Phantasm is the film series that made Don Coscarelli’s career. Made for very little money, the original was an independent film (like most of his work)—he directed, wrote and shot the series beginning in his mid-20s. The genre hops between supernatural horror and science fiction, and the films even feature some Kubrickian strangeness a la … Continue reading Phantasm Collection – Blu-Ray Review
“Her eyes are like gems / She’s an actress for Screen Gems / I love Lee Remick, she’s a darling.” Every time I watch a film that stars Lee Remick, it's hard to not think of the debut single by The Go-Betweens, which was a lovingly juvenile tribute to the actress. She starred in two films directed by Blake Edwards in … Continue reading Experiment in Terror – Blu-Ray Review
Catfight played some festivals last year, but didn't get anywhere near the release it should’ve had. It’s a riotous black comedy that rarely lets up during the film’s running time of 96 minutes. It boasts performances from Sandra Oh and Anne Heche, who have great interplay between each other. It’s a film about privilege in New York City, and … Continue reading Catfight – Blu-Ray Review
“I’ve got a tape I want to play.” Byrne says and then kicks into a solo rendition of Talking Heads’ immortal Psycho Killer with a drum machine being played in the back. The tightly controlled and choreographed show with one member of the original band joining Byrne at a time and after the initially 4 members … Continue reading Stop Making Sense – Blu-Ray Review
Italian neorealism was an important development in cinema during the late '40s, immediately after the end of WW2. It was a movement led by directors who grew up and came of age during fascist Italy under Mussolini. The main filmmakers involved were Vittorio De Sica, Federico Fellini, Roberto Rossellini, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Luchino Visconti. They rejected making films in studios and … Continue reading Umberto D. – Blu-Ray Review
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