Archive for August 2017
The Lion King (The Circle of Life Edition) Blu-ray Review: Don’t Wait to Own It
Well worth having in one’s Disney video collection, but there’s no need to double dip.
Read MoreKilling Hasselhoff (2016) DVD Review: The Stoner Comedy of the Year
Ken Jeong and David Hasselhoff cast-off amid a wave of improv comics and washed-up cameos in this vulgar, strangely enjoyable guilty pleasure.
Read MoreThe Quiet American (1958) Blu-ray Review: Silent, but Deadly?
Twilight Time gives the overlooked Americanized version of Graham Greene’s bestseller an opportunity to speak up and be accounted for.
Read MoreThe Valachi Papers (1972) Blu-ray Review: Pulp Non-Fiction
Twilight Time gives us a chance to tear into an underappreciated European Charles Bronson mafia flick from James Bond pioneer Terence Young.
Read MoreRe-Animator Limited Edition Blu-ray Review: Blood, Boobs, and Fun
Arrow Video’s remastered version of this cult classic is loaded with extras, making it a must-have for fans.
Read MoreBatman and Harley Quinn Blu-ray Review: Poison, But Not the Ivy Kind
Bruce Timm disrespects his Harley Quinn creation in this sophomoric travesty.
Read MoreGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Blu-ray Review: Family Matters
There is no doubt how well the HD presentation succeeds.
Read MoreErik the Conqueror (1961) Blu-ray Review: Bava Gets Epical
Arrow Video brings us Mario Bava’s unique Italian take on American ‘Vikings’ in this stellar BD/DVD combo release.
Read MoreSnake in the Eagle’s Shadow / Drunken Master (1978) Blu-ray Review: A Whole Loaf of Kung Fu
Twilight Time breaks out one of its most unusual releases yet with this double-feature of classic Jackie Chan kung fu flicks in HD.
Read MoreBatman and Harley Quinn Is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us two series from DC, plus pirates, rippers, and spies with flowered underwear.
Read MoreThe Creep Behind the Camera / The Creeping Terror Blu-ray Review: Creepshots, Redefined
Synapse Films releases a docudrama about one of cinema’s most inept movies, along with a new 2K scan of the original creature feature.
Read MoreWizard World Chicago 2017 Review: A Pretty Good Show
I came, I saw, and in the grand geek tradition, I had a great time but still complained about it online.
Read MoreVarieté (1925) Blu-ray Review: The Spice of Life
Kino Lorber releases a restored look at a visually stunning masterpiece from the German Silent Era.
Read MoreFathom Events and GKIDS Present Castle in the Sky
The first Studio Ghibli film is a delight for all ages.
Read MoreSid & Nancy Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: They Did It Their Way
It’s hard to care about Sid and Nancy when they care so little about themselves and those around them.
Read MoreThe Accidental Tourist (1988) Blu-ray Review: Good Grief
Lawrence Kasdan’s powerfully therapeutic film starring William Hurt and an Oscar-winning Geena Davis hits BD thanks to the Warner Archive Collection.
Read MoreThe Zodiac Killer DVD Review: To Catch a Killer…Or Not
It seems the idea behind the making of The Zodiac Killer all along was to actually catch him.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and a Solar Eclipse
Cool things this week include new trailers for Suburbicon and the Punisher, plus Hopscotch, Married to the Mob, and The Love of a Woman.
Read MoreThe Wheeler Dealers (1963) Blu-ray Review: It’d Be Funnier If It Weren’t So Damn True
The Warner Archive Collection deals us a vintage James Garner/Lee Remick screwball comedy that hits a little too close to reality today.
Read MoreSpencer’s Mountain (1963) Blu-ray Review: Good Morning, Johnboy
Henry Fonda, Maureen O’Hara, and James MacArthur inspire everything from each other to TV shows in this classic family drama from Warner Archive Collection.
Read MoreThe Love of a Woman Blu-ray Review: Old Movie, Modern Themes
A simple story told really well.
Read MoreBrutal Tales of Chivalry (1965) Blu-ray Review: Who Says Chivalry Is Dead?
The one and only Ken Takakura shows those young upstarts how to do it in this early yakuza offering from Toei and Twilight Time.
Read MoreEffects (1980) Blu-ray Review: Gonzo-Style Meta Horror
AGFA gives Dusty Nelson’s directorial debut a nice Blu-ray upgrade.
