Here are our latest reviews of films on DVD.
Pre-2018 Film Reviews
Dragnet
Sarah Boslaugh @ TheArtsSTL (1954)
- Excerpt: The storytelling in Dragnet is as straightforward as Joe Friday himself—this leads to that which leads to that other thing which eventually leads to the conclusion you knew was coming all along.
Ex Machina
Wesley Lovell @ Cinema Sight (2014)
Faat Kiné
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (2001) [Portuguese]
Hyènes
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (1993) [Portuguese]
The Lost Weekend
Sarah Boslaugh @ TheArtsSTL (1945)
- Excerpt: While all the cast members are good, it’s Ray Milland’s performance as the self-loathing Don that really makes the film work. It’s a pity that, due to the Motion Picture code, any references to Don’s closeted homosexuality are omitted, but once again, that’s the 1940s for you.
Loveless
Bavner Donaldo @ Cinejour (2017) [Indonesian]
Malina
Dennis Schwartz @ Dennis Schwartz Reviews (1991)
- Excerpt: It’s a grim film, but I did find it provocative, intellectually stimulating and unique.
Moolaadé
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (2004) [Portuguese]
Mother’s Day
Wesley Lovell @ Cinema Sight (2010)
Sembene!
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (2015) [Portuguese]
Sembène: The Making of African Cinema
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (1994) [Portuguese]
Star in the Dust
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (1956) [Portuguese]
Tennessee Johnson
Rick Aragon @ Rick’s Texan Reviews (1942)
- Excerpt: Historically inaccurate but well-crafted and acted, Tennessee Johnson may give the viewer a wrong impression of the 17th President but on the whole works as entertainment.
Them!
Mark Leeper @ Mark Leeper’s Reviews (1954)
- Excerpt: THEM! was one of the better Fifties science fiction films and one of only a handful that are still fairly effective forty years after it was made due in large part to some very intelligent script choices.
Touki-Bouki
Luiz Santiago @ Plano Crítico (1973) [Portuguese]
The Wonders of Aladdin
Sarah Boslaugh @ TheArtsSTL (1961)
- Excerpt: Like the sword-and-sandals films, Aladdin is long on spectacle and short on sense, with the particular stars in this case being the costumes by Rosine Delamare and Giorgio Desideri and the art direction by Flavio Mogherini, which look marvelous in this restored version.
