CriterionCast » Reviews

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Up All Night with Robert Downey Sr.

David Blakeslee — Tue, 22 May 2012 15:00:36 +0000

If you wonder where the actor who plays Iron Man acquired his winsome smirking insolence, just wait 'til you meet his parents.

From The Marketplace: Joshua Looks At Three Films From The Cannes Film Festival Marketplace

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:23:50 +0000

Joshua gives some thoughts on films including Dorfman, General Education and Union Square, all showing in the Cannes Marketplace.

Joshua Reviews Lisanne Pajot And James Swirsky’s Indie Game: The Movie [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 20 May 2012 16:42:48 +0000

Film follows a band of unlikely video game heroes in what is easily one of the year's best documentaries.

West Reviews Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation Of Christ [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

West Anthony — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:49:44 +0000

The Blu-ray of The Last Temptation Of Christ, as it stands, is a much more polished presentation but will probably be of interest only to those hardcore home video enthusiasts who want the upgraded video presentation, and those Blu-ray owners who have never bought the film before.

West Reviews A Hollis Frampton Odyssey [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

West Anthony — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:33:38 +0000

More adventurous cinephiles will already be on board, but for those who are wary of experimental film, give Frampton a chance. I think there's something in this odyssey that everyone can appreciate if they're only willing to meet the filmmaker halfway.

West Reviews Luis Buñuel’s Belle De Jour [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

West Anthony — Sun, 20 May 2012 05:18:05 +0000

Belle De Jour is a remarkable film from a cinematic master then in the midst of his last great decade of filmmaking before retirement. As complex, beautiful and inscrutable as any of his finest works, it is a pure delight to have it in the Criterion Collection once again.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Mikio Naruse’s Apart From You

David Blakeslee — Tue, 15 May 2012 18:15:04 +0000

This silent film from 1933 firmly established Naruse in his genre, and delivers a potent Mothers Day message for past and present "wayward sons."

Joshua Reviews Gerald Hustache-Mathieu’s Nobody Else But You [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:04:49 +0000

New film gives a surreal spin on the Marilyn Monroe story.

Catherine Reviews Jafar Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb’s This Is Not a Film

Catherine Stebbins — Sun, 13 May 2012 17:00:56 +0000

If you care about cinema, about the right we have to tell stories and why we tell them, and about human rights, you must seek out This Is Not a Film.

Joshua Reviews Cristian Jimenez’s Bonsai [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 10 May 2012 16:46:36 +0000

New film from Jimenez may be slight, but it's also moving and beautifully made.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Akira Kurosawa’s Sanshiro Sugata, Part Two

David Blakeslee — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:00:56 +0000

If you want to understand the roots of super hero action movies, there's no better place to start than with early Kurosawa.

Catherine Reviews Lauren Greenfield’s The Queen of Versailles [IFFBoston 2012 Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:56:15 +0000

The Queen of Versailles, Lauren Greenfield's outrageous yet humanistic peek into a billionaire family's struggle with the economic crisis.

Catherine Reviews Stephen Kessler’s Paul Williams Still Alive [IFFBoston 2012 Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Sun, 06 May 2012 04:39:31 +0000

A decent documentary about Paul Williams that you should see because it's a documentary about Paul Williams.

David Reviews Mario Monicelli’s The Organizer [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

David Blakeslee — Wed, 02 May 2012 03:22:58 +0000

May 1 is International Workers Day, and The Organizer has something to say to the rank and file.

Joshua Reviews King Vidor’s Bird Of Paradise [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Tue, 01 May 2012 17:25:22 +0000

Film is a pre-Code romance epic that is finally hitting Blu-ray thanks to Kino.

Catherine Reviews Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights [IFFBoston 2012 Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Tue, 01 May 2012 06:37:32 +0000

Andrea Arnold's bracingly original take on a literary classic contains a breathtaking first half and an intolerable second half.

Catherine Reviews Bart Layton’s The Imposter [IFFBoston 2012 Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:55:46 +0000

Bart Layton's stranger than fiction true-crime documentary will have you aghast and on the edge of your seat throughout.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Yasujiro Ozu’s The End of Summer

David Blakeslee — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:41:38 +0000

Ozu's penultimate film and his final screen collaboration with Setsuko Hara.

Joshua Reviews Hideo Gosha’s Three Outlaw Samurai [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 01:23:46 +0000

Film was the debut of iconic director Hideo Gosha.

Joshua Reviews Braden King’s Here [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 02:33:10 +0000

Film stars Ben Foster and is an oddly disappointing feature from director Braden King.

