RedsDirected by: Warren Beatty(Paramount)A grand, large-scale look at the Russian revolution framed by a love story between an American political journalist John Reed (Warren Beatty, also writer-director) and writer Louise Bryant (Diane Keaton), with Eugene O’Neil (Jack Nicholson) waiting in the wings. Both epic and intimate, extras in the two-disc edition finally see the notoriously […]
Carsten Knox
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The Thin Man Collection
Published December 08, 2005. The Thin Man Collection Directed by: W.S. Van Dyke (Warner) When critics grouse about how modern movies miss the art of repartee, when they whine about an absence of chemistry between the leads, this is the film series they’ll most likely point to as having the best combination of those elements. […]
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Bambi II
Bambi IIDirected by: Brian Pimental(Disney)Once Walt Disney was at the forefront of animated family entertainment, creating classic fables that spanned generations. Even theatrical efforts from the ’90s such as Aladdin are full of imagination. Now The Mouse ruthlessly screws the back catalogue with straight to DVD sequels aimed at babysitting the kids with something familiar. […]
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Entourage: The Complete Second Season
Entourage: The Complete Second Season(HBO)Movie star Vincent Chase and his buddies make millions off his getting the lead in the Hollywood blockbuster Aquaman. This show is Sex and the City for men, serving up decadence, lifestyle wish-fulfillment, celebrity cameos and great characters with the snappiest dialogue on TV.Carsten KnoxCategories: Best of the year (2006)
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Angel: Season 5
Published December 08, 2005. Angel: Season 5 Directed by: Joss Whedon (Fox) Buffy the Vampire Slayer‘s shadow haunted this spin-off series for a few seasons, but in this, the last, it finally came into its own. The final eight episodes are both tragic and spectacular, besting Buffy’s finale by a good stake’s length. Carsten Knox […]
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Deadwood: The Complete Seasons 1-3
Deadwood: The Complete Seasons 1-3Directed by: David MilchHBOAlthough three brief seasons hardly seem like enough, this is the full package: the gritty, profane historical drama all in one place. In years to come, people will look back and call The Sopranos, Six Feet Under and Deadwood, all series produced by HBO, the best TV of […]
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The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou
The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou Directed by: Wes Anderson(Criterion)Anderson’s quirky comedy was criminally underappreciated when released last year. Many critics seemed confounded by the subtle, oddball humour; a shame because the beauty and charm of the movie becomes more pronounced with repeat viewing. The multi-hinged plot centres on middle-aged oceanographer/adventurer Zissou (Bill Murray), launching […]
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Humphrey Bogart: The Signature Collection Volumes 1 & 2
Humphrey Bogart: The Signature Collection Volumes 1 & 2(Warner Home Video)If you ever wondered how this short guy named Humphrey got to be the biggest movie star in Hollywood, it’s all here in these two box sets. Get the first for the two-disc editions of Casablanca and The Treasure of Sierra Madre, and the second […]
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The Incredibles
Published December 08, 2005. The Incredibles Directed by: Brad Bird (Walt Disney) Pixar makes the best-quality cinematic family entertainment you can get. The Incredibles‘ superhero adventure continues the streak started with Toy Story through Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo, and the DVD is a deluxe package for anyone wanting to get into the animation details. […]
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Last Days
Last Days Directed by: Directed by Gus Van Sant HBO FilmsLike Van Sant’s recent film Gerry, Last Days is leisurely with narrative and dialogue. With long, meandering takes and quiet mundane scenes, it’s more concerned with tone, where the form and structure are as important as the content. This can make for a strongly felt […]
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Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey
Metal: A Headbanger’s JourneyDirected by: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen, Jessica Joy Wise (Banger Productions)Sam Dunn is a lanky, long-haired heavy metal fan and anthropologist from Victoria, BC, who in this well thought-out doc takes a serious look into the culture of that most abhorred subgenre of rock music. It’s a slick, well-made, VH1-ready analysis of […]
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Road to Guantanamo
Road to GuantanamoDirected by: Michael Winterbottom, Mat Whitecross(Alliance)A powerful docudrama telling the stories of three Pakistani Brits detained in Afghanistan by coalition forces, sent to the American base in Guantanamo, Cuba and held without charge for two years. Director Michael Winterbottom provides a scathing account of human rights abuses and international law contraventions. Carsten KnoxCategories: […]
