Archive for December 2012
Cosmopolis Is the Pick of the Week
An acclaimed director takes on an acclaimed writer’s book, and critics be damned, I’m gonna watch it.
Read MoreThe Point Definitive Collector’s Edition DVD Review: Celebrating Non-Conformity
Harry Nilsson’s fable is certainly of its era.
Read MoreThe Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series Review: These Zombies Go After Your Brain While Tugging on Your Heartstrings
You will often find yourself regretting some of the decisions you’ve made, and the game seems designed to make you do just that.
Read MoreThe Flying House Project DVD Review: A Travesty of Animated Proportions
Animator Bill Plympton’s ill-conceived “revitalization” of a Winsor McCay classic is a slap in the face to McCay’s legacy.
Read MoreBlackmore’s Night: A Knight in York DVD Review: The Most Ridiculous Real-life Spinal Tap Situation Ever
Intended for those who have drank the Blackmore’s Night Kool-Ade.
Read MoreButter (2012) DVD Review: Destiny Carves a Smooth Path
A satire of the American Heartland that also offers an emotional story about acceptance.
Read MoreThe Good Doctor Blu-ray Review: I Cannot Understate How Unexciting This Is
The story doesn’t warrant the cast it garnered.
Read MoreGandu DVD Review: A Daring Bengali Film Low on Substance
An experiment in breaking conventions that easily runs out of steam.
Read MoreTV Review: Doctor Who: The Snowmen
This year’s Christmas episode has a disappointingly lame villain but an extremely effective setup for the Doctor’s newest companion.
Read MoreFCA! 35 Tour: An Evening with Peter Frampton DVD Review: Paying Tribute to the Album That Made Him a Household Name
The legendary live album gets the anniversary treatment on this new DVD.
Read MoreQuincy, M.E.: Seasons 1 & 2 DVD Review: Lightning Strikes Twice for Jack Klugman
It makes for a good rental for fans of ’70s/’80s television.
Read MoreKiller Joe Movie Review: Gritty and Deep Fried
Star Matthew McConaughey gives a frightening performance in a film that tests your will.
Read MoreLawless Blu-ray Combo Pack Review: Rarely Reaches Above the Conventions of Its Genre
A fair piece of “Sunday afternoon and there’s not really anything else on” fare.
Read MoreOur Favorite Christmas Movies
Recommended for those who have been either naughty or nice.
Read MorePurple Noon Criterion Collection DVD Review: A Treat for the Eyes and a Test for the Nerves
Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, this tale of deception and murder made Alain Delon a star.
Read MoreThe Night of the Devils (1972) Blu-ray Review: Still Good, 40 Years Later
Serves as an example of what a horror movie can be if you replace gore and fancy effects with tension and storytelling.
Read MoreThe Hour Series 1 Blu-ray Review: Would Have Been Better at That Length
First series stretches a glacially-paced tale over six hours.
Read MoreGrindhouse Movie Review: Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarantino, and Friends Recreate the Experience
Tarantino’s well of creativity as a screenwriter has run bone dry here.
Read MoreBeasts of the Southern Wild Blu-ray Review: An Acquired Taste
Indie darling of the year is indie for a reason: it’s defiantly non-commercial.
Read MoreThis Is Not a Film Movie Review: Maybe Not a Film, but a Masterpiece Nonetheless
Under house arrest in Iran, Jafar Panahi made a defiant, playful, heart-rending piece of protest cinema and much more.
Read MoreBernie (2012) Movie Review: A Happy Film About Life, Death, and Murder
How can a film about a murder be so darn delightful?
Read MorePurple Noon Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Talented Mr. Delon
Alain Delon is a dashing, magnetic force in this early adaptation of novelist Patricia Highsmith’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley”.
Read MoreExotica Movie Review: ‘What is It About a Schoolgirl?’
Subtle, understated dealings with grief in a club full of exotic dancers is a little unexpected.
Read MoreMasters of the Universe: 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Is the Pick of the Week
By the power of Grayskull, I have the coolest He-Man boxed set ever.
Read MoreThe Yardbirds: Making Tracks DVD Review: Great Performances from the 21st Century Edition of the Band
As this set proves though, the band is not calling it a day just yet.
Read MoreJackie Brown Movie Review: Yes, This is Quentin Tarantino’s Best Movie
Despite its often little-loved status, Jackie Brown is the standout among all Tarantino films.
Read MoreThe Rolling Stones: Under Review 1975-1983 DVD Review: Focuses on First Years with Ronnie Wood
Ronnie Wood comes to the Stones’ emotional rescue.
Read MoreKill Bill Volume 1 & 2: An Artful Bloodbath
A perfect mix of dialogue and action.
Read MoreLady Antebellum: Own the Night World Tour Blu-ray Review: Fans Need This Now
Behind-the-scenes footage combines with concert performance captures this popular band.
Read MoreThe Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show: The Complete Animated Series Review: Put on a Smile and Stay for a While
These animated recreations of Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip range from hilarious to predictable.
Read MoreThe Point DVD Review: A Lesson in Tolerance
Long out of print, the restored film retains its multigenerational appeal, largely thanks to Harry Nilsson’s timeless songs.
