Mesrine: Killer Instinct (2008)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The first installment of a two part series on the career of criminal Jaques Mesrine (the second is Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One). This is the French answer to Scarface (1983), but based on true events, and much larger in scope. Other than the usual fake looking gun action, this movie is a total blast. Vincent Cassel is perfect, as usual. If you’d like to see him do something more fun / dumb I recommend you also check out his film Dobermann (looks like it’s available on YouTube if you sign in).

Available on Blu-ray from Music Box.

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I Am Divine (2013)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s a very well made documentary on John Waters’ muse Divine (Glenn Milstead). The film does not hesitate to show the raunchy stuff, which is great, but they also interview his mother, and show several thoughtful archival interviews with Divine. I’d even call it “sweet” overall. I appreciate that it’s edited to keep the viewer engaged, and gives a thorough picture of his career, and life, in a tight 90 minutes. There’s plenty of exclusive interviews with John Waters, and many of Milstead’s co-stars. I learned things, and was entertained. You will be too.

Not Available on Blu-ray.

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Zana (2019)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Zana is an excellent, dark drama from Kosovo. The film reminded me a bit of Tarkovsky’s work, but the pace is a little faster, and it’s only 97 minutes long. The cinematography is fantastic, and all the actors pull off top-notch performances. One word of warning, this movie is very sad. It maintains that tone from start to finish, minus a few moments. If you’re not in the mood for a downer, then maybe pick something perky from the Netflix Top 10 (you wimp).

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Kurt Vonnegut: Unstuck in Time (2021)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is a very good documentary on one of the 20th Century’s most important and iconoclastic writers. It also deals with the struggle that Robert B. Weide (Curb Your Enthusiasm) had in making the film over the course of decades. He co-directed this with Don Argott, the man that brought us Last Days Here and Art of the Steal (all of his films are worth seeing). There was a ton of stories and footage to fit in here, so the movie feels a tiny bit long. However it’s all very well edited together, and absolutely worth your time. If you’re a fan of Vonnegut’s work, you will be delighted. I have been for many years, and I learned a lot.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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The Kid with the Golden Arm (1979)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The Shaw Brothers and director Chang Cheh bring the main Five Deadly Venoms cast back together for a completely different martial arts adventure. Golden Arm (who is hardly a kid) is part of an evil gang, and happens to be almost impervious to harm. He and his fellow villains Silver Spear, Iron Robe, and Brass Head aim to hijack a shipment of gold. Will they succeed?! Who could possibly stop them?!?! HOW?!?!?! You’ll have to find out for yourself. This movie is almost non-stop action, and looks beautiful too. Yeah, Kid with the Golden Arm is not a five star film, some extra cheese hinders it a tiny bit. Just be prepared to roll your eyes a few times while you enjoy one hell of a fun Kung Fu flick.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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It Follows (2014)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Have you seen the one about the sexually transmitted poltergeist? Most horror devotees were all over It Follows when it first came out. Deservedly so, as it’s a damn good film. I only give it bad marks for the John Carpenter rip off soundtrack. The filmmakers either should have hired the man himself, or tweaked the music just enough to sound original. Really it’s a minor complaint. If you have missed this one up to now, watch it ASAP.

Available on Blu-ray from Radius.

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The Torture Chamber of Dr. Sadism (1967)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

The mighty Christopher Lee plays a murderous Count, who is back from the dead, and out for revenge. Sounds similar to the plot for Mario Bava’s Black Sunday right? That’s ok, because part of why I enjoyed this movie so much is that it reminded me of Bava’s work, and early Hammer Horror. It also is an extremely loose adaptation of “The Pit and the Pendulum,” so we get additional reminders of Roger Corman’s Poe horrors. All that may sound like this isn’t worth your time. Not true. The film has been lovingly restored and looks absolutely beautiful. The saturated color and deep shadows sold it for me. Torture Chamber… is an old fashioned horror film, and is not particularly smart, but I highly recommended classic horror fans see it. If you enjoyed the young and handsome Christopher Lee acting like a creep, make sure to check out Bava’s The Whip and the Body. This director made an earlier creepy horror movie called The Strangler of Blackmoore Castle, which is also worth watching.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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Three Days of the Condor (1975)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This was one of the few good movies that was regularly shown on broadcast TV in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. I only had six channels to choose from until I was 18. That means that I have seen Three Days… many times. I am not sick of it yet. The only real flaw is that there’s a crazy violent scene towards the beginning, followed by a mostly slow paced thriller style for the remainder. This movie has brains though. I’ve always been impressed by the little details that our hero Turner (Robert Redford) picks up on, and survives because of. All the other main actors are great in this too. You’ll see many familiar faces. If you’re in the mood for a well-made thriller, this is a very good choice.

Blu-ray available from Paramount.

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Richard III (1995)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer (BFI Re-release)

I love Ian McKellan, and he cites this film as his proudest achievement. He was not only the executive producer, he co-wrote the screenplay. The director Richard Loncraine also did one episode of the excellent Band of Brothers mini-series. What we get is a very weird and dark adaptation of the famous Shakespeare play. This one is set in an alternate 20th century, where King Richard is a nazi-styled killer with modern weapons. Yes, you have to navigate the usual convoluted Shakespeare dialog. Trust me, it’s worth the effort. The climax of this film is totally insane.

Not available on domestic Blu-ray.

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The Siege of Jadotville (2016)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Here’s a solid, history-based war movie. I had never heard of this battle, so this was all news to me. The film features good performances, a fast-pace, and it gets pretty graphic here and there too. This is the first time I realized that Jamie Dornan was a skilled actor. I despised anything to do with Fifty Shades of Grey, but he is truly talented in spite of being involved in a garbage franchise. I recommend checking out Anthopoid and My Dinner With Herve as well. The Siege of Jadotville is not going to move you like say, The Thin Red Line, but if you want some entertaining battle action, it’s a good pick.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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