13 Assassins (2010)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

This is easily the best recent samurai film, and it’s also one of my top choices among Takashi Miike’s output. 13 Assassins is fast-paced, well made, and features awesome performances. No, it doesn’t have many of the transgressive aspects that this director is known for, but I barely noticed. This film kicks major ass from start to finish.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

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Black Book (2006)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Who would have thought that the man behind RoboCop and Showgirls would go on to make an excellent fact-based World War II movie? Not me. I’ve been a fan of most of Paul Verhoeven’s output, but I was still absolutely floored at how good this movie is. I give it my highest recommendation.

Available on Blu-ray from Sony Pictures.

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Angela’s Ashes (1999)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Here’s a sad, funny, and excellent drama based on Frank McCourt’s autobiography. I liked the film so much that I read the book. I didn’t think less of the movie after reading it either. To me that’s the sign of a solid adaptation.

Blu-ray is coming out May 26th from Paramount.

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The Decline (2020)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

This is an original thriller that verges on action at times. I may like some silly movies, but little details like unrealistic firearm use can ruin it for me. This almost completely suspended my disbelief. Just watch The Decline, in it’s original French Canadian language, and let it do it’s thing.

Not available on Blu-ray.

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Mother (2009)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

Years before Parasite, Bong Joon Ho first got my attention with this very good thriller. Out of all of the director’s work, this is the standout aside from his Oscar winner. Lead actress Hye-ja Kim is absolutely spot-on.

Available on Blu-ray from Magnolia.

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The Night of the Hunter (1955)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

I’ll watch Robert Mitchum in anything, but this is one of his very best roles. He plays a con artist “priest,” and man is he despicable. I would love to recommend more good classic films like this here on Anomalous Cinema, but it seems pre-‘60s movies are not often available in 1080p HD. This one is, and it looks great. Note: Luckily things have improved for older streaming movies since I first posted this in 2020.

Available on Blu-ray from Criterion Collection.

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The Ninth Configuration (1980)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | no trailer available

The Exorcist book author William Peter Blatty only directed two movies, but both this, and The Exorcist III, are weird little gems. Well, I think weird doesn’t quite cover The Ninth Configuration. Totally unhinged would be closer to the mark. This is about a military insane asylum, but it takes a little patience to get to where the film goes truly mad. It’s worth the wait, as it has one of the more memorable hallucination sequences I’ve ever seen. Fans of Joe Spinell will enjoy his moments in the film as well. His character wasn’t in the book or script, so his dialog is all improvised. RIP Joe.

Available on Blu-ray from Hen’s Tooth Video.

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Hellbound: Hellraiser 2 (1988)

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I got grounded for sneaking in to see this back in 1988. Yes it’s a bit cheesy at times, but this film is extremely dark, and even more extremely violent. I personally like this better than the original Hellraiser. You get all you need to know about the story in the prologue, so just dive in. It’s not the greatest transfer, but it’s in 1080p HD. What bothers me is the fact they didn’t finish this storyline, and made a horrendously bad part three. Don’t let that stop you from seeing this as the plot is wrapped up satisfyingly enough by the end.

FYI – I originally posted this months before I got a copy of the Arrow Blu-ray. I compared it to the version streaming (this is back in 2019) and the difference is pretty stunning. The Arrow version looks better in every way. It has more detail, better color, you name it. That said, if you’re a fan on this movie, get the Arrow Blu-ray. The extras alone are worth the investment.

Available on Blu-ray from Arrow.

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Beasts of No Nation (2015)

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Streaming on Netflix | imdb | trailer

Beasts of No Nation is an excellent drama about a West African boy who is made into a child soldier. The movie is brutal, but tells an important story. Here’s one interesting bit of trivia, at one point in the film the colors all shift to ultra-violet. This was a reference to visual artist Richard Mosse’s series “The Enclave.” I got to see his stunning multi-screen video installation at the Portland Museum of Art in 2014.

Available on Blu-ray from Criterion.

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Blazing Saddles (1974)

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JustWatch Streaming Info | imdb | trailer

You haven’t already seen the arguably the best comedy ever made? Shame. Oh and if you were born after 2000, get ready to have your sense of decorum shaken. Mel Brooks talks about that here.

Available on Blu-ray from Warner Home Video.

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