Touch of Evil: The Reconstructed Cut in 4K Ultra HD

All three cuts of Touch of Evil, a film noir directed by Orson Welles, are available on 4K Ultra HD by way of Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The new Kino Lorber 4K UHD release presents every cut of the film with a new Dolby Vision HDR master. I watched the reconstructed cut on Sunday since it is considered to be the definitive cut in the film. Walter Murch edits the film according to Welles’s original…

"Touch of Evil: The Reconstructed Cut in 4K Ultra HD"

Genocide: An Oscar-Winning Holocaust Doc

Genocide is known for being the first Holocaust documentary to win an Oscar and remains essential viewing in teaching about the Shoah. Simon Wiesenthal briefly introduces the film before we get into the nuts and bolts. From there, it is non-stop. If you’re looking for entertainment, you will not find it here. What you will find is the bare minimum when it comes to Holocaust education. How did it happen and why? When one thinks…

"Genocide: An Oscar-Winning Holocaust Doc"

Citizen Kane: The Criterion 4K Ultra HD Is Here

Citizen Kane was a cinematic achievement for its time and the film has only grown in stature to become an all-time classic over the years. Starting this week, the film is also available on 4K Ultra HD through The Criterion Collection. Initially, Citizen Kane was a forgotten film. One thing that would help bring it back to the forefront was the praise of critics in France. It also helped that the film was given another…

"Citizen Kane: The Criterion 4K Ultra HD Is Here"

Citizen Kane: An All-Time Classic

Citizen Kane was a cinematic achievement for its time and the film has only grown in stature to become an all-time classic over the years. Initially, Citizen Kane was a forgotten film.  One thing that would help bring it back to the forefront was the praise of critics in France.  It also helped that the film was given another release in 1956 and also benefited from RKO selling its theatrical library to television.  Combined with…

"Citizen Kane: An All-Time Classic"

New York FF 2020: Hopper/Welles

Orson Welles and Dennis Hopper have a wide-ranging conversation on the set of The Other Side of the Wind in Hopper/Welles. Years after his passing, Orson Welles still manages to surprise us.  A few years ago, we were treated to what very well could be his final released film.  This year, cinephiles are treated to the premiere of a documented conversation between the Citizen Kane filmmaker and the Easy Rider filmmaker in 1970.  It’s certainly…

"New York FF 2020: Hopper/Welles"

History of the World: Part I isn’t Mel Brooks’ Best

History of the World, Part I–which has no sequel–spoofs multiple genres in this anthology showing that there are no limits to the mind of writer-director Mel Brooks. In depicting a few periods of time in world history, Brooks also spoofs other films or stories in doing so.  Aspects of “The Stone Age” parody that of 2001: A Space Odyssey.  Brooks isn’t shy of placing many gags in this era.  Whether its the invention of music…

"History of the World: Part I isn’t Mel Brooks’ Best"