7
With a superb performance from Bruno Lawrence and some thrilling driving sequences, Smash Palace is a hidden gem worth looking into, made that much easier to procure now that Arrow Academy has released a new Blu-ray version
7.5
All in all, with the included bonus film and fact that this is the most complete version of the film to date, this is an easy recommend despite the transfer not being of the highest quality.
8
Based on the quality of the film and Criterion’s immaculate audio/visual exhibition, Moonrise is definitely recommended, I just wish there were more supplements to dive into.
May is here and so is another Blu-ray giveaway, this time for the recently released Criterion Collection edition of Sofia Coppola‘s The Virgin Suicides! One lucky newsletter and/or Patron will be winning this fantastic blu-ray, and it could be you, so take
A welcome addition to the Criterion library, The Virgin Suicides has all the makings of a true classic. It’s a timeless, beautifully executed story that now has the proper home release that it so sorely deserved.
7
Adapted from the C. K. Stead novel, Smith’s Dream, Roger Donaldson’s 1977 political action thriller, Sleeping Dogs, proved to be the most ambitious film ever shot in New Zealand at the time and was the first feature-length movie shot on 35mm in the country. Providing Sam Neill his first starring role, this Kiwi classic is now on Blu-ray from Arrow Academy.
9.5
Marking the directorial debut from Stephen Chiodo - one third of the Chiodo brothers, who are known for their animation and puppetry - Killer Klowns From Outer Space seemed to beckon cult status immediately after its release in 1988. This outrageously campy sci-fi horror film has withstood the test of time and remains a ridiculously fun time even 30 years later.
8
Because this film is already so scantily seen, this Blu-ray release operates as its own historical object that contains enough content for you to understand why this film, of all the old Hollywood revues, got the Criterion treatment.
8.5
As of now, this is the definitive version of one of my favorite films of all time and another quality release from Shout! Factory’s Shout Select series.
3
The tenth, yes tenth, entry into the Children of the Corn series, Children of the Corn: Runaway, is now out on Blu-ray, and while I’ll immediately begin by saying that this is every bit as hokey and poorly crafted as what you might expect, it isn’t nearly as abysmal as the last entry in the series, Children of the Corn: Genesis.
9
ltogether this is most definitely worthy of the Criterion treatment and shows off the artistry that decidedly belongs in the annals of Hollywood history.
10
If you haven’t seen, or if you want multiple ways to revisit the classic with pristine video and audio (or no audio at all), I can’t recommend Criterion’s The Passion of Joan of Arc Blu-ray highly enough.
Landing the top spot on both my own and on Film Pulse critic Blake Crane’s best of 2017 lists, Sean Baker’s beautiful ode to youth The Florida Project is finally out on Blu-ray this week.
5
Victor Crowley, the fourth film in the Hatchet saga and named for its hulking deformed slayer, continues the concept established in the first three movies but on a much smaller scale. The tone is cornier, and there are fewer of the Crowley kills that made the series stand out.
6
Although originally written in the ’70s, the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was made into a movie in 2014, followed by its Blu-ray/digital release this year.
In all honestly, I was a bit upset that the filmmakers made a movie out of one of my most cherished childhood books after seeing a god-awful-looking promo, but the film wasn’t as tragic as its trailer led me to believe and is actually a somewhat funny family film.
5.5
For fans of modern Chinese Wuxia films, Daniel Lee’s 14 Blades will definitely scratch that itch, however those that aren’t into grandiose fight sequences and wirework may find the film somewhat of a cumbersome endeavor. The fight scenes are indeed a joy to watch, and Donnie Yen is fantastic as always, but the plot feels a bit dull and the Blu-ray is seriously lacking.