David Reviews Alfred Hitchcock’s Notorious [Blu-ray Review]

David Blakeslee — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:27:23 +0000

David compares and contrasts the rare OOP Criterion DVD with the recent blu-ray release from MGM/20th Century Fox.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Ingmar Bergman’s To Joy

David Blakeslee — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:00:50 +0000

Bergman infuses Beethoven's Ninth in this semi-autobiographical rumination on marriage, infidelity and thwarted artistic ambition.

West Reviews Roy Ward Baker’s A Night To Remember [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

West Anthony — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 05:55:35 +0000

West takes a look at the recent Criterion Blu-ray upgrade for A Night To Remember, and reflects on the 100th anniversary of the TItanic sinking.

West Reviews Otto Preminger’s Anatomy Of A Murder [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

West Anthony — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:00:23 +0000

West takes a look at spine 600: the recently released Criterion Blu-ray of Otto Preminger's Anatomy Of A Murder.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Roberto Rossellini’s Blaise Pascal

David Blakeslee — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:00:18 +0000

David ponders the austere historical portrayal of a 17th century French genius and his Big Ideas.

Catherine Reviews Marius Holst’s King of Devil’s Island [DVD Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:52:36 +0000

The film that broke Norwegian box-office records is a recognizable but wholly engaging work thanks in part to the pair of breakout performances at its icy center.

On the Hulu Channel: Ingmar Bergman’s Secrets of Women

Scott Nye — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:51:10 +0000

Scott attempts to unearth the Secrets of Women

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Sacha Guitry’s Désiré

David Blakeslee — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:00:39 +0000

Impeccable wit, Gallic insouciance, pretty women and saucy innuendo - what more could one desire from a 1930s French comedy?

James Reviews Gareth Evans’ The Raid: Redemption [Theatrical Review]

James McCormick — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:01:04 +0000

Everyone's been raving about The Raid: Redemption. Is it all that it's cracked up to be?

Catherine Reviews Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s 21 Jump Street [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 04:11:00 +0000

A refreshing surprise to say the least, 21 Jump Street is a mostly uproarious and surprisingly sincere comedy featuring an onscreen duo for the ages with Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum.

Joshua Reviews Richard Linklater’s Bernie [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 02:55:01 +0000

The film is Linklater's return to Texas, and it's not at all what you'd expect. And that's not always a good thing.

Joshua Reviews Rebecca Thomas’ Electrick Children [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:59:06 +0000

This is the first film from director Rebecca Thomas, and it's one hell of a debut.

Joshua Reviews Philippe Falardeau’s Monsieur Lazhar [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:14:14 +0000

The Oscar nominee makes its way to Austin, and it may be the best film at the festival.

Joshua Reviews Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s Intruders [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:44:53 +0000

Film is the latest from '28 Weeks Later' and 'Intacto' director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Chantal Akerman’s Les Rendez-vous d’Anna

David Blakeslee — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 19:50:30 +0000

March is Women's History Month, as if you needed any more justification for exploring great feminist cinema.

Joshua Reviews Colin Trevorrow’s Safety Not Guaranteed [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:00:03 +0000

The Sundance darling may be the funniest film you'll see all year.

Joshua Reviews Gareth Evans’ The Raid: Redemption [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 14:00:59 +0000

An Indonesian import, The Raid: Redemption has been billed as the best action film in years. And boy, does this sucker know how to live up to the hype.

James Reviews Chad Schaffler’s Memphis Heat: The True Story of Memphis Wrasslin’ [DVD Review]

James McCormick — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 04:58:12 +0000

No babies will be thrown at you during this review. But even if you aren't into the world of professional wrestling, you will fall in love with the people that inhabit it.

Joshua Reviews Guy Maddin’s Keyhole [SXSW 2012 Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 22:30:01 +0000

New film from Canadian auteur Guy Maddin is his take on the haunted house film.

Joshua Reviews Scott Derrickson’s Sinister [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 17:00:01 +0000

New film from 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' helmer Scott Derrickson.

Joshua Reviews Neil Berkeley’s Beauty Is Embarrassing [SXSW 2012 Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 05:30:49 +0000

This new documentary takes a look at the life of one of the founding fathers of 'Pee-Wee's Playhouse.'

Joshua Reviews Carol Morley’s Dreams Of A Life [SXSW 2012 Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 03:20:32 +0000

Film is one of many experimental documentaries hitting Austin this year.

