Italian cinema Archives - Page 2 of 3

Death Rides a Horse (1967) Blu-ray Review: Lee Van Cleef’s Finest Hour

By Luigi Bastardo | November 29, 2017 |

Lee Van Cleef and John Phillip Law each set out for revenge in this above-average Spaghetti Western classic, now available from Kino Lorber.

Web of the Spider (1971) Blu-ray Review: Get Caught in This One

By Luigi Bastardo | November 25, 2017 |

Garagehouse Pictures ups the ante of awesomeness by bringing us a fresh HD print of a classic cult Italian horror flick.

The Suspicious Death of a Minor Blu-ray Review: Two Genres, One Film

By Mat Brewster | October 15, 2017 |

An oddball mix of crime drama and horror (with heavy doses of slapsstick thrown in) make for an interesting mix.

Phenomena (1985) Blu-ray Review: Argento at His Most Bewildering

By Luigi Bastardo | October 11, 2017 |

Synapse Films releases Il Maestro’s bizarre cult classic in three different forms, including the rare U.S. “Creepers” cut.

The Suspicious Death of a Minor (1975) Blu-ray Review: Deep Red Something

By Luigi Bastardo | September 27, 2017 |

Sergio Martino’s wild giallo/poliziotteschi/comedy hybrid is just as jaw-droppingly amazing as it sounds.

Erik the Conqueror (1961) Blu-ray Review: Bava Gets Epical

By Luigi Bastardo | August 29, 2017 |

Arrow Video brings us Mario Bava’s unique Italian take on American ‘Vikings’ in this stellar BD/DVD combo release.

Beyond the Darkness (Buio Omega) Blu-ray Review: She’s a Real Doll

By Luigi Bastardo | August 4, 2017 |

Get stuffed as Severin Films proves a dynamic HD master can make even Joe D’Amato’s most notorious schlocker look sharp and polished.

The Bird with the Crystal Plumage Blu-ray Review: Brought Italian Horror to the World

By Mat Brewster | June 18, 2017 |

This Arrow Video set is the Blu-ray with excellent packaging.

Roma Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Rome, I Love You

By David Wangberg | May 30, 2017 |

Federico Fellini’s fever dream exploration of Rome gets the Criterion Collection treatment, and it’s lovely.

The Climber (1975) Blu-ray Review: The Stuff Scarfaces Are Made Of

By Luigi Bastardo | May 18, 2017 |

An all-growed-up Joe Dallesandro stars in this nifty (and violent) little Italian crime drama, recently rescued from obscurity by Arrow Video.

Ludwig (1973) Blu-ray Review: The Historical Epic Wherein Nothing Really Happens

By Luigi Bastardo | May 13, 2017 |

Love it or hate it, Arrow Academy has unveiled an undeniably beautiful box set for one of Luchino Visconti’s final films.

L’assassino (The Assassin) Blu-ray Review: The Lady-Killer of Rome Returns

By Luigi Bastardo | May 12, 2017 |

Elio Petri’s forgotten, strange, and very dark satire makes a long-overdue debut in the U.S. from the newly launched Arrow Academy.

The Girl and the General (1967) DVD Review: All Give Some, None Give All

By Luigi Bastardo | May 2, 2017 |

A shockingly subdued Rod Steiger stars in this Italian-made WWI dramedy from Pasquale Festa Campanile.

Property Is No Longer a Theft Blu-ray Review: More Political Treatise than Film

By Mat Brewster | May 1, 2017 |

It will steal your valuable time.

The Other Hell (1981) / Dark Waters (1994) Blu-rays Review: Breaking Bad Habits

By Luigi Bastardo | April 24, 2017 |

Cursed convents? Possessed prioresses? Severin Films is having nun of that now!

Ludwig (1973) Blu-ray Review: Lots of Castles, Little Story

By Kent Conrad | April 20, 2017 |

Visconti’s biography of Ludwig II has access to amazing locations, some good acting, and no momentum.

Django, Prepare a Coffin (1968) Blu-ray Review: Can You Dig It?

By Luigi Bastardo | April 18, 2017 |

Terence Hill digs a name for himself in the only legitimate unofficial prequel to the Sergio Corbucci cult classic.

Property Is No Longer a Theft (1973) Blu-ray Review: Undeniably Italian

By Luigi Bastardo | April 12, 2017 |

Elio Petri’s forgotten, strange, and very dark satire makes a long-overdue debut in the US from the newly launched Arrow Academy.

Wax Mask (1997) Blu-ray Review: The Steampunk Phantom Terminator of the Wax Museum

By Luigi Bastardo | April 3, 2017 |

Lucio Fulci’s last credited feature feels more like a dry run for Dario Argento’s career slump. And is just as appealing.

Cinema Paradiso (Arrow Academy) Blu-ray Review: A Love Letter to the Cinema

By Mat Brewster | March 20, 2017 |

A beautiful, loving tribute to the magic of movies.

Cinema Paradiso (Arrow Academy) Blu-ray Review: A Timeless Classic

By Davy | March 16, 2017 |

An extremely moving and lyrical tribute to the power of Cinema.

Mondo Bastardo: Odds and Ends from the International World of Exploitation

By Luigi Bastardo | March 6, 2017 |

From Brazilian horrors to 3D European westerns, this assortment of weird and unusual films knows its target audiences quite well.

