“Handgun” subverts the rape-revenge genre through the outsider gaze of British director Tony Garnett. The film focuses on American gun culture in documentary style fashion while presenting Karen Young as a woman out for revenge.
I had a great time revisiting “Money Talks.” The plot is absolutely absurd and almost a nonfactor, but the laughs are definitely there. Chris Tucker shines playing against Charlie Sheen’s straight man. Warner Archive has given the film a Blu-ray release.
Fun City Editions has given the 1974 dramedy “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz” a solid release from a 4K transfer of the interpositive. Richard Dreyfuss gives a fearless performance as the abrasive and ambitious Duddy.
“The Contender” features amazing performances and some of the best dialogue of any fictional political film. Giant Media has given the film a release on BD-R.
Radiance Films has released Yasuharu Hasebe’s “Black Tight Killers” on Blu-ray. It is a blast of surreal Japanese pop cinema that will please any fan of Seijun Suzuki’s works.
“Pollock” was a passion project for director and actor Ed Harris. Harris had a real vision for how to tell the story of the complicated artist, and it comes across in the film. Harris is superb in the lead role.
Documentarian and investigative journalist David Farrier’s film “Mister Organ” finds Farrier trying his best to understand a strangely manipulative and exhausting con man who also takes a particular interest in him.
“Thinner” is an extremely underrated Stephen King adaptation from director Tom Holland. Its middle-tier Stephen King adapted well. Shout! Factory has given the film new special features, a new surround track, and a better looking transfer.
“Dumb Money” tells the story of the Wall Street Bets/ GameStop push during 2020. Starring Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Nick Offerman, the film has been given a Blu-ray release by Sony Pictures.
Radiance Films has released Pietro Germi’s “The Facts of Murder” as bot ha standalone release or as part of its “World Noir Volume One” box set. The film benefits from excellent black and white cinematography by Leonida Barboni.
“Token Taverns” is a documentary that focuses on the recent surge of “barcades.” Made independently, the film hits its stride when it focuses on how the bar owners pivoted to deal with the pandemic.
Fun City Editions has given the 1971 slice-of-life drama “T.R. Baskin” a Blu-ray release. Directed by Herbert Ross, the film was written and produced by Peter Hyams. The disc features solid technical specs and an excellent interview,
Errol Morris’s “The Fog of War” is simply a masterpiece. One of the finest documentaries and finest films ever made on war and wartime decision making. A classic. Sony Pictures has finally given the film a Blu-ray release.
“Messiah of Evil” is one of the best horror films from the Seventies. Blending elements of the Gothic, Lovecraft, and “Night of the Living Dead,” it creates something uniquely American. The Radiance Films release earns our highest recommendation.
“Palmetto” was released on DVD all the way back in 1998. Warner Archive have given the Floridian film noir starring Woody Harrelson a substantial upgrade with their Blu-ray release. Elisabeth Shue and Gina Gershon also star.
Warner Bros has given Ben Affleck’s excellent sports film “Air” a physical release. “Air” is one of our favorite films of this year with a strong script and great acting.
“American Pop” manages to traverse four generations of history and music in 96 minutes. It’s not perfect, but it is ambitious. Sony has given the film a Blu-ray release.
With “A Moment of Romance” Radiance Films dives into Nineties Hong Kong cinema with Benny Chan’s film that is both a crime story and melodramatic romance. Andy Lau stars in an early role. The tonal changes are interesting, David Dresser’s essay is excellent, and this release comes recommended.
Radiance Films continues to broaden their art house horizons with the avant-garde playful and colorful German New Wave film “Red Sun.” The supplement by Margaret Deriaz is a true standout.
“Renfield” is an over-the-top violent action-comedy that showcases Nicolas Cage as Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as his familiar Renfield. It is a blood soaked good time.
“Magnificent Warriors” is an Indiana Jones style adventure film set during the Indo-China War. It is a showpiece for Michelle Yeoh’s incredible martial arts skills. 88 Films has given the film a very nice release.
“Yakuza Graveyard” reunited director Kinji Fukasaku with writer Kazuo Kasahara. With a cast that includes Tetsuya Watari, Nobuo Kaneko, and Meiko Kaji, the results are predictably excellent. Radiance Films has given the film a Blu-ray release.
Fun City Editions has given the 1995 independent comedy “Party Girl” a Blu-ray release from a new 4K restoration. Parker Posey shines in the film that was a staple of video stores in the Nineties.
“Breathless” is an enjoyable reimagining of the classic French film. It can not match the original, but can be enjoyed on its own merits due to extremely colorful cinematography by Richard H. Kline. Fun City Editions has given the film a good release with a new 2K restoration.
“Cutter’s Way” is a low-key masterpiece of the sundrenched noir genre. The film stars Jeff Bridges and John Heard in an unforgettable performance. The Fun City Edition Blu-ray earns our highest recommendation.
Ivan Passer’s “Born to Win” is a well made character driven drama from the “New Hollywood” era. George Segal stars as J, a heroin addict whose hustles cause him to continuously spiral downward. Fun City Editions have given the film an attractive release.
“Morvern Callar” is an exceptionally well made film by filmmaker Lynne Ramsay. It is a beautiful rumination on loss, grief, and rejuvenation. The soundtrack is killer. Fun City Editions has given the film a great release with a strong 2K scan.
Written by novelist Thomas McGuane, “Rancho Deluxe” is an out there “acid Western” starring Jeff Bridges and Sam Waterston. Fun City Editions’s release has great supplements and a solid 4K transfer.
“Married to the Mob” is a colorful film that mixes mobster intrigue and romantic comedy elements. Fun City Editions has given the film a solid 2K scan and new special features.
The Hot Spot Movie title: The Hot SpotDuration: 130 Minutes Author: Charles Williams, Nona TysonDirector(s): Dennis HopperActor(s): Don Johnson, Virginia Madsen, Jennifer Connelly, William Sadler, Charles Martin Smith, Jerry HardinGenre: Noir, Crime, Sun Drenched Noir, Drama, Nineties, MGM Studios, Kino Lorber Studio Classics Video (4.5) Audio (4.5) Supplements (3) 4.5 Summary “I can find it…
“The Russia House” is a well made espionage film with romantic elements adapted from John le Carré’s novel. Starring Sean Connery and Michelle Pfeiffer, Twilight Time released the film on Blu-ray.
An uncommonly affecting teenage sex film, “The Last American Virgin” stands above most examples in the genre. MVD Rewind has given the film a Blu-ray release that finally ports over all of the Arrow Video featurettes.
In the Nineties, “Men at Work” was a staple of cable television that appealed to pre-teens. The movie is low-brow fun that aspires for light laughs and some fun action scenes. MVD Rewind has given the film a Blu-ray release.
“The Menu” is sharp as a knife. This acidic dark comedy is an excellent satire of haute cuisine and foodie culture. It’s one of the best films of 2022. Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult lead an excellent ensemble cast.
Martin McDonagh’s melancholy comedy-drama “The Banshees of Inisherin” focuses on a friendship dissolving, artistry, and depression. The performances are incredible.
“Big Time Gambling Boss” – the inaugural release by Radiance Films – is an emotionally deep Yakuza film brimming with iconic Japanese actors that deserves to be discovered..
Synapse Films has done an excellent job on the restoration of “Creature from Black Lake.” While the film’s merits are debatable, the attention given to restoring Dean Cundey’s cinematography is impressive.
