REVIEW: The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)
One of the longest-running film series in the world was Daiei Studios’ Zatoichi. They starred Shintaro Katsu as the titular blind samurai-turned-masseuse, and ran for 26 feature films and 100 episodes on television. It has been revived and adapted since – even … Continue reading REVIEW: The Tale of Zatoichi (1962)
REVIEW: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
Comic book adaptation Ghost Rider (2007) was one of the last pre-Iron Man superhero movies, taking a second-string Marvel character and casting world famous comic book geek Nicolas Cage in the role. It was directed by Mark Steven Johnson, whose 2003 Marvel adaptation Daredevil had … Continue reading REVIEW: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
TV REVIEW: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 1.01
“Strange New Worlds” I really do not like prequels. Anyone that has followed my film writing over the past decade or two will no doubt be aware of this, but it bears repeating. Nothing of dramatic worth comes from a … Continue reading TV REVIEW: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds 1.01
REVIEW: That’s Entertainment! III (1994)
That’s Entertainment! is a rather strange movie franchise: one that prefigured audience demand slightly ahead of time, and then prefigured newer demands all over again almost two decades later. The original 1974 film comprised a series of MGM musical numbers, all … Continue reading REVIEW: That’s Entertainment! III (1994)
TV REVIEW: Moon Knight 1.06
“Gods and Monsters” Against all odds, Moon Knight’s finale managed to pull together all of its flailing disparate story threads into some form of conclusion. I honestly had my doubts, given just how wildly anarchic the preceding five episodes have … Continue reading TV REVIEW: Moon Knight 1.06
TV REVIEW: Moon Knight 1.05
“Asylum” In Moon Knight’s fifth and penultimate episode, Marc and Steven’s adventures through a mental institution-shaped underworld provide a canny excuse for a whole lot of back story. It is emotionally fulfilling stuff, and the really impressive achievement is just … Continue reading TV REVIEW: Moon Knight 1.05
REVIEW: Happiest Season (2020)
Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season is the best comedy I have watched in some time. It seems to effortlessly do what the best films of its genre do: keep the laughs flowing while backing them up with well-developed characters, an engaging storyline, and … Continue reading REVIEW: Happiest Season (2020)
REVIEW: Born to be Bad (1934)
Lowell Sherman’s pre-Code drama Born to be Bad is a distinctive and unusual film. While in many ways it seems critically compromised, it also reveals a remarkable boldness and originality in its storyline and characters. I have written in the past about … Continue reading REVIEW: Born to be Bad (1934)
TV REVIEW: Moon Knight 1.04
“The Tomb” After finding Moon Knight’s third episode something of a disappointment, I am relieved to find the fourth showing the series back on track and working in an immensely satisfying fashion. We are largely back at protagonist Steven Grant’s … Continue reading TV REVIEW: Moon Knight 1.04
REVIEW: Across 110th Street (1972)
Barry Shear’s Across 110th Street (1972) is the sort of film for which the word ‘muscular’ seems intended. Produced in 1973 and released to American cinemas a year later, it is an inspired crime film that draws on multiple influences of its … Continue reading REVIEW: Across 110th Street (1972)
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