Relay Blu-ray Review: Long Live Conspiracy Thrillers
By Steve Geise |
Relay is a surprisingly accomplished thriller that deserves much more attention than it has received to date.
Book Review: Nocturnos by Laura Pérez
By Steve Geise |
Nocturnos is delightfully peculiar and open to interpretation, rendered in lush illustrations that invite readers to explore the night with an inquisitive mind.
Cop or Hood Blu-ray Review: Belmondo Star Vehicle Mostly Crashes
By Steve Geise |
When a small-town police chief is murdered, a witty Parisian commissioner is dispatched to investigate.
Angelheaded Hipster: The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex DVD Review: Teenage Dream
By Steve Geise |
The latest film about glam rock star Marc Bolan is an odd amalgamation of archival footage and new tribute performances.
Boomerang (1976) Blu-ray Review: Alain Delon Loses His Cool
By Steve Geise |
Delon is the sole reason to watch the film, making this one strictly for his most dedicated fanbase.
La Femme Nikita: The Complete Series DVD Box Set Review: Viva Peta
By Steve Geise |
The set doesn’t appear to be remastered or restored; it’s simply a concise and complete collection of the entire series in one convenient box.
Daiei Gothic Vol. 2: Japanese Ghost Stories Blu-ray Box Set Review: Ghoulish Delights
By Steve Geise |
Just in time for spooky season, Radiance brings us their second volume of classic Japanese supernatural films from the vaults of defunct studio Daiei.
Black Samson Blu-ray Review: There’s a Riot Goin’ On
By Steve Geise |
As the unelected ruler of a Los Angeles neighborhood, Samson (Rockne Tarkington) speaks softly and carries a big, big stick.
F1 The Movie 4K UHD Review: Brad Pitt Feels the Need for Speed
By Steve Geise |
Pitt did most of his own driving in the film, allowing for startlingly authentic racing footage prominently featuring his face.
The Lake Trilogy DVD Review: Nordic Noir Moves South
By Steve Geise |
The show is about what you would expect, and Cavazza is an intriguing lead actor, making this a solid choice for fans of police procedurals.
Book Review: Witchcraft by Sole Otero
By Steve Geise |
Otero utilizes disparate character voices and eras to paint a picture of female empowerment, colonialism, and religious hypocrisy.
The House of Sand Blu-ray Review: Art Imitates Life in the Brazilian Desert
By Steve Geise |
It’s not really a survival movie, with Waddington far more interested in exploring the character dynamics than sensationalizing their plight.
Materialists Blu-ray Review: No Sophomore Slump Here
By Steve Geise |
Song is locked on with fully formed, intelligent characters who take the time to truly connect with each other in spellbinding interactions.
Book Review: The Spawn of Venus and Other Stories, Illustrated by Wallace Wood
By Steve Geise |
The new book contains 26 senses-shattering sci-fi yarns drawn by Wood for EC in the early 1950s.
Misericordia Blu-ray Review: Misery Loves Company
By Steve Geise |
Guiradie doesn’t offer any easy answers to Jeremie’s plight, but his perceptive crafting of fascinating characters makes for a richly rewarding tale.
The Wrong Arm of the Law Blu-ray Review: Peter Sellers Warms Up for Clouseau
By Steve Geise |
This 1963 British crime caper stars Peter Sellers mere months before his debut outing as The Pink Panther’s Inspector Clouseau
Maedchen in Uniform (1958) Blu-ray Review: Pretty Maidens All in a Row
By Steve Geise |
It’s a tricky balance, attempting to keep the teacher blameless while also allowing Manuela to explore her feelings, making for a spellbinding viewing experience.
Los Golfos Blu-ray Review: Hope Dies in the Ring
By Steve Geise |
Spanish director/co-writer Carlos Saura’s 1960 feature film debut follows a downtrodden group of young men on the fringes of society.
Book Review: Death in Trieste by Jason
By Steve Geise |
Veteran Norwegian cartoonist Jason returns with an all-new collection of three short graphic stories rendered in his impeccably clear line style.
The White Lotus: The Complete Third Season DVD Review: Thai Spice
By Steve Geise |
HBO’s buzzy limited series continues with its third iteration, this time travelling to an idyllic resort in Thailand.
Book Review: Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant Sketchbooks: An Illustrated Memoir: Volume 1 by Brian M. Kane
By Steve Geise |
Fantagraphics kicks off a new six-volume look behind the scenes of Hal Foster’s Prince Valiant comic strip with this initial volume covering 1971-72.
Martial Law: Lo Wei’s Wuxia World Blu-ray Review: The Brotherhood of Shaw Brothers
By Steve Geise |
We’ve had an abundance of far-ranging Shaw Brothers box sets in the past few years, but this one narrows the scope to three wuxia films by director Lo Wei.
The Great Gatsby (1949) Blu-ray Review: Alan Ladd Sets a High Bar for All Future Gatsbys
By Steve Geise |
All of the pieces are here, but the presentation is fairly flat and workmanlike compared to the later adaptations.
Two Weeks with Love Blu-ray Review: I’ve Had the Time of My Life
By Steve Geise |
A naive 17-year-old girl spends summer vacation in the Catskills with her family, where she falls under the spell of a suave older man with sexy dance moves.
Melinda Blu-ray Review: Frankie Says Relax
By Steve Geise |
Frankie J. is a smooth-talking L.A. DJ on the prowl for ladies and fun, at least until his latest conquest ends up dead in his apartment.
