Gordon S. Miller

Cinema Sentries

Cream: Live at Royal Albert Hall London 2005 Blu-ray Review: I’m So Glad This Was Recorded

A great concert disc showcasing their triumphant return.

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Cinema Sentries

Book Review: Alien Vault: The Definitive Story of the Making of the Film by Ian Nathan

In space, they would hear you scream with delight.

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Take Shelter Movie Review: Preparing for the Storm

A compelling family drama anchored by Michael Shannon’s captivating performance.

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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Buy the Disc, Take the Ride

Highly recommended for Thompson fans and mildly recommended for Gilliam fans.

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Cinema Sentries

Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 1 DVD Review: A Study in Animation

A great collections of shorts that shows the company developing its talent and techniques.

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Killer Elite Movie Review: Better Than Expected

A little bit of effort in writing the story goes a long way in making an entertaining movie.

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The Hustler (1961) Blu-ray Review: This Disc is a Born Winner

“I’m Eddie Felson. I shoot straight pool.”

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X-Men: First Class Blu-ray Review: Arguably the Best of the Film Franchise

The merry mutants go back to their beginnings.

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Topsy-Turvy Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: It Is the Very Model of a Modern-Day Blu-ray Release

Mike Leigh’s marvelous look back at Gilbert and Sullivan.

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Blow Out Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Hearing Is Believing

Brian De Palma delivers the goods with this political thriller.

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D23 Expo 2011: Walt Disney Studios Upcoming Live-Action Releases

Based on audience reaction, The Muppets and The Avengers are what Expo attendees are most excited about.

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D23 Expo 2011: Walt Disney Studios Upcoming Animated Releases

Sneak Peeks of Brave and Wreck-It Ralph were the highlights.

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Cinema Sentries

The Mikado Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Dated but Has its Charms

An enjoyable melding of opera and film that offers a glimpse back in time at the sitcom of its day.

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Cinema Sentries

Laws of Gravity DVD Review: Scorsese’s Mean Streets Did It Before and Did It Better

Writer/director Nick Gomez does nothing new or memorable with this familiar material.

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes Presents the Rise of a New Franchise

Andy Serkis as Caesar and the CGI work by Weta Digital are the film’s highlights.

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Book Review: Joe Simon: My Life in Comics

A great look at the comic book industry from the inside.

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Cinema Sentries

Planet of the Apes (1968) Blu-ray Review: A Franchise Started with a “Smile”

You’ll want to get your stinking paws on this one.

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Fantastic Mr. Fox Blu-ray Review: A Whimsical Tale About a Quirky Family

Fantastic Mr. Fox is a very charming and inventive film.

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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Movie Review: A Ripping Yarn for Adults

Set sail with Team Zissou as soon as you are able.

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Cinema Sentries

Have a Laugh! Volume 3 and 4 DVD Review: Samplers of Disney’s Animated Stars

The series introduces classic Disney cartoons to young children.

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Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Ultimate Edition Blu-ray Review

Harry, Ron, and Hermione deal with the external forces working for Lord Voldemort and the internal ones associated with growing up.

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Movie Review: Why So Sirius?

Plenty of characterization and plot developments keep the viewer’s interest.

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Movie Review: Mysteries and a Riddle

Though frequently derided as the least favorite film in the franchise, it does contain some magic.

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Au revoir les enfants Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Louis Malle’s Remembrance of Things Past

Another valuable WWII-inspired entry in the Criterion Collection.

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Game Review: Scene It? – Harry Potter 2nd Edition

Discontinued fun for the whole family.

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X2: X-Men United Movie Review: Good on Many Levels

A wonderful, action-packed thrill ride that at the same time presents us with character development and an intelligent plot.

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Cinema Sentries

American: The Bill Hicks Story Blu-ray Review: Only the Ruthlessly Funny Die Young

There aren’t now and haven’t been many comedians like Bill Hicks.

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Tombstone Blu-ray Review: An Okay Movie About the O.K. Corral

Tombstone comes across like an average Hollywood production with both good and bad elements that don’t offer much to love or hate.

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The Aviator Movie Review: An Interesting Biography Set During an Interesting Time in America’s History

As the film illustrates Howard Hughes’ crews striving towards perfection to meet his vision, that same level of dedication and determination is matched by Scorsese’s crews in the creation of his vision.

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The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Movie Review: Stunning Visuals Can’t Save an Unsatisfying Story

Even though a Terry Gilliam misfire has more going for it than most less-talented directors’ successes, I can’t recommend it.

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The Comancheros Blu-ray Review: The Duke Doesn’t Abide Bad Guys

“It would break my heart if I had to put a bullet in your back.” – Capt. Jake Cutter

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Daredevil (2003) Review: A Good Action Movie but Nothing Special

It’s just a piece of Action Meringue Pie, tasty at the time yet leaving you empty and unfulfilled in a matter of minutes.

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Saturday Night Live: The Complete First Season DVD Review: How It Started

After Johnny Carson’s request that NBC stop airing Best of Carson on the weekends, the network wanted to fill the gap with a 90-minute variety show. Former Laugh-In writer Lorne Michaels was hired to run the show and the rest is television history, but how many people actually know the entire history? The Not Ready…

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Nirvana: Sliver – The Best of the Box Album Review

It is really good to hear Cobain’s artistic growth over the years, but I’m not sure for whom the album is meant.

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Cinema Sentries

True Grit (2010) Blu-ray Review: Fill Your Hand With It

The high standards set by True Grit the film have been maintained by those responsible for creating the Blu-ray.

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The Triplets of Belleville Movie Review: One Wild, Weird Ride

This film will do well with people who enjoy animation and foreign films.

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Spartacus 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review: A Good Movie, but a Disappointing Blu-ray

A good, swords-and-sandals epic from the latter stage of the classic Hollywood era.

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Platoon Blu-ray Review: A Balanced, Realistic Portrayal of War

“Somebody once wrote: ‘Hell is the impossibility of reason.’ That’s what this place feels like. Hell.” – Pvt. Chris Taylor

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Gladiator (2000) Movie Review: Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend Ridley Scott Your Eyes and Ears

If one seeks a movie about good triumphing over evil, Gladiator is your champion.

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Drive Angry DVD Review: Watch Disappointed

I wish the Accountant had taken this back to Hell before I saw it.

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M*A*S*H Blu-ray Review: A Brilliant Military Farce

The bits of comedic insanity are separated by the insanity of war.

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The Times of Harvey Milk Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: History in the Making

An outstanding documentary that presents an important chapter in the United States civil rights movement.

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My Last Movie Before the Rapture

It’s too late and would be disingenuous to start pandering now.

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Pirates of Tortuga DVD Review: A Love Story at its Core

Fans of Classic Hollywood spectacles should enjoy this romantic tale.

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A High Wind in Jamaica DVD Review: This Children’s Pirate Adventure Blows

An action film starring Coburn and Quinn sounds good on paper. Unfortunately, that’s not what this movie contains.

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