Category: FILM REVIEWS
Reviewing the Bio-Horror in Antiviral, and the Race Begins
Yup, they’re finally up – a film review of Antiviral (Alliance / EOne) and soundtrack review (Lakeshore Records) – plus some editorial thoughts on assorted projects present, future, and in the works.
Nikkatsu Naughties, Part 5: Teachers Under Extreme Duress
Reviewed are Impulse Pictures / Synapse Films’ latest crop of Nikkatsu Roman Porno entries – Female Teacher: Hunting / Onna kyôshi-gari + Female Teacher: In Front of the Students / Onna kyôshi: Seito no me no maede (both from 1982) – and for some contextual reference for all this period smut, I’ve added a review of Sadistic and Masochistic (2000), Hideo Nakata’s 2000 documentary on Nikkatsu’s prolific house director Masaru Konuma.
The Blue Lagoons, Part 1
Part 1 in this series contains a pair of comparative reviews of the 1949 and 1980 fiilm adaptations of Henry De Vere Stacpoole’s Victorian novel about two cousins stranded on a lovely tropical island where they eat coconuts, fish, and eventually sleep together. Tthe 1949 film version of The Blue Lagoon starred Jean Simmons and Donald Houston and remains unavailable on home video, blast it; whereas the 1980 version with Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins was released on Blu-ray by Twilight Time. Read the Editor’s Blog for authentic nit-picking blather, and then check out the reviews.
125 Years in the Making: Antoni Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia
Currently running at the Bloor Hot Docs Cinema is Stefan Haupt’s docuemntary Sagrada: The Mystery of Creation / Sagrada – el misteri de la creació (2012), a fascinating snapshot of what will be the biggest church building on Earth – that’s if Antoni Gaudi’s creation is completed after 125 years on ongoing work.
Lost Horizons, Part I: The Films
Just uploaded after lengthy research & scribbling are two lengthy comparative reviews of Frank Capra’s 1937 film version of James Hilton’s classic novel Lost Horizon (Sony) and Twilight Time’s stunning Blu-ray of the problematic 1973 musical remake, produced by Mr. Gloss himself, Ross Hunter. Yup, you’ve got almost 4000 words to discover the pros & cons of these two depictions of ordinary folks who succumb to the kind world of Shangri-La. Go!
DirectTV’s Rogue
Just uploaded is a review of DirectTV’s first original series, Rogue: Season 1 [M], which aired earlier this spring, and will likely appear on video via EOne this fall. (To hear a recent podcast with series composer Jeff Toyne, check out Big Head Amusements.) This update’s a quickie because I’m finishing up on some reviews, […]
Tyrone Power is the Pony Soldier from Toronto
New review of a little-known Tyrone Power western – Pony Soldier (1952) – where the charismatic actor plays a by-the-books, calm & cool Canadian Mountie from Toronto, sent to the U.S. to bring 1000 Crees back to Canada. Released by Twilight Time on Blu-ray, the disc also features an isolated score track of Alex North’s bouncy, modernist score.
The Killing / Forbrydelsen 3 and the Return of Denmark’s Sweater Girl
Waiting for AMC to play catch-up and produce their own third season of The Killing / Forbrydelsen? Not to fear, because the original Danish series is out on DVD and Blu-ray in the U.K. if you need that crime / human misery / life is just horrible fix. Alongside a review of Season 3, I’ve also added a review of Frans Bak’s new CD, featuring music from Season 1.
Toronto’s Lost Rivers
Happy April Fool’s and all that nonsense. Uploaded is a review of Caroline Bacle’s Lost Rivers (2012), a timely film about the status of buried rivers and tributatries in major industrialized cities like Toronto. Tied to the review are excerpts from a post-screening audience Q&A with producer Katarina Soukup and Lost Rivers Toronto founder Helen Mills.
Denmark’s Borgen Finally Arrives
After enjoying exposure on TV and home video throughout Europe, Season 1 of Denmark’s next great TV series – Borgen – finally arrives on home video, via Mhz Networks. The review’s up, but take a peek at the Editor’s Blog for some fawning blather.
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