Read MoreFinding Nemo Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Review: The Art of Letting Go
A story of love and parenthood.
Read MoreThe Qatsi Trilogy: (Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, Naqoyqatsi) Criterion Collection DVD Review: Fans Should Be Very Pleased
A true collaboration between director and musician.
Read MoreDreams of a Life Movie Review: The Tale of Joyce Vincent
How could this have happened?
Read MoreBeasts of the Southern Wild Movie Review: Magical But Hard to Swallow
Magical realism and an astounding child actress do little to elevate a non-existent plot.
Read MoreFrom Dusk Till Dawn Movie Review: Genre-hopping and Gore
“Psychos do not explode when sunlight hits them, I don’t give a fuck how crazy they are!” in the immortal words of Seth Gecko.
Read MoreThe Ultimate Buster Keaton Collection Is the Pick of the Week
A big box of silent goodness just in time for Christmas.
Read MoreThe Adventures of Mark Twain (1985) Collector’s Edition DVD Review: Still Good for Fans; An Intro to Twain for Newbies
A person who won’t watch this movie has no advantage over one who can’t watch it.
Read MoreFour Rooms: The Man From Hollywood Movie Review: Tarantino Doesn’t Do Much with It
When you come in second in a four-person race, you aren’t runner-up. You’re the best loser.
Read MoreMotorhead: The World is Ours, Vol. 2: Anyplace Crazy as Anywhere Else Review: Live at Wacken 2011 and More
Watching Motorhead perform is exciting as hell.
Read MoreTed Blu-ray Review: Pretty Damn Funny
There are a lot worse things you could do while sitting on the couch smoking pot.
Read MoreFrom Dusk Till Dawn Movie Review: Half Action Movie, Half Vampire Movie. Guess Which Half Sucks?
Tarantino and Rodriguez seemed like the perfect match.
Read MoreWagner & Me Movie Review: Stephen Fry Gets Real About His Favorite Composer
Stephen Fry attempts to find light in the darkness that shrouds Richard Wagner’s career.
Read MoreThe Simpsons: The Fifteenth Season DVD Review: Don’t Have a Cow, Man, or Any Hope That This Season Will Be Better Than the Last Five
I just can’t fathom why they can’t just spring for better, safer compartments for the actual DVDs to plug into.
Read MoreFathom Events Presents Star Trek: The Next Generation: A Season Two Celebration
An evening of fun with fellow Trekkies.
Read MoreRuby Sparks Movie Review: Not Much Spark Found in It
Ruby Sparks has some light, but ends up being a dark reiteration of tired tropes.
Read MoreIce Age: Continental Drift DVD Review: Drifting into Murky Waters
Scrat is still the star. Too bad he can’t support an entire film on his own.
Read MoreIron Sky Blu-ray Review: What Happens When Moon Nazis Tangle with Sarah Palin
The next step for the makers of Star Wreck.
Read MoreSaxon: Heavy Metal Thunder: The Movie DVD Review: About as Rock and Roll as it Gets
The story of the premier NWOBHM band.
Read MorePulp Fiction: The Five Things I Love About It
Did yours make the list, Honey Bunny?
Read MoreCall the Midwife: Season One Blu-ray Review: Call a Doctor, My Retinas Are Burned
Lushly produced UK period drama takes a nauseating look at a profession I’d prefer to ignore.
Read MoreKaijudo: Rise Of The Duel Masters: Creatures Unleashed DVD Review: Rise of the Enjoyable Merchandising Tie-In
Not in the top tier of today’s best animated series, but a worthwhile and enjoyable monster-fighting show with decent plots and artistry.
Read MoreUnforgivable Movie Review: More Turns Than a French Soap Opera
Téchiné provides unpardonable melodrama.
Read MoreTrue Romance (1993) Movie Review: The Tarantino Touch: Violence, Gore, and Humor
Sometimes the ghost of Elvis has the answer.
Read MorePaul McCartney: Live Kisses DVD Review: A Thoroughly Enjoyable Document of an Artist’s Labor of Love
The ex-Beatle uncovers some buried treasures and interprets them his own way in this deeply personal performance.
Read MoreSavages (2012) Blu-ray Review: Oliver Stone Makes a Torture Porn Flick
Guaranteed to give you a bore-gasm.
Read MoreThe Dark Knight Trilogy Is the Pick of the Week
Christopher Nolan’s Batman films get a nice boxed set.
Read MoreColor Me Obsessed: A Film About The Replacements DVD Review
The low-budget film paints a fragmented picture of a complicated post-punk band.
Read MoreThe Doors: Live at the Bowl ’68 DVD Review: It Sounds Amazing
Should manage to light the fire of every music aficionado.
Read MoreDoctor Who Series Seven, Part One Blu-ray Review: A Confusing Mess
It would probably be more advantageous to wait until the full season is released.
Read MoreBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure Blu-ray Review: A Nostalgic Look Back at the ’80s
Thirteen years later, it has endured as a fun, entertaining film.
Read MoreTrilogy of Life Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Three Films, Countless Tales
A wonderful set from Criterion Collection, encapsulating some of Pasolini’s most personal works.
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