Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
“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.
“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” is still the best film from 2019. It isn’t even close. We revisited the film after reading “Helter Skelter.”
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
