Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
“The Godfather” is one of the best crime dramas ever made. Coppola directed an ensemble cast of Brando, Pacino, Caan, Duvall, and more in roles that defined their careers. The Paramount 4K UHD is an essential purchase with a jaw-dropping new restoration.
“Wild Things” was one of the last erotic thrillers to see large scale success at the box office. With a strong neo-noir story and sly sense of humor, it has aged well. The Arrow Video 4K UHD is gorgeous.
“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.
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.
“Carlito’s Way” is one of the best films from virtuoso filmmaker Brian De Palma. Pacino and Sean Penn are both fantastic in the film, and the final sequence is one of the best that De Palma put to celluloid. The Universal Pictures UHD is an excellent presentation of the film.
“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.
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.
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.
“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.
