Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
“Nightcrawler” is one of the great Los Angeles films. Featuring an amazing performance by Jake Gyllenhaal, and great turns by Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, and Riz Ahmed, Dan Gilroy’s 2014 thriller earns our highest recommendation. Shout! Factory’s new 4K release is a must-buy!
“Thunderheart” was given a solid Blu-ray release by Sony in 2024. The 4K upgrade will appeal to fans of Roger Deakins’ cinematography and audio purists who want the newly included theatrical stereo track. It’a a great movie that deserves more attention.
“House on Haunted Hill” is a B-horror classic and one of my favorite films of its era. Vincent Price’s performance ranks as one of his best. Film Master has given the picture a new Blu-ray release.
“Honey Don’t!” is the second collaboration between Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke in their Lesbian B-movie trilogy. The film failed critically and commercially, but it still has its moments and strong turns from its cast.
“Black Belt Jones” pairs Jim Kelly with director Robert Crouse just one year after “Enter the Dragon.” Sadly, “Black Belt Jones” is not nearly as good as that picture. Regardless, Warner Archive has done a tremendous job on their new restoration.
“Get Carter” has been given an absolutely phenomenal 4K UHD release by Warner Archive. Michael Caine is the epitome of cool in this classic British gangster film.
Eureka! Entertainment brings Joe Cheung’s “”Flaming Brothers” to Blu-ray. The film is notable to see screenwriters Wong Kar-Wai and Jeffrey Lau’s take on the heroic bloodshed genre with Chow Yun-Fat in a leading role.
Steven Soderbergh’s 2009 film “The Informant!” tells the true story of F.B.I. informant Mark Whitacre, and the crimes he simultaneously hid from the F.B.I., with an eye towards the darkly comedic aspects of the story. Matt Damon and Scott Bakula shine. Warner’s 4K is a solid upgrade.
”Slap the Monster on Page One” is a cynical look at journalism in Italy in the early Seventies that feels prescient in our age of talking heads. Gian Maria Volonte is brilliant in the lead role.