Joshua Reviews A. Sabin And David Redmon’s Girl Model [SXSW 2012 Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 23:20:29 +0000

Film looks into the rough world of modeling through the eyes of those smack dab in the middle of it.

Joshua Reviews Paco Plaza’s [Rec] 3: Genesis [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 09:25:12 +0000

Film tries something new within the beloved horror film franchise.

Joshua Reviews Patrick Forbes’ Wikileaks: Secrets And Lies [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:55:22 +0000

Film takes a look into the controversy surrounding Wikileaks.

Joshua Reviews Amir Bar-Lev’s Re:Generation [SXSW 2012]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:45:50 +0000

Re:Generation is the new film from beloved documentarian Amir Bar-Lev.

James Reviews Jannicke Systad Jacobsen’s Turn Me On, Dammit! [PIFF 2012 Review]

James McCormick — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:04:24 +0000

James takes a look at this Norwegian coming of age tale of a 15 year old girl who is a bit obsessed with sex.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Basil Dearden’s Victim

David Blakeslee — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 14:42:43 +0000

David's latest Eclipse review looks at a groundbreaking British film from 1961 that openly challenged laws criminalizing homosexuality.

Catherine Reviews Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca [Blu-Ray Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 07:44:11 +0000

Revisiting Alfred Hitchcock's first American film in glorious Blu-Ray.

Joshua Reviews Woody Allen’s Annie Hall [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:05:19 +0000

Joshua looks at the new Blu-ray of Woody Allen's Annie Hall.

Joshua Reviews Woody Allen’s Manhattan [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:00:22 +0000

Joshua takes a look at the newly released Blu-ray of the classic Woody Allen film, Manhattan.

David Reviews Lena Dunham’s Tiny Furniture [Criterion Blu-ray Review]

David Blakeslee — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:29:51 +0000

David takes a break from his Eclipse series, to see what Lena Dunham has to offer in this new Criterion Collection release.

Andrew Reviews Don Argott & Demian Fenton’s Last Days Here [PIFF 2012 Review]

Andrew Collins — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 21:34:05 +0000

As PIFF winds down this weekend, Andrew takes a look at the new documentary highlighting the Pentagram frontman, Bobby Liebling.

James Reviews Young-doo Oh’s Invasion Of Alien Bikini [PIFF 2012 Review]

James McCormick — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:38:59 +0000

Sometimes a film expands upon it's quirky title. And other times a film has only a title to go by. This is the latter.

James Reviews Jean-Loup Felicioli and Alain Gagnol’s A Cat In Paris [PIFF 2012 Review]

James McCormick — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 02:35:53 +0000

Does this film deserve its Oscar nod for Best Animated feature?

Joshua Reviews Stuart Beattie’s Tomorrow When The War Began [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 17:32:12 +0000

Film is based on the first book in a beloved young adult novel series from writer John Marsden

Catherine Reviews Julia Murat’s Found Memories [PIFF 2012 Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:45:06 +0000

A Brazilian village with only eleven elderly inhabitants are changed by the appearance of a young photographer in Julia Murat's first narrative feature.

David Reviews Kaneto Shindo’s Postcard [PIFF 2012 Review]

David Blakeslee — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:28:34 +0000

Shindo's final film is a moving reminiscence of grief and endurance in the aftermath of World War II.

David Reviews Alysa Nahmias & Benjamin Murray’s Unfinished Spaces [PIFF 2012 Review]

David Blakeslee — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:20:09 +0000

A documentary about art, architecture and persistent creativity in post-revolutionary Cuba.

Catherine Reviews Corinna Belz’s Gerhard Richter Painting [PIFF 2012 Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 04:07:33 +0000

A startlingly insightful look at painter Gerhard Richter, and the indescribable creative process, in this observational documentary.

Catherine Reviews James Watkins’ The Woman in Black [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:48:15 +0000

The Woman in Black effectively resurrects Gothic atmosphere and tropes but does not offer much else.

Catherine Reviews Steven Soderbergh’s Haywire [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 05:39:31 +0000

Catherine reviews Steven Soderbergh's latest as Gina Carano receives the Sasha Grey treatment.

Joshua Reviews Athina Rachel Tsangari’s ‘Attenberg’ [PIFF 2012 Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:05:47 +0000

Film is part of this year's PIFF lineup, and was Greece's submission for this year's Best Foreign Language Film.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Carlos Saura’s El Amor Brujo

David Blakeslee — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:23:33 +0000

If the chills of mid-February have you feeling a little limp and tentative, Carlos Saura's red-hot serving of flamenco en fuego may be just what you need to spice up your Valentine's Day... and night.