Read MoreThe Man in the Moon (1991) Blu-ray Review: Wither Mulligan and Witherspoon
Twilight Time brings us Robert Mulligan’s famous final film, featuring a dynamic debut from young Reese Witherspoon.
Read MoreHow to Be a Latin Lover Blu-ray Review: Doesn’t Know What It Wants to Be
A sharper focus on being either an adult comedy or a family comedy could have led to better results.
Read MoreThe Slayer Blu-ray Review: Definitely Not Buffy
Obscure ’80s horror has more in common with European films than your typical slasher flick, but never quite manages to terrify.
Read MoreThe Manchurian Candidate (1962) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Assassination, She Wrote
A captivating Cold War political thriller that resonates stronger today than it has in years.
Read MoreAsh vs Evil Dead: The Complete Second Season Is the Pick of the Week
A very full week brings us superhero galore, zombies, Deadites, punks, and much more.
Read MoreThe Stone Killer (1973) Blu-ray Review: Another Winner Starring Charles Bronson
Michael Winner’s overlooked third collaboration with the iconic stone-faced action hero gets the HD treatment from Twilight Time.
Read MoreSociety Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray Review: Body Horror at Its Best
No matter what they paid “Screaming” Mad George for the practical horror effects, they got their money’s worth.
Read MoreRiverdale: The Complete First Season DVD Review: An Entertaining Guilty Pleasure
A provocative, creepy and sinister version of 90210 with a murder mystery thrown in.
Read MoreWho’ll Stop the Rain (1978) Blu-ray Review: Drugs, Not Hugs
Director Karel Reisz lends a lot of Creedence to this grim and gloomy tale of Dog Soldiers running amok, recently released to Blu-ray from Twilight Time.
Read MoreInferno (1953) 3D/2D Blu-ray Review: Survival of the Richest
The line between film noir and technicolor melodrama is finely drawn in the sand, as this must-see Twilight Time offering proves.
Read MoreYear of the Comet (1992) Blu-ray Review: It’s Twilight Wine Time
Peter Yates’ unintentionally hilarious adventure tale will make you want to join a wine club and beat him over the head with it.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and Crimetown
This week’s cool things include Star Wars, the 50th anniversary of a classic, a Norwegian crime novel, and more.
Read MoreHopscotch Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Matthau Supremacy
Matthau plays a disgruntled spy out for comedic payback against his boss.
Read MoreBook Review: The Art and Making of Kong: Skull Island by Simon Ward
Recommended for the impressive art it showcases.
Read MoreThe Bureau: Season Three Review: Prestige TV From France
Similar to The Wire, but with terrorists.
Read MoreRonin (1998) Blu-ray Review: Welcome Back to Cinematic Reality, Kids
Arrow Video revives John Frankenheimer’s criminally neglected late ’90s gritty crime thriller via a beautiful, all-new 4K scan.
Read MoreAfter the Storm (2016) Blu-ray Review: Human Drama is Equally Sad, Sweet
Japanese director Kore-Eda continues career-long streak of touching, humorous and very human dramas.
Read MoreBook Review: The Complete Steve Canyon, Volume 7: 1959-1960 by Milton Caniff
Another entertaining installment of adventure comic strips and another impressive showcase for Caniff’s skills.
Read MoreThe Carol Burnett Show: The Best of Harvey Korman DVD Review: Mother Marcus is Missing!
Ultimately, there is more material here without Korman than with him.
Read MoreAlien: Covenant Is the Pick of the Week
This week’s new Blu-ray releases include the new Alien film, an update on old Archie, a couple of Criterions, and more.
Read MoreFathom Events Presents TCM Big Screen Classics: Bonnie and Clyde
Don’t miss your chance to see this classic film on its 50th anniversary on the big screen.
Read MoreKung Fu Yoga Blu-ray Review: Jackie Chan Channels His Inner Indiana Jones
Overall, it’s entertaining to watch, the girls are beautiful, and the Bollywood ending was fun.
Read MoreThe Zodiac Killer (1971) Blu-ray Review: Trap Them and Thrill Them
The American Film Genre Archive teams up with Something Weird Video to bring us a quintessential slice of sleazy ’70s exploitation filmmaking, paired with a second, rarely-seen serial killer flick.
Read MoreBlackenstein (1973) Blu-ray Review: Withstanding the Tests of Taste and Time Alike
Severin Films and Vinegar Syndrome team up to bring us a certifiable guilty pleasure, which is probably most famous due to the unsolved murder of its creator.
Read MoreProtocol DVD Review: Goldie Hawn Comedy Too Light-hearted for Its Own Good
For fans who like Goldie being Goldie, she takes part in mildly amusing antics.
