Steve Geise

Uncharted Blu-ray Review: Charted in the Video Games

By Steve Geise | May 10, 2022

As I watched the thrilling mid-air action scene that opens Uncharted, I realized that it seemed familiar to me. That’s ...

Twisting the Knife: Four Films by Claude Chabrol Blu-ray Box Set Review

By Steve Geise | Apr 28, 2022

Following quickly on the heels of Arrow Video’s five-film Chabrol box set, this second box set is smaller but contains ...

Saturday Fiction Movie Review: Return of the Queen

By Steve Geise | Apr 22, 2022

Lou Ye’s latest film has a huge ace: a star turn by Gong Li. After rising to art house prominence ...

Paris, 13th District Movie Review: The City of Light Romance

By Steve Geise | Apr 14, 2022

Writer/director Jacques Audiard’s latest film follows four young adults as they navigate the ups and downs of dating and professional ...

Book Review: The Junction by Norm Konyu

By Steve Geise | Apr 14, 2022

Far too rarely, a graphic novel lands in the market with such an assured sense of style and substance that ...

Man’s Favorite Sport? Blu-ray Review: Rock Out of Water

By Steve Geise | Apr 9, 2022

Rock Hudson stars in this romantic comedy about the author of a well-known fishing guidebook who has never actually fished, ...

Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-5 Blu-ray Review: One Pickle, Two Crows, and a Multiverse of Mirth

By Steve Geise | Apr 4, 2022

Rick and Morty is the rarest of TV phenomena: a series so popular that the studio keeps releasing “complete” series ...

Blue Skies Blu-ray Review: Holiday Inn Revisited

By Steve Geise | Mar 25, 2022

While most musicals would be lucky to have one of the three powerhouses featured in Blue Skies, this film suffers ...

Lies & Deceit: Five Films by Claude Chabrol Blu-ray Box Set Review

By Steve Geise | Mar 9, 2022

Arrow Video’s latest box set shines a light on the works of French New Wave director Claude Chabrol. Although he’s ...

The Three Musketeers (1948) Blu-ray Review: Night of 100 Stars

By Steve Geise | Feb 22, 2022

MGM’s 1948 version of this classic tale is full of stars but short on clear direction. The first act plays ...

Drive My Car Movie Review: A Sublime Journey

By Steve Geise | Feb 12, 2022

As the least-known contender in this year’s Oscar Best Picture nominees, Drive My Car has the best opportunity to surprise ...

Catwoman: Hunted 4K Ultra HD Review: DC Goes Anime

By Steve Geise | Feb 11, 2022

DC’s latest animated film answers the question you probably never asked: what would a DC film look like as anime? ...

The Lover 4K UHD Collector’s Edition Review: Fall in Love Again

By Steve Geise | Jan 27, 2022

Famed director Jean-Jacques Annaud’s adaptation of this steamy semi-autobiographical tale by author Marguerite Duras caused a sensation upon its 1992 theatrical ...

Giallo Essentials [Yellow Edition] Blu-ray Review: Masked Killers, Disrobed Victims

By Steve Geise | Dec 24, 2021

Arrow Video’s second box set collection of giallo classics is now available, arriving less than a month after the first ...

West Side Story (2021) Movie Review: Spielberg Keeps It Real

By Steve Geise | Dec 8, 2021

In Steven Spielberg’s vision of 1950s New York City, the West Side resembles a bombed-out warzone. That’s largely due to ...

Giallo Essentials [Red Edition] Blu-ray Box Set Review: Mixed Bag, Solid Box

By Steve Geise | Dec 6, 2021

Just in time for the holiday gift giving season, Arrow Video has repackaged three individual Blu-ray releases from 2018/19 into ...

Night Gallery Season One Blu-ray Review: Rod Serling’s Other Series Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint

By Steve Geise | Dec 1, 2021

Rod Serling will always be most closely identified with The Twilight Zone, but his follow-up series is finally getting Blu-ray ...

Mad Max Anthology 4K Ultra HD Box Set Review: Work in Progress

By Steve Geise | Nov 29, 2021

You know how all major video games launch with issues that have to be fixed after release? Well, sometimes it ...