“Nightmare at Noon” is a fun – if flawed – action film from Nico Mastorakis. Fans of the film will be happy to see that Arrow has improved the video and audio for this release.
“The Kindred” is an entertaining mad scientist – nature subverted- creature feature from the Eighties. Synapse Films has given the slime covered film an excellent release.
Tobe Hooper’s film “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” redefined horror cinema and spawned a slew of imitations. It is still frightening and disturbing almost fifty years later.
“Post Mortem” is a Hungarian horror film that should please fans of folk horror or early films of Guillermo Del Toro. Shout! Factory has released the film on Blu-ray.
“No Escape” stars Ray Liotta in a futuristic year 2022 where corporation run penal systems have run amuck causing inmates to band into tribal factions. Unearthed Classics has given the film an excellent Blu-ray release.
“Disturbing Behavior” is one of the least convincing teenage horror films from the crop of late Nineties horror that sprung from the success of “Scream.” It is also one of the most entertaining. MVD Rewind has given the film a Blu-ray release.
“Bullet Train” is an over-the-top R-rated action comedy starring Brad Pitt. Directed by David Leitch, the film is a great escape from the humdrum releases of 2022.
Arrow Video has given Western territories a chance to check out Johnnie To’s “Running Out of Time” series of films. The release comes with both films and numerous supplements. Both films look nice on Blu-ray.
MVD Rewind has brought “Miami Blues” back to the Blu-ray format. “Miami Blues” is a wonderful adaptation of the novel by Charles Willeford. This sundrenched noir absolutely deserves rediscovery!
“Massacre at Central High” is a much better film than the name would imply. Synapse Films has brought the film from relative obscurity to Blu-ray with a strong transfer and an excellent documentary by Red Shirt Pictures.
In 2018, Twilight Time released the excellent thriller “The Incident” on Blu-ray. The film shows off a wonderful debut performance by Martin Sheen alongside Tony Musante.
MVD Rewind has given Michael Cimino’s film “Desperate Hours” a Blu-ray release. Edited against Cimino’s will, the film is an interesting misfire that has some redeeming elements.
“Obsession” pairs Paul Schrader with Brian De Palma on a script that is their homage to Hitchcock’s “Vertigo.” Cliff Robertson, John Lithgow, and Genevieve Bujold star, Shout! Factory released the film on Blu-ray.
Oliver Stone has worked with writer James DiEugenio, the author of “Destiny Betrayed,” to create a spellbinding tour de force documentary about who and why JFK was assassinated. Shout! Factory has given the documentary a proper release that earns our highest recommendation.
“Compartment No. 6” won the prestigious Grand Prize at Cannes Film Festival in 2021. Sony Pictures Classics have given the film a release. While deliberately paced, the ride is worth taking.
“The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue” is one of the best zombie horror films ever made. The Synapse Blu-ray looks and sounds fantastic. This releases earns our highest recommendation.
“Fandango” is a light-hearted crowd pleasing coming-of-age film that features a charismatic performance by Kevin Costner on the cusp of fame. Warner Archive’s Blu-ray will please fans of the picture.
Liam Neeson is a good actor, but “Blacklight” is sadly a misfire for all those involved (including Aidan Quinn.) Universal Pictures have given the film a competent Blu-ray release.
The Lubitsch Touch is a wonderful thing to behold. “Heaven Can Wait” finds the director in excellent form with a great cast that includes Don Ameche and Gene Tierney. Criterion released the film in 2018.
Mill Creek’s release of “Metropolis”brought a rare Blu-ray back into print in a well designed steelbook packaging. The technical specs are good, but the film quality is excellent. Otomo and Rintaro created a visually stunning world.
“Paganini Horror” is an interesting if not entirely successful horror film from Daria Nicolodi and Luigi Cozzi. Severin have given the film a solid release.
Pedro Almodovar’s latest film “Parallel Mothers” is an emotionally rich and poignant film with a mesmerizing performance by Penelope Cruz. Fans of Spanish Cinema will find a lot to enjoy.
“Ordinary People” is an expertly crafted film about grief and family dysfunction. It is also a great coming-of-age story. Timothy Hutton deservedly won an Oscar for his role as Conrad. Paramount has given the film an excellent release.
Eric Karson hoped he had found another Jean-Claude Van Damme in Olivier Gruner. Their first film together “Angel Town” was a modest box office success, but it did not elevate Gruner to star status. That may be because Gruner could hardly speak English. MVD Rewind gave the film a great special edition release in 2018.
“Queen of Outer Space” is a science fiction film from the Fifties that makes hilariously inaccurate scientific claims whenever possible. The film featured Zsa Zsa Gabor. Warner Archive released the film.
“Miami Blues” is a very well done neo-noir adaptation of the eccentric and wonderful Charles Willeford novel. Alec Baldwin, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Fred Ward are all perfectly cast. Shout! Factory released the Blu-ray in 2015.
Arrow Video has brought Shinji Somai’s genrebending yakuza/coming-of-age/idol film/dramedy “Sailor Suit and Machine Gun” to Blu-ray. The long-take sequences are truly impressive, and the film is strangely hypnotic.
“Eyes of Fire” is a well made folk horror film that takes place on the American Frontier in 1750. Severin have restored the film from its original negative and fans of folk horror will want to check this one out!
“Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City” is a faithful film adaptation of the story from the first two games in the iconic survival horror series. Fans of the games will enjoy seeing R.P.D. and the Wesley House recreated.
“Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched: A History of Folk Horror” is a sprawling and fascinating documentary by Kier-La Janisse. It stands as the definitive work on the subject. The film, and the “All the Haunts Be Ours” box set that features it, come highly recommended.
“Retribution” is an entertaining supernatural thriller from the Eighties that revels in eye catching colors and practical effects. Severin Films’ new release of the film delivers a strong transfer and excellent supplements.
“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is a family film that should please young and old fans of the original films. Directed and written by Jason Reitman, the movie strikes the right balance between nostalgia, thrills, and humor. Sony’s disc looks and sounds great.
“Last Night in Soho” is a wonderful supernatural thriller from director Edgar Wright and co-writer Kristy Wilson-Cairns. It a beautifully shot neon-lit experience. Universal Pictures has given the film a Blu-ray release.
The classic gangster film “Angels with Dirty Faces” – starring James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Humphrey Bogart, and Ann Sheridan – has been given a beautiful release from Warner Archive.
“Heaven Can Wait” is a sweet natured and clean comedy written by and starring Warren Beatty that earned nine Oscar nominations. The film holds up well. Paramount has given the film a Blu-ray release.
“Mill of the Stone Women” is a beautifully filmed Italian Gothic film from the early Sixties. Arrow Video have given the film a deluxe release featuring four cuts of the film.
“Beavis and Butthead Do America” allowed Mike Judge’s most iconic creations to expand their antics into a full length film. The results are satisfying for fans of the show as the two idiots travel cross country with some added star power.
“The Card Counter” is a drama from writer-director Paul Schrader which was filmed during the Covid pandemic in Biloxi, Mississippi. Oscar Isaac shines in the film.
“Phantom of the Mall: Eric’s Revenge” is a fun and completely ridiculous film from the Eighties. If you can turn your brain off completely, there is a lot to enjoy about the film.
Stephen Sondheim and Anthony Perkins wrote the murder-mystery “The Last of Sheila.” It has a star studded cast that includes James Coburn, James Mason, and Ian McShane. Warner Archive has given it a Blu-ray release.
