The Playlist

The obsessives' guide to contemporary cinema via film discussion, news, reviews, features, nostalgia, movie music, soundtracks, DVDs and more.

Interviews

On DVD In November: 'Heaven's Gate,' The Otto Preminger Collection Plus Films By Brian De Palma & Robert Aldrich

By Drew Taylor
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November 12, 2012 10:05 AM
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1 Comment

Features

Well, with the holidays just around the corner, the producers of fine home video product are really stepping up their game and releasing a slew of interesting titles this month. For some reason the theme in November seems to be failed masterpieces – from Brian De Palma’s attempt at translating a national bestseller, to Otto Preminger trying to wrangle the whole of the sixties into one crazy movie, to Michael Cimino’s historical epic “Heaven’s Gate” (probably the most polarizing of the bunch) – it’s a month in which the artistic process yields ungainly results. Plus, some really great smaller movies that are easy to overlook but very much worth your time.

By Drew Taylor
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September 13, 2012 12:58 PM
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1 Comment

Features

Another month, another slab of worthwhile home video titles gunning for your hard-earned American dollars. This month's slate is an eclectic bunch, featuring cult classics, revenge thrillers, forgotten French films at one point lauded for their complexity and artistry, oh, and Michael Douglas. Read on for the best best in home video for the release of September!

By Drew Taylor
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August 7, 2012 9:14 AM
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5 Comments

Features

As summer starts to fade, the big Hollywood blockbusters are replaced with more modest and arty fare, while on home video, long overdue titles finally make their way to disc. This month, we have new-to-DVD titles from Derek Jarman, Andrzej Wadja, and Ken Russell, plus deluxe reissues of two favorites – "Quadrophenia" and (of course) "Jaws." Just when you thought it was safe to go into the video store… Whether it's the first time you've seen these titles or the fiftieth, these new discs are sure to please.

By Drew Taylor
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July 13, 2012 10:01 AM
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0 Comments

Features

Summer is heating up, so thank god there are a bunch of totally cool new DVDs and Blu-rays to chill out with. This month we get Blu-ray editions of classics from Roger Vadim, Ken Russell, and Stanley Donen, plus some weird-ass obscurities that finally get a home video release. Plus a whole lot more.

By Drew Taylor
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June 7, 2012 2:04 PM
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0 Comments

Features

Well, the dog days of summer are fast approaching, and what better way to duck out of the heat than by spending a cool day inside, AC blasting, with your Blu-ray player and an endless supply of chilled adult beverages. June sees the release of an Alfred Hitchcock classic (beautifully restored), a trio of Lina Wertmüller gems, a nearly lost Michael Curtiz effort, a movie about the sex lives of ghosts, and a plane crash survival tale sold on the, er, ample merits of its female lead.

By Drew Taylor
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May 3, 2012 12:03 PM
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0 Comments

Features

Well we're back again with the bumper crop of must-have DVDs and Blu-rays for the month of May – from historic Italian epics to underground American sensations to a chilly, expressionistic film noir to movies where Raquel Welch plays a Vegas showgirl fleeing a murderer – we’ve got them all hear for you. So look on below to see what's worth your money this month....

By Drew Taylor
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April 4, 2012 2:05 PM
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8 Comments

Features

While the future of home entertainment may be rapidly moving towards a digital streaming-led future, we can't be the only movie nerds who still love owning a physical copy of something. Sure, Blu-Ray and DVD might be scratchable, easily lost and adorned by terrible box art, but there's something about the feeling of finding an undiscovered gem in the depths of a store, or getting a rarity in the post, that doesn't quite compare to clicking and watching something on Netflix.