It has been twenty-five years since Criterion released John Woo’s The Killer and Hard Boiled on DVD. While they elected not to release them on blu-ray (with them being put out in mediocre releases by Dragon Dynasty instead), Criterion FINALLY returns to the well of the great John Woo, this time going all the way…
Blu-ray Review – Walker – Criterion
Walker, and I will be completely upfront in the review about this, is arguably Alex Cox’s best film. I have probably watched Repo Man more than this for sheer enjoyment factor (and I’d say both are masterpieces in their own right). But Walker seems to be the film where everything came together for Cox as…
Miller’s Crossing [Criterion Collection Blu-ray] Review
Criterion starts up a rumpus by bringing the Coen Brothers gangster classic to blu-ray in a nice new 2K restoration with some spiffy new extras in tow. Let’s try not to give ’em the high hat as take a walk in some dangerous woods. Prohibition is is full force and Leo O’Bannon (Albert Finney) is…
UHD Review – The Red Shoes (Criterion)
When Criterion finally announced their jump into UHD, the initial slate was exciting to say the least. What film fan wouldn’t be thrilled with titles like Citizen Kane, Menace II Society, and Mulholland Drive on this new visually stunning format? However, the title that jumped out at me the most would have been the Powll…
Blu-ray Review – Mirror – Criterion
Can I just say FINALLY? I know Mirror has been out via Artificial Eye in the U.K. For years now, but is a relief to have all of Andrei Tarkovsky’s work available on Region A Blu-ray, and sealing up the collection this month is the director’s autobiographical Mirror. Mirror is one of the Tarkovsky films…
Blu-ray Review – Nightmare Alley (Criterion)
Nightmare Alley is a film I was introduced to back in the 90’s after reading an old interview with the Ramones where it was stated this was an older favorite film of the band, and an inspiration behind the song “Suzy is a Headbanger”. The Ramones being a band I haven’t gone a week without…
History is Made at Night Blu-ray review
History is Made at Night is a comedy drama film directed by Frank Borzage, known for his romantic themes in cinema. In this tale, he incorporates romance, suspense and even destruction into his love story in a rare but perfect blending of several genres. This movie also features not one, not two, but three screen…
Blu-ray Review – Masculin Feminin (Criterion)
I hate to get all personal when writing reviews, but when I was in film school in the early 2000’s I went through a French New Wave obsessive phase, especially the early films of Jean-Luc Godard. This mixed with the New York independents of the 80’s like Jim Jarmusch, Spike Lee, Hal Hartley, Frank Henenlotter,…
Blu-ray Review – Symbiopsychotaxiplasm – Two Takes – Criterion
I first heard of William Greaves’ avant-garde freakout Symbiopsychotaxiplasm at the height of my own avant-garde filmmaking days in the mid 2000’s. I believe I read about the film in an interview with Sonic Youth, and knowing the band this is no surprise. Soon after I read another interview I believe with actor Steve Buscemi…
Blu-ray Review – Ghost Dog – The Way of the Samurai (Criterion)
I have this thing, I call the “Easy Rider Theory of Home Video Visuals”. I don’t want to come across as arrogant, but I honestly believe a bad transfer of a movie can ruin even the best film. Get a copy of Citizen Kane or 8 ½, wash it out, transfer it to 10th generation…