Mat Brewster

The Oyster Princess / Meyer from Berlin Blu-ray Review: A Pair of German Silents from Lubitsch

The Oyster Princess is the reason to buy this set, and it’s just lovely.

Read More »

Caliber 9 Blu-ray Review: Action-Packed Poliziotteschi with a Message

So much of Caliber 9 is about how the old way of doing things continually bumps into the new ways.

Read More »

Shaw Brothers Classics Cube on display of the website

Shaw Brothers Classics Vol. One Is the Pick of the Week

That’s over 17 hours of kung-fu action.

Read More »

The Package Blu-ray Review: Not so Much a Bad Movie as a Disappointing One

If you can overlook the various plot problems and general sloppiness, you might just have a good time.

Read More »

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XIII Blu-ray Review: A Triple Feature from the ’50s

A spy thriller, a surprisingly sensitive take on mental illness, and a remake of a Hitchcock classic

Read More »

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XIV Blu-ray Review: Moral Teachings Get in the Way

If you are a fan of film noir and are looking to go beyond the classics, this is the place you should go.

Read More »

The Saragossa Manuscript Is the Pick of the Week

A delightful, surrealistic, and strange little film.

Read More »

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema XII Blu-ray Review: I’m Still Watching and Loving It

Their plots are all pretty standard noir stuff, but they get the job done.

Read More »

Book Review: Salome’s Last Dance by Daria Tessler

If you dig 1960s-era psychedelic art and absurdist storylines and humor, there is a lot to love.

Read More »

Safe in Hell Blu-ray Review: A Pre-Code Delight

The shocking thing about the film isn’t that early image of Gilda showing so much leg, but rather its humanist view towards Gilda’s situation.

Read More »

In the Line of Duty: I-IV Is the Pick of the Week

What is included (namely the four films and various extras including audio commentaries, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage) sounds pretty amazing.

Read More »

The Sunday Woman Blu-ray Review: A Strange Little Movie That Defies Expectations and Genre Delineations

The Sunday Woman is a bit of an oddity. But it is an enjoyable one.

Read More »

Anna May Wong Collection Is the Pick of the Week

I’m proud to make it my first Pick of the Week in a long time.

Read More »

Book Review: Night Terror by John Kenn Mortensen

Night Terror is a gorgeous-looking book filled with images of unimaginable horror.

Read More »

The Retaliators (2022) Blu-ray Review: Crisis of Faith Meets Zombies

Once the zombies come out, things get fun.

Read More »

Book Review: Spa by Erik Svetoft

I do love the general vibe of the book.

Read More »

The bride wore black, a film by jeanne moreau

The Bride Wore Black and Mississippi Mermaid Blu-rays Review: Truffaut Does Hitchcock

Both films are quite good, but there is something slightly off about them as well.

Read More »

White Woman (1933) Blu-ray Review: Certainly Watchable but Not Much More Than That

It is not that White Woman is a terrible film; it is just that it feels half-hearted.

Read More »

Maigret (1960): Season 2 Blu-ray Review: This Series Keeps Getting Better

The series seems more comfortable in allowing the comedy to shine this season.

Read More »

Nobody’s Fool Blu-ray Review: At the Center of the Film’s Charm Is Paul Newman’s Performance

A short story collection by an author who has spent his life with these characters and has honed his craft to cozy perfection.

Read More »

Maigret (1960): Season 1 Blu-ray Review: Scores Big for Solid Entertainment Value

Rupert Davies plays Maigret like a copper who has seen it all, who is road weary but wizened by it.

Read More »

Blood & Diamonds Blu-ray Review: Dull & Boring

If you are a fan of this film, this release from 88 Films goes out of its way to make it worth your money.

Read More »

The Night of the Iguana Blu-ray Review: A Long Night’s Journey into the Soul

All of the actors are fantastic in their roles.

Read More »

Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Blu-ray Review: Maybe If She Were a Little Taller This Would Be Good

Out of all the schlocky 1950s science fiction out there, I don’t know why this one is one of the more popular ones.

Read More »

The Flash (2014): The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review: Starting to Wear Thin

The problems I had with Season 7 continue to plague Season 8.

Read More »

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) Blu-ray Review: Fredric March Is Quite Wonderful in the Dual Role

What really makes this version special are the special effects.

Read More »

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema X Blu-ray Review: In This Corner…Tony Curtis

Yet another set that is well worth adding to your collection.

Read More »

Eyes of Laura Mars (Special Edition) Blu-ray Review: Artful Trash

An American version of an Italian giallo.

Read More »

Gothic Fantastico: Four Italian Tales of Terror Blu-ray Review

This set reveals how the genre allows plenty of room for filmmakers to create something new and unique.

Read More »

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema IX Blu-ray Review: A Trio of Amateur Sleuths

Kino Lorber has once again delivered some underappreciated film noirs for your collection.

Read More »

Hiroshima mon amour Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Rich and Rewarding Film

The performances of the two leads are masterful.

Read More »

The Burned Barns Blu-ray Review: Two Titans of French Cinema Spar

Simone Signoret is the true star here.

Read More »

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Seventh and Final Season Blu-ray Review

The best episodes are the ones in which the silliness is original and surprising.

Read More »

Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Review: A Low Budget Masterpiece

Mario Bava’s films truly deserve to be seen by more people.

Read More »

The Righteous Blu-ray Review: An Audacious First Film

The film works best as a character study.

Read More »

Martial Club Blu-ray Review: Come for the Action, Stay for the Moral Lessons

What makes Martial Club well worth watching are three action sequences.

Read More »

Hell High Blu-ray Review: Watching It Is Pure Hell

The killer is not the typical crazed psychopathic butcher you find in every other slasher flick.

Read More »

Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema VIII Blu-ray Review

About as good as one expects from Volume VIII in any series.

Read More »

The Adventures of Don Juan (1948) Blu-ray Review: Come in with Flynn

A mostly charming, fun-filled adventure.

Read More »

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) Blu-ray Review: Well Worth Watching to See Spencer Tracy Play Against Type

Where previous adaptations tended to turn the Hyde character into a hideous monster, here the focus is more psychological, more Freudian.

Read More »

The Initiation of Sarah Blu-ray Review: A Made-for-TV Carrie Rip-Off

It is all a bit silly and a whole lot camp, but there is quite a bit of charm.

Read More »

Monkey Kung Fu & Shaolin Mantis Blu-rays Review: For Those Who Like Animals with Their Kung Fu

It is a real pleasure getting to see these Shaw Brothers films in high definition with nice packaging and some excellent extras.

Read More »

Cinema Sentries

The Flag of Iron & Legendary Weapons of China Blu-ray Review: Two Classics from Shaw Brothers Studios

Both of these films will make an excellent addition to your kung fu video library.

Read More »

Cinema Sentries

Disciples of Shaolin Blu-ray Review: Socially Conscious Kung Fu

If Disciples of Shaolin is a good example of the types of releases 88 Films usually does, consider me a fan.

Read More »

Cinema Sentries

Two from Sergei Eisenstein: October & Alexander Nevsky DVD Reviews

Important films in the history of cinema, made by one of the greatest directors from the earliest days of the medium.

Read More »