Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg Movie Review: More than the Stones’ Muse
By Jade Blackmore |
A glimpse of what are essentially family films after the decades have passed humanizes Anita and puts the past into perspective.
Book Review: Tonechaser – Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey with Edward Van Halen by Steve Rosen
By Jade Blackmore |
Unfiltered glimpses of the man behind the music.
Book Review: Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer: The Untold Story by Jay Bergen
By Jade Blackmore |
Bergen spends most of the book describing his defense of Lennon and the fact-checking/research that went into the case.
Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché Movie Review: Her Trailblazing Music Career Is Only Part of the Story
By Jade Blackmore |
Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché examines the unorthodox life of one of punk rock’s most enigmatic figures through the eyes of her daughter.
Bob Marley and The Wailers: The Capitol Session ’73 Review: A Glimpse at the Legend on the Cusp of Fame
By Jade Blackmore |
This restored footage gives historical context and brings it into focus for those of us who weren’t around for the band’s 1970s heyday.
The Amusement Park Movie Review: George A. Romero’s Lost Film on the Horrors of Old Age
By Jade Blackmore |
It doesn’t have the gore of Romero’s pure horror films, but the psychological and emotional torment is more frightening than a momentary glimpse of blood and guts.
Tiny Tim: King for a Day Movie Review: A Poignant Look at the Quirky 1960s Star
By Jade Blackmore |
Director Johan von Sydow examines the life of the quirky, ukulele-playing singer who kept audiences laughing during the tumultuous 1960s.
Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me Movie Review
By Jade Blackmore |
The documentary reviews Stones’ guitarist Ronnie Wood’ musical career, his triumph over addiction, and his second career as a visual artist.
Suzi Q Movie Review: Looks at the Groundbreaking Career of Rocker Suzi Quatro
By Jade Blackmore |
Quatro’s success inspired the Runaways, Chrissie Hynde, and many female musicians to pursue careers in hard rock.
I’ll Never Forget You: The Last 72 Hours of Lynyrd Skynyrd DVD Review
By Jade Blackmore |
This documentary looks at the events leading up to the plane crash that claimed the lives of singer Ronnie Van Zant and five other people
Polyester Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: John Waters’ First Big-Budget Film
By Jade Blackmore |
Polyester introduced the one-time only Odorama card to offend viewers’ sense of smell as well as their sense of decorum.
Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am Movie Review: A Quiet Passion for Life, for Knowledge, and for Words
By Jade Blackmore |
The documentary examines the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s life through interviews and archival footage.
The Old Man and the Sea (1990) DVD Review: Anthony Quinn Gives an Excellent Performance
By Jade Blackmore |
Translating the 127-page novel into a film turns out to be a tough proposition, no matter who helms it.
The Quiet One Movie Review: Explores Ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman’s Life Through His Media Archives
By Jade Blackmore |
Wyman’s story is told through his extensive archive of film, photos, audio recordings and memorabilia.
Charlie Says Movie Review: The Manson Family from the Girls’ Point of View
By Jade Blackmore |
The film chronicles their descent from hippie teenagers to cold-blooded murderers brainwashed by Charles Manson.
At the Drive-In DVD Review: A Compelling David vs. Goliath Story
By Jade Blackmore |
The manager of rural Pennsylvania a drive-in and a few young film fanatics struggle to keep the theater in business by showing 35mm prints of retro films.
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood DVD Review: Sheds a Light on Hollywood’s Golden Era
By Jade Blackmore |
The documentary gives us an interesting glimpse Hollywood’s gay “underground” during the 1940s and ’50s.
The Public Image Is Rotten Movie Review: Traces the 40-year History of John Lydon and Public Image, Ltd.
By Jade Blackmore |
What makes the film engaging is the no-BS honesty of all its interviewees.
Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat Movie Review: A Look at the Creative Development of an Art Icon
By Jade Blackmore |
Sara Driver’s documentary uses archival footage and interviews with friends to retrace the artist’s creative origins on the Lower East Side.
Book Review: The Pride of the Yankees: Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper, and the Making of a Classic by Richard Sandomir
By Jade Blackmore |
A well-researched book that gives you the nuts and bolts of how one of the first major movie biopics was made.
Mansfield 66/67 Movie Review: Jayne’s Life Would Have Made a Great Reality Show
By Jade Blackmore |
A playful, gossipy look at the not-so-unlikely pairing between publicity-seeking actress Jayne Mansfield and Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey.
The Bottom Line Archive Series: Lou Reed and Kris Kristofferson: In Their Own Words with Vin Scelsa Album Review
By Jade Blackmore |
The quirky and revealing Q&A, along with the impromptu performances, make this an interesting slice of rock history.
New Orleans Music in Exile Blu-ray Review: After the Hurricane
By Jade Blackmore |
Documentary filmmaker Robert Mugge chronicles the devastation leveled on New Orleans and its musical community after Hurricane Katrina.