Freud Blu-ray Review: Montgomery Clift Exorcises His Demons

By Steve Geise | Nov 24, 2021

This mid-career effort by legendary director John Houston is overlong, clinical, and ponderous, and yet Montgomery Clift’s tortured lead performance ...

Lullaby of Broadway Blu-ray Review: Don’t Sleep on This Joyous Delight

By Steve Geise | Nov 19, 2021

Doris Day leads an engaging cast in this fairly conventional but highly entertaining musical. She stars as a young dancer ...

The Bitter Stems Blu-ray Review: Argentine Noir

By Steve Geise | Nov 11, 2021

Alfredo Gasper is a hard-working newspaper reporter in Argentina who has become disillusioned about the trajectory of his stalled career. ...

Audrey Hepburn 7-Movie Collection Blu-ray Review: More Loverly Than Ever

By Steve Geise | Nov 1, 2021

This collection of Audrey Hepburn’s most memorable starring roles has been available on DVD since early 2019, but has only ...

Doctor Who: The Edge of Reality Video Game Review: Allons-y!

By Steve Geise | Oct 30, 2021

Licensed video games are always fraught with the peril of hardcore fan expectations vs. actual gameplay. Add in the burden ...

Change of Habit Blu-ray Review: Easy Habit to Break

By Steve Geise | Oct 23, 2021

This offbeat film bears the distinction of being Elvis Presley’s final acting role, which is about the only remarkable thing ...

Becoming Cousteau Movie Review: From Exploration to Conservation

By Steve Geise | Oct 22, 2021

Decades before David Attenborough became a household name in the U.S., Jacques-Yves Cousteau was the king of nature documentaries. Along ...

Come September Blu-ray Review: Hudson Rocks the Riviera

By Steve Geise | Oct 19, 2021

Rock Hudson is in prime leading man form in this beautifully photographed 1961 romp through the Italian Riviera. Hudson plays ...

On Broadway DVD Review: Start Spreading the News

By Steve Geise | Oct 11, 2021

After an unprecedented 18-month shutdown caused by the pandemic, Broadway finally started reopening many shows last month. Oscar-nominated director Oren ...

Blithe Spirit (2020) Blu-ray Review: Bland and Unspirited, But Mann and Fisher Shine

By Steve Geise | Oct 4, 2021

Noel Coward’s play has been adapted for the screen multiple times dating back to 1945, but it’s been long enough ...

The Nowhere Inn Movie Review: Make Plans to Check In

By Steve Geise | Sep 15, 2021

St. Vincent decides to try out smoking during the production of her concert tour documentary film, declaring to her friend ...

Star Trek: The Original 4 Movies 4K Ultra HD Collection Review: 4K, The Final Frontier

By Steve Geise | Sep 12, 2021

In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the debut of the Star Trek TV series this month, Paramount has released ...

In the Good Old Summertime Blu-ray Review: You’ve Got Snail Mail

By Steve Geise | Sep 7, 2021

Modern Hollywood gets plenty of well-deserved grief for rebooting stories before the originals have even faded from memory, but it’s ...

Blind Beast Blu-ray Review: An Assured Vision by Director Yasuzo Masumura

By Steve Geise | Aug 31, 2021

When an alluring young fetish model named Aki visits a gallery exhibiting her nude works, she’s shocked to find a ...

Thoroughly Modern Millie Blu-ray Review: Thoroughly Charming

By Steve Geise | Aug 12, 2021

This zany musical was a big hit in the 1960s, garnering huge box office and seven Oscar nominations, along with ...

The Daimajin Trilogy Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set: Stone Cold Kaiju Action

By Steve Geise | Aug 6, 2021

What if a Godzilla-sized monster was a living stone statue who battled evil human warlords instead of other monsters? Japan’s ...

It Happened at the World’s Fair Blu-ray Review: It Probably Shouldn’t Have

By Steve Geise | Jul 24, 2021

Elvis Presley starred in dozens of films in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and many of them were quite entertaining. This ...

Take Me Out to the Ball Game Blu-ray Review: Almost a Home Run

By Steve Geise | Jul 23, 2021

Now that it’s mid-summer, it’s peak time to enjoy the national pastime: baseball…in musical form. Warner Archive rounds the bases ...

