Neil Lumbard's DVD Talk DVD Reviews https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/list/DVD Video DVD Talk DVD Review RSS Feed en-us Losin' It (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73769 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 18:05:33 UTC Recommended

Losin It Blu-ray Review

BeforeTom Cruise was Ethan Hunt and one of the world's great action stars,Cruise was featured in a zany and off-kilter 80's comedy calledLosin' it about three teenage boys on a quest across borderstolose their virginity in the Mexican city of Tijuana. Directed byCurtin Hanson (who would go on to greatness with cinematic gems likeL.A. Con...Read the entire review

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Far From Heaven (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73766 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 18:00:25 UTC Recommended

Far From Heaven Blu-ray Review

Far From Heaven isan affectingperiod-drama from acclaimed writer and director Todd Haynes (Carol,I'm Not There). The film is centered around thepersonaltrials and tribulations of Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) and FrankWhitaker (Dennis Quaid), a married couple going through difficulttimes as their relationship begins to change. Set against thebackdrop of the ever-changing American landscape during the 1950's,Far From Heaven is a low-key and intimate portraitabout thelives of many Americans. It is executive produced by StevenSoderbergh (Traffic, Unsane).

Cathy and ...Read the entire review

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Mad Dog and Glory (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73762 Mon, 08 Apr 2019 17:19:58 UTC Highly Recommended

Mad Dog and Glory Blu-ray Review

Produced by legendaryfilmmaker MartinScorsese (Taxi Driver, Goodfellas)and longtimecollaborator Barbara DeFina, Mad Dog and Glory isa originalcomedy-drama from director John McNaughton (Wild Things).It'sa quirky comedic gem with an all-star cast featuring Robert De Niro,Bill Murray, and Uma Thurman.

Wayne "Mad Dog" (Robert DeNiro) is a detective working in Chicago who finds himselfaccidentally saving the life of a well-connected mobster boss (with aside-job as a stand-up comedian), Frank (Bill Murray). Frank isextremely pleased that Mad Dog helped save him and he decides to gi...Read the entire review

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Lu Over The Wall (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73753 Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:39:14 UTC Highly Recommended

Lu Over the Wall Blu-ray Review

Lu Over the Wall isa mad-capanimated extravaganza about the strange journey a young teenage boy,Kai (Shota Shimoda) takes. His life is shaken up when he findshimself meeting a peculiar mermaid, Lu (Kanon Tani). The film isexecutive produced by Akihiro Arai, Masaaki Yuasa, and Keiji Ota.

Working on his skills as amusician,Kai finds himself entertaining Lu with his music after their chanceencounter. The tiny mermaid's infectious enjoyment of the music iscontagious to all around her. Lu is soon dancing like a character outof Footloose. This leads to an almostuncontrollabledance-sensation which ...Read the entire review

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Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73749 Tue, 02 Apr 2019 17:15:32 UTC Highly Recommended

Maquia Blu-ray Review

Maquia: When thePromised FlowerBlooms is a fantasy-epic which explores the otherworldly andfantastical universe inhabited by the lorph: immortal beings capableof living beyond any normal measures of time known to man. This animefilm marks the feature-length anime debut for the acclaimed animecreative Mari Okada (A Lull by the Sea).

From the beginning of thestory theanime unfolds rapidly with an action-oriented spectacle as the lorphmust protect themselves from the impending invasion of the Mezarte,who seek to find a way to control and take the immortality of thelorph away. Chaos ensues as the lorph do ...Read the entire review

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A Private War (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73748 Mon, 01 Apr 2019 18:02:18 UTC Highly Recommended

A Private War Blu-ray Review

A Private Waris a true-storydrama based upon the article "Marie Colvin's Private War"which first appeared in Vanity Fair as written by Marie Brenner.Based upon real events, the story centers upon Marie Colvin (RosamundPike), a brilliant and determined journalist working for The SundayTimes who would traverse the world working on news stories coveringcivil wars and the perils which are faced by people in situations ofwar-torn strife.