Joshua Reviews Robin Hardy’s ‘The Wicker Tree’ [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 15:36:47 +0000

New film is a long awaited sequel to the iconic cult classic, The Wicker Man.

Joshua Reviews Frederick Wiseman’s ‘Crazy Horse’ [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 04:17:22 +0000

Joshua reviews the newest film from iconic documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman.

James Reviews Jalmari Helander’s Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale [Blu-ray Review]

James McCormick — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 05:57:25 +0000

James takes a look at the recent Blu-ray release of Rare Exports from Oscilloscope Laboratories.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Akira Kurosawa’s Sanshiro Sugata

David Blakeslee — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:20:04 +0000

A look at Kurosawa's debut feature, a martial arts saga that laid the foundation for many themes he'd explore over the following fifty years. With LOTS of screencaps.

Joshua Reviews ‘The Cinema Of Jean Rollin,’ Kino’s Five New Redemption Film Blu-ray Releases [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:28:55 +0000

Joshua reviews the Blu-rays of five classic thrillers from director Jean Rollin.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Takashi Nomura’s A Colt Is My Passport

David Blakeslee — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:00:51 +0000

In this 1967 film, Japanese tough guy Joe Shishido warmed up for his role in Branded To Kill as a steely-nerved hitman running for his life from the gang that betrayed him.

Joshua Reviews Steven Soderbergh’s ‘Haywire’ [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:47:11 +0000

And spoiler: it's a kick-ass piece of work from the director of 'Schizopolis' and 'Traffic.'

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Three Popular Films by Jean-Pierre Gorin

David Blakeslee — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:29:21 +0000

In the newest offering from Eclipse, the so-called "Southern California Trilogy" uses three disparate subjects (developmentally delayed twins, model railroad builders and urban street gangs) to ponder how we learn, communicate and make sense of the world around us.

Joshua Reviews Patric Chiha’s ‘Domain’ [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:30:08 +0000

Joshua reviews the new film from from first time director Patric Chiha.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Dušan Makavejev’s Man Is Not a Bird

David Blakeslee — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:21:26 +0000

Testing the limits of both Communist censorship standards and narrative filmmaking conventions was a specialty of the great Serbian director Dusan Makavejev. In the muted satire of Man Is Not a Bird, he began the trek that made him one of the most notorious agitators in cinematic history.

Joshua Reviews Jean-Luc Godard’s ‘Film Socialisme’ [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:00:18 +0000

Joshua reviews the latest film from French New Wave icon Jean-Luc Godard.

Joshua Reviews Tran Anh Hung’s ‘Norwegian Wood’ [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:10:01 +0000

Joshua reviews the new adaptation of the beloved novel from cult Japanese writer, Haruki Murakami.

Catherine Reviews Lech Majewski’s The Mill and the Cross [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 05:49:43 +0000

Not many films deal with how humans have always used art to cope and reconcile what we experience and see. The Mill and the Cross uses a recent medium to show how an older medium lends itself to creative expression that gives desperately needed meaning to the inconsolable atrocities that can occur.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Yasujiro Ozu’s Late Autumn

David Blakeslee — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:24:07 +0000

Tucked away toward the end of Yasujiro Ozu's monumental filmography, Late Autumn is a must-see for fans of his acclaimed masterpiece Late Spring, reworking its central plot and revealing much in both the similarities and contrasts between the two.

James Reviews Shinji Imaoka’s Underwater Love [UK DVD Review]

James McCormick — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:43:46 +0000

For months we were hearing little whispers of this pinku eiga film from Japan. Why was a pinku eiga film getting so much attention? [...]

Joshua Reviews Kino’s Nothing Sacred And A Farewell To Arms [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 04:17:49 +0000

Joshua reviews two iconic classics newly released on Blu-ray via Kino.

Joshua Reviews David Fincher’s ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:34:48 +0000

Joshua reviews David Fincher's adaptation of the beloved Swedish thriller.

David Reviews Ernst Lubitsch’s Design for Living [Blu-ray Review]

David Blakeslee — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:08:39 +0000

A new Blu-ray edition gives The Lubitsch Touch its well-deserved Criterion Treatment. More than just enshrining a nearly forgotten historical artifact in state-of-the-art digital technology, this free adaptation of a Nöel Coward play fearlessly treads over taboos still intact nearly 80 years later.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Ernst Lubitsch’s The Smiling Lieutenant

David Blakeslee — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 19:07:35 +0000

If you're as smitten with Miriam Hopkins as I am after watching her illuminate the screen in Criterion's new Design for Living DVD/Blu-ray, take heart! There's more of Miriam to enjoy, starting with her first appearance in a comedy, The Smiling Lieutenant, with Maurice Chevalier and Claudette Colbert.

