Mat Brewster

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

An American version of an Italian giallo.

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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.

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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.

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

The performances of the two leads are masterful.

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

Simone Signoret is the true star here.

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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.

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

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

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The Righteous Blu-ray Review: An Audacious First Film

The film works best as a character study.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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

A mostly charming, fun-filled adventure.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Cinema Sentries

Counterpoint Blu-ray Review: Battle of the Cellos

It is mostly well made and performed, but it cannot escape the fact that other films did what it’s doing so much better.

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Cinema Sentries

The Accused (1949) Blu-ray Review: Works Something Like a Film Noir in Reverse

It is a terrific blend of noir, melodrama, romance, and procedural with a wonderful Loretta Young performance at its heart.

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Cinema Sentries

DC’s Legends of Tomorrow: The Complete Sixth Season Blu-ray Review: Not Quite Legendary

When it works, Legends of Tomorrow remains the best series in the Arrowverse.

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Cinema Sentries

Breakheart Pass Blu-ray Review: Like an Agatha Christie Western

The mix of western tropes and drawing-room mystery set on a train is really interesting.

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Cinema Sentries

The Sheik (1921) Blu-ray Review: A Silent and Problematic Classic

An important film in understanding Valentino’s career and appeal.

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Cinema Sentries

The Incredible Shrinking Man Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Giant-Sized Fun

Seriously, I’ve watched more than a few of these shrinking man movies and this is by far the best one.

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Cinema Sentries

The Cheat (1931) Blu-ray Review: Third Time Isn’t the Charm

This film is dull as bathwater.

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Cinema Sentries

Torch Singer (1933) Blu-ray Review: A Very Modern Pre-Code

Something that must have been quite shocking in 1933 falls rather flat in 2021.

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Cinema Sentries

The Flash (2014): The Complete Seventh Season Blu-ray Review: The Stories Feel Undercooked and Underwhelming

It is definitely feeling like it is time for the show to come to an end.

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Cinema Sentries

Hot Saturday Blu-ray Review: Fascinating Pre-Code Shenanigans

Hot Saturday is fascinating because of how modern it feels in that pre-Code way.

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Cinema Sentries

Cold War Creatures: Four Films from Sam Katzman Blu-ray Review: This Set Is a Must-buy

Arrow Video has just released a lovely little boxed set of four of his sci-fi/horror films.

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Cinema Sentries

The Fourth Victim Blu-ray Review: Stay Till the End

The resolution is exactly the kind of nonsensical nuttiness one expects from a giallo and it almost redeems the entire thing. Almost.

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Cinema Sentries

Mona Lisa Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Neo-noir with a Mystic Smile

Bob Hoskins plays George, a small-time gangster who has just gotten out of prison after doing a seven-year stint.

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Cinema Sentries

The Awakening (2011) Blu-ray Review: Half a Great Ghost Story

The film is well worth checking out.

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Cinema Sentries

The Brotherhood of Satan Blu-ray Review: Panic in a Small Town

As this is a cult film from the 1970s, you shouldn’t go in expecting an altogether happy ending.

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Cinema Sentries

Ashes and Diamonds Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Polish Masterpiece

This is an absolute must-see for any film fan.

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Cinema Sentries

Friday the 13th 8 Movie Collection Blu-ray Review: The Paramount Films

If you are a casual fan and wouldn’t mind owning these films at a reasonable price, then this set is for you.

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