Archive for October 2019
Scars of Dracula Blu-ray Review: A Bit of a Retread but Still Enjoyable
While understandably not held in high regard, there’s still some fun to be had seeing Lee back as the Count.
Read MoreRingu Blu-ray Review: One Ring That Started Them All
Arrow Video brings a new 4K restoration of this Japanese horror film that started a movement.
Read MoreLa Mala Noche (The Longest Night) Movie Review: A Dark and Gritty Experience
The film is a difficult watch, disturbing its audience with a hurting lead character and a very real crisis.
Read MoreBook Review: The Complete Dick Tracy, Volume 26: 1970-1972 by Chester Gould
While the characters and stories remained entertaining, the author’s hand was an even heavier presence during these stories.
Read MoreGodzilla: The Showa Era Films (1954-1975) Is the Pick of the Week
It’s a big week for horror films and a terrific week for Criterion fans.
Read MoreHarriet Movie Review: Cynthia Erivo Carries Slightly Formulaic Biopic
Mainly due to Erivo’s committed performance, Harriet only achieves slight greatness.
Read MoreParadise Hills Movie Review: A Beautiful, Messy Fantasy
It might be gorgeous, but it’s uneven, confusing, and swings for the fences a bit too often.
Read MoreRobin Williams: Comic Genius (5-DVD Set) Review: A Retrospective of the Brilliant Comedian
A collection that Williams fans will return to time and time again.
Read MoreScarface: The World Is Yours Limited Edition Review: Say ‘Hello’ to Your New Christmas Present
This double feature gift set is sure to make any cinephile smile.
Read MoreMountaintop Movie Review: Neil Young & Crazy Horse Reunite in ‘Colorado’
It is an inspiring delight to see these old men still with a creative drive to make new music.
Read MoreGenius Party & Genius Party Beyond Blu-ray Review: Dozen Odd Egg Japanese Animations
Twelve short films from veterans of the anime industry explore the limits of storytelling, animation, and sometimes the audience’s patience.
Read MoreWonder Woman: Bloodlines 4K Ultra HD Review: All Hail the Princess
Diana tees off against a massive array of all-female baddies in this original story.
Read MoreShampoo Criterion Collection Review: Long Hair Don’t Care
Hal Ashby teams up with Warren Beatty & Robert Towne in this ineffectual look back at 1968 L.A.
Read MoreToy Story 4 Blu-ray Review: A Toy’s Purpose
It was wonderful to have one more adventure with the Toy Story characters, and this serves as a fitting conclusion to the series.
Read MoreLa Marseillaise Blu-ray Review: Viva La Revolution!
Jean Renoir’s telling of the French Revolution is more history lesson than dramatic film, but it is well worth watching.
Read MoreWhen We Were Kings Is the Pick of the Week
A landmark documentary headlines a week of very low-brow releases.
Read MoreMy Boyfriend’s Back Blu-ray Review: A Light Comedy with Zombies
A movie so utterly light and unoffensive I can’t hate it.
Read MoreBy the Grace of God (2019) Movie Review: Shines a Spotlight on the Catholic Church Scandal
A strongly acted and skillfully directed examination of a recently-closed case.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and The Laundromat
Cool things abound this week, come inside and find them.
Read MoreAnd Soon the Darkness (Special Edition) Blu-ray Review: And Eventually the Thrills
This very slow moving British thriller takes its time getting to the action but is quite good if you have the patience.
Read MoreBy the Grace of God Movie Review: An Effectively Procedural Account of Sexual Abuse
Incredibly timely and harrowing. Just don’t call it a French “Spotlight.”
Read MoreThe Uncertainty of Indie Filmmaking: An Honest Interview with Harpoon Director Rob Grant
“If Rotterdam said no, probably no one would be watching this film.” – Rob Grant
Read MoreThe Omen Collection Is the Pick of the Week
A 1976 horror classic, it’s so-so sequels and a mostly unnecessary remake make up a new box set that tops a new week of terrific releases.
