Starman (1984) – 4K Review

Starman is on 4K and part of Sony Pictures’ release of Columbia Classics 4K Ultra HD Collection, Volume 4. I love John Carpenter movies. He’s one of my favourite directors because he’s happy to take on all genres and give his imaginative take on each of his films. Starman may have been the first Carpenter…

Death on the Nile (2022) – Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh continues his exploration of the Agatha Christie creation, the world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot and his little grey cells with Death on the Nile. It follows on the tail of Murder on the Orient Express, which Branagh also directed and starred in. I do like the fact that Branagh seems to have taken…

Mexican Gothic (2020) – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Mexican Gothic is a wonderfully lush, and haunting novel, embracing all the familiar tropes of the Gothic genre, romance, the old dark house, family secrets, and the hints of something preter- or supernatural all juxtaposed into Mexico of the 1950s. We’re introduced to Noemi, a vivacious, smart, stubborn, flirtatious young woman who is still looking…

The Batman (2022) – 4K Review

Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s take on the World’s Greatest Detective, The Batman, is available now from Warner Brothers Canada on DVD, Blu, and 4K. They were kind enough to ensure I had a copy on hand to take a look at, and I was more than happy to take a look at the film…

Nightmare Alley (2021) – Guillermo del Toro

Based on the novel of the same name del Toro’s latest is a lush, shining example of the noir genre, and features strong performances and visuals. I loved how faithful it was to the spirit of the novel, there were a few necessary changes, but none that change any of the overall arcs for any…

TIFF 2021: The Mad Women’s Ball dir. Melanie Laurent

Poignant and emotionally satisfying, Laurent’s film, The Mad Women’s Ball is a lush period piece that resonates with impactful themes and understated performances. Based on the novel of the same name by Victoria Mas, the film’s narrative follows Eugenie (Lou de Laage), a woman who suffers from visions that may be spiritual visitations. Very much…

The Red Shoes (1948) – Micheal Powell and Emeric Pressburger

The Directory in DK Canada’s The Movie Book continues to introduce me to classic films I haven’t seen, and today they introduced me to the Oscar winning film, The Red Shoes. Taking home awards from the Academy for Art & Set Direction as well as Best Music, the story follows the life and career of…

Irma la Douce (1963) – Billy Wilder

Today, I continue with the What Else to Watch list in DK Canada’s The Movie Book following the recommendation of Some Like It Hot. So I dug into another Billy Wilder film that I had often heard of, but never seen Irma la Douce. Starring Shirley MacLaine in the titular role and the hilarious Jack…

Blood and Roses (1960) -Roger Vadim

John Landis’ Monsters in the Movies takes a more sensual turn as I return to the coffee table tome available now from DK Canada. Blood and Roses is a French film with a its own take on the vampire legend. Set on the estate of the Karnsteins, the tale follows a well to do family…