Steve Geise

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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Bones: The Complete Eighth Season Blu-ray Review: Going Through the Motions

Veteran show continues its predictable and comfortable run.

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Star Trek: Into Darkness Blu-ray Review: The Wrath of Fans

A step down from the first entry, but not without its charms – until the final act.

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From Up on Poppy Hill Blu-ray Review: The Son Also Rises

Miyazaki Jr. proves to be an adept director on his second attempt.

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Epic Blu-ray Review: Heart of Darkness

Dark animated fantasy demands parental attention to PG rating.

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The Big City Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Girl Power

Satyajit Ray’s first portrayal of contemporary Indian life reveals the impact of women in the workplace.

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Charulata Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Indian Film, European Sensibility

Exquisite sets, direction, and performances serve a far too predictable tale.

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Smiley’s People Blu-ray Review: The Man with the Olden Gun

Alec Guinness is just so, so impressive in the role, offering a master class in both subtlety and directness as he contributes a reserved and yet passionately intelligent take on le Carre’s classic character.

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Orphan Black: Season 1 Blu-ray Review: Black is the New Black

Through it all, Maslany develops thoroughly convincing and wholly independent characters.

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The Life of Oharu Criterion Collection DVD Review: The Downward Spiral

Portrait of a Japanese woman’s gradually declining station in life takes far too long to make its entirely obvious point.

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Wolverine: Origin DVD Review: The Best There Is at What He Does

An admirable job of bringing kinetic energy to the static frames.

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Borgen: Season 2 DVD Review: Nothing’s Rotten in Denmark

Denmark’s first female prime minister continues to battle adversity at home and work.

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Todd & the Book of Pure Evil: The Complete Second Season DVD Review: Once More with Feeling

Second season finds the show firing on all cylinders, making its cancellation all the more baffling.

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Marketa Lazarova Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Defiantly Experimental

Epic black and white Czechoslovakian film tests narrative patience but offers ample visual rewards

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