The classic Steve Martin-John Candy-John Hughes holiday comedy has been given a new steelbook presentation. It’s a Thanksgiving tradition for many families to revisit the film and laugh as they watch every traveler’s worst nightmare unfold.
“Vanilla Sky” is one of the most interesting films in both Cameron Crowe’s and Tom Cruise’s filmographies. It is a truly unique film experience and the Paramount Presents Blu-ray is gorgeous.
“12 Monkeys” is one of the best science fiction films of the Nineties. Brad Pitt and Bruce Willis are both wonderful in the film, and Terry Gilliam directs the film beautifully. The Arrow Video Blu-ray (or Steelbook) earns our highest recommendation.
Based on the novel “No Beast So Fierce” by convict Edward Bunker, Straight Time is uniquely adept at interpreting the subject of imprisonment and recidivism in our country. Warner Archive’s Blu-ray features a beautiful transfer.
“Night Shift” is a genuinely funny and charming comedy from the Eighties. It features strong performances by Henry Winkler and Shelley Long, but Michael Keaton steals the film in his debut role. Warner Archive’s Blu-ray is not to be missed!
“I Spit On Your Grave” is one of the most relentless and difficult rape/revenge films ever made. Ronin Flix have done an excellent job of presenting this troubling film in its best presentation.
“An Angel for Satan” stars the enigmatic Barbara Steele in her final Italian Gothic performance. The film is beautifully lensed and atmospheric. Severin Films have restored the picture with great attention to detail.
“Mad Love” is an excellent piece of noir cinema that has elements of horror and mad doctor science fiction. Peter Lorre is wonderful as the obsessive Dr. Gogol. The Warner Archive blu-ray is a treat for fans of this era.
“Alone in the Dark” is an excellent thriller with elements of humor and horror. Jack Palance, Donald Pleasance, and Martin Landau Are all wonderful in the film. Shout! Factory has given the film a great release.
“April Fool’s Day” is an entertaining and lighthearted slasher film with a sense of humor. Critics dismissed it in 1986, but Shout! Factory has given the film an excellent release.
“Walking the Edge” is an enjoyable low key revenge film with Robert Forster, Joe Spinell, and Nancy Kwan. Fun City Editions have given fans a great looking release.
“A Day of Judgment” is an interesting film due to its mixture of religious elements with elements of an Eighties slasher film. Severin Films has given the film a solid release that rescues it from VHS obscurity.
“Strike Commando 2” replaces Reb Brown with Brent Huff in the role of Michael Ransom. The film manages to rip off “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Rambo: First Blood Part II” at the same time. Fans of Bruno Mattei will have a lot to grin about.
“The Blood on Satan’s Claw” is an extremely effective and well made folk horror film. It is one of the best examples of the genre. The Severin Films Blu-ray comes highly recommended!
“Looker” is a science fiction film from the mind of visionary author Michael Crichton starring the great Albert Finney. Some ideas in the film fall apart under scrutiny, but the movie is very entertaining.
“Invaders of the Lost Gold” features a strange mishmash of stars past their prime working in the Phillipines on an adventure film from producer Dick Randall. Severin Films has given the film a great looking release that will please fans and perplex casual viewers!
“The Forever Purge” is a very strong fifth entry in the Purge series. This is the best film in the series since “The Purge: Anarchy.” By focusing their attention on Texas and immigration, they have given the series new life.
“The First Purge” is James DeMonaco’s attempt to capture the zeitgeist during a politically inflamed time in America. It’s an interesting film that is the most divisive amongst fans of the series.
“The Purge: Election Year” has a little difficulty following up “The Purge: Anarchy,” but it is still an enjoyable action film. The candy bar sequence may be the best sequence in the series.
“The Purge: Anarchy” pivots from horror into action-thriller territory successfully. It’s a strong sequel that set the template for the rest of the series. It remains a fan favorite.
“The Purge” is a home invasion thriller that imagined an alternate America where all crime was legal for one night a year. Ethan Hawke and Lena Headey star in the film which spawned four sequels.
“Raiders of Atlantis” is an outlandish and unbelievably ridiculous post-apocalyptic action film from Italian filmmaker Ruggero Deodato. Severin Films have resurrected the film from the VHS era for a proper release!
“The Bravados” is a great exhibition of the depth of Gregory Peck’s acting skills. It is a Western that doubles as a morality play regarding revenge and justice. Twilight Time’s Blu-ray is superb.
“Prince of the City” is a well made crime drama that tells a true story of high level police corruption in New York City in the Seventies. Treat Williams stars alongside Jerry Orbach. The Warner Archive Blu-ray will please fans.
“Short Night of Glass Dolls” is a psychedelic mystery thriller from Italian director Aldo Lado. Featuring an amazing score by Ennio Morricone and Bruno Nicolai, there is a lot to enjoy about the film. Twilight Time released the film in 2018.
Paramount Presents has given Robert Altman’s classic film “Nashville” a new release from a new 4K scan. It is one of Altman’s most ambitious and expansive films and well worth revisiting.
“One Crazy Summer” is a breezy lighthearted comedy from writer-director Savage Steve Holland. Starring John Cusack, the film was their follow-up to “Better Off Dead.” Warner Archive has given the film a release.
MVD Rewind has rereleased the Eighties horror film “Mortuary” which has been out of print for a few years from Code Red. The Bill Paxton performance and finale make the film work even if the film’s pacing is slow at times.
“Death Screams” is a slasher from 1982 directed by David Nelson starring Susan Kiger and Jennifer Chase. Arrow Video have given the film a fan pleasing Blu-ray release.
Severin Films continue their celebration of Bruno Mattei’s work with Claudio Fragasso and Rosella Drudi with their release of the hut-exploding Namsploitation epic “Strike Commando” starring Reb Brown.
“There was a crooked man…” is a film born out of the studio’s attempts to market edgier entertainment after the success of films like “Easy Rider.” Aside from some small missteps, it is a lot of fun.
“One Dark Night” is a PG rated horror film that launched the career of Tom McLoughlin. MVD Rewind have repurposed the transfer and features from the out of print Code Red release to give fans another chance to own the film.
“Just a Gigolo” is an odd film starring the iconic David Bowie. Shout! Factory has given this curio filmed during Bowie’s Berlin period a good release, but the film’s merits are debatable.
Severin Films have given the beloved cult film “Grizzly” a strong new transfer and some wonderful extras. The film is an effective natural horror film that borrows liberally from the plot of “Jaws.”
“Siege” is an extremely effective home invasion thriller. The film was made in the Eighties in Canada, but is still politically relevant. Severin Films have provided the film on Blu-ray with a strong video transfer.
“Deep Blood” is a masterclass in inept filmmaking. Stilted dialogue, poor plotting, and terrible acting contribute to this indescribable sharksploitation classic. Severin Films have given the film a proper release.
“Cruel Jaws” is a jaw dropping work of boldfaced plagiarism. One of the most infamous and enjoyable “Jaws” ripoffs, it was actually released as “Jaws 5” in some territories. Severin Films released this cinematic gift on Blu-ray.
“Jaws 3-D” was not exactly a critical darling, but fans of goofy 3-D action from the Eighties will find a lot to enjoy about it. The Universal Pictures Blu-ray delivers the film in 3-D we have wanted to watch properly since the Eighties.