Joshua Reviews Buster Keaton’s ‘Seven Chances’ [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 08:08:39 +0000

Joshua reviews the new Blu-ray of Buster Keaton's 'Seven Chances' from Kino.

Joshua Review’s D.W. Griffith’s ‘Way Down East’ [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:23:13 +0000

Joshua reviews the classic D. W. Griffith melodrama, 'Way Down East,' and its recent Blu-ray release from Kino.

Joshua Reviews The Warner Archive’s ‘What! No Beer?’ [DVD Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:32:36 +0000

Joshua reviews the Buster Keaton talkie 'What! No Beer?' and it's DVD release via The Warner Archive

Joshua Reviews D. W. Griffith’s ‘The Birth Of A Nation’ [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:23:40 +0000

Joshua reviews the new Blu-ray of D. W. Griffith's controversial masterwork, 'The Birth Of A Nation,' hitting shelves thanks to Kino.

Joshua Reviews The Warner Archive’s ‘Sidewalks Of New York’ [DVD Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:27:06 +0000

Joshua reviews an early talkie from Buster Keaton, 'Sidewalks Of New York', and its home video release thanks to The Warner Archive. Spoiler: it's a winner.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Robert Flaherty & Zoltan Korda’s Elephant Boy

David Blakeslee — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:52:12 +0000

Criterion fans know Sabu's feisty charisma from The Thief of Bagdad and Black Narcissus. His screen debut in Elephant Boy shows that his transition from orphaned servant to international movie star was instinctive, instantaneous and seemingly inevitable.

Catherine Reviews Michelangelo Frammartino’s Le Quattro Volte [Blu-Ray Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:04:43 +0000

Part minimalist observations, part docudrama; it is a trancelike rumination that shows everything and tells nothing, allowing us to drift in and out of our own ponderous observations. Kino Lorber’s Blu-Ray release amply captures this meditative wonder.

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Kenji Mizoguchi’s Sisters of the Gion

David Blakeslee — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:00:39 +0000

This past October marked the 75th anniversary of the release of Sisters of the Gion, and that fact [...]

James Reviews MST3K’s “Manos” The Hands of Fate [DVD Review]

James McCormick — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:18:01 +0000

Where does one begin when speaking about one of the worst movies ever made? Well, when you’re the Mystery Science Theater 3000 [...]

Joshua Reviews Tristan Patterson’s Dragonslayer [Theatrical Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:37:27 +0000

The past few years have been a golden age for the documentary. With Werner Herzog working at a crazy clip, and other films [...]

Catherine Reviews Clint Eastwood’s J. Edgar [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:38:59 +0000

Is it possible to, knowing a film cannot sum up a historical figure’s life, make enough of an artistic impression [...]

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Akira Kurosawa’s One Wonderful Sunday

David Blakeslee — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:00:06 +0000

If one were to somehow make a word cloud of all the superlatives that have been written in praising the films of [...]

Joshua Reviews Giorgio Moroder Presents Metropolis [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 06:17:21 +0000

Throughout a film’s history, particularly that of a silent film, the piece in question may or may not take various shapes when being [...]

Catherine Reviews Lars von Trier’s Melancholia [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 07:33:12 +0000

This review does contain spoilers

It may seem contradictory to say that Lars von Trier’s end-of-the world opus is the director as [...]

A Journey Through the Eclipse Series: Koreyoshi Kurahara’s The Warped Ones

David Blakeslee — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 20:00:59 +0000

Regular readers of this column know by now that whenever an Eclipse film falls into the chronology I’ve created for my

Joshua Reviews Bertrand Blier’s Going Places [Blu-ray Review]

Joshua Brunsting — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:42:08 +0000

Despite being best known in today’s world for a recent bladder issue whilst taking a flight, actor Gerard Depardieu is and has always [...]

Catherine Reviews Pedro Almodóvar’s The Skin I Live In [Theatrical Review]

Catherine Stebbins — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:05:19 +0000

Pedro Almodóvar made a horror film? Oh the possibilities! Well, apparently not. The Skin I Live In feels like any other Almodóvar [...]