Archive for October 2017
The Ballad of Cable Hogue Blu-ray Review: A Bland Western
For its fans, Warner Archive has created a satisfying high-definition presentation with interesting extras about the movie and its director.
Read MoreThe Dark Tower Is the Pick of the Week
This week’s new releases include more horror films for Halloween, some packaged TV for Christmas, and a flopped Stephen King adaptation.
Read MoreBook Review: The Autobiography of Jean-Luc Picard, edited by David A. Goodman
It’s as if Jean-Luc Picard wrote it himself.
Read MoreNow More Than Ever: The History of Chicago DVD Review: New Documentary Paints an Incomplete Picture of the Band
While interesting, the movie lacks key voices that would have provided a multi-dimensional portrayal of the classic rock group.
Read MoreFathom Events Presents Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
The best movie musical about a flesh-eating plant from outer space hits the big screen again for a limited engagement.
Read MoreYoung Doctors in Love (1982) Blu-ray Review: Do Not Resuscitate
While the talent may have been fresh, it’s clear no one in Garry Marshall’s soap opera spoof scrubbed up first.
Read MoreFathom Events and GKIDS Present Spirited Away
Hayao Miyazaki’s Oscar-winning animated classic is a delight on the big screen.
Read MoreAvanti! Blu-ray Review: Old Hollywood Could Still Tell a Fine Story in 1972
The premise of Avanti! is simple and reminiscent of some of Billy Wilder’s best work.
Read MoreThe Princess Bride 30th Anniversary Fathom Events Review: A Fun Experience
A welcome return to the big screen after all these years.
Read MoreInnocent Blood (1992) Blu-ray Review: A Parisian Vampire in Pittsburgh
The Warner Archive Collection unveils a gorgeous new uncut transfer of John Landis’ star-studded horror/action/comedy.
Read MoreThe Honeymooners: Christmas Laughter DVD Review
No denying these episodes are entertaining, but not sure who the intended audience is for this release.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and The Square (2017)
This week’s cool things include Wonder Woman’s creator, a Hitchcock comedy, and even stranger things.
Read MoreCreep 2 Movie Review: Another Disturbing Entry into the Mind of a Lonely Murderer
Though not nearly as unnerving as its predecessor, Creep 2 carves new avenues in its look into the mind of a polite serial killer.
Read MoreDon’t Torture a Duckling (1972) Blu-ray Review: Rural Murder Italian Style
Lucio Fulci, famous for his gore and zombie films, brings his lurid vision to the Giallo.
Read MoreMansfield 66/67 Movie Review: Jayne’s Life Would Have Made a Great Reality Show
A playful, gossipy look at the not-so-unlikely pairing between publicity-seeking actress Jayne Mansfield and Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract: The Walking Dead: “Mercy”
“This was one of the most artsy-fartsy episodes I’ve ever seen on this show.” – Kim
Read MorePopcorn (1991) Blu-ray Review: Hot Buttered Death
Synapse Films turns up the heat on one of early ’90s most underrated horror movies.
Read MoreFestival (1967) Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Better Than Woodstock
Documenting the Newport Folk Festival at the height of the folk revival, Festival is a feast for music fans.
Read MoreThe Hidden (1987) Blu-ray Review: The Best Movie John Carpenter Never Made
The Warner Archive Collection proudly delivers this amazing horror/sci-fi/action/comedy hybrid starring young Kyle MacLachlan.
Read MoreBook Review: Little Orphan Annie, Volume Fourteen (1948-1950): Sunshine and Shadow by Harold Gray
A fun read for the whole family.
Read MoreThoughtful & Abstract Take on TV 2017
Learn what Shawn and Kim have been watching this year.
Read MoreThe Big Knife (1955) Blu-ray Review: Cuts Like a Life
Jack Palance, Ida Lupino, and a barely restrained Rod Steiger star in this dark exposé of ’50s Hollywood from Arrow Academy.
Read MoreGeostorm 4DX Review: If You Intend to Weather This Storm, Do It in 4DX
The visual effects are so captivating, I wouldn’t be surprised to hear the phrase “Oscar-nominated Geostorm” next year.
Read MoreThe Corpse Grinders Is the Pick of the Week
This week’s new blu-ray releases include some really terrible (and terribly awesome) looking horror, the last of the Planet of the Apes trilogy, and more.
Read MoreJustice League Action: SuperPowers Unite Season 1 Part 1 DVD Review: More Action, Less Filler
It’s like eating your dessert without having dinner.
Read MoreThe Ambassador (1984) Blu-ray Review: When Exploitation Gets Political
Kino Lorber unleashes some Cannon Films cheese starring a boozed-up Robert Mitchum and a gravely-ill Rock Hudson.
Read MoreThe Lift (1983) / Down (2001) Blu-rays Review: Same Shaft, Different Play
Blue Underground opens the doors to Dick Maas’ epically strange tale of a killer elevator, as well as his poorly-timed Americanized remake.
Read MoreAlice Cooper: Welcome to My Nightmare Special Edition DVD Review: Highly Recommended
A welcome addition to the collection of any Alice Cooper fan.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and the Tragically Hip
Cool things this week include two remakes, Grateful Deed members covering the Beatles, Italian horror, and more.
Read MoreThree O’Clock High Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review: An ’80s Classic That Too Many People Haven’t Seen
In 1986, Ferris Bueller had a day where everything just kept working out for him. A year later, Jerry Mitchell had a day where nothing seems to work out for him.