“Jaws 2” is a well made sequel that stands in the shadow of the great original, but still has plenty to offer fans. The Universal Pictures Blu-ray looks and sounds good!
“Wrath of Man” is one of the best films from director Guy Ritchie and features one of Jason Statham’s best performances to date. Warner has given the film a Blu-ray release.
“Deep Cover” is one of the most visually exciting and eccentric undercover cop films from the Nineties. Kudos to Criterion for releasing this wonderful film from director Bill Duke on Blu-ray from a stunning 4K transfer.
Featuring an introduction by film scholar Troy Howarth! –
“The Bird with the Crystal Plumage” is one of Argento’s best films and one of the greatest giallo films ever made. The new 4K UHD release from Arrow looks fantastic.
“Day of the Animals” is an entertaining Natural Horror film from William Girdler. The best aspect is Leslie Nielsen playing against type as a sociopathic jerk. Severin Films has given the film a deluxe release.
“The Dead Zone” is one of the best Stephen King adaptations and one of Cronenberg’s better films. Shout! Factory has given the film the release it deserves and that fans have wanted.
Art School Confidential is an interesting film by Terry Zwigoff that captured elements of the college experience in the early 2000s well. MVD gave the film a Blu-ray release.
Paramount Presents has given “48 Hrs.” the release on Blu-ray it deserves. Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte star in one of the best buddy cop films of the Eighties from the great Walter Hill.
“Drive” is one of the most enjoyable MVD Rewind releases to date. A martial arts filled action film starring Mark Dacascos features some truly incredible choreography.
“Event Horizon” was one of the better science fiction – horror hybrids to ever be made. Critics missed the mark on the film, but fans have kept it alive. The new Shout! Factory Collector’s Edition is solid.
“From Noon Till Three” is a peculiar comedy starring Charles Bronson and Jill Ireland that mixes kidnapping, romance, and Western motifs. It’s pretty wild. Twilight Time gave the film a release.
“The Lawnmower Man” is probably the best known film from the brief boom of Cyber Cinema. Starring Jeff Fahey and Pierce Brosnan, it is a fun and fairly traditional science fiction film. The Shout! Factory Blu-ray is a definitive Collector’s Edition.
“Split Second” is a science-fiction action horror B-movie from the Nineties starring the great Rutger Hauer in one of his best roles. MVD Rewind has finally given fans a solid Blu-ray release.
“Demolition Man” remains one of the best science fiction-action films of the Nineties. Warner Bros. gave the film an excellent Blu-ray release in 2011.
“Virtuosity” is a delightfully over-the-top piece of Cyber Cinema from the Nineties. It’s almost as ambitious as it is ridiculous. Paramount has given the film a great looking release, but the lack of supplemental materials is a disappointment.
“Giants and Toys” is an acidic takedown of the Japanese business world of the Fifties, and one of the darkest showbiz polemics of its time. Arrow Video have brought the film to Blu-ray with solid technical specs and good supplemental material.
Starring Robert Young, “They Won’t Believe Me” is an unforgiving and unsentimental film noir about a philandering stock broker and his disastrous love affairs. WB Archive has given the film a great looking release.
“Trancers” introduced the world to Jack Deth played by cult film icon Tim Thomerson. It remains an impressive science fiction B-movie with some genuinely inventive ideas.
Featuring an introduction by film scholar Troy Howarth, author of “Splintered Visions: Lucio Fulci and His Films” –
“Zombie 3” is the ill fated follow up to Fulci’s classic “Zombie.” When Fulci became too ill to finish the film, Bruno Mattei and Claudio Fragasso stepped in. Severin Films have given the film an excellent release.
“Brewster McCloud” is Robert Altman at his most surreal, experimental, and inexplicable. Warner Archive have given the film a great looking presentation on Blu-ray.
“Tales from the Hood” by writer/director Rusty Cundieff and Darin Scott is a surprisingly insightful anthology film that examines urban horrors based in reality to great effect. The Shout! Factory Blu-ray comes recommended!
“Crimson Peak” is one of the best works of modern Gothic filmmaking thanks to Guillermo del Toro’s incredible eye for detail and taste for invention. Arrow Video’s limited edition Blu-ray is the definitive edition until we get a 4K UHD.
“Horror of Dracula” remains one of the defining Hammer Horror productions and a showcase for the talents of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing. The Warner Archive Blu-ray features the best presentation to date of the film.
“Doctor X” is an entertaining pre-code horror-mystery film with prominent screwball comedy and sci-fi elements. It starred the great Lionel Atwill. Warner Archive’s new restoration is remarkable.
Paramount Pictures have given “Mission: Impossible” a remastered Blu-ray that is a big improvement over the 2007 Blu-ray. Fans who lack a 4K player will want to consider a purchase.
“The Thing from Another World” ranks as one of the most influential science fiction horror films ever made. The Warner Archive release features a beautiful transfer.
“King Kong” was remade in 1976 by super producer Dino De Laurentiis with a cast that included Jessica Lange, Jeff Bridges, and Charles Grodin. The effects work remains impressive forty five years later. Shout! Factory have given the film a 2-disc collector’s edition!
“Judas and the Black Messiah” is an excellent historical drama based on the sad but true story of Fred Hampton and his betrayal by William O’ Neal. Warner Bros. have brought the film to Blu-ray.
“Quick Change” is an enjoyable and lighthearted comedy starring Bill Murray, Geena Davis, and the great Jason Robards. Warner Archive have given the film a Blu-ray release.
“Dark of the Sun” is an absolute blast of a war based adventure film. Rod Taylor and Jim Brown lead a cast that will please fans of “The Dirty Dozen.” The Warner Archive release is well worth picking up.
“The Man From Hong Kong” is an extremely enjoyable Seventies martial arts B-movie from Ozploitation auteur Brian Trenchard-Smith. Twilight Time has brought over the film and some special features from the Umbrella Entertainment release.
“Crossfire” is a well written, directed, and acted film with a strong moral compass. It has a dream cast featuring Robert Ryan, Robert Mitchum, and Robert Young. Warner Archive has given the film a release.
“Nosferatu in Venice” is a nearly incomprehensible film that was besieged by the antics of actor Klaus Kinski. Severin Films has given the film a great technical presentation and one of the best special feature documentaries we have seen this year.
“Venom (a.k.a. The Legend of Spider Forest)” is a pretty bizarre entry in the British horror genre from the early Seventies. This is the inaugural release from the rebooted Twilight Time!
“The Stunt Man” is a well loved film from 1980 by director Richard Rush. Starring Peter O’Toole in one of his best performances alongside Steve Railsback and Barbara Hershey, it still holds up as a surreal and satirical comedy about filmmaking. Severin gave the film a release in 2011.
“The Bloodhound” is a slow paced update on Poe’s classic “The Fall of House of Usher.” Arrow Video have given the film a fan pleasing release on Blu-ray.
“Death has Blue Eyes” is a truly off-the-wall C-grade film from Greek director and writer Nico Mastorakis. Arrow Video has released a Blu-ray of the film that will satisfy fans of Nico.
Warner Archive continues their fantastic work restoring Val Lewton films with their release of “Isle of the Dead” starring the iconic Boris Karloff. Fans of Lewton will want to add it to their collection for the beautiful new transfer sourced from a 4K scan.
Cobra is a testosterone injected popcorn flick from the Eighties that showcases exactly what a triple threat Sylvester Stallone can be. Shout! Factory have given the film a Collector’s Edition!
