White Woman (1933) Blu-ray Review: Certainly Watchable but Not Much More Than That
By Mat Brewster |
It is not that White Woman is a terrible film; it is just that it feels half-hearted.
Maigret (1960): Season 2 Blu-ray Review: This Series Keeps Getting Better
By Mat Brewster |
The series seems more comfortable in allowing the comedy to shine this season.
Nobody’s Fool Blu-ray Review: At the Center of the Film’s Charm Is Paul Newman’s Performance
By Mat Brewster |
A short story collection by an author who has spent his life with these characters and has honed his craft to cozy perfection.
Maigret (1960): Season 1 Blu-ray Review: Scores Big for Solid Entertainment Value
By Mat Brewster |
Rupert Davies plays Maigret like a copper who has seen it all, who is road weary but wizened by it.
Blood & Diamonds Blu-ray Review: Dull & Boring
By Mat Brewster |
If you are a fan of this film, this release from 88 Films goes out of its way to make it worth your money.
The Night of the Iguana Blu-ray Review: A Long Night’s Journey into the Soul
By Mat Brewster |
All of the actors are fantastic in their roles.
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman Blu-ray Review: Maybe If She Were a Little Taller This Would Be Good
By Mat Brewster |
Out of all the schlocky 1950s science fiction out there, I don’t know why this one is one of the more popular ones.
The Flash (2014): The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review: Starting to Wear Thin
By Mat Brewster |
The problems I had with Season 7 continue to plague Season 8.
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) Blu-ray Review: Fredric March Is Quite Wonderful in the Dual Role
By Mat Brewster |
What really makes this version special are the special effects.
Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema X Blu-ray Review: In This Corner…Tony Curtis
By Mat Brewster |
Yet another set that is well worth adding to your collection.
Eyes of Laura Mars (Special Edition) Blu-ray Review: Artful Trash
By Mat Brewster |
An American version of an Italian giallo.
Gothic Fantastico: Four Italian Tales of Terror Blu-ray Review
By Mat Brewster |
This set reveals how the genre allows plenty of room for filmmakers to create something new and unique.
Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema IX Blu-ray Review: A Trio of Amateur Sleuths
By Mat Brewster |
Kino Lorber has once again delivered some underappreciated film noirs for your collection.
Hiroshima mon amour Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Rich and Rewarding Film
By Mat Brewster |
The performances of the two leads are masterful.
The Burned Barns Blu-ray Review: Two Titans of French Cinema Spar
By Mat Brewster |
Simone Signoret is the true star here.
Flying Guillotine Part II Blu-ray Review: Double the Guillotine, Double the Fun
By Mat Brewster |
Not good, but good god, it sure is fun.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Seventh and Final Season Blu-ray Review
By Mat Brewster |
The best episodes are the ones in which the silliness is original and surprising.
Planet of the Vampires Blu-ray Review: A Low Budget Masterpiece
By Mat Brewster |
Mario Bava’s films truly deserve to be seen by more people.
The Righteous Blu-ray Review: An Audacious First Film
By Mat Brewster |
The film works best as a character study.
Martial Club Blu-ray Review: Come for the Action, Stay for the Moral Lessons
By Mat Brewster |
What makes Martial Club well worth watching are three action sequences.
Hell High Blu-ray Review: Watching It Is Pure Hell
By Mat Brewster |
The killer is not the typical crazed psychopathic butcher you find in every other slasher flick.
Film Noir: The Dark Side of Cinema VIII Blu-ray Review
By Mat Brewster |
About as good as one expects from Volume VIII in any series.
The Adventures of Don Juan (1948) Blu-ray Review: Come in with Flynn
By Mat Brewster |
A mostly charming, fun-filled adventure.
One-Armed Boxer Blu-ray Review: Delivers a Nuttiness Desired in An Old Kung Fu Movie
By Mat Brewster |
Did I mention there is also a Japanese vampire?
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) Blu-ray Review: Well Worth Watching to See Spencer Tracy Play Against Type
By Mat Brewster |
Where previous adaptations tended to turn the Hyde character into a hideous monster, here the focus is more psychological, more Freudian.
The Initiation of Sarah Blu-ray Review: A Made-for-TV Carrie Rip-Off
By Mat Brewster |
It is all a bit silly and a whole lot camp, but there is quite a bit of charm.