An American in Paris: The Musical Blu-ray Review: C’est Bon

By Steve Geise | Jul 19, 2021

As live musicals shut down during the pandemic, recorded performances stepped in to help fill the entertainment void. The 2014 ...

Years of Lead Limited Edition Blu-ray Box Set Review: Transforms Lead into Gold

By Steve Geise | Jul 16, 2021

When most film fans think of Italian genre films of the 1970s, the first term that comes to mind is ...

It Happened on 5th Avenue Blu-ray Review: Thoroughly Charming Happenstance

By Steve Geise | Jul 7, 2021

You know how sometimes you stumble across a movie you had no intention of watching but end up really liking ...

Irezumi Blu-ray Review: Kiss of the Spider Woman

By Steve Geise | Jul 3, 2021

A wealthy merchant’s daughter becomes a murderous geisha after receiving a huge back tattoo of a spider. At a glance, ...

World of Wong Kar Wai Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: What a Wonderful World

By Steve Geise | Jun 29, 2021

Wong Kar Wai burst into the international film scene in the 1980s and has remained an icon ever since. While ...

Madame Curie Blu-ray Review: Geniuses Oblivious to Their Attraction

By Steve Geise | Jun 24, 2021

Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon portray the Curies in this biographical film about the early career of the discoverer of ...

Ziegfeld Follies Blu-ray Review: Two Hours of Follies, Half Hour of Jollies

By Steve Geise | Jun 22, 2021

While movie musicals typically follow a paper-thin plot as a device to string together their songs, this oddity ditches the ...

Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection 4K Ultra HD Box Set Review: Dolby Atmos to the Rescue

By Steve Geise | Jun 18, 2021

Just in time for this month’s 40th anniversary of the theatrical debut of Indiana Jones, this new box set presents ...

Just a Gigolo Blu-ray Review: Bowie and Dietrich Make the Best of a Misfire

By Steve Geise | Jun 11, 2021

This Berlin-set film arrived at an opportune time in David Bowie’s career, since he was living in the city for ...

Tove Movie Review: Moomin Mama Makes Her Mark

By Steve Geise | Jun 3, 2021

Tove Jansson rose to international fame thanks to her creation of the iconic Moomin characters. Although she passed away 20 ...

The Tender Trap Blu-ray Review: Trapped in Dated Attitudes But Still Tender Fun

By Steve Geise | May 27, 2021

Frank Sinatra plays a wealthy Broadway talent agent named Charlie whose chief talent seems to be adding girlfriends to his ...

Santa Sangre 4K UHD Limited Edition Box Set Review: Jodorowsky’s True Vision

By Steve Geise | May 21, 2021

Alejandro Jodorowsky is the quintessential Renaissance man, although he’s most widely known as a feature film director. His true definition ...

Flowers of Shanghai Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Mise-ry en Scene

By Steve Geise | May 19, 2021

This Taiwanese movie was based on a novel about “flower houses” of 19th century Shanghai, high class establishments where courtesans ...

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House Blu-ray Review: Solid Comedy Construction

By Steve Geise | May 18, 2021

If I hadn’t watched this new Blu-ray, I never would have realized that the old Tom Hanks comedy The Money ...

Masculin Feminin Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Tres Chic

By Steve Geise | Apr 28, 2021

Jean-Luc Godard’s study of young love in Paris pulses with style but doesn’t have much of a story. The film ...

Annie Get Your Gun Blu-ray Review: Shoots a Few Blanks but Hits the Overall Target

By Steve Geise | Apr 19, 2021

Prior to its release this week, this classic MGM movie adaptation of an American musical theatre staple has never been ...

Broadway Melody of 1940 Blu-ray Review: De-Lovely

By Steve Geise | Apr 13, 2021

The obvious draws for this classic MGM musical are the star turn by Fred Astaire and the songs written by ...

On Moonlight Bay Blu-ray Review: Day and MacRae Play on the Bay

By Steve Geise | Feb 25, 2021

Booth Tarkington is most famously remembered as the author of the Pulitzer Prize winning novels The Magnificent Ambersons and Alice ...

Book Review: Corto Maltese: Mu, The Lost Continent by Hugo Pratt

By Steve Geise | Jan 30, 2021

Italian comics star Hugo Pratt led a life that was nearly as adventurous as his most famous character, Corto Maltese. ...

