.
Read MoreAFI Fest 2016 Review: Mifune: The Last Samurai: A Wonderful Remembrance
A straightforward biography that reveals little more than the story of the man’s life.
Read MoreKristen’s Book Club for December 2016
What’s worth reading this month?
Read MorePete’s Dragon (2016) Blu-ray Review: A Fine Film If You Simply Change the Name
I would recommend ignoring the title and viewing it as a completely new movie featuring a dragon.
Read MoreTV Review: Legends of Tomorrow: ‘Invasion!’
The Sentries’ responses are mixed.
Read MoreC.H.U.D. (1984) Blu-ray Review: The A-List B-Grade Latchkey Monster Flick
Arrow Video’s two-disc Limited Edition release of this ’80s horror flick is worth crawling through a mutant-infested sewer for.
Read MoreTV Review: Arrow: ‘Invasion!’
“Tell Felicity this isn’t ‘the Best. Team-up. Ever.'” – Gordon S. Miller
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