Author: vergeoflight

Visual artist / graphic designer / former experimental musician - Portland, OR.

Blow Out (1981)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is one of the less talked about Brian De Palma movies, but it’s among my favorites of all his work. To me this feels as if Dario Argento got a big budget, and made a giallo for an American audience. Blow Out has even got a very Goblin-esque score by Pino Donaggio and product placement by J&B Scotch. The opening scene is unforgettable. You’ll wonder what the hell kind of movie you’re in for. A key part of the opening is wisely referred to multiple times throughout the movie. This might also be my favorite film ever shot in Philadelphia. I lived there for 14 years, and it was a trip down memory lane to watch this again. Oh and for all your cult movie nerds, check out the amazing posters on the walls of the place John Travolta works. His performance is flat-out excellent in this one too.

Blu-ray available from Criterion Collection.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

For Sama (2019)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I do my best to avoid Academy Award nominated films, but this documentary is just too good to not share. Almost every bit of footage was shot by one woman during the fall of Aleppo, Syria. Right off the bat, if you are squeamish or sensitive to real life violence and/or emergency medical footage, skip this one. It is brutal at times, but manages to be very uplifting in the end. I am blown away by how courageous Waad al-Kateab and her family are. Do not miss this movie.

Not available on Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Gangster No. 1 (2000)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a solid English gangster riff on Goodfellas, but way more violent. Need I say more? Keep an eye out for Dr. Channard from Hellraiser 2. He even has a scene with Uncle Frank.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

An Honest Liar (2014)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The Amazing Randi was a stage magician, escape artist, and enemy of all paranormal fakers. The man’s life story is enhanced by a few totally unexpected turns. I was entertained, and I learned a thing or two. R.I.P. Randi.

Available on Blu-ray from Passion River.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Q (1982)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Prolific cult movie screenwriter and director Larry Cohen passed away last year. When he was involved in a good project you could bet it would be weird, fast paced, and entertaining. This is one of my personal favorites among his output, and it is 100% Anomalous. Here is one of the few movies I saw as a kid that I remember every step of it’s release. First there was the above iconic teaser posters and print ads. Then the “Q is here” poster and TV ads. I distinctly remember watching the film being reviewed on At the Movies with Siskel and Ebert a little while after. I was nine years old so I didn’t see it in the theater, although my older brother did get me into an original screening of Conan the Barbarian around that time (thank you Chris). I ended up seeing Q on cable in 1984 and was not disappointed. Yeah, the low budget shows at times, but that is forgivable. This movie is a blast, and it has a really great cast to boot. Enjoy.

Blu-ray available from Shout Factory.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Avengement (2019)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

There are a ton of awful action movies on Netflix (where I orginally saw Avengement). This movie should have been one of them, but I loved it. It features English gangsters, almost non-stop fighting, a good story, and solid production values. You might need to turn on the subtitles, as the accents and jargon are very thick for the duration. Really that’s a minor quibble – this movie is a blast.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (1972 / 77)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (all post-production footage)

This is probably the single most Anomalous movie I’ve recommended yet. The title tells you the crux of the story, but don’t let that turn you off. This is a one of a kind, weird as hell, work of art that feels like a fever dream. The pace is slow, the budget is very small, and the blood minimal, but I really like Death Bed. Watch it with an open mind and I think you’ll appreciate it. Oh and one of the lead actors, William Russ, was also in a bazillion other things including Cruising (1980).

Blu-ray available from Cult Epics.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

No Tears for the Dead (2014)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s another very good South Korean crime film. It’s got all the elements that you’d expect: tons of action, a very complicated story, extremely bad bad guys, and slick production values. This one leans a lot on drama, but that’s fine. It kept reminding me of Léon: The Professional, which is a good thing. Like Luc Besson’s film, the drama serves a purpose, and the action is impressive.

Blu-ray available from CJ Entertainment.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I was not the least bit interested in this movie when it originally came out. Then last year I listened to a podcast where the writer Jon Ronson was interviewed, and this book / screenplay were mentioned. Ronson is a super smart and amusing guy, so I figured the movie would actually be worth watching after all. I got around to watching it the other day and found Goats very entertaining. It does suffer from some moments of big-budget movie cheese, but I wasn’t too bothered. The story is based on fact, but the movie is all whacky comedy, so I’d recommend watching it with a couple of drinks or whatever you’re into.

Available on Blu-ray from Starz / Anchor Bay.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.

Dead Ringers (1988)

vergeoflightLeave a comment

JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I can’t believe it took me over 80 posts to recommend a David Cronenberg film. After all he’s one of my favorite directors, and is STILL making good movies. Dead Ringers is an excellent, more mature thriller than say, Scanners. It does feel a bit slower than the director’s earlier films but that’s ok. It makes up for that flaw with one of my favorite minor movie character names of all time, Anders Wolleck. He’s played by an actor you might recognize. Also, keep an eye out for Jill Hennessy (City on a Hill, Law and Order, ugh… Crossing Jordan) and her real-life twin sister.

I also highly recommend you check out the recent Dead Ringers series on Amazon Prime. Very different, but great.

Blu-ray available from Shout Factory.

If you are a fan of Anomalous Cinema, please consider supporting this site by donating any amount (even $1.00 is appreciated) via Venmo @vergeoflight / Cash App $vergeoflight / or Paypal at this secure link. A Paypal account is not required. Thank you.