Colvin finds herselfworking on a storywith her collaborator Paul Conroy (Jamie Dornan) surrounding theSyrian civil war and she faces down one of her most dangerousmissions...Read the entire review

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Aircraft Carrier: Guardian of the Seas (4K UHD) (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73747 Mon, 01 Apr 2019 17:53:53 UTC Rent It

Aircraft Carriers: Guardians of the Sea 4K Review

AircraftCarrier: Guardians of the Seas is anIMAX documentary which takes an inside look at the world of high-techaircraft carriers. The film was shot in native 4K resolution andoffers up some interesting imagery of the ships which house theseair-crafts. For anyone with an interest in the technology andmechanics this is worth admission. You can experience learning moreabout the important history of aircraft carriers alongside seeingstunning imagery of these ships.

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Kidding: Season One DVD Video https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73746 Mon, 01 Apr 2019 17:41:52 UTC Highly Recommended

Kidding Season One DVD Review

Kiddingis one of the mostunique and intriguing new television series to hit airwaves in thepast few years. Though audiences have become accustomed to being in a"golden age" of television there are still shows which find waysto not only push the envelope creatively but which also genuinelysurprise and delight with their originality, complexity, andidiosyncratic delights. The series is produced by star Jim Carreyalong with creator Dave Holstein (Weeds), RaffiAdlan, MichaelAguilar, Roberto Benabib, and director Michel Gondry.

Jeff (Jim Carrey) is aworld renownedand beloved television host for a c...Read the entire review

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The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73615 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:37:31 UTC Highly Recommended

The Nutcracker 4K UHD Review

TheNutcracker and the Four Realms is a fantasy-adventure filminspired by the short story by E.T.A. Hoffmann (The Nutcrackerandthe Mouse King). The story revolves around a girl entering amagical world which is filled with fantastical things (such as giantnutcracker soldiers and adventurous mice). It is executi...Read the entire review

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Pope Francis: A Man of His Word (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73614 Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:37:31 UTC Highly Recommended

Thereare times when a documentary film really hits home and has a messagethat goes straight to the heart. Pope Francis: A Man of HisWordis such a film. The documentary explores the world and message of thebeloved Pope Francis, who is renowned all around the world for hismessages of overcoming diversities and to live life with hope andcompassion. Directed by renowned filmmaker Wim Wenders (Pina)....Read the entire review

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DVDTalk.com Presents: The Best Releases of 2018 Miscellaneous https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73594 Thu, 17 Jan 2019 16:03:38 UTC DVD Talk Collector Series

DVDTalk.com staff writer and film critic Neil Lumbard has compiled a list of some of the best releases of the year as personally selected by him. Each release on this best of the year list is worth a look for fans of cinema. Take a look and see if you agree with the selections.

Read the entire review

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Time Freak Writer/Director Interview Theatrical https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73592 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 21:36:12 UTC DVD Talk Collector Series

Time Freak

Andrew Bowler, Academy Award nominated filmmaker and writer-director of Time Freak, sat down with DVD Talk writer and film critic Neil Lumbard to discuss his latest feature film effort: the zany, romantic, and comedic science fiction extravaganza called Time Freak (starring X-Men: Dark Phoenix actress Sophie Turner and Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children star Asa Butterfield). With a discussion ranging from the origins of the story to discussing the essential question of "what's the best time travel film of all time?" this DVD Talk interview is an insight into filmmaker Bowler's vision and drive as a creative individual.

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Glass Theatrical https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73591 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 21:20:13 UTC Highly Recommended

Glass Cast

M. Night Shyamalan returns to write and direct the conclusion to the Unbreakable trilogy he started to make 19 years ago. The original Unbrea...Read the entire review

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Operation Finale (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73590 Wed, 16 Jan 2019 18:42:31 UTC Highly Recommended

Operation Finale Blu-ray Review

OperationFinale is a gripping drama-thriller executive produced by RonSchmidt (Foxcatcher, Letters to Juliet)and MattCharman (Oasis). The film is based on an incredibletruestory. Directed by Chris Weitz (About a Boy), OperationFinale is an edge-of-your-seat historical thriller w...Read the entire review

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Fireworks (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73585 Tue, 15 Jan 2019 19:36:23 UTC Recommended

