Saturday, June 28, 2008

SIDELINE: MORE REVIEWS FOR 6/08

Given that I write more reviews than what you see here, below is a list of non-Criterion films I covered in the past month that may be of interest to Criterion fans.

IN THEATRES...

* Baghead, a conflicted indie comedy/drama/horror film that never quite gels.

* The Strangers, an underrated horror film with lots of style and a classic storytelling approach.

ON DVD...

* Cassandra's Dream, the most recent of Woody Allen's British period, a morality play that's substance is sometimes overshadowed by its familiarity.

* Catherine Deneuve 5-Film Collection, with the gorgeous star striking out four out of five times. Disappointing. Featuring films directed by Jean Aurel, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, Alain Corneau, and Andre Techine, and co-starring Sami Frey, Claude Brialy, Gerard Depardieu, Yves Montand, and Alain Delon.

* Diva - Meridian Collection, the influential French thriller from the early '80s. Seems to me it mainly skates by on reputation, the actual product leaves something to be desired.

* High Noon: 2-Disc Ultimate Collector's Edition presents a classic western that's a classic for a reason: it's awesome.

* Joy Division, an involving documentary about the influential Manchester band, directed by Grant Gee. Full of great music.

* Persepolis, the animated Marjane Satrapi adaptation gets an ultra-fine DVD release.

* Popeye the Sailor: 1938-1940, Vol. 2, the second collection of the hysterical Fleischer cartoons about the world's most famous brawling sailor.

* Sophia Loren 4-Film Collection, a 50/50 collection of films starring the actress ranging from 1954 to 1970. Of note are a musical extravaganza celebrating Naples and a Vittorio De Sica picture co-starring Marcello Mastroianni.

* The Sword in the Stone - 45th Anniversary Edition, a new release of the fun Disney Arthurian fantasy that doesn't appear to be that new at all.

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