Louis Malle’s sweet natured crime drama Atlantic City, starring Burt Lancaster and Susan Sarandon, is celebrating forty years. Paramount Pictures have given the film a Blu-ray release.
Klute was the first film in Alan J. Pakula’s acclaimed Paranoia trilogy. It’s a well made thriller featuring excellent lead performances by both Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland. Criterion have given the film an excellent release.
Jason X sends Jason Voorhees into the future by four hundred years on a spaceship. He still kills teenagers. The early 2000s were a strange time for horror filmmaking. Shout! Factory have released the film on Blu-ray in their deluxe box set.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is an interesting story of murder, homosexuality, and eccentricity in Savannah, Georgia. The film adaptation can not match the book, but is still enjoyable overall.
Featuring an introduction with film scholar Garner Simmons –
“Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia” is one of Sam Peckinpah’s most distinct and best films. Kino Lorber have given the film a new release sourced from a 2017 4K scan from MGM.
Matewan is an exceptional drama from maverick director John Sayles based on a historic incident that took place in Matewan, West Virginia between unionized coal miners and their oppressors. It’s a moving film that Criterion has given a must-own release.
With Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, New Line Cinema took over the Friday the 13th franchise. The results are pretty bizarre. The film was released with a new 2K scan in the deluxe box set from Shout! Factory.
The Thin Man introduced the world to married sleuths Nick and Nora Charles. Based on the novel by Dashiell Hammett, the film is a pitch perfect blend of comedy and mystery that still holds up wonderfully. Warner Archive have given the film a Blu-ray release.
Candyman is one of the landmark horror films from the Nineties. It is one of the best Clive Barker adaptations and one of the best releases in Shout! Factory’s stellar catalog.
The WInd Rises is a beautifully written and directed film from master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki. The film may take place during some of the hardest times for the world, but the central story is focused on selfless love and the desire for artistic expression. Shout! Factory have given the film a pristine release.
Beat the Devil – starring a cavalcade of stars (Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre, Gina Lollobrigida) – has been rescued from public domain hell by Twilight Time with a definitive 4K scan.
Double Dragon is a train wreck, but it is also an incredibly entertaining relic from the Video Game adaptation boom of the Nineties. MVD Rewind has gone above and beyond to provide a definitive edition of the film.
Pump Up the Volume was a clarion call to Generation X advocating self expression and how voices can change society. The film feels somewhat dated viewed thirty years later, but the revolutionary ethos remains the same. Warner Archive have given the film a Blu-ray release.
Shock Treatment is at once an effective thriller and a clever social commentary. Alain Delon and Annie Girardot are both great in their roles. The film benefits from lush cinematography by Jacques Robin. Severin Films have released the film on Blu-ray.
Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan was the final film of the Paramount era. It has moments of greatness, and a unique visual style, but the finale is totally nonsensical. Shout! Factory has released the film in their deluxe box set!
Viy is a fantastic gothic horror film from the Soviet Union. It is an amazing literary adaptation of a short story by Nikolai Gogol. Severin Film have given the film an extraordinary release.
Luigi Bazzoni’s film The Fifth Cord ranks as one of the greatest Giallo films ever made. Franco Nero is as cool as they come. The Arrow Video Blu-ray is essential viewing.
In X,Y, and Zee Elizabeth Taylor turns in a dynamite performance alongside Michael Caine and Susannah York. The video transfer on the Twilight Time Blu-ray looks fantastic.
Joe Versus the Volcano was a critically divisive film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Time has allowed the film to gain an audience. The Warner Archive Blu-ray looks and sounds fantastic.
The Beguiled is a fantastic Southern Gothic thriller starring Clint Eastwood. Directed by Don Siegel, this is one of Eastwoods best and most subversive films. Kino Lorber has given the film a new 2K scan.
Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood is arguably the weakest of the original series produced by Paramount. That said, it did give the world Kane Hodder as Jason! The film has been released in the Shout! Factory Deluxe Box Set.
The Eiger Sanction is a high elevations espionage film directed by and starring Clint Eastwood. The film has received a new scan for Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray release.
Dragnet is a 1987 comedy starring Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks. The film is a successful homage and satire of the beloved television series. Shout! Factory has given the film a Blu-ray release.
The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes is a cleverly written and well directed film from the great Billy Wilder. It ranks as one of the best Sherlock Holmes films. Kino Lorber brought the film to Blu-ray in 2014.
Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives finally pushes the series into supernatural territory and makes Jason essentially invincible. The film also veers into the territory of horror comedy under the direction of Tom McLoughlin. It’s a fun film that is one of the least intense entries in the series.
Death Wish set the standard for the urban justice films that would be made in its wake. One of Charles Bronson’s best loved films was given a Steelbook release by Paramount Pictures.
Horror Express is a great over-the-top film from yesteryear starring some of the greatest icons of Hammer Studios and Telly Savalas. The Arrow Video Blu-ray is a huge improvement over the older public domain versions.
Willie Dynamite is an entertaining Blaxploitation film that is not as tough as other films from that era, but the styles worn by Willie are truly things of beauty.
No Down Payment is a deeply cynical look at the troubled suburban lives of the post-war generation. Martin Ritt directs an excellent cast that includes Tony Randall and Joanne Woodward. Twilight Time gave the film a Blu-ray release with a great transfer provided by 20th Century Fox.
The Giant Behemoth is an enjoyable Atomic Age monster film. It’s a little forgettable, but should scratch the itch for fans of the genre. Warner Archive released the film on Blu-ray.
Talk Radio is a well made adaptation of the one-man play by Eric Bogosian. Oliver Stone directs the film capably, even if the film can feel abrasive at times. Twilight Time brought the film to Blu-ray.
JSA: Joint Security Area was the third film by Park Chan Wook and the last before his Vengeance Trilogy made him an international sensation. Arrow Video have given the film a pristine new release.
The fifth Friday the 13th picks up where Part 4 left off. It’s a bizarre and entertaining sequel. Shout! Factory features the film within their new deluxe box set.
In 2018, Luca Guadagnino remade the classic Dario Argento film Suspiria. The resulting film can’t compete with the brilliance of the original, but there is a unique vision presented that will stir debates over the film’s merit. The music by Thom Yorke is exceptional.
House on Haunted Hill is not so much a remake as a reimagining of the William Castle classic. if you can dissociate it from the original, it is an enjoyable popcorn movie. Shout! Factory have given the film a Collector’s Edition release.
This Hammer Studios film basically kicked off the entire Hammer Horror genre. The combination of Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and director Terence Fisher is a winning formula. Warner Archive has given the film a deluxe 2-disc release!
Featuring an introduction from film scholar and author Troy Howarth!
Opera remains one of Dario Argento’s greatest technical achievements. The 3-Disc Ronin Flix exclusive box set has hours of great supplements.
Featuring an introduction from scholar/author Troy Howarth!
Tenebrae is a great piece of reactionary filmmaking from Dario Argento. Brutal and intelligent, it is a well crafted giallo. Synapse Films gave it a Blu-ray release in 2016.
Featuring an introduction from film scholar and author Troy Howarth!
In 2018, Synapse Films released a beautiful 3-Disc Steelbook of Suspiria. It is one of the greatest Blu-ray releases of a niche film ever undertaken.