Fireworks Blu-ray Review

Fireworksis a charming slice-of-life anime film from producer Genki Kawamura(Your Name, Wolf Children). The story revolvesaround thefriendship between Norimichi (Masaki Suda) and a girl he meets over asunny afternoon: Oikawa Nazuna (Suzu Hirose). The young pair start tobecome friends with one another and begin to...Read the entire review

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Clouzot: Early Works (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73577 Mon, 14 Jan 2019 18:56:59 UTC Rent It

Clouzot: The Early Works Blu-ray Review

Henri-GeorgesClouzot (The Wages of Fear, Diabolique)is consideredone of the masters of French cinema. The filmmaker has a master's eyefor visual storytelling. His most cherished works clearly demonstrateClouzot's artistic brushstrokes as a director are uniquely his own.With several classic films ma...Read the entire review

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Mile 22 (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73545 Mon, 31 Dec 2018 15:02:42 UTC Skip It

Mile 22 Blu-ray Review

JamesSilva (Mark Wahlberg) is a leading agent who is a part of a CIAoperated tactical group called Overwatch. The team is charged withhelping to protect a valuable asset to their team, Li Noor (IkoUwais). Alice Kerr (Lauren Cohan) and Sam Snow (Ronda Rousey) areadditional operative agents working in Silva's tactical group. Bisho...Read the entire review

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Batman: The Animated Series (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73544 Mon, 31 Dec 2018 15:02:38 UTC Highly Recommended

Batman The Animated Series Blu-ray Review

Batman:The Animated Series is one of the finest achievements inanimation history. The series helped to redefine the medium ofanimated television series and shape the landscape of the art formfor years. It helped to define and change the way animated televisionseries were even thought of in the eyes of a...Read the entire review

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Charmed: The Complete First Season (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73515 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 18:29:16 UTC Recommended

Charmed Season 1 Blu-ray Review

Charmedis a series that manages to entertain while revolving around a simplepremise: magical sisters defeating bad guys. The series was createdby Constance M. Burge (who also wrote for series such as RoyalPains). The story focuses on sisters Piper (Holly MarieCombs),Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), and Prue (Shanne...Read the entire review

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Yes - Yessongs (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73513 Mon, 17 Dec 2018 18:29:16 UTC Recommended

Yes Songs Blu-ray Review

Thereare moments in time when legendary musical performances happen. YesSongs is one of those moments. The film (which follows theband'salbum released under the same name) has extraordinary musicperformances by the legendary rock group. It's an electrifying mix ofthe band's signature style, wrapped neatly together with ...Read the entire review

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Cold Water (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73423 Tue, 30 Oct 2018 16:07:30 UTC Highly Recommended

Cold Water Criterion Blu-ray Review

ColdWater is a coming of age film inspired by memories offilmmakerOlivier Assayas (Something in the Air, PersonalShopper).The film was executive produced by Elisabeth Deviosse (L'Appartement), Francoise Guglielmi (Irma Vep, TroubleEvery Day),and Casanova Yannick (Un pique-nique chez Osiris).It's anexcep...Read the entire review

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Between Land & Sea DVD Video https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73413 Tue, 30 Oct 2018 16:07:30 UTC Recommended

Between Land and Sea DVD Review

BetweenLand and Sea is a documentary feature exploring the world ofsurfing with a group of dedicated, passionate surfers from Ireland'scoast of County Clare. The film is produced by Anne Mcloughlin andJamie Lee D'Alton. This is a personal and reflective documentarywhich has some unique and interesting insights into the dreams and...Read the entire review

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The Children of Huang Shi (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73412 Tue, 30 Oct 2018 16:02:15 UTC Rent It

The Children of Huang Shi Blu-ray Review

TheChildren of Huang Shi is a 2008 drama which is based upon arealhistorical context surrounding actual events which occurred followingthe Japanese occupation within China during the 1930's. Set during atime in which China was in a state of turmoil, the film explores animportant story about heroic acts. From executive producers LillianBirn...Read the entire review

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Bye Bye Germany DVD Video https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73284 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:55:43 UTC Rent It

Bye Bye Germany DVD Review

ByeBye Germany takesplace post-war and focuses on the lives of several Holocaustsurvivors who are trying to raise money to leave behind Germany andenter the United States. It's actually a comedy-drama exploring thecharacters turning point to try and live a better life again. Thefilm is from director Sam Garbarski (Vijay and I).