Three Films by Luis Buñuel Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Don’s Swan Songs

By Steve Geise | Jan 6, 2021

As Luis Buñuel neared the end of his life, he swore each time he made a film that it would ...

The Harvey Girls Blu-ray Review: MGM Misses the Bullseye

By Steve Geise | Dec 16, 2020

Despite the top billing of mega-star Judy Garland and some pricey-looking location shooting and hundreds of extras, The Harvey Girls ...

Young Man with a Horn Blu-ray Review: Birth of the Cool

By Steve Geise | Dec 7, 2020

Kirk Douglas was a force in Hollywood for so many decades that it's easy to forget that he was a ...

Saturday Night Live: The Early Years: The Best of Seasons 1-5 DVD Box Set Review

By Steve Geise | Nov 29, 2020

This new box set cherry picks 33 complete episodes from the first five years of Saturday Night Live, acting as ...

The Pirate Blu-ray Review: Choppy Seas Lead to Treasure

By Steve Geise | Nov 24, 2020

On paper, this classic musical has everything going for it. Headlined by the top-tier star pairing of Gene Kelly and ...

Martin Scorsese’s World Cinema Project No. 3 Criterion Collection Box Set Review

By Steve Geise | Sep 30, 2020

Legendary writer/director and noted film buff Martin Scorsese established The Film Foundation's World Cinema Project in 2007 to restore and ...

Sukiyaki Western Django Blu-ray Review: The Good, the Bad, and the Quentin

By Steve Geise | Aug 10, 2020

Writer/director Takashi Miike rose to international fame around the turn of the century with a string of audacious cult classic ...

Taste of Cherry Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Not to Everyone’s Taste

By Steve Geise | Jul 19, 2020

Abbas Kiarostami's understated film won the prestigious Palme d'Or Award at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, leading to its initial ...

Solid Metal Nightmares: The Films of Shinya Tsukamoto Blu-ray Box Set Review

By Steve Geise | Jul 8, 2020

If you've seen one Tsukamoto film, you definitely haven't seen them all, as evidenced by this amazing new box set ...

Wild Palms Blu-ray Review: It’s No Twin Peaks

By Steve Geise | Jul 1, 2020

In the wake of the spectacular rise and fall of the original Twin Peaks, its network ABC was keen to produce ...

Portrait of a Lady on Fire Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Burning Bright

By Steve Geise | Jun 23, 2020

Writer/director Celine Sciamma's latest film is both exhilarating and depressing: spellbinding because of its absolute excellence and disheartening because it ...

Watchmen (2019): An HBO Limited Series Blu-ray Review: An Instant Classic

By Steve Geise | May 31, 2020

If you come to HBO's Watchmen limited series with a knowledge of the original comic book series and/or Zack Snyder's 2009 movie, ...

The Gentlemen Blu-ray Review: Finally, a Real Guy Ritchie Film

By Steve Geise | Apr 25, 2020

Guy Ritchie's latest film is a winning return to the gritty ensemble crime caper format that fueled his rise to ...

Superman: Red Son 4K UHD Review: It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Communist

By Steve Geise | Mar 21, 2020

DC's latest animated movie explores the question of what would have happened if baby Superman landed in Russia instead of ...

Frozen II Blu-ray Review: Call the Police, It Got Robbed of an Oscar Nomination

By Steve Geise | Feb 28, 2020

Frozen II represents a new pinnacle in feature film animation, with dazzling artistic and technical prowess, a surprising and engaging story, ...

The Addams Family (2019) Blu-ray Review: Not Creepy or Kooky

By Steve Geise | Jan 24, 2020

The Addams Family is the very definition of Hollywood product, a project so completely lacking any creative spark or reason for ...

The Lighthouse Blu-ray Review: A Shining Beacon of Excellence

By Steve Geise | Jan 9, 2020

I wasn't at all familiar with director and co-writer Robert Eggers until this masterful sophomore effort, but immediately added his ...

The Wizard of Oz 4K Ultra HD Review: Somewhere Over the HDR Rainbow

By Steve Geise | Nov 2, 2019

Dorothy and the gang are back in a sparkling new 80th anniversary edition of the classic film, released in 4K ...