Twilight Time Presents: All for the Glory of Love

By Luigi Bastardo | November 5, 2016 |

From Peckinpah to Price and from Scott to Sinatra, this assortment of classics from Twilight Time doesn’t mess around.

Burial Ground (1981) Blu-ray Review: Still Smelling of Death After All These Years

By Luigi Bastardo | October 21, 2016 |

Severin Films unburies one of the most notorious titles from the Italian zombie apocalypse of the ’80s, fully restored and just as empty-headed as ever.

Twilight Time Presents: Something I Can Never Have

By Luigi Bastardo | September 23, 2016 |

From the unconditional (or unwanted) affection of one’s parental unit, to the ever-classic pursuit of maximum financial units, these five flicks have more to offer than just a nude Ornella Muti (although that’s just fine on its own!).

The Horrible Dr. Hichcock (1962) Blu-ray Review: Truth in Advertising?

By Luigi Bastardo | September 18, 2016 |

Twenty-three years after my first attempt at watching it, this Riccardo Freda/Barbara Steele gothic horror movie about a necrophiliac surgeon still can’t raise the dead to save its life.

Haunted Honeymoon (1940) / A Fine Pair / Brotherly Love (1970) DVDs Review: Reverse Power Flux Couplings

By Luigi Bastardo | September 4, 2016 |

Three uniquely different looks at the fine art of bad romances arrive on DVD courtesy the Warner Archive Collection.

The Bloodstained Butterfly Blu-ray Review: The Unconventional Courtroom Giallo

By Luigi Bastardo | August 27, 2016 |

Duccio Tessari’s bizarre giallo/poliziotteschi/krimi hybrid hatches once again thanks to the diligent efforts of Arrow Video.

Doctor Butcher M.D. Blu-ray Review: Ready to Make House Calls Once Again

By Luigi Bastardo | July 20, 2016 |

Severin Films presents a spectacular two-disc, two-movie version of one of 42nd Street’s most legendarily notorious offerings.

Blood and Black Lace Blu-ray Review: Astonishingly Beautiful Depiction of Ugliness

By Kent Conrad | July 6, 2016 |

Mario Bava’s seminal Giallo film couples a gleeful disregard for good taste with incredibly artful imagery.

Le Amiche Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: Antonioni Drains the Passion from Melodrama

By Dusty Somers | June 12, 2016 |

This middle-period entry from the Italian master hints at what’s to come, but stands on its own as an interesting work.

Killer Dames: Two Gothic Chillers by Emilio P. Miraglia Blu-ray Review: Killer Queens?

By Luigi Bastardo | June 9, 2016 |

Arrow Video places two more (partly) forgotten gialli on the map in a box set that some folks will kill for.

Killer Dames: Two Gothic Chillers by Emilio Miraglia Blu-ray Review

By Mat Brewster | May 27, 2016 |

Arrow Video creates another fantastic set featuring two Italian giallo films.

Killer Dames: Two Gothic Chillers is the Pick of the Week

By Mat Brewster | May 24, 2016 |

This week brings us a couple of Italian horrors, Jesus, a midwife, and Scott Baio using magic to look up girls skirts.

Death Walks Twice: Two Films by Luciano Ercoli Blu-ray Review: Arrow Strikes Giallo Gold

By Luigi Bastardo | April 23, 2016 |

From deadly strolls about in High Heels to casual executions committed at Midnight, this two-fer from Arrow Video USA is sure to make a killing among fans of classic Italian thrillers.

Death Walks Twice Blu-ray Review: Two Times the Horror, Two Times the Fun

By Mat Brewster | April 22, 2016 |

Two Italian giallos get the Arrow treatment.

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

By Steve Geise | January 22, 2016 |

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

Wake Up and Kill Blu-ray Review: Gritty but Unengaging Criminal Bio-pic

By Kent Conrad | December 23, 2015 |

This true crime story has a lot on its mind, but it doesn’t translate into arresting storytelling.

What Have You Done To Solange? Blu-ray Review: Giallo at Its Finest

By Mat Brewster | December 13, 2015 |

Sex, violence, and style, or everything you want in an Italian horror film.

Requiescant Blu-ray Review: Massacred Mexican Communist Revenge

By Kent Conrad | December 1, 2015 |

Offbeat scenes and a determined Communist undertone offset this otherwise standard tale of Western revenge.

Edgar Allan Poe’s Black Cats Blu-ray Review: Same Story, Massively Different Films

By Mat Brewster | October 30, 2015 |

Two Italian horror masters tackle the Edgar Allan Poe tale.

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

By Steve Geise | October 23, 2015 |

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

La Grande Bouffe Blu-ray Review: A Feast for the Senses That Leaves One Overstuffed

By Mat Brewster | August 14, 2015 |

Marco Ferreri’s controversial film gets a grand treatment from Arrow Video, but leaves one filling a bit sick to the stomach.

Cannibal Ferox Blu-ray Review: Umberto Lenzi’s Unforgiving Subgenre Swan Song

By Luigi Bastardo | July 26, 2015 |

The notorious cash-in of a craze beget by the cash-in of a cash-in makes its much-needed (?) High-Definition debut courtesy the finely deranged folks at Grindhouse Releasing.