Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
“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.
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.
“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.
John Sayles’s 1988 film “Eight Men Out” is a fantastic historical drama and wonderful sports film about the Black Sox and the 1919 World Series. The film has a brilliant ensemble cast. MGM has given the film a release on Blu-ray.
Anthony Mann’s Western “The Tin Star” starring Henry Fonda and Anthony Perkins has been given a fantastic release by Arrow Video. VistaVision cinematography looks amazing on the Blu-ray format.
Shout! Factory has given the Seventies revenge classic “Rolling Thunder” a definitive 4K UHD release. The film has aged like fine wine due to John Flynn’s down and dirty direction of a script with conflicting visions from Paul Schrader and Heywood Gould. William Devane is great in the lead role.
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.
Sony Pictures has given Spike Lee’s sophomore film “School Daze” a 4K UHD release. The transfer is rock solid and the archival special features are excellent.
