Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
Pulse (aka Kairo) is one of the best J-Horror films I’ve seen perhaps only behind Ringu, with its unsettling atmosphere and absolutely creepy-as-all-hell, not to mention disturbing, scenes. It’s also a thought-provoking film which, albeit dated with its technology, still applies today.
Free Fire on the surface should’ve been a fun movie and admittedly it was for the first 40-minutes or so, but the remaining 45-minutes seemed to meander with a plot that doesn’t go anywhere and a twist that wasn’t all that great. Still, this isn’t a “bad” movie per se and probably worthy of a rental.
3 Generations is a drama that on the surface is seemingly socially important but the final result is half-baked in its story although the performances are at least heartfelt, primarily Elle Fanning.
Although Joe Versus the Volcano didn’t quite match up with my fond memories of seeing it back in 1990, it’s still a fun little romantic comedy that excels with its two charming stars and some truly funny scenes.
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The Jacques Rivette Collection might not be the most loaded of Arrow Film’s releases as there are only a few featurettes, but the films included here are quality work and well worthwhile especially for fans of French cinema, or at least unique pieces of films.
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The Ballad of Cable Hogue is a wonderful western-drama that not only features an underrated performances from the great Jason Robards, who he failed to get an Oscar nomination is beyond me, but also a story about the change of times.
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Hell and High Water isn’t a great 1950s war adventure but it does serve well as a look back at the Cold War, anti-Communist era of that time and at the very least the production values are impressive enough to go along with solid performances by Richard Widmark and Bella Darvi.
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Bridge at Remagen is a well made and beautifully shot WWII-era film that features some fine performances, particularly from George Segal and Robert Vaughn. The Blu-ray release by Twilight Time offers good video and audio transfers but falls well short in the features department.
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Species is simply not a very good movie, not even sure it’s in the so bad it’s good category either, but I did find a modest amount of entertainment value, albeit trashy, for it being a B-horror flick and honestly it’s aged better than I thought.
The Gumball Rally is a fun little movie from the mid-70s and while its carbon copy Cannonball Run is better known, and probably a better film on the whole, this is a gem still and well worth checking out if only for the impressive car stunt work.
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The Valachi Papers is a unique crime-drama vehicle for Charles Bronson and while not the most compelling film, still is entertaining enough for the cast. The Blu-ray released by Twilight Time offers good video and audio transfers but lacks bonus features.
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The Pink Panther Film Collection Starring Peter Sellers is a nice set, well 5 out of the 6 movies anyway, showcasing Sellers physical comedic style and those around him. Outside of Trail of the Pink Panther, these are well worth checking out.
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The Bird with the Crystal Plumage to me isn’t a great giallo movie but is notable being Dario Argento’s feature debut and has great style to it even when character actions aren’t entirely believable. Still, any Argento or giallo fans will get a kick out of this film.
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The Quiet American is a well made, finely acted Vietnam-era war drama that is well worth watching, especially for fans of the genre.
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Life was one of the bigger disappointments for me this year with a respectable cast and interesting, if not familiar, story that clearly took cues from Ridley Scott’s Alien. But while the execution was okay, though I didn’t find anything all that’s suspenseful, the script was a mess and perhaps a good re-write could’ve made a difference.