Carol + 2: The Original Queens of Comedy DVD Review: A Look into a Kinder, Gentler Era
By Jade Blackmore |
Iconic comediennes Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball star in the 1966 TV special, which gives viewers a glimpse of what to expect a year later on The Carol Burnett Show.
Book Review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ by Dave Thompson
By Jade Blackmore |
The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ covers everything you need to know about Frank-N-Furter and company and then some.
TV Review: American Masters: B.B. King: The Life of Riley
By Jade Blackmore |
The documentary examines the blues legend’s life and music.
Jaco DVD Review: Tribute to a Jazz Legend
By Jade Blackmore |
Jaco is a balanced and compassionate look at the legendary jazz bassist.
Frank Zappa’s Roxy: The Movie DVD Review: A Necessary Purchase for Any Zappa Fan
By Jade Blackmore |
The Wait is Over: Frank Zappa and the Mothers legendary Roxy shows revisited.
Book Review: Underground: The Subterranean Culture of DIY Punk Shows by Daniel Makagon
By Jade Blackmore |
It covers the history, and future, of backyard and basement punk-rock shows.
Book Review: Punk USA: The Rise and Fall of Lookout Records by Kevin Prested
By Jade Blackmore |
A thorough look at the rise and fall of one of the 1990s great indie labels.
The Rolling Stones: From the Vault – Hampton Coliseum (Live in 1981) Review: A Welcome Trip Back
By Jade Blackmore |
Relive the last classic Stones era in this 1981 concert film.
The Blues Magoos: Psychedelic Resurrection Album Review
By Jade Blackmore |
Psychedelic Resurrection is the first album from garage rock band the Blues Magoos in four decades.
No No: A Dockumentary Movie Review: Covers All the Bases
By Jade Blackmore |
Covers all the bases in the life of controversial pitcher Dock Ellis.
The Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story DVD Review: The Madcap’s Rise and Fall
By Jade Blackmore |
This expanded documentary is a must-have for fans of Syd Barrett and early-era Pink Floyd.
DC Comics Superheroes: The Filmation Adventures, Vol. 1 DVD Review: A Peppy Blast from the Past
By Jade Blackmore |
Watch the Flash, Green Lantern, and the Atom battle evil-doers in this collection of animated adventures from 1967.
Birth of the Living Dead DVD Review: An Entertaining Documentary
By Jade Blackmore |
The documentary Birth of the Living Dead examines the evolution of the granddaddy of zombie films, Night of the Living Dead.
Here’s Edie: The Edie Adams Television Collection DVD Review
By Jade Blackmore |
Here’s Edie: The Edie Adams Television Collection showcases one of the “buried gems” of early TV variety shows.
Book Review: Armageddon Films FAQ by Dale Sherman
By Jade Blackmore |
Dale Sherman takes a look at the end of the world – Hollywood-style.
Book Review: Horror Films FAQ by John Kenneth Muir
By Jade Blackmore |
Horror Films FAQ is the thinking person’s guide to the horror genre.
Dio: Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986 Blu-ray Review
By Jade Blackmore |
Executive produced by Wendy Dio, Finding the Sacred Heart documents Ronnie James Dio at the top of his game.
Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium 25th Anniversary Edition DVD Review: A Wonderful Keepsake
By Jade Blackmore |
Revisiting one of the iconic group’s most dynamic performances.
Purple Noon Criterion Collection DVD Review: A Treat for the Eyes and a Test for the Nerves
By Jade Blackmore |
Adapted from Patricia Highsmith’s novel The Talented Mr. Ripley, this tale of deception and murder made Alain Delon a star.
California Solo Movie Review: A Formerly Famous Musician Faces His Demons
By Jade Blackmore |
Director Marshall Lewy’s character study explores the personal side of post-fame fallout.
Paul Williams Still Alive Movie Review: Tells the Story of the Man More than the Songwriter
By Jade Blackmore |
Director and subject make an odd couple in this flawed but endearing documentary
The Lieutenant: The Complete Series Part One DVD Review: Gene Roddenberry’s First TV Series
By Jade Blackmore |
Before Star Trek, Roddenberry wrote and produced this military drama starring Gary Lockwood.
Goldfinger Movie Review: The Series Swings into Full Throttle
By Jade Blackmore |
The film is one entertaining, but slightly bumpy, ride.
LAFF 2012 Review: A Band Called Death Rises from Obscurity
By Jade Blackmore |
An overlooked proto-punk band from the 1970s is rediscovered.
John Lee Hooker: Cook with the Hook: Live in 1974 DVD Review: It’ll Serve You Right to Watch This
By Jade Blackmore |
Long-lost concert film reappears on DVD.
Desire DVD Review: A Realistic Look at Twenty-Something Sexual Mores
By Jade Blackmore |
Laurent Bouhnik’s erotic drama explores the lives of twentysomethings in a small French town.