Read MoreVampyr Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Come for the Film, Stay for the Book
The film excels at creepy atmosphere, but the included source novel is the more entertaining story.
Read MoreSuddenly, Last Summer (1959) Blu-ray Review: It Happened One Time
Odd, compelling, and strangely satisfying, this unique and controversial film returns to shock contemporary audiences for entirely different reasons.
Read MoreSpider-Man: Homecoming is the Pick of the Week
This week brings us a web-crawling superhero, a couple of Criterions, some raunchy ladies, and several nice boxed sets.
Read MoreTerror in a Texas Town (1958) Blu-ray Review: Swedish Sterling Slays Slinger
One of Dalton Trumbo’s last pseudonymous screenplays before the blacklist was broken, this is a stylish Western noir.
Read MoreErnie Kovacs: Take A Good Look: The Definitive Collection DVD Review
A treat for fans of Kovacs and this era of television.
Read MoreThe Suspicious Death of a Minor Blu-ray Review: Two Genres, One Film
An oddball mix of crime drama and horror (with heavy doses of slapsstick thrown in) make for an interesting mix.
Read MoreThe House (2017) Blu-ray Review: Silly but Slight
The ensemble generates laughs, but the movie feels like watching improv actors early in the workshop phase rather than a polished product.
Read MoreThe Beguiled (2017) Blu-ray Review: Coppola Beguiles Viewers
Don’t let the period costumes scare you away; this film is a spellbinding thriller that transcends its setting.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and The Last Jedi Trailer
This week’s cool things include Italian horror, Brian De Palma horror, feminist horror, and a Jedi.
Read MoreThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson: Johnny and Friends 10-DVD Box Set Review
At nearly 29 hours, it offers a lot of laughs for fans of Carson, comedy, and classic television.
Read MoreAll the Sins of Sodom / Vibrations (1968) Blu-ray Review: The Dawn of Erotica
Film Movement has quite a pair to offer, just as all of Joe Sarno’s actresses do in this two-fer of classic sensual cinema.
Read MorePhenomena (1985) Blu-ray Review: Argento at His Most Bewildering
Synapse Films releases Il Maestro’s bizarre cult classic in three different forms, including the rare U.S. “Creepers” cut.
Read MoreA Fish Called Wanda Special Edition Blu-ray Review: Filled with Amazing Performances and Genuinely Funny Premises
Catching this new release would be a great investment for both super fan and those who are going fishing for the first time.
Read MoreBook Review: Unchained Melody: The Films of Meiko Kaji by Tom Mes
A loving, informative reading on the films of a Japanese icon.
Read MoreCertain Women Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Truly Amazing Film
A quiet, but powerful mediation on the Western crossroads and the women who inhabit them.
Read MoreMichael Jackson: Searching for Neverland DVD Review: Singer’s Final Years Explored
While the film presents a largely sympathetic portrait of the reclusive star’s last years, it never quite captures Jackson’s struggles during that period.
Read MoreThe Legend of the Holy Drinker Blu-ray Review: Alcoholism is Beautiful
Almost nothing happens at a languid pace, but Rutger Hauer’s performance is captivating.
Read MoreDavid Lynch: The Art Life Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: With Chemicals, He Points
A must own for any fans of David Lynch.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and Tom Petty
A bright end to a week that got off to a rough start.
Read MoreDon’t Torture A Duckling Blu-ray Review: Fulci Grows a Social Conscience
Gore meister makes a film with an actual plot and social commentary, results are mixed.
Read MoreThe Slayer (1982) Blu-ray Review: Marital Crisis Solved by Slayer
An idiosyncratic semi-slasher that barely got a theatrical release is finally on home video, uncut and restored.
Read MoreBook Review: The Complete Dick Tracy, Volume 22: 1964-1965 by Chester Gould
While not the best volume to be introduced to Gould’s Dick Tracy, it is entertaining and contains a lot of what made the strip a success.
Read MoreThe Bottom Line Archive Series: Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson: In Their Own Words with Vin Scelsa Album Review
The quirky and revealing Q&A, along with the impromptu performances, make this an interesting slice of rock history.
Read MoreDetective Montalbano: Episodes 29 & 30 DVD Review: More Murders, Less Fun in the Sicilian Sun
Italian crime series has grown more serious since the last time I checked it out, but it’s still entertaining.
Read MoreNew Battles Without Honor and Humanity Blu-ray Box Set Review: Movies with Honor
Director Kinji Fukasaku and star Junta Sugawara team up again for more impressive results.
Read MoreA Ghost Story Is The Pick of the Week
October is here and with it comes a slew of new horror releases.
Read MoreThe Survivalist Blu-ray Review: Very Lean, Sort of Mean, and Surprisingly Dull
This grim, post-apocalyptic thriller follows a familiar beat and then completely collapses in the third act.
Read MoreHype! Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review: The Rise and Fall of Grunge
While being a fan of the music certainly adds to the enjoyment of Hype!, it’s not required to learn the cautionary tale it tells.
Read MoreBook Review: Ghost in the Shell by Andrew Osmond
An in-depth look into the Ghost in the Shell franchise.
Read MoreA Ghost Story (2017) Blu-ray Review: A Beautiful and Tragic Tale of Loss
David Lowery’s latest is one of the year’s very best films.
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