Book Review: Buff Soul by Moa Romanova
By Steve Geise |
With a relatable plot and remarkable art, Romanova delivers a winning sophomore effort that surpasses her memorable debut.
The Tale of Oiwa’s Ghost Blu-ray Review: Classy, Not Trashy
By Steve Geise |
Kato spins Iemon’s tale in a largely conventional but beautifully lensed drama that examines society’s ills instead of thrills and chills.
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman – The Complete Series Blu-ray Box Set Review
By Steve Geise |
This newly remastered Blu-ray box set compiles the full four-season run of the ‘90s Superman series starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher.
See: Complete Series Blu-ray Review: Blind Game of Thrones
By Steve Geise |
See imagines a post-apocalyptic Earth where the ragtag survivors lost their vision (and contractions, apparently) to a virus generations ago
A Date with Judy Blu-ray Review: The Goody-Good, the Baddie, and the Beery
By Steve Geise |
This classic MGM musical combines the golly-gee innocence of high school hijinks with the sizzle of Carmen Miranda, forbidden love with an older man, and an infidelity subplot.
Sugar Hill Blu-ray Review: Supernatural Voodoo Woman
By Steve Geise |
Despite the dark themes, it’s all in good, PG-rated fun, with everyone having a grand old time with the ridiculous premise.
Bonjour Tristesse (2024) DVD Review: Mediterranean Summer Love
By Steve Geise |
Characters don’t so much rush from one plot beat to the next as glide through the daily minutiae of their time in paradise.
The Lord of the Rings: Original Animated Classic Blu-ray Review: Ralph Bakshi’s Previz for Peter Jackson
By Steve Geise |
The animated film is vastly entertaining on its own merits, but also now incredibly fascinating as a companion piece to Jackson’s live-action films.
Executive Suite Blu-ray Review: Succession in the 1950s
By Steve Geise |
The film explores the frantic maneuvers of a board of directors to select a new president in the aftermath of the former president’s unexpected death.
Grand Prix Blu-ray Review: Takes the Flag for Total Racing Immersion
By Steve Geise |
John Frankenheimer’s 1966 racing drama is so stacked with international stars that it might appear to be coasting on delivering any actual racing thrills.
The Beast to Die Blu-ray Review: Good Guy Gone Bad
By Steve Geise |
By the start of the ‘80s, Yusaku Matsuda (Yokohama BJ Blues) had tired of his typical action hero roles and was looking to redefine his talent.
Simple Minds: Everything Is Possible DVD Review: Alive and Kicking
By Steve Geise |
Joss Crowley’s rapturous documentary aims to shine a light on the fascinating dynamics of the band while documenting their unlikely rise to fame.
Book Review: Society Is Nix: Gleeful Anarchy at the Dawn of the American Comic Strip 1895-1915 Revised Edition
By Steve Geise |
The revised and expanded second edition is an absolutely essential deep dive into the fascinating origins of American comic strips.
The 100: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: Post-Apocalyptic Lord of the Flies
By Steve Geise |
After drifting out of print over the last decade, the first season of this sci-fi series is once again available on U.S. Blu-ray.
Champagne & Caviar: Four Weimar Comedies Blu-ray Review: Two Slapsticks, Two Rom-Coms
By Steve Geise |
This fantastic set reveals the innovation and craftsmanship of the early German film industry, serving as a lasting celebration of its halcyon bygone days.
Detonation! Violent Riders Blu-ray Review: Firing on All Cylinders
By Steve Geise |
This 1975 Japanese bikersploitation film is a funk-fueled blast of fast-paced action and free-spirited youth.
Book Review: Brain Damage by Shintaro Kago
By Steve Geise |
While the collection is chock full of interesting concepts, it seems like a step down from the wildly inventive, surreal heights of Dementia 21.
Two Political Thrillers by Henri Verneuil: I… for Icarus & Mille Milliards de Dollars DVD Review
By Steve Geise |
Perfect for fans of ‘70s conspiracy thrillers such as The Parallax View and All the President’s Men, sharing some distinct similarities with them.
Book Review: Raging Clouds by Yudori
By Steve Geise |
Her lively, unpredictable tale and fully formed, complex characters make for a book that is a deeply affecting read, not just an exercise in visual style.
The Blues Under the Skin Blu-ray Review: Trouble in Mind
By Steve Geise |
Robert Manthoulis’s 1973 film is a curious combination of intimate music performances, documentary scenes of working-class poor, and scripted scenes.
Beware of Mr. Baker Blu-ray Review: Strange Brew
By Steve Geise |
This 2012 documentary delves into the riotous life of wild-eyed, mercurial drummer Ginger Baker, best known for his work with Cream and Blind Faith.
Made in New Jersey: Films from Fort Lee Blu-ray Review: Birth of a Nation’s Films
By Steve Geise |
While the films mostly serve as historical curiosities rather than masterful works of art, they’re intriguing glimpses of the early US film industry.
The President’s Wife Blu-ray Review: Game Recognizes Game
By Steve Geise |
The film is a great vehicle to see the living legend, Catherine Deneuve, bringing her gravitas to bear on the political life of another French titan.
The Ballad of Wallis Island Blu-ray Review: Wish Fulfillment
By Steve Geise |
It’s so rare to find such richly realized characters in any current films, making this a must-see for anyone bemoaning the demise of movies for adults.
Book Review: The Idris File by Dix
By Steve Geise |
It may be called The Idris File, but if there’s one thing readers will long remember about the story, it’s not Idris.

















































