The original The Return of the Living Dead was a punk rock splatter zombie classic, with one of the best soundtracks of the era—featuring a theme by nobody more appropriate than The Cramps! The first sequel was panned by critics and fans alike, and only made a small profit. However, the series did get back to its … Continue reading The Return of the Living Dead 3 – Blu-Ray Review
Guns at Batasi is a strange war film, because it doesn't really have a war per se: there is a coup d'etat in an unknown African country, but it's very much a film about the end of British colonial rule. Richard Attenborough stars as the very by-the-book Regimental Sergeant-Major Lauderdale, who even has a well-waxed comedy mustache … Continue reading Guns at Batasi – Blu-Ray Review
Edward and Caroline is the earliest Jacques Becker film of the four released this week, the other three are his better-known later films. It's also actually the first time this film has ever been released on home video in the UK as well. Becker was known for attention to detail, and this film is no exception … Continue reading Edward and Caroline – Blu-Ray Review
Touchez Pas au Grisbi is a highly influential film from Jacques Becker, who still remains slightly obscure—but with a slew of recent Blu-ray releases, I'm sure his work will get a much overdue reappraisal. It's a gangster film that ended up influencing everyone from director Jean-Pierre Melville to the French New Wave, and even American-born director Jules … Continue reading Touchez pas au grisbi – Blu-Ray Review
Jacques Becker was one of the few older French directors whom the French New Wave loved – Jean Renoir and Jean Vigo were two notable others. They had an insane disdain for Henri-Georges Clouzot, which is bizarre since his films are utter masterworks. They probably liked Becker not only because he was a great filmmaker, but … Continue reading Casque d’Or – Blu-Ray Review
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