Wonder Woman: Bloodlines 4K Ultra HD Review: All Hail the Princess

By Steve Geise | Oct 22, 2019

The latest DC animated film starts off poorly, with a prolonged 10-minute origin story on Wonder Woman’s home island of ...

Batman: Hush 4K Ultra HD Review: The Bat, the Cat, and Villains Aplenty

By Steve Geise | Aug 9, 2019

DC's animated films tend to be adaptations of their classic comic-book works, with this story in particular being one of ...

The Batman Four Film Collection 4K UHD Review: Long Live the Bat

By Steve Geise | Jun 5, 2019

It seems impossible now, but 30 years ago there was only one blockbuster cinematic superhero: Batman. In celebration of the ...

Book Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 5, 1985-1986 by Stan Lee, Floro Dery, and Dan Barry

By Steve Geise | May 20, 2019

In its early years, the daily Spider-Man comic strip had typically followed a comfortable pattern of Spider-Man facing off against ...

Batman Ninja Blu-ray Review: East Meets West

By Steve Geise | May 7, 2018

Batman Ninja is truly unique in the DC animated universe, not only because of its radical premise, but because it ...

Batman: Gotham by Gaslight Blu-ray Review: The Steampunk World’s Greatest Detective

By Steve Geise | Feb 7, 2018

Nearly 30 years ago, DC Comics launched an ongoing series of standalone stories set outside their normal comics continuity, eventually ...

Superman / Batman: Apocalypse Blu-ray Review: Destined to Be a Fan Favorite

By Steve Geise | Nov 5, 2017

Here's a recipe for surefire fanboy satisfaction: pair the two most recognizable superheroes in the world with their most well-known ...

Batman and Harley Quinn Blu-ray Review: Poison, But Not the Ivy Kind

By Steve Geise | Aug 30, 2017

After 10 years and 30 animated films, the brain trust behind the DC Universe Animated Original Movies is long overdue ...

Book Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 4, 1983-1984 by Stan Lee, Fred Kida, and Floro Dery

By Steve Geise | Aug 10, 2017

With Fred Kida in control on daily art duties, Stan Lee started his writing chores in 1983 with nearly four ...

Book Review: Batman: The Silver Age Newspaper Comics Vol. 3, 1969-1972

By Steve Geise | Feb 15, 2017

Long before most of us were reading the funny pages, Batman was finishing up a six-year comic strip run fueled ...

Book Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 3, 1981-1982 by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Fred Kida

By Steve Geise | Sep 30, 2016

After taking over the art duties from comic strip originating artist John Romita Sr., Stan Lee's brother Larry Lieber continued ...

Justice League vs. Teen Titans Blu-ray Review: That’s So Raven, Damian

By Steve Geise | Apr 11, 2016

DC appears determined to cater to all manner of Justice League fans this year. If the dark, brooding Batman V Superman ...

Book Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 2, 1979-1981 by Stan Lee and John Romita

By Steve Geise | Apr 4, 2016

st The trouble with a daily serialized story is how long it takes for anything to happen. Thanks to IDW's ...

SPECTRE Blu-ray Review: Ghosts of Bond’s Past

By Steve Geise | Feb 8, 2016

After the nearly universal acclaim and gigantic box office for the previous Bond outing, Skyfall, any follow-up was likely to ...

Book Review: The Amazing Spider-Man: The Ultimate Newspaper Comics Collection Vol. 1, 1979-1981 by Stan Lee and John Romita

By Steve Geise | Jul 8, 2015

Let's face it: daily newspaper comic strips have never been a great way to follow serialized stories. When a story ...

Star Wars Celebration 2015 Review: The Biggest Star Wars Convention in the Galaxy

By Steve Geise | Apr 19, 2015

The biennial Star Wars Celebration took place over the weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center, an occasionally frustrating experience in ...

Batman vs. Robin Blu-ray Review: Another Dark and Dangerous Day in Gotham

By Steve Geise | Apr 17, 2015

The title of DC's latest animated film is catchy, but it's also a bait and switch. Sure, Robin briefly toys ...

It Happened One Night Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Original Runaway Bride

By Steve Geise | Nov 21, 2014

It's hard to imagine now, but there was a time in cinematic history when romantic comedies were extremely rare. That ...

