Screen Reviews

Cracker - The Complete Collection

Jun 15, 2009

Robbie Coltrane stars as the psychologist who always cracks the case, while alienating everyone who cares about him. Joe Frietze wants your badge on his desk in one hour.

Gitane Demone: Life After Death

Jun 5, 2009

From gothic siren to torch singer, Gitane Demone has been through it all. This new double-disc DVD collection chronicles the many phases and changes of her long and overlooked life and art.

The Pope's Toilet

Jun 3, 2009

The Pope visits Uruguay, and when the masses of expected tourists fail to materialize, the locals are left with plenty of unsold food and trinkets. Carl F Gauze enjoys the Dogme-indebted style.

Operation: Filmmaker

May 26, 2009

Everything is illuminated in Nina Davenport's inside peek at the nutty world of Hollywood filmmaking.

Awake, My Soul: The Story of the Sacred Harp

May 14, 2009

Matthew Moyer basks in the ramshackle glory of Sacred Harp singing, the oldest, and perhaps most punk, American religious music. This new documentary explains it all.

Kraftwerk and the Electronic Revolution

May 11, 2009

Three-hour documentary on DVD about the German electronic music band, their influences, contemporaries, and followers. Sean Slone gets lost on the Trans-Europe Express.

Star Trek

May 8, 2009

Dust off the Captain's log. After a big-screen hiatus, the Enterprise is back -- and bold as ever. Steve Stav carefully navigates the spoiler minefield in his review of J.J. Abrams' reverential re-boot of the Star Trek saga.

Days and Clouds

Apr 24, 2009

Everybody loves a trainwreck, and when it happens in Genoa, it's irresistible. Carl F Gauze pauses to gawk.

Population: 1

Apr 23, 2009

Apocalyptic sci-fi, Busby Berkeley, and the proto-punk of the Screamers collide head-on in this reissue of Rene Daalder's lo-fi, hilarious, and terribly sad musical. Is that a twelve-year old Beck making a cameo?

Adventureland

Apr 16, 2009

Despite the lofty name, it's just a sleazy amusement park -- will James get the girl before someone wins the Big-Ass Panda? Carl F Gauze thinks it's inevitable, but still fun to watch.

TV Party: The Sublimely Intolerable Show

Apr 13, 2009

Television can be good for you. Especially when it's Glenn O'Brien's NYC art-damaged public access freakshow. This is TV Party. Pay attention.

Gospel According to Al Green

Apr 9, 2009

Robert Mugge's documentary about Al Green's tragedy-strewn return to the Church is given the deluxe 25th Anniversary DVD treatment. Can Scott Adams get an amen?

Black Metal Satanica

Apr 2, 2009

What? You've watched every episode of Metalocalypse and find yourself with nothing left to fill the sick, black void in your soul? Get thee to the source, man. Scott Adams recommends this Viking-fueled history of Black Metal.

Tour:Smart: And Break the Band

Mar 31, 2009

Does Martin Atkins really expect folks to spend money on a DVD that promotes a book that bands can spend money on to learn how to save money on the road? Andrew Coulon hopes not.

TV Party: The Everything for Sale Show

Mar 30, 2009

Take note, internet-broadcasting upstarts, the DVD reissues of Glenn O'Brien's pioneering 1980s shambles of a talk show uncover a whole new level of transcendent slack. On this episode: Jeffrey Lee Pierce!

Eric Johnson - Anaheim

Mar 24, 2009

Have you ever heard a guitar sing? If so, you've never heard anything like Eric Johnson's guitar. A 2006 performance in Anaheim had Tim Wardyn so fixated that he could've sworn Johnson had about 12 fingers on his left hand.

The Wrestler

Mar 13, 2009

A washed-up wrestler makes one last trip into the ring, where even Marisa Tomei can't save him. Referee Carl F Gauze makes it a slow three-count.

Ben X

Feb 26, 2009

An autistic young man finds solace in computer gaming and wreaks ironic vengeance on his tormentors.

Last Chance Harvey

Feb 24, 2009

Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson offer up tender and touching performances in a predictable but surprisingly enjoyable romantic comedy. Julie Haverkate thinks this Harvey deserves a chance.