DavidBermann (MoritzBleitbreu) leads the way for the group attempting to leaveGermany. He has several ideas for how to raise the money to saygoodbye to Germany for good. Each individual ends up sellingoverpriced linen. They essentially become...Read the entire review

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24x36: A Movie About Movie Posters DVD Video https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73283 Fri, 31 Aug 2018 11:15:03 UTC Highly Recommended

24x36: A Movie About Movie Posters DVD Review

24x36:A Movie About Movie Posters has it's description right in thetitle. Yes, this is a feature length documentary about movie posters.Yes, that is the whole point of the film (that and 27x40 posters).Movie poster enthusiastsshould certainly consider viewing it. This documentary isn't made foranyone other than it's target audience of poster fans. This featurewas produced by David Lawson Jr. (The Endless) andGraham Lee.It explores the history of movie posters as promotional materials andalso evaluates the collector value and artistic merit of movieartwork.

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Big Fish & Begonia (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73280 Thu, 30 Aug 2018 11:18:33 UTC Rent It

Bigfish & Begonia Blu-ray Review

Bigfish& Begonia isan animated sci-fi fantasy which was a long time in the making forits filmmakers. It's a rare Chinese animated feature. It aims to sitalongside the likes of Japanese anime from the brilliant Hayao Miyazaki(Spirited Away) and MamoruHososa (Wolf Children). Executive produced byChang-tian Wang(Dearest), Xiaoping Li (Back in Time),and Chun Zhang,Bigfish & Begonia is a unique example ofcrowdfunding andstudios teaming up to make a movie become a reality.

Thestory for Bigfish &Begonia is f...Read the entire review

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Maborosi (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73275 Wed, 29 Aug 2018 11:56:27 UTC Rent It

Maborosi Blu-ray Review

Maborosiis the debutfeature film from acclaimed director Hirokazu Kore-eda (NobodyKnows, Still Walking). The film is donein the same styleof legendary Japanese filmmaker Ozu. It's a quiet meditation on itscharacters. Executive produced by Yutaka Shigenobu (Air Doll,Still Walking), Maborosi is afilm that will dividemost audiences with its slow narrative and minimalist storytelling.

The filmexplores the life ofa young woman, Yumiko (Makiko Esumi), who lost her grandmother as achild and whose first husband commits suicide for an unknown reason.She str...Read the entire review

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Supergirl (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73274 Tue, 28 Aug 2018 12:48:13 UTC Rent It

Supergirl Blu-ray Review

Supergirlis one of the first prominent comic-book films made tofeature afemale heroine as the lead (in fact, the first in the Englishlanguage). This makes the film significant in some respects for thatreason alone. Before Gal Gadot's Wonder Womanbecame acultural milestone and before the Marvel cinematic universeintroduced us to Scarlett Johansson's badass Black Widow this filmintroduced audiences Read the entire review

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Skyscraper Theatrical https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73209 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 13:27:28 UTC Recommended

Skyscraper Theatrical Review

Skyscraperis an action-packed special effects movie from writer-director RawsonMarshall Thurber (Dodgeball, We're TheMillers). Thefilm feels like a nostalgic throw back to action-epics like DieHard with a situation-driven story featuring one action setpieceafter another. It's another vehicle showcasing the talent of starDwayne Johnson.

WillSawyer (Dwayne Johnson) is a securities expert working for a bigcorporation. He thought his day would be an ordinary one (withnothing too unusual to expect) but things move in the o...Read the entire review

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Incredibles 2 Theatrical https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73208 Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:18:22 UTC Highly Recommended

Incredibles 2 Theatrical Review

Incredibles2 is a(drum-roll, please) incredible(yes, pun is intended)trip back to the magic well thatwriter-director Brad Bird (Tomorrowland, TheIron Giant,Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) started 15 yearsago. Thefilm is a jubilant blast of entertainment that will satisfy fanscraving for a return to this fantastic world and these belovedcharacters.