Rogue Cops and Racketeers: Two Crime Thrillers by Enzo G. Castellari Blu-ray Review: Quintessential Italian Crime Dramas
By Mat Brewster |
A pretty excellent double feature of poliziotteschi.
The 8 Diagram Pole Fighter Blu-Ray Review: One of the Greatest Kung Fu Movies Ever
By Mat Brewster |
You owe it to yourself to buy this film.
Monkey Kung Fu & Shaolin Mantis Blu-rays Review: For Those Who Like Animals with Their Kung Fu
By Mat Brewster |
It is a real pleasure getting to see these Shaw Brothers films in high definition with nice packaging and some excellent extras.
The Flag of Iron & Legendary Weapons of China Blu-ray Review: Two Classics from Shaw Brothers Studios
By Mat Brewster |
Both of these films will make an excellent addition to your kung fu video library.
Stage Fright (1950) Blu-ray Review: Second-Tier Hitchcock Is Still Good Cinema
By Mat Brewster |
Stage Fight is a great deal of fun.
Disciples of Shaolin Blu-ray Review: Socially Conscious Kung Fu
By Mat Brewster |
If Disciples of Shaolin is a good example of the types of releases 88 Films usually does, consider me a fan.
Two from Sergei Eisenstein: October & Alexander Nevsky DVD Reviews
By Mat Brewster |
Important films in the history of cinema, made by one of the greatest directors from the earliest days of the medium.
Counterpoint Blu-ray Review: Battle of the Cellos
By Mat Brewster |
It is mostly well made and performed, but it cannot escape the fact that other films did what it’s doing so much better.
The Accused (1949) Blu-ray Review: Works Something Like a Film Noir in Reverse
By Mat Brewster |
It is a terrific blend of noir, melodrama, romance, and procedural with a wonderful Loretta Young performance at its heart.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Review: Not Quite Legendary
By Mat Brewster |
When it works, Legends of Tomorrow remains the best series in the Arrowverse.
Breakheart Pass Blu-ray Review: Like an Agatha Christie Western
By Mat Brewster |
The mix of western tropes and drawing-room mystery set on a train is really interesting.
The Sheik (1921) Blu-ray Review: A Silent and Problematic Classic
By Mat Brewster |
An important film in understanding Valentino’s career and appeal.
The Incredible Shrinking Man Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Giant-Sized Fun
By Mat Brewster |
Seriously, I’ve watched more than a few of these shrinking man movies and this is by far the best one.
The Cheat (1931) Blu-ray Review: Third Time Isn’t the Charm
By Mat Brewster |
This film is dull as bathwater.
Torch Singer (1933) Blu-ray Review: A Very Modern Pre-Code
By Mat Brewster |
Something that must have been quite shocking in 1933 falls rather flat in 2021.
The Flash (2014): The Complete Seventh Season Blu-ray Review: The Stories Feel Undercooked and Underwhelming
By Mat Brewster |
It is definitely feeling like it is time for the show to come to an end.
Hot Saturday Blu-ray Review: Fascinating Pre-Code Shenanigans
By Mat Brewster |
Hot Saturday is fascinating because of how modern it feels in that pre-Code way.
Cold War Creatures: Four Films from Sam Katzman Blu-ray Review: This Set Is a Must-buy
By Mat Brewster |
Arrow Video has just released a lovely little boxed set of four of his sci-fi/horror films.
The Fourth Victim Blu-ray Review: Stay Till the End
By Mat Brewster |
The resolution is exactly the kind of nonsensical nuttiness one expects from a giallo and it almost redeems the entire thing. Almost.
Mona Lisa Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Neo-noir with a Mystic Smile
By Mat Brewster |
Bob Hoskins plays George, a small-time gangster who has just gotten out of prison after doing a seven-year stint.
The Awakening (2011) Blu-ray Review: Half a Great Ghost Story
By Mat Brewster |
The film is well worth checking out.
The Brotherhood of Satan Blu-ray Review: Panic in a Small Town
By Mat Brewster |
As this is a cult film from the 1970s, you shouldn’t go in expecting an altogether happy ending.
Ashes and Diamonds Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Polish Masterpiece
By Mat Brewster |
This is an absolute must-see for any film fan.
Friday the 13th 8 Movie Collection Blu-ray Review: The Paramount Films
By Mat Brewster |
If you are a casual fan and wouldn’t mind owning these films at a reasonable price, then this set is for you.