Steve Geise

Cinema Sentries

On Broadway DVD Review: Start Spreading the News

Essential viewing for musical theatre fans as well as students who weren’t around for the historical moments of the last 50 years.

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Cinema Sentries

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

Noel Coward’s play has been adapted for the screen multiple times dating back to 1945, but it’s been long enough since any recent attempt that someone had to make another run at it. While the cast is strong, the conventional direction by Edward Hall is uninspired, making this a fairly unspirited take on the Coward…

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Cinema Sentries

The Nowhere Inn Movie Review: Make Plans to Check In

Her completely unconventional film is certain to find a devoted fan base, even as it risks disappointing her most ardent supporters hoping for more music.

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

This 1949 Judy Garland vehicle that is an update of the 1940 Jimmy Stewart movie, The Shop Around the Corner,

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

The film is at its best when the captive Aki starts poking apart the relationship dynamic between the fully grown but totally dependent man and his nurturing old mother.

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Thoroughly Modern Millie Blu-ray Review: Thoroughly Charming

Kino Lorber has opted to provide the full roadshow version of the film.

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

Generally overlooked in the West, but thanks to this expertly produced new box set the films have a much better chance to connect with discerning kaiju fans.

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

Elvis is totally fine in the film, but he’s hampered by a bizarre script and a lackluster leading lady in the icy Joan O’Brien.

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

A Warner Archive release that I would point to if asked to recommend one of their titles from a technical perspective.

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

A fun, engaging show that is well worth a look by all musical theatre fans.

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

Arrow Video’s new box set aims to shine a light on poliziotescchi, police action films that generally took a more serious, realistic approach to their mayhem.

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

The story is sweet, heartwarming, and wholly enjoyable nearly 75 years later.

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Irezumi Blu-ray Review: Kiss of the Spider Woman

Another gem in Arrow Video’s rapidly expanding roster of spectacular niche films, and well worth adding to the library of all fans of Japanese cinema.

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

This incomplete masterwork is still far and away one of the best and most important sets ever released by Criterion.

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Cinema Sentries

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

The chemistry between the actors is undeniable, especially since they had already teamed together in the six-time Oscar-winning film, Mrs. Miniver.

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

While it’s not consistently enjoyable, the overwhelming caliber of talent and the many high-quality production numbers make it a worthwhile curiosity.

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

Just in time for this month’s 40th anniversary of the theatrical debut of Indiana Jones, this new box set presents the first four films in 4K UHD for the first time. No Blu-ray discs of the films are present, although all bonus features are stored on a separate Blu-ray. The dashing adventurer Dr. Jones (Harrison…

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Cinema Sentries

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

Although the film was a critical and commercial disaster, it’s worth a watch thanks to its amazing cast and its peculiar uniqueness.

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Cinema Sentries

Tove Movie Review: Moomin Mama Makes Her Mark

Tove is beautifully staged and photographed, looking far more accomplished than its meager budget would seem to support.

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Cinema Sentries

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

While the film leans too heavily on its original source material as a play to be an essential classic film, it’s a satisfying trap for fans of the cast.

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

Santa Sangre is truly like nothing you’ve ever seen before.

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

Criterion is to be commended for giving this new restoration a full-featured U.S. Blu-ray release.

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

Cary Grant and Myrna Loy have very convincing chemistry, no doubt greatly aided by their prior two screen pairings.

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Masculin Feminin Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Tres Chic

The film achieves Godard’s objective of showing what life was like for Parisians in their early twenties in the 1960s.

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

The film is an important piece of Broadway and Hollywood history that is long overdue for Blu-ray treatment.

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

The obvious draws are the star turn by Fred Astaire and the songs by Cole Porter, but co-star Eleanor Powell nearly steals the show.

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

Doris Day and Gordon MacRae are mesmerizing and ultimately elevate the project into a pleasant diversion as we root for their characters to find happiness.

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

Hugo Pratt wraps up the graphic novel tales of his swashbuckling explorer.

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

Legendary director wraps up a five decade career with three impressive films.

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

The musical misses the mark, but is worth viewing for key contributions from Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Angela Lansbury.

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

Kirk Douglas helps to start a sea change in the Hollywood status quo with this ultra-cool performance.

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

Box set features a mostly strong curated selection of classic episodes featuring the original cast.

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

Gene Kelly and Judy Garland struggle to right this listing ship.

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

Scorsese guides viewers through little-known gems from around the world.

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

Takashi Miike takes an inspired stab at the spaghetti Western genre.

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

Iranian classic finally gets a Criterion Blu-ray release.

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

Arrow’s impressive box set contains a whopping 10 films surveying the career of this film auteur.

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

Futuristic miniseries throws in so many ideas that it never settles on one.

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Cinema Sentries

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

This mesmerizing French film offers a fresh take on artist/muse romance and social class distinction

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

Damon Lindeloff strikes gold with a seemingly impossible project.

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

After a decade-long string of big-budget adaptations, writer/director Ritchie returns to his indie crime roots.

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

Mark Millar’s classic comic book proves to be more relevant than ever in this animated adaptation.

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

The gang returns for a new adventure outside of Arendelle.

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

Animated take on the famous family is so bland it practically vanishes from sight.

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The lighthouse, a film poster in black and white

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

A two-hander where your two hands will be firmly embedded in your armrests.

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Lucy in the Sky Movie Review: No Diamonds Here

Noah Hawley’s feature film directorial debut fails to launch.

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Hustlers (2019) Blu-ray Review: Hustles the Audience

Aside from some energetic performances, the film shows very little hustle.

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63 UP Movie Review: The Best Reality Show of All Time

Michael Apted’s legendary documentary series returns with its latest seven-year installment.

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All About Eve Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: All the World’s a Stage

The legendary Oscar-winning film arrives in a brand-new 4K restoration, just in time for its 70th anniversary.

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