Cinema Sentries

The Gory Goodness of Arrow Video in May

The grue is ramped up to 11 with Arrow’s latest output.

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Pretty Little Liars: The Complete Sixth Season DVD Review: Still the Same After Five Years Forward?

Allison asked the Liars to come home and give statements that would attest to the okay-ness of Charlotte being released. Yeah, right.

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MSPIFF 2016 Review: Alena

A stylish thriller that combines both Let The Right One In and Carrie.

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The Huntsman: Winter’s War Movie Review: Winter Turns Around in Embarrassment

This unnecessary prequel/sequel piles on opulence in lieu of interest.

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Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four Movie Review: Texas’ Modern-day Witch Hunt

A documentary that both fascinates and infuriates audiences to action.

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The Lady in the Van Blu-ray Review: Impound This Vehicle

Maggie Smith as a one-note character is the only good thing in this very droll comedy.

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MSPIFF 2016 Review: Here Comes the Videofreex

A very interesting portrait of a group that made an impact in our lives but have never been recognized for it until now.

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The Jungle Book (2016) Movie Review: A Loving Spin on an Old Tale

Jon Favreau recreates The Jungle Book lusher and grander than ever before.

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MSPIFF 2016 Review: Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You

The creator of television’s greatest hits is the focus in this great documentary.

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Memories of a Penitent Heart Movie Review: Memories of a Fragmented Heart

Desires and religion clash in this absorbing familial documentary.

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The Invitation Movie Review: An Invitation You Won’t Pass Up

Karyn Kusama creates a slow-burn with a stellar cast.

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Born to Be Blue Movie Review: Many Shades of Blue

Ethan Hawke sizzles in unconventional Chet Baker biopic.

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Kristen’s Book Club: April 2016

What’s worth reading for April?

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Rage of Honor Blu-ray Review: Sho and Kill

An enjoyable, albeit very predictable, martial arts action movie.

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They’re Watching Movie Review: Scary Monsters and Scarier Moldovans

In They’re Watching, comedy meets horror, but you have to wait about an hour.

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The Hateful Eight DVD Review: Definitely Hateful, For Better or Worse

The Hateful Eight is a pretty good film, but “pretty good” is well below Tarantino’s usual standards.

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Tokyo ESP: The Complete Series Blu-ray Review:  Battle of The Minds

Psychics battle each other in this anime series where the villains are just as compelling as its heroes.

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Silicon Cowboys Movie Review: A Compact Documentary About Compaq

The lively tale of the computer cowboys who changed personal computing.

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Ryan Hurst and Kyle Gallner Discuss Their Characters from WGN’s Outsiders

“L’il Foster is very sensitive and incredibly loyal to his family.” – Ryan Hurst

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Hangman (2015) Blu-ray Review: Watching Home Movies

A cry baby stalks the blandest family in this found-footage feature.

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Turn It Up! Movie Review: A Celebration of the Electric Guitar

A history of the electric guitar and the people who love them.

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The Intruders (2015) DVD Review: This Generation’s Wait Until Dark

If you think this is going to be just another home-invasion story, please come on in.

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Clouds of Sils Maria Movie Review: Heartache and Laughter in the Swiss Alps

Clouds of Sils Maria’s currency is poignance, and in that sense it is infinitely wealthy.

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Zootopia Movie Review: Disney Goes Political, With Bunnies!

Disney’s latest is a mixed bag of political inquiry and film noir.

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Kristen’s Book Club: March 2016

What’s worth reading this month.

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The Martian Movie Review: Lost in Space

Director Ridley Scott and writer Drew Goddard show us a crowd pleasing blockbuster.

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The Art of Mad Max: Fury Road by Abbie Bernstein: Pretty Pictures! Good Words!

An exciting glimpse into the making of one of the most exciting films of the year.

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Heaven Knows What Movie Review: Step into the Shoes of a Former Heroin Addict

Arielle Holmes gives a frightening and cathartic performance based on her personal memoirs.

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The Leftovers: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Review: Let the Mystery Be

“Miracle” boasts a “population of 9,261 – 0 Departures.” It is this special spot that beckons Kevin Garvey and family to leave Mapleton, NY.

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Howard the Duck Movie Review: It’s Not as Bad as You Think

A look back at one of Marvel Comics’ first big-screen adaptations.

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Book Review The Art of Mad Max: Fury Road by Abbie Bernstein

Every bit as vivid, eye-popping, and gut-punching as the film, but slowed down enough that it can sit on your coffee table.

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Steve Jobs DVD Review: A Good Choice For Best Picture

It’s a wonderful blend of acting, writing, and directing.

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It Follows Movie Review: A Horror Movie to Think About

Our own mortality is the most scariest creature of all.

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A Thoughtful Solo Adventure with the Outsiders

If you think this write-up is all over the place and confusing as hell, then you know how I felt about that 60 minutes of my life.

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The Finest Hours Movie Review: Fine for About an Hour

Disney’s latest has great effects but squanders a decent plot in a contrived love story.

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TV Review: Sherlock: “The Abominable Bride”

The new special intricately weaves three different threads of plot and leaves the viewer with dozens of puzzles to tide them over until the next season.

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Ip Man 3 Movie Review: Love, Redemption, and Mike Tyson

Some of the best action sequences in years are on display in Wilson Yip’s latest martial-arts romp!

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Cinema Sentries

Beasts of No Nation Movie Review: Beautiful Brutality

Not my favorite film of the year, but a bold and unbridled effort nonetheless.

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Mojave Movie Review: Death and Pretension in the Desert

Despite its talent, Mojave trades on incomprehension as opposed to tension.

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Book Review: The Twilight Zone FAQ by Dave Thompson

An uneven, yet informative look into a dimension of sight and sound.

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The End of the Tour DVD Review: How to Make Talking Interesting

It has some interesting things to say about writing and America and simply being alive.

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The Who: Live in Hyde Park DVD Review: The 50-Year Anniversary Show

A really great bookend to an amazing career by an amazing band.

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Walt Before Mickey Movie Review: Missing the Magic that Made Disney Disney

A difficult film to recommend to even the most die-hard Walt Disney fan.

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Best of Enemies DVD Review: The Whole World Was Watching

How the 1968 Debates between William F. Buckley and Gore Vidal shaped our current news reporting.

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Dope Blu-ray Review: Geeks, Drugs, and Bitcoins

An entertaining movie with serious themes that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

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Fred Claus Review: A Simple Movie the Entire Family Can Enjoy

If you’re a fan of Christmas movies, you’ll definitely enjoy it.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2015

What’s on your wish list?

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Creed Movie Review: Blood, Sweat, and Boxing

Creed ranks as one of the top films in the Rocky franchise while creating a beautiful new road to travel.

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Why We Watch: Looking at Our TV Choices

Genre? Cast? Plot? Storytelling? What factors entice you to tune in to a show, or take a pass?

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Book Review: Beyond Mars by Jack Williamson and Lee Elias

Beyond Mars is beyond awesome.

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