Home Entertainment Consumer Guide: August 14, 2014
A bi-weekly feature on the best new releases on Blu-ray, streaming services, and On Demand.
TV/Streaming
TV Review: Sean Bean Stars in Formulaic But Flashy “Legends”
A TV review of TNT’s “Legends” with Sean Bean, Ali Larter and Morris Chestnut.
TV Review: Steven Soderbergh’s “The Knick” Plays with Modern Concerns
Clive Owen stars in Cinemax and Steven Soderbergh’s riveting “The Knick.”
Wrapped in Plastic: The Impact of “Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery”
An appreciation of “Twin Peaks” and review of the “The Entire Mystery,” the Blu-ray release of all 30 episodes and “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.”
Criterion’s “The Essential Jacques Demy”
A film-by-film look at the Criterion Blu-ray box set for “The Essential Jacques Demy.”
Home Entertainment Consumer Guide: July 31, 2014
A piece on the best releases new to streaming services and Blu-ray in the last two weeks, including “Noah,” “Scanners,” and “Life After Beth.”
The Lion of Cinema: An Appreciation of “Herzog: The Collection”
A feature that examines Shout Factory’s amazing “Herzog: The Collection” film by film.
Network Identities: Sundance, SyFy and Netflix Launch Programs That Play to Their Strengths
What do “Sharknado 2,” “The Honorable Woman,” and “The Killing” say about the increasingly diverse TV landscape?
Home Entertainment Consumer Guide: July 17, 2014
The best new releases on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, VOD, and Blu-ray/DVD.
TV Review: USA & FX Tread Familiar Ground in New Series
A review of FX’s “Married” & “You’re the Worst” and USA’s “Rush” & “Satisfaction.”
Hot and Cold: Netflix’s “Hemlock Grove” and CBS’s “Extant”
A review of “Extant” and “Hemlock Grove.”
Streaming Consumer Guide: July 3, 2014
A guide to new releases On Demand and through streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and Fandor.
Despite Excellent Cast, HBO’s “The Leftovers” Wastes Opportunity
A performance here and there; the fascinating narrative of Perrotta’s; the commentary on how poorly human beings deal with earth-shattering change—there are reasons to watch “The Leftovers” and I’m curious enough to keep going through at least the first season, but lower those expectations that this is the next great 2014 TV drama.
Beatles Good!: The 50 Anniversary of “A Hard Day’s Night”
An appreciation of “A Hard Day’s Night” as its 50th anniversary approaches.
FX Looks For Next Drama Hit in “Tyrant,” “The Bridge,” “The Strain”
FX launches three dramas in the next three weeks—”Tyrant,” “The Bridge,” “The Strain”—with mixed results.
A Reappraisal of Oliver Stone’s “Alexander: The Ultimate Cut”
On the eve of its 10th anniversary, a new version of Oliver Stone’s Alexander on Blu-ray demands a reappraisal.
Streaming Consumer Guide: June 19, 2014
The best films recently added to Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon with links to RogerEbert.com’ reviews.
The Mesmerizing Rhythm of Sundance Channel’s “Rectify”
A review of the second season of Sundance Channel’s “Rectify”
If I Had An Emmy Ballot 2014
Picks for the best of the 2013-14 television season, in the form of a Dream Emmy ballot.