Featuring an introduction from film scholar and author Troy Howarth –
Deep Red is arguably the best giallo film that Dario Argento ever made. Cleverly blending in supernatural and psychological elements, it ranks as one of the best gialli ever made. Arrow Video have given the film a tremendous release that should be in every film lover’s library.
Featuring an introduction from film scholar and author Troy Howarth!
The Cat o’ Nine Tails was Argento’s hastily made follow up to The Bird with the Crystal Plumage. While the film does not have a script as tight as that film, Argento’s creativity behind the camera shines through. Arrow Video gave the film a solid release in 2018.
Featuring an introduction from film scholar and author Troy Howarth!
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage changed the Italian thriller genre for forever. Spawning a million imitations, Argento’s stylized film remains one of the best giallo films ever made.
The Shop Around the Corner by Ernst Lubitsch remains one of the defining romantic comedies. The film was so good that it has been remade twice. Stewart and Sullavan shine in their roles. WB Archive has given the film a release with a stunning transfer.
The Player was the film that ushered Robert Altman back onto the center stage of American filmmaking in the Nineties. It’s an enduring satire. Criterion Collection gave it a great release in 2016.
Brick is the terrific debut film from director-writer Rian Johnson. Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brick is a modern film noir that ranks as one of the best films of the 2000s. Kino Lorber have released the film with a new director approved 4K transfer.
Arrow Video’s presentation of The Last Starfighter is extremely well done. This family friendly science fiction film has remained a fan favorite since 1984.
The Comfort of Strangers is a perfectly realized adaptation of the unsettling Ian McEwan novel of the same name. Paul Schrader directs. Christopher Walken and Helen Mirren shine in the film. Criterion Collection has given the film a pristine Blu-ray release.
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter is easily one of the best entries in the series. The new Shout! Factory Blu-ray release features an exceptional new 4K scan. One of the best slashers from the Eighties.
Silent Running is a great science fiction film from the Seventies starring the fantastic Bruce Dern. The film is unique because of its sense of melancholy and prescient environmental themes. Arrow Video has given the film an excellent new release.
Friday the 13th Part 2 is a very important film in the series. Building upon the first film, the focus shines on Jason Voorhees and a formula is locked in place for the series. The new Shout! Factory Blu-ray looks fantastic.
High Plains Drifter is one of Eastwoods most unusual and best Westerns. Kino Lorber have given the film a stunning new 4K restoration. Highly recommended!
Joe Kidd is an enjoyable western starring Clint Eastwood with a screenplay from the inimitable Elmore Leonard. The new Kino Lorber Blu-ray features a stunning 4K transfer.
Friday the 13th gave the world Camp Crystal Lake and set the gold standard for camp based slasher films. Shout! Factory’s new release inside their massive box set looks the best the film has ever looked.
Halloween III: Season of the Witch has found a way to continue to grow in people’s estimation every year. It’s become a Halloween staple despite the lack of Michael Myers. The steelbook edition by Shout!Factory features a new 4K scan.
Mallrats was a much maligned film by Kevin Smith that has developed a cult following over the last 25 years. Arrow Video have given it a definitive release with a new 4K transfer.
The first release from label Fun City Editions – Alphabet City is a visually exciting crime drama from 1984. Fans of the film will be excited to see it on Blu-ray.
The Dead Zone is a fantastic film by David Cronenberg from the mind of Stephen King. The Blu-ray by Paramount is visually unsatisfying, which is a shame.
Roger Corman’s Edgar Allan Poe adaptation starring Vincent Price is one of Corman’s most effective and stylish films. Benefitting from very colorful cinematography by Nicolas Roeg, this is a true horror classic.
Reversal of Fortune is a well made film based on the true crime book by defense lawyer Alan Dershowitz. Jeremy Irons gives a strong performance alongside Ron Silver and Glenn Close. Warner Archive has given the film a fan pleasing Blu-ray presentation.
Featuring introductions by scholar Garner Simmons! –
The Killer Elite is not a fully fledged film by Sam Peckinpah despite flashes of greatness. Noon Wine, which is included in the Twilight Time Blu-ray, is an essential work by Peckinpah.
Featuring an introduction from scholar Garner Simmons! –
Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia is one of the most original films by Sam Peckinpah. A truly unique journey. Twilight Time released the film on Blu-ray in 2014 and 2016.
Featuring an introduction by scholar Garner Simmons! –
The Getaway is an iconic Sam Peckinpah film starring Ali MacGraw and Steve McQueen. Warner Bros. released the film on Blu-ray in 2007.
Featuring an introduction from scholar Garner Simmons! –
Junior Bonner is a wonderful family drama starring Steve McQueen, Robert Preston, and Ida Lupino. Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray is well worth adding to your collection.
Featuring an intro from Peckinpah scholar Garner Simmons! –
Straw Dogs is one of Peckinpah’s most brutally effective and harrowing films. It’s a truly unforgettable film. The Criterion Collection release of the film is essential for fans of the film.
Featuring an introduction from Peckinpah scholar Garner Simmons!
The Ballad of Cable Hogue finds Sam Peckinpah in a light hearted mood. Jason Robards gives a great performance. Warner Archive gave the film a good release on Blu-ray.
Featuring an intro from Peckinpah scholar Garner Simmons!
The Wild Bunch is arguably the best film made by maverick filmmaker Sam Peckinpah. It is certainly one of the greatest Westerns ever made. The Warner Blu-ray is dated somewhat, but is still an irresistible package for fans of the film.
Major Dundee is a flawed film by Sam Peckinpah with some great performances and a true sense of realism. The Twilight Time Blu-ray is the definitive version of the film with the 2005 cut and Theatrical Cut.
Ride the High Country is an early masterpiece from the great Sam Peckinpah. This review also features an introduction from Peckinpah scholar Garner Simmons!
Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon is a masterfully done period piece that shows exactly how meticulous Kubrick could be. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray is essential for fans of Kubrick.
Bacurau is a provocative Brazilian Western that blends in some minor dystopian elements. The film has its fair share of admirers and detractors. Kino Lorber have given it a pristine release.
Used Cars is a crude comedy about lying car salesmen starring Kurt Russell. Written by Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, the film is very funny. Shout!Factory has released the film in a collector’s edition.
Eye See You was never given a proper chance when Universal Pictures decided to shelve it. MVD have given the film a stand-alone release that also features the director’s original cut of the film.
MVD Rewind Collection have given the inscrutable fan favorite film from maverick director Takashi Miike a new Collector’s Edition with two cuts of the film and great technical specs.
Deep Rising is an adventure film that blends elements from The Poseidon Adventure, Under Siege, Alien, and John Carpenter films into one crazy B-movie starring Treat Williams and Famke Janssen. Kino Lorber has given the film a Collector’s Edition full of extras.
Black Rainbow is an interesting Southern Gothic film by British filmmaker Mike Hodges. Dismissed initially upon its release, it deservedly has been reappraised in later years. Arrow Video have released the film on Blu-ray.
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie is an excellent anthology film. Shout! Factory has given the film a proper release. The supplemental features by Michael Felsher and Red Shirt productions are excellent and very in depth.
Torso is a well known and well loved Giallo film from director Sergio Martino. A great second half of the film cemented it’s legacy. Arrow Video brought the film to Blu-ray with extensive special features.
American Rickshaw is an absolutely insane piece of action trash filmmaking by Italian director Sergio Martino. Cauldron Films has given the film a proper Blu-ray release.
