Willem Dafoe

TIFF 2014: Pasolini Review

Pasolini Special Presentations Pier Paolo Pasolini was one of finest and most outrageous directors during the golden age of Italian cinema. Then his life ended in a sordid murder that wouldn’t have been out of place in one of his own movies. He’s been a figure of fascination amongst film geeks for that very reason […]

Home Entertainment Review: Nymphomaniac

Nymphomaniac (Lars Von Trier, 2014) – For years Lars Von Trier has threatened to smack audiences with his take on an “erotic” movie. The plucky provocateur always brought an exploitation filmmaker’s chutzpah and showmanship to his art house career, and chasing the metaphorical white whale of a serious erotic drama that porn kings and legitimate […]

A Most Wanted Man Review

Philip Seymour Hoffman leaves behind one final exceptional leading performance in Anton Corbijn’s smart, stylish, and thrilling John le Carré adaptation, A Most Wanted Man.

The June Home Entertainment Round-Up

Time once again for our writers to look to their latest Blu-Ray, DVD, and VOD purchases with looks at new releases The Lego Movie, The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alan Partridge, Small Time, The Cold Lands, Tapped Out, and A Wife Alone, and re-releases for The Life Aquatic, Judex, Hearts and Minds, The Revengers, and Countess Dracula.

Home Entertainment Round-Up: 5/20/14

We play catch up with the DVDs we've accumulated over the past month with Phil looking at Criterion releases for Riot in Cell Block 11 and Breaking the Waves, the recently remastered Sorcerer, a re-cut version of the documentary Cocaine Cowboys, the fourth and final season of Eastbound and Down, and the latest Paranormal Activity film. Dave looks at straight-to-video efforts Mr. Jones and Bad Country, along with new discs for Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia and Seven Warriors. And Andrew looks back on A Birder's Guide to Everything and Big Bad Wolves.

20 Sleeper Hits You Can Rent for Free from Bay Street Video

Our film editor was asked to contribute to a list of dozens of "sleeper hits" that can currently be rented free of charge from Bay Street Video in Toronto. Given the vague definition of the term, here is why he chose his films on the list and gives recommendations for other films to pair alongside the free rentals.

Nymphomaniac Review

There’s a daringness and certainly a great degree of ambition to Danish auteur Lars von Trier’s latest misanthropic opus Nymphomaniac, but there’s also a been there, done that kind of feel to his work here that’s almost more distressing than the subject matter.

The Grand Budapest Hotel Review

Simultaneously his most gorgeous to look at and most pointedly melancholy film to date, Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel might not be the whimsical auteur’s best film, but certainly one of his funniest and possibly the most valid one stop shop for anyone wanting to talk about his special brand of quirks and neuroses.

Unsung Anniversaries #3: American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt

For this week's Unsung Anniversaries, we go with a pretty deep cut to celebrate the 25th anniversary of American Ninja 3: Blood Hunt, and in the process talk a little bit about the history of 1980s movie making powerhouse Cannon Films, what happens when a franchise has to recast its lead, and why the film has two standout performances from cult acting icons that almost make it worth watching.

Odd Thomas Review

While most of the time the long delayed big screen Dean Koontz adaptation Odd Thomas looks and sounds like a made for TV hybrid of Buffy, Veronica Mars, and Doctor Who, that doesn't mean it at all fails at what it's trying to attempt. It's the best film director Stephen Sommers has done since The Mummy in 1999 at the very least.