We onceagain are reunitedwith the coolest superhero family in cinema: dad Mr. Incredible(Craig T. Nelson), mother Elastigirl ...Read the entire review

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Blumhouse's Truth Or Dare (Unrated Director's Cut) (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73197 Tue, 24 Jul 2018 12:29:44 UTC Skip It

Truth or Dare Blu-ray Review

Truth or Dare is a horror-thriller fromproducer Jason Blum(Get Out, Split). The film starsLucy Hale (PrettyLittle Liars) and a host of other young actors. The film isfromdirector Jeff Wadlow (Kick-Ass 2). It's a thrillerreminiscentof late-night 1990's genre films.

Olivia Barron (Lucy Hale) is invited to a party with somefriends:Lucas Moreno (Tyler Posey), Markie Cameron (Violett Beane), BradChang (Hayden Szeto), and Penelope Amari (Sophia Ali). Expecting amundane trip, things become complicated when the students getinvolved in a game of "truth or dare" with significantly higherstakes than your average spin-the-bottle style game....Read the entire review

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Hilda Crane (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73192 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 01:07:33 UTC Skip It

Hilda Crane Twilight Time Blu-ray Review

Hilda Crane isa dramatic filmproduced by Herbert B. Swope Jr. (The Bravados). Thefilmstars Jean Simmons as Hilda Crane: a woman in her late twenties whohas been divorced twice and is getting proposals by other men formarriage. Hilda is thought of as having had a "checkered past" byher acquaintances and others because of her multiple previousmarriages and relationships.

However, the reality isthat HildaCrane just wants to have a normal relationship and to settle down butthe societal judgments on her puts her in a difficult situation.Hilda moves back in with her mother and tries to st...Read the entire review

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Captain From Castile (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73191 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 01:07:33 UTC Recommended

Captain from Castile Twilight Time Blu-ray Review

Captain fromCastile is one ofthe most ambitious Hollywood productions of its time. The film wasmade with a massive production budget. Featuring immaculate sets,lavish costumes, and an enormous number of extras, CaptainfromCastile both looks and feels expensive at every turn. It wasanearly example of a big-budget Hollywood spectacle before the dawn ofCGI effects and the rise of the modern blockbuster. Executiveproduced by Darryl F. Zanuck (The Longest Day), thisis anexcellent example of Hollywood spectacle through-and-through.

The film stars Tyrone Poweras Pedro deVar...Read the entire review

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Entre Nos DVD Video https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73193 Sun, 22 Jul 2018 01:07:33 UTC Highly Recommended

Entre Nos (BetweenUs) isa stirring independent film from filmmakers Gloria La Morte and PaolaMendoza. The film is an important independent film about immigrationpolicy issues in the United States. Mendoza, who also co-wrote andstars in the film, based this on her experiences growing up with hermother when she was a young child.

Mariana (Paola Mendoza) isa youngSpanish immigrant who moves to the United States with her husband andtwo young children in the hopes of building a better life for herfamily. This a melancholy and upsetting drama about her struggles andtribulations during these years of her life. It's also a fittin...Read the entire review

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Manila in the Claws of Light (Blu-ray) Blu-ray https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/review/73188 Sat, 21 Jul 2018 20:32:43 UTC Recommended

Manilla in the Claws of Light Criterion Blu-ray Review

Manila in theClaws of Light isa often bleak and harrowing drama with romantic undertones. Directedby the acclaimed filmmaker Lino Brocka (Experience, Now)and produced by Mike De Leon (Citizen Jake) andSeverinoManotok Jr. (The Rites of May), this adaptation ofthe novelby Edgardo focuses upon the love-sick Julio (Bembol Roco) as hesearches for his love, Ligaya (Hilda Koronel), whose family arrangedfor her to leave their town with the promise of having a betterfuture.

Julio traverses acrosstowns in searchof his love Ligaya Paraiso (Hilda Koronel). He ...Read the entire review

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