LEGO Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite Blu-ray Review: Holy Bricks, Batman!

By Steve Geise | May 30, 2013

I recently slammed the achingly buffoonish LEGO Star Wars Blu-ray while lamenting that LEGO would have been much better served ...

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Part 2 Blu-ray Review: Supes vs. Bats, We All Win

By Steve Geise | Feb 6, 2013

Warner Bros Animation's concluding adaptation of Frank Miller's classic comic book series (Part 1 review) contains the fight every superhero ...

TV Review: Doctor Who: The Snowmen

By Steve Geise | Dec 25, 2012

Santa Claus brought Doctor Who fans a new companion this year, and she proves to be a keeper. As 19th ...

Tomorrow Never Dies Movie Review: Enter The Dragon

By Steve Geise | Oct 4, 2012

I've seen all of the Bond movies. I've read all of the original Fleming novels. And yet, this DVD is ...

Love Is News DVD Review: The News Is Good

By Steve Geise | Jul 21, 2012

While I’m familiar with the name of leading man Tyrone Power, I realized before watching this film that I’m almost ...

Midsomer Murders: Set 20 Blu-ray Review: Crime and Bemusement in the English Countryside

By Steve Geise | Jul 20, 2012

Deep in the English countryside, there’s a fictional county with an alarmingly high murder rate. Despite its fairly low population, ...

LEGO Ninjago Masters of Spinjitzu: Season One DVD Review: A Fun but Lightweight Extended Toy Commercial

By Steve Geise | Jul 17, 2012

Four pizza-loving teen ninjas battle the forces of evil under the tutelage of their wise old sensei. Teenage Mutant Ninja ...

The Samurai Trilogy Criterion Collection DVD Review: Mifune in His Physical Prime

By Steve Geise | Jul 11, 2012

Japanese screen legend Toshiro Mifune is most closely associated with the directorial efforts of fellow legend Akira Kurosawa, and yet ...

American Reunion Blu-ray Review: Reunited and It Feels So Good

By Steve Geise | Jul 9, 2012

The kids from American Pie are all physically adults now, but the guys are still as juvenile as ever. On ...

Doc Martin Series 5 DVD Review: Baby Makes Three, Doesn’t Spoil the Chemistry

By Steve Geise | Jul 9, 2012

This show may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but its offbeat cast of characters continue to delight those willing ...

Shame (2011) Blu-ray Review: A Shameful Waste of Michael Fassbender’s Acting Talent

By Steve Geise | Jun 6, 2012

Shame is one of those whiny, self-involved New Yorker tales that makes most normal folks cringe. It’s further hampered by ...

Wallander: The Revenge Movie Review: Original Book Author Contributes a Terrific Film Plot

By Steve Geise | May 30, 2012

Believe it or not, Stieg Larsson didn’t corner the market on Swedish crime fiction with his Dragon Tattoo (aka Millenium) ...

Summer with Monika Criterion Collection Blu-Ray Review: Bergman in Love

By Steve Geise | May 29, 2012

This early success from director Ingmar Bergman follows a completely straightforward and conventional path to its obvious conclusion, offering little ...

Certified Copy Criterion Collection Blu-Ray Review: Certified Original

By Steve Geise | May 29, 2012

An esteemed English author named James Miller (William Shimell) has written a book on the value of copies versus original ...

Sherlock: Season Two Blu-ray Review: It’s Elementary That You Must Watch This

By Steve Geise | May 23, 2012

My keen powers of observation have allowed me to deduce that you’re thinking “Another Sherlock Holmes project? Enough already!” Sure, ...

The Secret World of Arrietty Blu-ray Review: Another Ghibli Gem

By Steve Geise | May 21, 2012

Even when legendary animation director Hayao Miyazaki isn’t officially helming films for Studio Ghibli, his touch is so ingrained in ...

Hell on Wheels: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: The Boiling Melting Pot

By Steve Geise | May 16, 2012

This AMC series didn’t seem to get much attention during its first season, especially in comparison to the network’s critical ...

The Avengers (2012) Movie Review: Merry Marvel Mayhem

By Steve Geise | May 4, 2012

After years of planning and audience baiting through individual Marvel superhero films, the massive Marvel team-up finally arrives in U.S. ...

