The Last Tycoon: Elia Kazan’s 1976 Film Is On Blu-ray

Elia Kazan is an Oscar-winning filmmaker but nothing here is able to save this adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Last Tycoon. In releasing the film on Blu-ray, it comes from a brand new HD master from a 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative. The film’s release in 1976 came over two decades after Kazan’s second Oscar for directing and 13 years after his final directing nomination. Unfortunately, Kazan just wasn’t the same…

"The Last Tycoon: Elia Kazan’s 1976 Film Is On Blu-ray"

As Good As It Gets Marks 25th Anniversary

James L. Brooks’ Oscar-winning As Good As It Gets marks the 25th anniversary of the romantic dramedy’s 1997 theatrical release. Poor Verdell. That’s what happens when you pee in the lobby and piss off a neighbor. No dog deserves to be dumped in the dumpster! But in all seriousness, the dogs playing Verdell end up stealing the show and force Jack Nicholson into playing the straight man to the pooch. I wouldn’t have it any…

"As Good As It Gets Marks 25th Anniversary"

About Schmidt Marks 20th Anniversary

The Oscar-nominated About Schmidt, starring Jack Nicholson, marks the 20th anniversary of its theatrical release in 2002. This is the first of two Jack Nicholson movies getting a milestone anniversary review in December. The other film is As Good As It Gets, celebrating 25 years on December 25. Anyway, it’s really hard to believe that About Schmidt is 20 years old this year. I can still remember watching the dramedy in theaters! As a film,…

"About Schmidt Marks 20th Anniversary"

Reds Gets New Blu-ray for 40th Anniversary

Warren Beatty’s 1981 classic film, Reds, gets a new two-disc Blu-ray set in honor of the film celebrating its 40th anniversary. The new set has been restored under Beatty’s supervision and remastered from the original negative in 4K with High Dynamic Range using a vintage print from the Paramount archives as a reference. The print was approved by Reds Oscar-winning cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. Call it coincidental timing as the Blu-ray was announced back in September…

"Reds Gets New Blu-ray for 40th Anniversary"

The Departed: A Martin Scorsese Masterpiece

The Departed continues filmmaker Martin Scorsese’s trend of making at least one motion picture masterpiece per decade–this time, winning an Oscar. Even though the film adapts a story from another country, the filmmakers still find a way to tie it to Boston.  This is one of the best ideas to go into the film.  For all intents and purposes, mob boss Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson) is Whitey Bulger.  Basically, the film deals with crime and…

"The Departed: A Martin Scorsese Masterpiece"

Batman Holds Up Beautifully After 30 Years

The theatrical release of Batman celebrates 30 years this year and holds up for being the product of its era with regards to cinematic entertainment. A brief prologue introduces us to the Wayne family before cutting to present day.  Gotham City mayor Borg (Lee Wallace) wants the city to be safer. This task falls upon both District Attorney Harvey Dent (Billy Dee Williams) and Police Commissioner Jim Gordon (Pat Hingle).  Unbeknownst to them, Gotham has…

"Batman Holds Up Beautifully After 30 Years"