Reviewing films slightly off the beaten path
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.
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,
“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.
Warner Bros. have given “Enter the Dragon” a truly exceptional 4K UHD release on its 50th anniversary. The new Dolby Atmos track and beautiful transfer bring out the very best from Bruce Lee’s greatest film.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