Read MoreJane’s Addiction: Ritual De Lo Habitual – Alive at Twenty-Five Blu-ray Review: Thank You, Boys
An enjoyable look back at a classic album.
Read MoreStormy Monday (1988) Blu-ray Review: Young Sean Bean Learns How to Make It Sting
Mike Figgis’ impressive feature film debut ‒ also starring Melanie Griffith and Tommy Lee Jones ‒ returns to razzle, dazzle, and jazzle thanks to Arrow Video.
Read MoreDirector Mickey Lemle on His New Film, The Last Dalai Lama?
Lemle discusses his intimate portrait of what is on the heart and mind of His Holiness the Dalai Lama at 80 years old.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and a New Cat
This week’s five cool things include an atomic Charlize Theron, Christopher Nolan’s war film, a haunted house, and more.
Read MoreBook Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 4, 1983-1984 by Stan Lee, Fred Kida, and Floro Dery
The creative trio do their best to elevate uninspired plots contributed by Marvel’s bullpen.
Read MoreIn This Corner of the World Movie Review: Daily Life in Wartime
A personal perspective on war is shown in this anime about a daydreaming house-wife’s life in Japan in WWII.
Read MoreEagles of Death Metal: I Love You All the Time: Live at the Olympia in Paris DVD Review
Dedicated to victims of terrorism all around the world, the band marks a triumphant return to France with this concert.
Read MoreWarlock Collection Blu-ray Review: Satan’s Son Starts Franchise
Collects the three loosely connected movies in the Warlock series: one good, one weird, one dreadful.
Read MoreThe Transfiguration DVD Review: A Boy Walks Home Alone at Night
A boy obsessed with vampires starts to act like one in this grim coming-of-age drama.
Read MoreThe Breaking Point Is the Pick of the Week
A pretty light week brings us an Ernest Hemingway adaptation, an Arthurian legend from Guy Ritchie, and more.
Read MoreBook Review: Wonder Woman: The Art and Making of the Film by Sharon Gosling
Like the film, this book is warm and inviting, strong and bold, and pretty damn awesome.
Read MoreThe Intruder (1975) Blu-ray Review: A Lost Regional Horror Film Comes Home to Slay
After 42 years of obscurity, the lost ’70s proto-slasher ‒ complete with marquee value guest stars Mickey Rooney, Yvonne De Carlo, and Ted Cassidy ‒ finally gets a chance to see the night.
Read MorePretty Little Liars: The Complete Seventh and Final Season DVD Review
A show with countless plot holes, farfetched storylines, and unrealistic wardrobes – PLL worked, and worked well.
Read MoreWho’s Crazy? (1966) Blu-ray Review: Come for the Jazz, Stay for It!
Kino Lorber presents this lost avant-garde sensory orgy, featuring actors from the Living Theatre and music by The Ornette Coleman Trio.
Read MoreGrateful Dead 2017 Meet-Up at the Movies: RFK Stadium, Wash. D.C. – 07/12/89 Review
Another enjoyable night seeing the Dead come back to life.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and Glacier National Park
After a nice vacation, I’m back with five cool things.
Read MoreBeyond the Darkness (Buio Omega) Blu-ray Review: She’s a Real Doll
Get stuffed as Severin Films proves a dynamic HD master can make even Joe D’Amato’s most notorious schlocker look sharp and polished.
Read MorePulse (2001) Blu-ray Review: Loneliness Is Hell
Japanese horror doesn’t so much scare, but fills you with unnamed dread.
Read MoreRe-Animator Limited Edition Blu-ray Review: One of Horror’s Truly Finest Films
Arrow pulls out all the stops for an all-time horror classic.
Read MoreGoing in Style (2017) Blu-ray Review: Entertainment to Pass the Time
The main cast members are appealing even though their talents aren’t being fully utilized.
Read MoreBook Review: Aliens: Bug Hunt, Edited by Jonathan Maberry
A nice collection of napalm-spewing, acid-spraying, high-flying, skin-crawling, face-hugging critters that marines want to shoot, and The Company wants to domesticate.
Read MoreThe Circle Blu-ray Review: An Interesting Idea with Poor Execution
Just because you have a good cast, it’s no guarantee that you will have a good film.
Read MoreThe 100: The Complete Fourth Season DVD Review: It’s the End of the World As We Know It
This season returned to the survivalist nature of the first two seasons while seamlessly mixing in the science-fiction aspect.
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