Read MoreNightmare Beach Blu-ray Review: Somebody Wake Me Up
Slasher horror meets spring break comedy in this terrible ’80s hybrid from schlock master Umberto Lenzi.
Read MoreHercules in the Haunted World Blu-ray Review: Sword & Sandals Meets Horror
Mario Bava infuses the tired Hercules film with his own sense of style, creating something unique and really fun.
Read MoreDolemite is My Name Movie Review: Eddie Murphy is Back
A dynamic and glorious return to form for star Murphy.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and Robert Forster
With Autumn come many cool things.
Read MoreMidsommar Blu-ray Review: Unsettling in Any Season
Ari Aster’s follow-up to Hereditary confirms his unique talent.
Read MoreMorituri (1965) Blu-ray Review: Hidden Naval WWII Classic
Starring Marlon Brando and Yul Brenner, Morituri is a great spy thriller beautifully shot aboard a real German frigate.
Read MoreX-Men: Dark Phoenix Blu-ray Review: Not Dark and Certainly Not Rising
It’s all fine in a “plain white toast for breakfast” sort of way. Sadly, that’s about as good as it gets.
Read MoreFantastic Fungi Movie Review: Mushrooms Are (Finally) Cool
Louie Schwartzberg’s “Fantastic Fungi” is a fascinating, story-driven documentary that makes you believe in the power of these mighty organisms.
Read MoreBlade: Original Motion Picture Score Review: Hauntingly Unclear
The score of the cult classic Blade from 1998 is getting its first LP release, and what a beautiful vinyl it is.
Read MoreThe Prey Blu-ray Review: Pray You’ll Never Have to Watch
Arrow Video does an excellent job presenting this should-have-been forgotten slasher in a very nice package.
Read MoreThe Big Fix (1978) Blu-ray Review: A Hippy Neo-noir Lament
Richard Dreyfuss is Moses Wine, a former-hippy detective whose latest case takes him back to his radical roots.
Read MoreThree Silent Classics by Josef von Sternberg Is the Pick of the Week
Von Sternberg’s classic silent trilogy rounds out a slow week of new releases.
Read MoreGosford Park Blu-ray Review: Upstairs Downstairs Sideways
Robert Altman puts his twist on an Agatha Christie murder mystery.
Read MoreJoker Movie Review: Self-Important, Nihilist Drivel
Even a committed Joaquin Phoenix can’t save this grim Scorsese clone.
Read MoreIda Lupino: Filmmaker Collection Blu-ray Review: Trailblazing
This four-disk set from Kino Lorber demonstrates what a huge talent Ida Lupino was.
Read MoreFive Cool Things and 1917
It has been a long week but I’m here (if a little late) with some cool things I discovered.
Read MoreThe Hills Have Eyes, Part 2 Blu-ray Review: Flashback City
Arrow Video does a nice job spiffing up this movie that is so bad even the director disowned it.
Read MoreRon’s Regal Unlimited Report #2: Rambo: Last Blood Is Not Worth It
John Rambo is really mad this time.
Read MoreDilili in Paris Movie Review: Michel Ocelot’s Love Letter to the City of Light
Ocelot’s distinctive voice shines through in his latest animated feature film.
Read MoreHarpoon (2019) Movie Review: A Gory, Gutsy, Giddy Voyage
Filled with blood and betrayal, Harpoon is sometimes tough to swallow, but easy to love.
Read MoreDoom Patrol: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: Seriously Weird
In a culture that seems more homogenized every day, it’s wonderful to see something completely different, which makes this well worth the watching.
Read MoreScooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island DVD Review: The Plot Is Pretty Much Contained in the Title
The Gang returns to the setting of their best film with less exciting results.
Read MoreHellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) Blu-ray Review: Same Gore, Less Story
Follow up to Hellraiser has the same aesthetic, same cast, much the same crew, but not enough story or ideas.
Read MoreHellraiser (1987) Blu-ray Review: Clive Barker’s Semi-professional Debut
An erotic and grotesque twist on a haunted house story, with an unsettling horrific vision that supersedes some film-making fumbles.
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