King Cohen is a fantastic look at maverick director Larry Cohen. Larry sadly passed away last year, but this 2017 documentary by Steve Mitchell is a gift to film fans.
Burying the Ex is a romantic comedy from Joe Dante featuring the late Anton Yelchin. The film deserved a better reception than it received upon its release and gets better on a second viewing. RLJ Entertainment has given it a release on Blu-ray.
We will never know what Joe Dante’s true vision for Looney Tunes: Back in Action could have been, but the resulting film is still has some great moments and the final score by Jerry Goldsmith. Warner Bros. released a Blu-ray in 2014.
The ‘Burbs was released in 1989 to a harsh critical reception. Over time the film has become a true cult classic. The film is not just one of the best Joe Dante movies, it is one of the best comedies from the Eighties. The Shout!Factory Collector’s Edition is the best available version of the film.
Shout! Factory’s new release of “Explorers” is the closest we will probably come to seeing what the finished product would have been. The Joe Dante directed science fiction/fantasy film starred Ethan Hawke and River Phoenix.
Police Squad! was one of the most original comedies ever aired on television. It only lasted six episodes, but it is still loved by many. The series has received a release on Blu-ray from Paramount.
Piranha is the Roger Corman produced horror-comedy that put director Joe Dante on the map. It still stands on its own merits as a horror film that revels in its absurd premise.
Hollywood Boulevard gave the world directors Joe Dante and Allan Arkush and producer Jon Davison. The film was made on a shoestring budget for Roger Corman in ten days. Scorpion Releasing has done an admirable job to restore the film.
Death Warrant is a great early Van Damme feature. Scorpion Releasing/ Ronin Flix have given the film a strong transfer from a 2K scan and some enjoyable special features.
Why Don’t You Just Die! is a hyper violent and very funny comedy from Russia. Arrow Video have given the film a release and it ranks as one of my favorite new releases from this year.
Bedazzled is a very funny comedy directed by the great Stanley Donen. Written and performed by actors Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, it remains one of the best British comedies from the Sixties. Twilight Time’s Blu-ray presentation is very strong.
Kolobos is a good reminder of what bargain bin films from the late Nineties felt like. Arrow Video has given it a deluxe edition, but it may be worth a rental prior to purchase.
The third film by acclaimed anime filmmaker Satoshi Kon has finally been released on Blu-ray and it looks and sounds fantastic. All four of his films have now received stateside releases.
The debut film from writer/director S. Craig Zahler is a truly unique Western that borrows elements from the Horror genre. Kurt Russell leads an amazing ensemble cast.
Color of Night was vilified upon its release but has still held onto a devoted fan base for more than twenty five years. The new release by Kino includes the home video debut of the Theatrical Cut and a great commentary track by Richard Rush. Unfortunately, the video specs are still pretty rough.
Satan Never Sleeps features a strong performance by William Holden and lush cinematography by Oswald Morris, but the sexual politics of the latter half of the film feel dated in our present time. Twilight Time has given the film a beautiful release.
Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion is an early thriller by director Umberto Lenzi. The Arrow release features good specs and very good special features.
The Prisoner is a well written and perfectly acted morality play with the great Alec Guinness in the lead role. The film was controversial upon its release. It holds up well.
Showdown is an extremely fun and unintentionally hilarious rip-off of The Karate Kid. MVD Rewind have given it a fantastic release. Fans of cheesy Nineties films will want to check this one out.
Blood Tide is a C-Grade film with an A-Grade cast and some beautiful Mediterranean scenery. Fans of Nico Mastorakis will want to check it out, because Arrow’s new transfer looks great.
Escape from L.A. receives a Collector’s Edition from a new 4K scan from Shout!Factory. The film has its fans and detractors, but the film succeeds in providing good replay value for fans and a great cameo from Bruce Campbell.
Judgment Night is a thriller from the Nineties starring Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Denis Leary. WB Archive has given the film a great looking transfer from a 2K scan.
Cleopatra Jones is essentially a female-driven Blaxploitation answer to James Bond. It features a fantastically funny performance by Shelley Winters as “Mommy.”
Someone to Watch Over Me is an enjoyable romantic thriller that is beautifully shot and well acted. The film’s story is a little thin, but it still works overall thanks to the great direction of Ridley Scott.
Universal Horror Collection: Volume 4 features two non-horror entries by Boris Karloff, and two horror entries featuring Lionel Atwill, Bela Lugosi, and Rondo Hatton.
Waiting for Guffman is an amazingly funny comedy by Christopher Guest. The mockumentary focuses on Corky St. Clair and his attempts to create a Broadway style musical for the small town of Blaine, Missouri.
The Big Fix is a bittersweet detective film with some comedic elements. The film was misunderstood upon its release, but it deserves to be rediscovered.
The Hot Rock is an enjoyable caper film with engaging performances by both Robert Redford and George Segal. Twilight Time have an immaculate transfer for the release.
On his hundredth film, Takashi Miike delivers one of his most enjoyable samurai epics. Based on the iconic graphic novel, Blade of the Immortal is an ultra-violent crowd pleaser.
Best of Enemies is a fantastic documentary revolving around the ten debates held by William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal during the 1968 Democratic and Republican Conventions.
Warning Sign is an enjoyable science fiction film involving a pathogen outbreak. The film benefits from good casting and cinematography by Dean Cundey.
Joseph H. Lewis directed this interesting film noir thriller that is very different from his other films. Arrow Academy has provided a great looking transfer provided by Sony.
Perfect Blue is a fantastic psychological thriller. Satoshi Kon’s first film had a lasting impact on other director’s work and remains one of the finest anime films.
Manon is a minor work by Henri-George Clouzot, but it still shows off the talented director’s keen eye for detail. Arrow Academy have given the film a solid release.
Being There stars Peter Sellers in one of his greatest roles. It was also the last film of great importance by director Hal Ashby. Criterion Collection has given the film an exceptional release with some vital special features and a beautiful 4K scan.
8 Million Ways to Die is an interesting failure. There is a good film inside of what is presented, but Hal Ashby never got the chance he deserved to cut the film his way. I am really thankful that Kino Lorber has given the film a chance to find an audience on Blu-ray.
Shampoo is an off-beat comedy-drama that is as likely to have fans as detractors. I personally am a fan. The Criterion Collection Blu-ray features solid technical specs.
The Quiller Memorandum is a great excuse to watch George Segal, Alec Guinness, and Max Von Sydow in an espionage film together. With striking cinematography by Erwin a Hiller, the film shines from a new 4K transfer for Twilight Time.
The Fog is one of the best loved films by John Carpenter. Carpenter takes a shaky premise and makes an absolute classic through well-crafted visual storytelling.
Continuing our celebration of director John Carpenter, we focused our attention on his final film “The Ward.” This film finds the director unable to really lend his trademark style to the proceedings.
Ghosts of Mars is definitely not one of my favorite efforts from the great John Carpenter, but it was the last film he directed that still felt like a John Carpenter film. Mill Creek have provided a good value with strong visual and audio components on the disc.
Escape from New York introduced the world to one of the ultimate badass protagonists Snake Plissken and every futuristic action film made afterward owed it a debt for finding the right formula. Shout!Factory has given the film its due with its collector’s edition.
Memoirs of an Invisible Man is an entertaining but somewhat forgettable film that finds John Carpenter and Chevy Chase playing against type to mixed results.