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (1979) Blu-ray Review: The Spy Who Went Out in the Cold

By Steve Geise | Apr 26, 2012

Decades before last year’s theatrical adaptation, John le Carre’s classic espionage novel was the basis for this BBC TV miniseries. ...

Late Spring Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Moving Look at a Family’s Season of Change

By Steve Geise | Apr 20, 2012

Writer/director Yasujiro Ozu is widely regarded as one of the most important Japanese directors of all time, generally second only ...

Frozen Planet Blu-ray Review: BBC Hits the Poles

By Steve Geise | Apr 17, 2012

Following the huge worldwide success of their previous epic nature projects Planet Earth and Life, the BBC cameramen don their ...

Astonishing X-Men: Dangerous DVD Review: Joss Whedon Earns His Marvel Stripes

By Steve Geise | Apr 13, 2012

Before helming this summer’s Marvel team-up blockbuster film The Avengers, Joss Whedon earned his Marvel Comics bona fides in the ...

David Lean Directs Noel Coward Criterion Collection DVD Boxset Review: Box of Delights

By Steve Geise | Mar 26, 2012

Although best remembered for his widescreen epics such as Lawrence of Arabia, Dr. Zhivago, and The Bridge on the River ...

Secret Pleasures DVD Box Set Review: Asian Grab Bag

By Steve Geise | Mar 22, 2012

This box set of fairly recent films takes a grab-bag approach, carrying no real unifying theme other than a focus ...

In the Garden of Sounds DVD Review: Who Says Blindness is a Disability?

By Steve Geise | Mar 19, 2012

Wolfgang Fasser went blind in his early 20s, the victim of a rare genetic disease. “Victim” may be the wrong ...

The Last Temptation of Christ Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Still Controversial

By Steve Geise | Mar 14, 2012

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, famed director Martin Scorsese sparked a firestorm of controversy via the release of ...

Todd & the Book of Pure Evil: The Complete First Season DVD Review: Join the Cult

By Steve Geise | Mar 13, 2012

Just in time for tonight’s Second Season premiere on FEARnet, the complete First Season DVD box set is now available. ...

Vanya on 42nd Street Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: A Timeless Theatrical Experiment

By Steve Geise | Mar 9, 2012

Seemingly random individuals are filmed roaming the streets of New York’s Broadway area before separately converging on a dilapidated theater. ...

Justice League: Doom Blu-ray Review: Action Triumphs over Plot

By Steve Geise | Mar 1, 2012

DC’s latest animated movie pits its greatest superheroes against some of their most dangerous foes, meaning it’s light on plot ...

World on a Wire Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Nature of Unnatural Reality

By Steve Geise | Feb 27, 2012

Two business colleagues at a supercomputer research facility are enjoying a pleasant conversation before one of them declares that he ...

A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas Blu-ray Review: The 19th Best Christmas Movie of All Time

By Steve Geise | Feb 10, 2012

Harold and Kumar aren't the ideal characters one would envision for a frothy Christmas movie or a senses-shattering 3D experience, ...

Three Outlaw Samurai Criterion Collection DVD Review: Three is the Magic Number

By Steve Geise | Jan 31, 2012

When peasants stage an uprising against their greedy local magistrate, they find an unlikely ally in the form of a ...

After Fall, Winter Movie Review: Love in the Time of Desperation

By Steve Geise | Jan 30, 2012

A lonely writer wanders around the streets of Paris before stumbling into an exciting new romantic relationship that reinvigorates his ...

Belle de Jour Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: How Severine Got Her Groove Back

By Steve Geise | Jan 21, 2012

A young, wealthy housewife goes for a horse-drawn carriage ride in the idyllic French countryside with her dashing husband. So ...

Glee: The Concert Blu-ray Review: Fun Performances, Lame Interludes

By Steve Geise | Jan 3, 2012

The Glee concert film captures a moment in time of a pop-culture phenomenon that had already started its slow march ...

Tokyo Drifter Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Style Over Substance

By Steve Geise | Dec 9, 2011

Iconic director Seijun Suzuki’s film isn’t very impressive from a story standpoint, but is packed with wall-to-colorful-wall visual flair. It’s ...