Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
Odd Man Out is a very well made and tense film noir thriller featuring incredible performances by, most notably, James Mason and Robert Newton. The Blu-ray itself released by Criterion Collection offers good video/audio transfers while the features are well done, headlined by an archive documentary about Mason.
Digging Up the Marrow had an interesting idea being a mixture of fantasy and horror and putting a mockumentary twist on both and while Adam Green proves yet again to be an affable guy (as demonstrated in his numerous commentary tracks), the plot never quite gels though I can’t say it’s not at least worth a rental.
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Roadside began with plenty of promise but even with a short 70-minute running time (sans opening and end credits), lingers far too long with a thin plot and honestly two characters who are not the most likeable couple to grace the small screen.
The Rewrite is a film that ironically enough, doesn’t have the best screenplay but heavily relies on the charm and appeal of Hugh Grant and Marisa Tomei and also helping making this at least a rental is Grant re-teaming with Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice, Music and Lyrics) and very well may be semi-autobiographical.
The Voices is certainly not a movie for everybody. The film is as dark of a comedy that has come down the pike in some time yet it further shows that Ryan Reynolds is actually a fairly versatile actor it’s just that the choice of certain projects hasn’t been the best. If you were a fan of “Dexter”, at least its early years, then this might be worth checking out if only as a Red Box rental.
It’d be an understated that Zardoz is one unique, and bizarre, movie from the subject to costumes but well worth checking out thanks in large part to Sean Connery in one of his most… interesting performances. The Blu-ray released through Twilight Time offers good video/audio transfers and although the bonus material is limited, the two commentaries are pretty good.
Hit by Lightning is kind of what you’d expect it to be based on its DTV status and the ridiculous front cover. It does have its moments and Jon Cryer makes for an affable main character, and Stephanie Szostak is as gorgeous as ever. But that said, it’s not a great movie, probably something you’ll find airing on TBS one day with some editing.
U Turn is not one of Oliver Stone’s strongest films, although it is one of my favorite of his (taking into consideration I’ve never been a big fan of his), but features a great cast and fantastic performances by Sean Penn and Jennifer Lopez. The Blu-ray distributed by Twilight Time might be limited in features but the video and audio transfers might make it a worthwhile purchase, though as usual, it’s not a cheap release.
It’s another solid release (well re-release) of a classic film from Twilight Time with Journey to the Center of the Earth. The film does come across as dated not so much for its effects, which are still impressive for its time, but the pacing isn’t the best.. Even so, it’s still a fun flick to check out and one of the better Journey film adaptations.
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Behind Enemy Lines isn’t particularly well made and the performances are so-so, but it is somewhat entertaining and has its moments, though at times it looks like a product of the 1980s. The Blu-ray released by Olive Films is mixed. The video is acceptable but the audio has much to be desired as does the lack of bonus material.
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I know Bio-Dome has its fans but it’s a weak imitation of Dumb and Dumber just with jokes that don’t land and two leads that are more annoying than funny. So it’s a strange movie to get the HD treatment on Blu-ray and for such a high price, $20 retail at the time of this writing, is a bit (i.e. very) extreme considering the video is just OK and the audio is substandard.
Always Woodstock is a well intentioned film but it’s falls into many of the tropes seen in so many character dramas (as mostly recently as This is Where I Leave You) but the lead actress, Allison Miller is so damn charming and almost makes the entire movie well worth at least one viewing… almost.
I don’t think anyone is under any illusion that these Ghoulies movies aren’t cheesy and all around C-movie 1980s crap, yet for it’s cheap production and questionable acting, it’s got a certain charm and both films would make for a fun Saturday night double feature with friends; watch it alone and you’ll probably feel a bit silly…
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Stranger at My Door is actually a well made crime-western-drama. The acting from Skip Homeier and Patricia Medina were both great and shared some darkly charming chemistry. The Blu-ray released by Olive Films is pretty basic with no bonus material yet the audio/video transfers were both nice, however at a premium $20 price tag, it might be too steep for some.
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Final Prayer is yet another found footage film that might have a couple scares but it’s no different than any of the others that permeate the market every year. The acting is so-so and the camera work is jolting, probably to mask the film’s limited budget. I suppose if you enjoy the sub-genre or even collect them, this might be worth a watch, otherwise skip and wait until it airs on SyFy.