Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” earns our highest recommendation. George Miller has returned to the Australian Wastelands of the Mad Max universe to deliver a truly colossal revenge picture that is also a perfect prequel to “Fury Road.” Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth both excel in the film.
“Tchao Pantin” is another fantastic discovery by Radiance Films. This French neo-noir from 1983 features excellent performances, great direction by Claude Berri, and wonderful cinematography by Bruno Nuytten. Highly recommended!
“The Lady from Shanghai” is a deliriously strange film noir. Directed by Orson Welles, the film was recut by the studio, but still works. Rita Hayworth dazzles as a bombshell blonde. Sony has given the film a 4K UHD release.
Warner Archive has given Francis Ford Coppola’s 1969 film “The Rain People” a Blu-ray release. The transfer looks great, and the acting is above reproach, but the film’s meandering script fails to reach the levels of artistry it aspires towards.
“Strangers Kiss” is a romantic drama from 1983 that focuses on low budget filmmaking with Stanley Kubrick’s “Killer’s Kiss” as chief inspiration for the events in the film. Fun City Editions have gone above and beyond to give the film a solid release.
“Act of Violence” is a pretty good noir film that deals with some surprising post-war issues. Fred Zinnemann directs the great Robert Ryan, Van Heflin, Janet Leigh, and Mary Astor in the film which Warner Archive has given a Blu-ray release.
Starring Denzel Washington, “The Mighty Quinn” is a breezy entertainment that benefits from the Caribbean locations. MGM Studios has given the 1989 film a Blu-ray release.
“American Fiction” is a brilliantly funny exploration of race and family starring Jeffrey Wright and Sterling K. Brown. The debut film from Cord Jefferson, one of the best pictures of 2023, has been given a Blu-ray release by Warner Bros.
Sony Pictures has given the Chris Farley vehicle “Beverly Hills Ninja” a strong Blu-ray presentation that should please fans of what is arguably Farley’s weakest film.
“Thunderheart” is a great police procedural from the Nineties that takes place in the Badlands of South Dakota. Val Kilmer, Graham Greene, and the eternally cool Sam Shepard star in Michael Apted’s film. Sony has given it a great looking Blu-ray release.
“City of Hope” is one of writer-director John Sayles’ most ambitious films. It benefits from excellent cinematography by Robert Richardson and a strong ensemble cast. Sony has given the film a Blu-ray release.
