DVD Talk: February 2018 Archives

The Thomas Crown Affair (50th Anniversary Edition)

Another banner week for home video with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: The Outlaw - the second and final film to be directed by quirky business tycoon Howard Hughes, it is worth seeing just for the presence of the stunning Jane Russell alone; An Actor's Revenge (aka Revenge of a Kabuki Actor) - a last hurrah for one of Japan's biggest pre-war stars, Kazuo Hasegawa, this vehicle tailor-made for his adoring fans is also an interesting film from director Kon Ichikawa; and A Bad Moms Christmas - You would not want to spend Christmas with anyone in this film... the movie completely wastes a talented cast on sugary montages and tedious humor. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some cool discs have been reviewed over the past week. Check out these recent entries: Drag Me to Hell - Collector's Edition - almost exactly as entertaining as it was when it was first released, and now it's been given the deluxe treatment by Shout! Factory; Camelot - this live performance of Lerner & Loewe's Broadway play was captured on tape in 1982 and stars Richard Harris as King Arthur and Meg Bussert as Guenevere; and Spencer's Mountain - a rather simple story about simple folk, but the dialogue and performances balancing drama with humor easily hold your interest. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Our reviewers have been busy this week, filling the DVD Talk Review Database more great entries. Some new reviews of note include: Dario Argento's Opera - boasting a spectacular restoration and the original audio, plus a 5.1 remix and two recent interviews to boot, this is a nice little package that is sure to satisfy; Shock Wave - a memorably off-kilter action extravaganza that will satisfy and surprise adrenaline junkies in equal measure; and Tom Jones - Criterion's new Blu-ray features both the 121-minute 1989 director's cut and the original 1963 theatrical version. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

There are a few new releases that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: The Thomas Crown Affair (50th Anniversary Edition) - Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway are ceaselessly cool in this film, a breezy, stylish celebration of its starsâ€¦ Norman Jewison's movie is not as dramatically affecting as others released in 1968 but it is consistently entertaining; The Diabolical Dr. Z - enormous fun and a good way to ease into director Jess Franco's oeuvre; and Baby: Secret of the Lost Legend - William Katt and Sean Young star as a couple of do-gooders hoping to save a baby brontosaurus from the evils of the world. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Before you head off to the cinema this week, check out DVD Talk's reviews of the latest releases including: Black Panther - part origin story, part new adventure, a fresh take on the genre, with a cast that will knock your socks off; Phantom Thread - a good movie, a fun mix of Brit Lit canon and ill-fated love comedy played with striking performances from its stars; and Fifty Shades Freed - the acting goes from bad to worse, the side characters are ridiculous/pointless beyond compare, and if you were to write this entire plot down and read it to yourself aloud, you might actually fall over dead from sheer embarrassment. Check out these, and more, in DVDTalk's Theatrical Review section.

TV on DVD and Blu-ray remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: Duckman: The Complete Series - the show holds up remarkably well, despite the main character's rampant sexism and misogynyâ€¦ assign those elements to a less-enlightened time and you can certainly enjoy the show's exploration of the possibilities inherent in animation and an anarchic sense of humor; and Trailer Trauma 4: Television Trauma - these 268 TV spots are a lot of fun to watch, not just for the entertainment value of the content, but because they act like a sampler from which to add on to your "to watch" list and introduce films you might have otherwise never encountered. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

Night of the Living Dead: Criterion Collection

Another banner week for home video with the studios releasing some great films and boxed sets such as: Night of the Living Dead: Criterion Collection - a high point in the history of the horror film, a picture that remains as intense and involving now as it has ever been; The Way West - William H. Clothier's cinematographing, aided by Albert Whitlock's matte paintings, is often breathtakingâ€¦ among the best ever done for a Western; and The Silence of the Lambs: Criterion Collection - a landmark American film standing tall as an exceptional thriller with strong performances, outstanding music, a massive atmosphere, and no shortage of twists that still have the ability to surprise new viewers. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

This week the DVD Talk Review Database has some great new entries, including a few discs you may have overlooked. Recent reviews include: The Flight of Dragons - this straight-to-video Rankin/Bass animated movie from 1982 may have flown under the radar but it has the same magic as that studioâ€™s other 80â€™s efforts; Geostorm - a tremendously bad movieâ€¦ with a ridiculous plot, horribly written pieces of dialogue, and actors who appear to think that they're in a better movie than they actually are, this disaster flick at least delivers on the "disaster" aspect; and The L-Shaped Room - the film's once-edgy subject matter is now quite ordinary, but the movie is an effective little kitchen sink drama that still engrosses viewers thanks to its affection for its characters and the actors playing them. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

TV on DVD and Blu-ray remains very popular with more and more favorites being released. New TV reviews include: The Indomitable Teddy Roosevelt - an Emmy Award-winning documentary about one of America's best-loved Presidents; this George C. Scott-narrated production is loaded with historical footage and respectful reenactments; Nella The Princess Knight - though it's colorful, entertaining, and obviously gives young ladies a decent enough role model, almost everything about this program feels like it was rehashed from other Nick shows; and Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life - despite these four episodes having their ups and downs, the revival for the popular TV show struggles with how it catches up with the characters a decade later. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.

There are a few new releases that you won't want to miss. Check out these hot titles: Tales From Earthsea: Collector's Edition - a well-paced and highly entertaining adventure with outstanding visuals, GKIDS' new Blu-ray offers an overall improvement over Disney's recent disc; The Wilby Conspiracy - an unexpected delight, this movie works wonderfully on all levelsâ€¦ as a chase-thriller, the picture is strong with several amusing twists, much humor, and charming performances by the entire cast; and Tom of Finland - Finland's entry for â€˜Best Foreign Language Film' at the 2018 Academy Awards, the bio-pic follows the life and times of Touko Laaksonen who bravely serves his country during the Second World War, returns home a decorated officer, and is gay. Be sure to check out our DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

Some great DVD and Blu-ray reviews have been added to the the DVD Talk Review Database recently including: 10 Cloverfield Lane 4K - driven by an ambiguous yet menacing performance from John Goodman, this film tells a harrowing story revolving around apocalyptic fear; Last Flag Flying - a spiritual sequel to the Hal Ashby masterpiece, The Last Detail, it doesn't necessarily pack the same gut punch but it's a character piece that's always loyal to its themes and always rings true; and Theeb - a sensory experience more than it is a cinematic oneâ€¦ enjoy for what it does right and attempt not to hold it up to the American projects that we have become accustomed to, and you might find a gem. Visit the DVD Talk Review Database for all the latest reviews including an entire section devoted to reviews of DVDs out this week.

With the nominees for the 2018 Academy Awards being released last week, now is the perfect time to check out last year's winners. Check out these Oscar-winning films: La La Land - this film was the star last year, earning fourteen nominations and winning six Oscars including Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Cinematography; Moonlight - winner of the Best Picture last year this movie garnered some extra press last year since another film was initially announced during the ceremony; and Manchester by the Sea - Casey Affleck took home the gold statue for Best Actor and Kenneth Lonergan won for Best Original Screenplay. Want more? Check out all of the TV on DVD reviews in the DVD Talk database.