Prince of Darkness has some good material in it, but it is one of Carpenter’s lesser efforts overall. The collector’s edition by Shout!Factory features good technical specs and excellent supplemental materials.
The Thing is one of my favorite horror films of all time. It is debatably the best film by legendary director John Carpenter. Shout!Factory’s release of the film provides an incredible amount of supplemental material and a strong visual presentation.
Sixteen Candles was the first film that John Hughes directed. With an excellent cast and soundtrack, it has become a classic of the coming-of-age genre. Arrow Video have given it a fantastic release.
In the Mouth of Madness is a great later entry in John Carpenter’s filmography. One of my favorite Carpenter films, Shout!Factory has given it a great transfer from a 4K scan.
Zombie is one of the best known and best loved horror films of all time. It is notorious for a reason and squeamish viewers should avoid at at all costs. Lucio Fulci’s seminal video nasty has been given a great new release from a 4K scan.
Assault on Precinct 13 finds John Carpenter crafting his trademark style with his sophomore feature. Shout!Factory has released the film with some great supplements and a sharp transfer.
Bones is not extremely cohesive as a film, but it is still entertaining. Shout!Factory has provided a wealth of great supplements from Red Shirt Pictures and a great looking transfer from a new 4K scan of the original film elements.
Brainscan is an odd Nineties thriller from the Virtual Reality exploitation craze of the early Nineties. The soundtrack features White Zombie, KMFDM, Tad, Primus, and more.
Scared Stiff is a fun and absolutely ridiculous horror film. The critical opinion of this film is very low, but I had a smile on my face for the duration of the film. Arrow Video have given it a deluxe release.
The Big Clock is a fun thriller with an excellent sense for dialogue and humor. With both Ray Milland and Charles Laughton in top form, the film is a solid release by Arrow Academy.
The Wizard is a nostalgia trip through the days when Nintendo was everywhere. The film stars Fred Savage, Jenny Lewis, Beau Bridges, and Christian Slater. Shout!Factory has given the film a great looking Collector’s Edition.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Is easily one of my comedies of all time. Michael Caine, Steve Martin, and Glenn Headly are perfection in the Frank Oz directed film. Shout!Factory has given it a new release with a 2K scan.
Baby the Rain Must Fall is a well done drama starring Steve McQueen and Lee Remick. The film is deadly serious and is hurt by some musical scenes, but the performances make it memorable.
A Breed Apart has a fantastic cast but the script fails to create enough tension to make a lasting impression. Shout!Factory has given the film a release.
Frankenstein Created Woman is a fun and melodramatic Hammer Horror film starring David Morse and Susan Denberg. Shout!Factory has given it a deluxe release.
Warlock is a fantastic Western based on the Pulitzer prize winning novel by Oakley Hall. Richard Widmark, Anthony Quinn, and Henry Fonda turn in solid performances. Twilight Time have given it a proper release.
None but the Brave is an interesting film because of its even handling of both sides of the conflict. It is also notable as Sinatra’s first directorial effort. It has a lot of failings but a strong finale.
Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, and Rutger Hauer Star in this early-Eighties thriller. Aside from a fairly ridiculous ending, the film works pretty well. Shout!Factory have given it a great special edition.
The Green Inferno is Eli Roth at his most uncompromising and unhinged. A throw back picture to the cannibal films of the Seventies and Eighties, it is not for everyone. Shout!Factory have given it a deluxe release.
Gaslight has long been cited as one of the better suspense films from the Forties. Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer are both fantastic. WB Archive has released the film from their vault.
Cat People is an excellent exercise in technique that elevates a B-movie into grand entertainment. The Val Lewton produced RKO film has been given lush treatment by Criterion.
Based on a Cornell Woolrich novel, The Leopard Man stands as one of the best films of the Val Lewton RKO pictures run. Shout!Factory have given it a pristine release.
The Chill Factor is a VHS-era horror film that never quite gets it right. Unintentionally hilarious at times, a rental is recommended prior to a purchase.
Terror in a Texas Town is an enjoyable Western Drama from Dalton Trumbo and Joseph H. Lewis. I love watching Sterling Hayden on screen, and he is great here (even with a Swedish accent.)
Shout!Factory has released Richard Lowenstein’s profoundly personal account of the troubled singer Michael Hutchence’s rise to fame with INXS and the circumstances that led to his death by suicide. A very well made and empathetic documentary.
The Loveless is a bit of a mixed bag, but it gave Willem Defoe and Kathryn Bigelow their start. Arrow Video has provided a very comprehensive collector’s edition for fans of the film.
Behold a Pale Horse is an excellent drama that takes place just after the Spanish Civil War. Gregory Peck, Omar Sharif, and Anthony Quinn all turn in fantastic performances.
In the Aftermath is a real oddity of a film. New World Pictures combined live action footage with footage from a surreal anime film called Angel’s Egg. The results? Meh.
Bent is a well made and performed but very difficult to watch adaptation of Martin Sherman’s play about the gay experience during World War II. Clive Owen stars.
Double Face is a fun proto-Giallo from Riccardo Freda that features Klaus Kinski and numerous beautiful European actresses. Arrow Video have provided a beautiful transfer and solid supplemental materials.
With his second film, director Takeshi Kitano makes an incredibly offbeat and strange Yakuza film. Film Movement have given the film a solid release on Blu-ray.
Hell Comes to Frogtown is as ridiculous as it sounds. Vinegar Syndrome have given it a fantastic new transfer and have included all of the great special features from the Arrow Video release.
The Bad and the Beautiful is an uncommonly thoughtful melodrama with solid performances by Kirk Douglas and Lana Turner. WB Archive have provided a beautiful transfer.
Shout!Factory has put together a solid Collector’s Edition of this enjoyable Horror-Western from John Carpenter. James Woods stars as a vampire hunter in one of his few roles as an action star.
Framing John DeLorean is an interesting documentary that stumbles a little bit from its more meta elements. Alec Baldwin and other actors star in the re-enactments. Shout!Factory has provided some excellent supplemental material that fleshes out the story.
The Entity is an effective supernatural thriller starring Barbara Hershey, but the intense scenes of sexual assault are sure to keep many viewers from the film. Shout!Factory has given it a pristine release in a new Collector’s Edition.
The Set-Up is one of the most tightly scripted and edited boxing dramas I have ever seen. This is a fantastic film starring Robert Ryan under the direction of Robert Wise.
Nightwish is a B-movie that draws on lots of different genre films to make an uneven but interesting amalgamation that sometimes works. Unearthed Films have given it a solid Blu-ray release.
Jim Jarmusch directed his most critically divisive film. While the merits of the film are debatable, the cinematography of Spain is incredible. Arrow Academy has given the film a beautiful release.
Bob Dylan stars in a surreal movie he co-wrote with director Larry Charles. It is a strange and funny film that will please as many Dylan fans as it leaves scratching their heads.
This box set features four films featuring the great actors Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff. Classic horror fans will find this set too great a bargain to pass up.
Hey Ho! Let’s go!
The Ramones star in this Roger Corman produced and Allan Arkush directed film. Joe Dante lent his talents towards directing the sequence in the gym.
Paul Verhoeven’s action film and satire of corporate greed run amok is one of the best films of the Eighties. Arrow Video have created an incredible steelbook packed with features for fans.
Shout!Factory has given the deluxe treatment to the Daniel Attias film based on a screenplay by Stephen King. Werewolves and wheelchairs and Gary Busey.