12 Monkeys (1995) 4K UHD Review: Time-Travel Tragedy
By Kent Conrad |
A psychological thriller, a science-fiction film, comedy and tragedy, 12 Monkeys is Terry Gilliam’s most wide-reaching and accessible film.
Wild Things 4K UHD Review: High Level Sleaze
By Kent Conrad |
Sex, Theft, and murder in south Florida, this is a wildly entertaining crime story with no one to root for.
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 4K UHD Review: End of the Classic Western
By Kent Conrad |
John Ford, Jimmy Stewart, and John Wayne come together for one of the last classic Westerns, now in 4k release.
Mystery Science Theater 3000: Season 13 and The Gizmoplex Debut Today
By Kent Conrad |
The venerable movie commentary show enters a new phase, and a new season on its own streaming platform.
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1994) 4K UHD Review: Loud, Blaring Classic Adaptation
By Kent Conrad |
Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation goes back to the novel for a faithful, but histrionic and anti-subtle adaptation of the horror classic.
To Sleep So as to Dream Blu-ray Review: Ode to Silent Japanese Cinema
By Kent Conrad |
A startlingly weird directorial debut about detectives searching for a kidnapped girl, made in the style of a silent film.
The Godfather Trilogy 4K UHD Review: A Restoration You Can’t Refuse
By Kent Conrad |
This release brings Francis Ford Coppola’s greatest achievement returns home with both a beautiful restoration and incredible 4K transfer.
SXSW 2022 Review: In the Court of the Crimson King
By Kent Conrad |
Commissioned on their 50th anniversary, this documentary shows the power, and the price, of the legendary band’s discipline.
The Legend of the Stardust Brothers DVD Review: ’80s Japanese Manic Musical
By Kent Conrad |
Directed by the son of Osamu Tezuka, this film is several music videos in search of a story… that somehow works.
Evil Eye plus The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1963) Blu-ray Review: Slick in Italian, Murky in American
By Kent Conrad |
Arguably the first giallo film has loads of style, even in black and white… but it’s better in Italian.
Alligator (1980) 4K Ultra HD Review: Jaws in the Sewers
By Kent Conrad |
One of the better Jaws retreads has an unusually intelligent script for a monster movie, and fun monster antics.
The Capture (1950) Blu-ray Review: Complex Modern Western Crime Narrative
By Kent Conrad |
A psychological Western Crime film where a man kills a (supposed) thief, then ends up marrying his wife.
Rich and Strange Blu-ray Review: Marriage in Crisis
By Kent Conrad |
An early Hitchcock comedy about a couple who find out whether their marriage can withstand sudden riches.
Red Angel (1966) Blu-ray Review: Disturbing War Hospital Drama
By Kent Conrad |
Yasuzo Masamura’s dark drama about a nurse who struggles to maintain her humanity in the hell of war.
The Toolbox Murders (1978) 4K Ultra HD Review: Gruesome Grindhouse Exploitation
By Kent Conrad |
Grimy and sleazy, this exploitation film about a murder using power tools becomes interesting in its less lethal third act.
Shock (1977) Blu-ray Review: Bava’s Final Film
By Kent Conrad |
The final film by Mario Bava is a departure from his stereotypical style, but still has some interest and flair.
Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People Movie Review: Punk is NOT Dead
By Kent Conrad |
A hybrid animated documentary/post-apocalyptic trip to the center of an artist’s mind is obscure for the non-initiated, but plenty entertaining.
Krampus: The Naughty Cut 4K Ultra HD Review: Anti-Santa Extended Edition
By Kent Conrad |
This new cut of Mike Dougherty’s Christmas horror film materially improves an atmospheric tale of one boy’s unfortunate Christmas wish.
David Byrne’s American Utopia Movie Review: Beautifully Filmed but Imperfect Concert
By Kent Conrad |
A fantastically performed and produced performance is undermined by some artistic choices, both in the stage show and the filming.
Wife of a Spy Blu-ray Review: Understated Japanese Spy Thriller
By Kent Conrad |
Yu Aoi’s brilliant performance bolsters Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s story in ‘40s Japan of a woman convinced her husband is a spy.
The Ghost Ship/Bedlam Double Feature Blu-ray Review: Two Val Lewton Suspense Thrillers
By Kent Conrad |
Two ’40s films by Val Lewton protégé Mark Robson explore the dangers of authority with atmospheric suspense films.
Some Came Running Blu-ray Review: ’50s Melodrama Feels Familiar
By Kent Conrad |
A Sinatra vehicle, excellently helmed and acted, sounds familiar notes in the story of small town life in the ’50s.
Middle Earth Ultimate Collector’s Edition 4K Ultra HD Review: Beautiful Box but Incomplete
By Kent Conrad |
Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies have beautiful 4K transfers, but have many missing extras.
Night Has a Thousand Eyes Blu-ray Review: Psychic Thriller a Near Miss
By Kent Conrad |
Edward G. Robinson is a phony psychic who develops a real ability to see the future… which ruins his life.
The Beast Must Die (1952) Blu-ray Review: Argentinian Revenge Noir
By Kent Conrad |
A newly restored South American film noir discovery by Uruguayan-Argentinian director Romany Vinoly Barreto.
Karen Dalton: In My Own Time DVD Review: Sad Songs, Sad Life
By Kent Conrad |
An unflinching portrait of a troubled folk singer in the Greenwich Village scene.
