Mat Brewster

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

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

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

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

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

A delightful, surrealistic, and strange little film.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Once the zombies come out, things get fun.

I do love the general vibe of the book.

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

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

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

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

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

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

All of the actors are fantastic in their roles.

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

What really makes this version special are the special effects.

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

An American version of an Italian giallo.

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

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

The performances of the two leads are masterful.

Simone Signoret is the true star here.

Not good, but good god, it sure is fun.

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

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

The film works best as a character study.

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

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

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

A mostly charming, fun-filled adventure.

Did I mention there is also a Japanese vampire?

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

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

A pretty excellent double feature of poliziotteschi.

You owe it to yourself to buy this film.

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

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

Stage Fight is a great deal of fun.

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

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

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