Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 29, 2011

(1957) Directed by Terence Fisher; Written by: Jimmy Sangster; Based on the Novel by Mary Shelley; Starring: Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Hazel Court and Robert Urquhart.Available on DVD. Rating: **** ½ Starting with Thomas Edison’s version of Frankenstein in 1910, there have been num   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 25, 2011

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) This German silent film from Lotte Reiniger represents a landmark in cinema and animation. It might appear somewhat crude to modern eyes, but this is where animated feature films got their start. Black silhouetted figures and tinted scenes contribute to the m   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 25, 2011

The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926) This German silent film from Lotte Reiniger represents a landmark in cinema and animation. It might appear somewhat crude to modern eyes, but this is where animated feature films got their start. Black silhouetted figures and tinted scenes contribute to the m   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 22, 2011

(1975) Directed by Peter Weir; Written by Cliff Green; Based on a novel by Joan Lindsay; Starring: Rachel Roberts, Anne-Louise Lambert and Vivean Gray; Available on DVD Rating: **** There’s a special place on my Netflix DVD and instant queues that I like to call Queue Hell. These are the...   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 22, 2011

(1975) Directed by Peter Weir; Written by Cliff Green; Based on a novel by Joan Lindsay; Starring: Rachel Roberts, Anne-Louise Lambert and Vivean Gray; Available on DVD Rating: **** There’s a special place on my Netflix DVD and instant queues that I like to call Queue Hell. These are   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 16, 2011

(1932) Directed by Tod Browning; Written by Willis Goldbeck and Leon Gordon; Based on the short story “Spurs” by Tod Robbins; Starring: Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Rosco Ates and Harry Earles; Available on DVD. Rating: **** ½ What’s It About? Freaks is the sort   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 16, 2011

(1932) Directed by Tod Browning; Written by Willis Goldbeck and Leon Gordon; Based on the short story “Spurs” by Tod Robbins; Starring: Wallace Ford, Leila Hyams, Olga Baclanova, Rosco Ates and Harry Earles; Available on DVD. Rating: **** ½ What’s It About? Freaks is the sort   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 10, 2011

(1963) Directed by Ishirô Honda; Written by: Shinichi Sekizawa; Based on novels by: Shigeru Komatsuzaki and Shunro Oshikawa; Starring: Tadao Takashima, Yôko Fujiyama, Yû Fujiki; Available format: DVD Rating: *** Director Ishirô Honda is probably best known for his numerous Shōwa era Godzilla m   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on July 10, 2011

(1963) Directed by Ishirô Honda; Written by: Shinichi Sekizawa; Based on novels by: Shigeru Komatsuzaki and Shunro Oshikawa; Starring: Tadao Takashima, Yôko Fujiyama, Yû Fujiki; Available format: DVD Rating: *** Director Ishirô Honda is probably best known for his numerous Shōwa era Godzilla m   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 29, 2011

(1985) Written and directed by Dario Argento; Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi Available on DVD Rating: ** Oh boy, where to start? Dario Argento is not generally known for his coherent plots, but Phenomena takes this conceit to new levels. It feels as if ideas from se   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 29, 2011

(1985) Written and directed by Dario Argento; Starring: Jennifer Connelly, Donald Pleasence, Daria Nicolodi Available on DVD Rating: ** Oh boy, where to start? Dario Argento is not generally known for his coherent plots, but Phenomena takes this conceit to new levels. It feels as if ideas from se   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 24, 2011

Black Sabbath (1963) Mario Bava directed this stylish horror anthology, with introductions by the one and only Boris Karloff. Karloff seemed to be having a blast as the host of the stories, delivering his lines with hammy, ghoulish perfection. The first story, “The Drop of Water,” is t   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 24, 2011

Black Sabbath (1963) Mario Bava directed this stylish horror anthology, with introductions by the one and only Boris Karloff. Karloff seemed to be having a blast as the host of the stories, delivering his lines with hammy, ghoulish perfection. The first story, “The Drop of Water,” is t   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 18, 2011

Kenny & Company (1976) Wanna know what it was like growing up in suburban Southern California during the 70s? This is probably the best glimpse into domestic life in the decade of shame that you’re likely to get, short of building your own time machine. Don Coscarelli wrote and directed   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 18, 2011

Kenny & Company (1976) Wanna know what it was like growing up in suburban Southern California during the 70s? This is probably the best glimpse into domestic life in the decade of shame that you’re likely to get, short of building your own time machine. Don Coscarelli wrote and directed   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 11, 2011

(1982) Directed by John Carpenter; Written by Bill Lancaster; Based on a story by John W. Campbell, Jr.; Starring: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Dysart and Donald Moffat; Available on DVD and Blu Ray Rating: ***** What’s It About? The opening scene of The Thing presents a   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 11, 2011

(1982) Directed by John Carpenter; Written by Bill Lancaster; Based on a story by John W. Campbell, Jr.; Starring: Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David, Richard Dysart and Donald Moffat; Available on DVD and Blu Ray Rating: ***** What’s It About? The opening scene of The Thing presents a   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 6, 2011

Today’s rant is courtesy of guest blogger, Lassie: I have a bone to pick with Hollywood (Get it? Bone? Sorry… dog humor.). Don’t get me wrong. They’ve kept me in Milk Bones since I was a pup, not to mention a series of starring roles with humans playing second fiddle,...   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on June 6, 2011

Today’s rant is courtesy of guest blogger, Lassie: I have a bone to pick with Hollywood (Get it? Bone? Sorry… dog humor.). Don’t get me wrong. They’ve kept me in Milk Bones since I was a pup, not to mention a series of starring roles with humans playing second fiddle,...   read more

Cinematic Catharsis Posted by Barry P. on May 24, 2011

(1963) Directed by William Castle; Written by: Robert Dillon; Based on a novel by: J.B. Priestley; Starring: Tom Poston, Robert Morley, Janette Scott and Joyce GrenfellAvailable format: DVD Rating: *** ½ The Old Dark House is best described as a macabre comedy/mystery. This odd little product   read more