Mat Brewster

Homeland: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review: Falling Short of Greatness

To be sure, Homeland: Season 2 is good television.

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Autumn Sonata Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Utterly Sad and Nearly Perfect

A wonderful portrayal of these characters and of life.

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The Bling Ring Is the Pick of the Week

Sofia Coppola has proven herself to be a true auteur, a director with a clear and concise vision.

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Friday the 13th: The Complete Collection Is the Pick of the Week

Now and again, I like to throw on some goofy slasher flicks and relive memories through hundreds of pointless, over-the-top violence.

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Five Dolls for an August Moon Is the Pick of the Week

Whatever the reason, there is a ton of stuff coming out for lovers of all things boob tube.

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Prime Suspect: The Complete Collection Blu-ray Review: An Excellent Series

Ought to be seen by anyone who is interested in what the medium can do and certainly is a must-see for all mystery fans.

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The Great Gatsby (2013) Is the Pick of the Week

Critical reception has been mostly poor and it didn’t fair any better at the box office, but I’m still willing to give it a shot.

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Amour Is the Pick of the Week

Amour seems much more accessible than the rest of Haneke’s work and I suspect I’ll be watching it soon

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The Mindy Project: Season One Is the Pick of the Week

The Mindy Project is very silly and has not a inch of real depth but it’s tons of fun.

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The Sapphires Is the Pick of the Week

Thanks, Technology, for making me interested in films like The Sapphires.

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Detective Inspector Irene Huss, Episodes 7-9 and 10-12 DVD Review: Cliched Plots, Excellent Execution

You could call it the Swedish “The Closer” if you wanted.

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Annika Bengtzon, Crime Reporter: Episodes 1-3 and 4-6 Review: By-the-Book Swedish Crime Drama Needs a New Author

I found myself wishing each episode was done by about the halfway point.

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Banshee: The Complete First Season Is the Pick of the Week

I’m ready to let Cinemax show me they can make good quality original programming just like their sister channel.

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Twixt Blu-ray Review: Imagined in a Dream, Should Have Stayed in Bed

Coppola still knows how to shoot a beautiful film; it’s just too bad he’s forgotten how to write one.

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Laura (1944) Blu-ray Review: The Sum Is Better than Its Parts

An odd film that never really should have worked, and yet it does.

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Trance Is the Pick of the Week

I’m totally on board and looking forward to seeing what Boyle has in store.

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Evil Dead (2013) Is the Pick of the Week

Word is director Fede Alvarez took the basic story ramped up the adrenaline and gore and made a terrific, no-frills horror flick. That’s enough to get me on board.

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Spring Breakers Is the Pick of the Week

I don’t expect to really like the results, but I’m definitely interested.

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The House I Live In Is the Pick of the Week

It features David Simon a great deal and I’ve never been disappointed in anything he’s ever been involved with.

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Upside Down Is the Pick of the Week

How did I let this slip through?

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Wilfred: The Complete Season 2 Blu-ray Review: Disgustingly Funny

The show is crass, rude, disgusting, and very, very funny.

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Stoker Is the Pick of the Week

If you like films at all, you’ll likely find something to enjoy from this week’s releases.

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Wild Strawberries Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Beautiful, Complex, Symbolic Film

A fully rewarding film with great emotional wealth and intellectual grace.

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Wild Strawberries Is the Pick of the Week

Criterion has created a masterful presentation with their Blu-ray.

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Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season Is the Pick of the Week

Walt finally sets the pieces in place to be the kingpin he was born to be but it never seems enough.

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The Grass Is Greener Is the Pick of the Week

This is the sort of week where the Pick of the Week is less a real decision and more of a “yeah, this will do.”

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Rick Steves Europe: All 100 Shows (2000-2014) Is the Pick of the Week

I prefer the middle-aged comforts of Rick Steves.

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Detective De Luca DVD Review: He’s Not a Fascist, He’s Just a Cop

For fans of crime dramas, detective shows, or just really good television.

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Cloud Atlas Is the Pick of the Week

I’m probably not going to like it, but it just looks too damned interesting to not at least try to like it.

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Band of Outsiders Is the Pick of the Week

I’ve seen more movies in French than your average American filmgoer.

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Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country Review: Retirement is Truly the Final Frontier

A perfectly good send off for the classic characters.

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Star Trek: The Next Generation: Seasons 1-3 Are the Picks of the Week

Mat lets you know why he’d be happy to have it on his shelf.

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The Impossible (2012) Is the Pick of the Week

What’s worth watching this week.

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Maigret Set 7 & 8 DVDs Review: Well Made Dullness

Maigret is perfectly serviceable television.

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Django Unchained Is the Pick of the Week

Ready to grab it up and give it a go.

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Hyde Park on Hudson Is the Pick of the Week

The transmogrification of Bill Murray from the crazed goofball to the wonderfully dramatic actor has been nothing short of a thespian miracle.

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Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One: Avengers Assembled is the Pick of the Week

Mat has assembled his latest column for your reading pleasure.

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Lincoln Is the Pick of the Week

Daniel Day-Lewis simply lived, breathed, and embodied the very soul of the 16th President.

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With a Friend Like Harry…Movie Review: Dark French Thriller Keeps You on Edge

The atmosphere is kept dark and tension filled.

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Les Miserables Is the Pick of the Week

This week is full of Oscar nominees and award winners.

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Life of Pi Is the Pick of the Week

So many good choices this week.

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Cinema Sentries

Wreck-It Ralph Is the Pick of the Week

I’ve heard nothing but good things, and the arcade nostalgia love has done nothing but grown on me.

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Chronicle of a Summer Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Fascinating Glimpse into Paris in 1960

A unique portrait of a very specific time and and a very specific place.

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