Batman: Year One Commemorative Edition 4K Ultra HD Review: Good Batman Story Unexceptionally Told
By Kent Conrad |
Frank Miller’s seminal comic book story of Bruce Wayne’s first year as Batman gets a perhaps too faithful adaptation.
Mad Love (1935) Blu-ray Review: Grotesque ’30 Body Horror
By Kent Conrad |
Beautifully shot German expressionist style American horror film, with Peter Lorre’s English debut as a mad doctor.
Book Review: Hitchcock and the Censors by John Billheimer
By Kent Conrad |
A comprehensive study of the wheeling and dealing Alfred Hitchcock had to do get his stories past official Hollywood censors.
In the Shadow of Hollywood: Highlights from Poverty Row Blu-ray Review: Independent ’30s B-Movies
By Kent Conrad |
A collection of four films from the ’30s that showcase the independent productions away from the big studios.
Universal Classic Monsters: Icons of Horror Collection 4K Ultra HD Review: Four Classic Horrors
By Kent Conrad |
Universal releases a 4K collection of their most iconic horror titles from the early 20th century.
Deep Red (1975) 4K Ultra HD Review: Argento’s Giallo Swan Song
By Kent Conrad |
Argento finally perfect his stylish cinematic approach, and pretty much abandons storytelling, in this beautiful baffling murder mystery.
Demons I & II Blu-ray Review: Italian Gore Shlock Romp
By Kent Conrad |
Lamberto Bava’s two Evil Dead meets Dawn of the Dead gorefests are dumb in the best ways possible.
Vera Cruz (1954) Blu-ray Review: Twisty Western Caper
By Kent Conrad |
Western set and shot in Mexico about two mercenaries betraying their employers, and each other, becoming friends along the way.
Dune (1984) 4K Ultra HD Review: Beautiful, Fascinating Mess of an Adaptation
By Kent Conrad |
A messy adaptation of a nearly unfilmable book has amazing production design and a beautiful 4K release.
Death Screams (1982) Blu-ray Review: Regional ’80s Slasher Artifact
By Kent Conrad |
Obscure ’80s North Carolina slasher movie offers a window into indie cinema history. Also, blood and boobs.
Children of the Corn (1984) 4K Ultra HD Review: Beating Up Kids in 4K
By Kent Conrad |
A rare early faithful adaptation of a Stephen King story shines in this new 4K restoration.
The Window (1949) Blu-ray Review: The Boy Who Cried Murder
By Kent Conrad |
Taut noir thriller about a story-telling boy who witnesses a real murder is brisk, engaging, and beautifully shot.
The Village Detective: A Song Cycle Movie Review: Meditation on Ruined Film
By Kent Conrad |
A documentary about four ruined reels of a Soviet film reveal truths about the intersection of cinema and history.
The Cat O’ Nine Tails 4K Ultra HD Review: Convoluted Giallo Murder Mystery
By Kent Conrad |
Argento’s second film has some great set pieces, music, and cinematography, but is undermined by an overbusy script.
Bugsy Malone Blu-ray Review: Bizarre and Charming Kiddie Gangster Musical
By Kent Conrad |
Alan Parker’s 1976 tribute to classical Hollywood and gangster stories cast entirely with children is finally on Blu-ray in America.
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage 4K Ultra HD Review: Dario Argento’s Debut Giallo
By Kent Conrad |
Dario Argento’s stylish and assured directorial debut about a black-clad murderer stalking Rome comes to 4K.
Hail to the Deadites Movie Review: Evil Dead’s Biggest Fans
By Kent Conrad |
A charming documentary about the most dedicated (read: obsessive) fans of the cult classic Evil Dead trilogy.
Dead & Buried (1981) 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition Review: Uncovered ’80s Horror Gem
By Kent Conrad |
This take on the zombie genre by the writers of Alien is dripping with atmosphere and dread.
I Wouldn’t Be in Your Shoes Blu-ray Review: Limp Mystery Noir
By Kent Conrad |
Based on a novella by Cornell Woolrich, this film takes a thin premise and does little with it.
Irezumi (1966) Blu-ray Review: Revenge and Obsession
By Kent Conrad |
A tattoo transforms a geisha into a spirit of vengeance in this moody period drama from Yasuzo Masumura.
Drunken Master II Blu-ray Review: Pinnacle Chan Martial Arts
By Kent Conrad |
A solid (if bare bones) release of some of Jackie Chan’s most impressive martial arts antics.
The Final Countdown (1980) 4K Ultra HD Limited Edition Review: Great Planes, Great Set-up, No Story?
By Kent Conrad |
Beautiful release of a film with a great set-up, incredible aviation, and a frustrating story that doesn’t pay off.
Django (1966) 4K Ultra HD Review: A Spaghetti Western Icon
By Kent Conrad |
The 4K release of the iconic, ultra-violent and ultra-stylish western directed by Sergio Carbucci that launched dozens of imitators.
They Won’t Believe Me Blu-ray Review: Melodrama Noir
By Kent Conrad |
There are two elements normally present in a classic film noir. One is a main character, usually male, with decent instincts but a fatal flaw that drives him to do something terrible. That terrible thing is the other element, usually a crime, that sends the unfortunate into a tailspin that, whatever his intentions, is destructive,…