Steve Geise

Bitter Rice Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Beauty of the Downtrodden

This 1949 Italian film marries social commentary about the lower class with rewarding drama and romance.

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Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials Blu-ray Review: Diminishing Returns

Second film in the Maze Runner cycle fails to build upon the strengths of its predecessor.

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Jellyfish Eyes Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Surprisingly Unsurprising 

Takashi Murakami’s first film is fun for the whole family but sorely lacking his usual artistic iconoclasm.

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Trainwreck Blu-ray Review: Apatow Wrecks the Comedy

Schumer gets some laughs, but Apatow seems determined to be a drama director.

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A Special Day Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Special Performances from Italian Screen Legends

Italian stars Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni play against type in this beguiling drama.

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My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: Friendship Games DVD Review: Ponies No More

The third full-length movie starring alternate universe human versions of My Little Pony characters.

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Empire: The Complete First Season Blu-ray Review: Birth of a Dynasty

The series marks the triumphant return of the nighttime soap opera to network TV.

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Pitch Perfect 2 Blu-ray Review: Re-Introducing Hailee Steinfeld

Steinfeld shines, Banks makes a fine director, but the returning characters tread water due to Kay Cannon’s subpar script.

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Stray Cat Rock Review: Bento Box of ’70s Delights

Box set compiles five groovy ’70s Japanese films.

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Orphan Black: Season Three Blu-ray Review: Maslany Clones a Success

BBC America’s ambitious sci-fi show returns its focus to Maslany’s multiple characters.

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Insurgent Blu-ray Review: Improved FX Help It Surge Above Its Predecessor

The second entry in The Divergent Series benefits from fancy special effects but not much else.

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Cinema Sentries

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

This collection provides ideal format for cohesively enjoying the long-form stories.

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

The world’s largest Star Wars convention offered stars, cosplay, exclusive merchandise and recreated film sets.

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

DC’s latest animated film is a dark but engaging adaptation of Batman’s Court of Owls storyline.

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The Kingdom of Dreams and Madness DVD Review: The Glorious End of an Era

Documentary shines a spotlight on the legendary animation Studio Ghibli and its visionary co-founder, Hayao Miyazaki.

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Atlas Shrugged Part III Blu-ray Review: Fool’s Gold

Producer John Aglialoro completes his quixotic quest to adapt Ayn Rand’s epic novel to the screen.

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The Maze Runner Digital HD Review: Lord of the Labyrinth Flies

Derivative of many other dystopian works, but with enough fresh spin and worthwhile performances to make it a winner.

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Cinema Sentries

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

Frank Capra’s romantic comedy classic shines in new Criterion release.

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Unit One: Set 1-3 DVD Review: Hannibal Plays a Cop

Emmy-winning Danish TV series features Mads Mikkelsen as an unconventional detective.

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Miss Marple: Volume 1 DVD Review: Old Dames Rule

Agatha Christie’s approved actress expertly brings her literary heroine to life in the investigation of deaths.

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Snowpiercer (2013) Blu-ray Review: Off to See the Wizard

Intelligent, thought-provoking sci-fi drama with winning performances and production design.

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Neighbors (2014) Blu-ray Review: All Good in This Hood 

The 2nd biggest live-action comedy of 2014 has an incredibly simple premise but surprises with its refreshing delivery.

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Death in Paradise: Season Two DVD Review: Conventional Murder Mysteries, Unconventional Setting

Second season of this tropical murder series flirts with interdepartmental romance but otherwise maintains staid formula.

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All That Jazz Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Lord of the Dance

Bob Fosse’s crowning directorial achievement shines in the Criterion spotlight.

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Orphan Black: Season Two Blu-ray Review: Attack of the Clones 

Tatiana Maslany continues to impress in her multiple characters, but the show has cooled.

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Rio 2 Blu-ray Review: Welcome to the Jungle

Blu on Blu-ray is the best way to experience this musical, colorful jungle, although the lackluster story falls short.

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Hinterland: Series 1 DVD Review: The Prints of Wales

Atmospheric and deadly serious mystery show set in the dramatic Welsh countryside.

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Death in Paradise: Season 1 DVD Review: British Mysteries with a Tropical Twist

Traditional British sleuthing set in the easy-going Caribbean.

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Ernest & Celestine Blu-ray Review: A Tail of Two Cities

Oscar-nominated film is short on substance but long on style.

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Wolverine Weapon X: Tomorrow Dies Today DVD Review: Days of Future Deathloks

Oddball choice for Marvel’s latest print comic conversion to motion comic.

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Republic of Doyle: Season 1 DVD Review: Conventional Mysteries, Unconventional Setting

Father and son PIs solve crimes and crack wise in rustic Newfoundland.

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Nikita: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-ray Review: The Short Kiss Goodnight

Action series completes its run with an abbreviated final arc.

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Out of the Furnace Blu-ray Review: Burning Too Many Fires

Impressive cast wasted on faulty script that attempts to pack in too many plots and instead masters none.

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The Hidden Fortress Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: The Gold Standard

Kurosawa and Mifune team up for another classic.

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Book Review: Snowpiercer Vol. 1 & 2 by Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand and Jean-Marc Rochette

It’s best to stick to Vol. 1 for the superior writing and art.

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Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Vampires of London by Sylvain Cordurie and Laci

There’s not much to really draw readers into the story, leaving the art as the main attraction.

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Borgen: Season 3 DVD Review: Once More Unto the Breach

Final season of show that put Danish TV on the U.S. map exits gracefully

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Justice League: War Blu-ray Review: Take a Walk on the Darkseid

Great action but not much story.

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Book Review: Captain Midnight: Volume 1: On the Run by Joshua Williamson and Fernando Dagnino

Little-known superhero gains new life at Dark Horse Comics.

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Wolverine Versus Sabertooth DVD Review: Not the Best There Is at What Loeb Does

Jeph Loeb’s underwhelming return to Marvel goes nowhere and isn’t helped by Bianchi’s polarizing art.

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Mary Poppins: 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review: A Disc Full of Sugar

Timeless classic enhanced by new digital restoration and bonus features.

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Burn Notice: Season Seven DVD Review: Burning Bridges

Veteran series wraps up its run with a dark and dreary arc.

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Prisoners Blu-ray Review: Trapped in the Maze

Twisty tale supported by strong performances.

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Turbo Blu-ray Review: The Fast and the Cautious

Plucky little snail makes for a winning tale of hope and brotherly love.

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John Cassavetes: Five Films Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Independent Spirit

An enlightening collection of the seminal works from the godfather of American independent film.

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Nikita: The Complete Third Season Blu-ray Review: La Reine Nikita

Fast-paced espionage thrills continue in the show’s final full season.

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Luther: Series 3 DVD Review: Panic on the Streets of London

Idris Elba continues to put in strong work as DCI John Luther, too bad the season is only four episodes long.

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