Jade Blackmore

Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg Movie Review: More than the Stones’ Muse

A glimpse of what are essentially family films after the decades have passed humanizes Anita and puts the past into perspective.

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A poster of the movie The Mobster and The Lawyer

Book Review: Lennon, the Mobster & the Lawyer: The Untold Story by Jay Bergen

Bergen spends most of the book describing his defense of Lennon and the fact-checking/research that went into the case.

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Cinema Sentries

Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché Movie Review: Her Trailblazing Music Career Is Only Part of the Story

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.

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Cinema Sentries

Bob Marley and The Wailers: The Capitol Session ’73 Review: A Glimpse at the Legend on the Cusp of Fame

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.

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Cinema Sentries

The Amusement Park Movie Review: George A. Romero’s Lost Film on the Horrors of Old Age

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.

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Cinema Sentries

Tiny Tim: King for a Day Movie Review: A Poignant Look at the Quirky 1960s Star

Director Johan von Sydow examines the life of the quirky, ukulele-playing singer who kept audiences laughing during the tumultuous 1960s.

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Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me Movie Review

The documentary reviews Stones’ guitarist Ronnie Wood’ musical career, his triumph over addiction, and his second career as a visual artist.

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Suzi Q Movie Review: Looks at the Groundbreaking Career of Rocker Suzi Quatro

Quatro’s success inspired the Runaways, Chrissie Hynde, and many female musicians to pursue careers in hard rock.

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I’ll Never Forget You: The Last 72 Hours of Lynyrd Skynyrd DVD Review

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

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Polyester Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: John Waters’ First Big-Budget Film

Polyester introduced the one-time only Odorama card to offend viewers’ sense of smell as well as their sense of decorum.

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Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am Movie Review: A Quiet Passion for Life, for Knowledge, and for Words

The documentary examines the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author’s life through interviews and archival footage.

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The Old Man and the Sea (1990) DVD Review: Anthony Quinn Gives an Excellent Performance

Translating the 127-page novel into a film turns out to be a tough proposition, no matter who helms it.

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The Quiet One Movie Review: Explores Ex-Rolling Stone Bill Wyman’s Life Through His Media Archives

Wyman’s story is told through his extensive archive of film, photos, audio recordings and memorabilia.

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Charlie Says Movie Review: The Manson Family from the Girls’ Point of View

The film chronicles their descent from hippie teenagers to cold-blooded murderers brainwashed by Charles Manson.

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At the Drive-In DVD Review: A Compelling David vs. Goliath Story

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.

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Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood DVD Review: Sheds a Light on Hollywood’s Golden Era

The documentary gives us an interesting glimpse Hollywood’s gay “underground” during the 1940s and ’50s.

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The Public Image Is Rotten Movie Review: Traces the 40-year History of John Lydon and Public Image, Ltd.

What makes the film engaging is the no-BS honesty of all its interviewees.

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Boom for Real: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat Movie Review: A Look at the Creative Development of an Art Icon

Sara Driver’s documentary uses archival footage and interviews with friends to retrace the artist’s creative origins on the Lower East Side.

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Book Review: The Pride of the Yankees: Lou Gehrig, Gary Cooper, and the Making of a Classic by Richard Sandomir

A well-researched book that gives you the nuts and bolts of how one of the first major movie biopics was made.

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Mansfield 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.

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The 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.

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New Orleans Music in Exile Blu-ray Review: After the Hurricane

Documentary filmmaker Robert Mugge chronicles the devastation leveled on New Orleans and its musical community after Hurricane Katrina.

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Carol + 2: The Original Queens of Comedy DVD Review: A Look into a Kinder, Gentler Era

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.

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Book Review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ by Dave Thompson

The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ covers everything you need to know about Frank-N-Furter and company and then some.

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TV Review: American Masters: B.B. King: The Life of Riley

The documentary examines the blues legend’s life and music.

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Jaco DVD Review: Tribute to a Jazz Legend

Jaco is a balanced and compassionate look at the legendary jazz bassist.

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Frank Zappa’s Roxy: The Movie DVD Review: A Necessary Purchase for Any Zappa Fan

The Wait is Over: Frank Zappa and the Mothers legendary Roxy shows revisited.

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Book Review: Underground: The Subterranean Culture of DIY Punk Shows by Daniel Makagon

It covers the history, and future, of backyard and basement punk-rock shows.

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Book Review: Punk USA: The Rise and Fall of Lookout Records by Kevin Prested

A thorough look at the rise and fall of one of the 1990s great indie labels.

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The Rolling Stones: From the Vault – Hampton Coliseum (Live in 1981) Review: A Welcome Trip Back

Relive the last classic Stones era in this 1981 concert film.

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The Blues Magoos: Psychedelic Resurrection Album Review

Psychedelic Resurrection is the first album from garage rock band the Blues Magoos in four decades.

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No No: A Dockumentary Movie Review: Covers All the Bases

Covers all the bases in the life of controversial pitcher Dock Ellis.

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The Pink Floyd & Syd Barrett Story DVD Review: The Madcap’s Rise and Fall

This expanded documentary is a must-have for fans of Syd Barrett and early-era Pink Floyd.

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DC Comics Superheroes: The Filmation Adventures, Vol. 1 DVD Review: A Peppy Blast from the Past

Watch the Flash, Green Lantern, and the Atom battle evil-doers in this collection of animated adventures from 1967.

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Birth of the Living Dead DVD Review: An Entertaining Documentary

The documentary Birth of the Living Dead examines the evolution of the granddaddy of zombie films, Night of the Living Dead.

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Here’s Edie: The Edie Adams Television Collection DVD Review

Here’s Edie: The Edie Adams Television Collection showcases one of the “buried gems” of early TV variety shows.

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Book Review: Armageddon Films FAQ by Dale Sherman

Dale Sherman takes a look at the end of the world – Hollywood-style.

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Book Review: Horror Films FAQ by John Kenneth Muir

Horror Films FAQ is the thinking person’s guide to the horror genre.

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Dio: Finding the Sacred Heart: Live in Philly 1986 Blu-ray Review

Executive produced by Wendy Dio, Finding the Sacred Heart documents Ronnie James Dio at the top of his game.

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Queen: Live at Wembley Stadium 25th Anniversary Edition DVD Review: A Wonderful Keepsake

Revisiting one of the iconic group’s most dynamic performances.

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Purple 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.

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California Solo Movie Review: A Formerly Famous Musician Faces His Demons

Director Marshall Lewy’s character study explores the personal side of post-fame fallout.

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Paul Williams Still Alive Movie Review: Tells the Story of the Man More than the Songwriter

Director and subject make an odd couple in this flawed but endearing documentary

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The Lieutenant: The Complete Series Part One DVD Review: Gene Roddenberry’s First TV Series

Before Star Trek, Roddenberry wrote and produced this military drama starring Gary Lockwood.

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Cinema Sentries

Goldfinger Movie Review: The Series Swings into Full Throttle

The film is one entertaining, but slightly bumpy, ride.

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LAFF 2012 Review: A Band Called Death Rises from Obscurity

An overlooked proto-punk band from the 1970s is rediscovered.

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Desire DVD Review: A Realistic Look at Twenty-Something Sexual Mores

Laurent Bouhnik’s erotic drama explores the lives of twentysomethings in a small French town.

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