Blu-ray Review: The Carpetbaggers
Based on the Harold Robbins novel of the same name, The Carpetbaggers was a landmark of the sexual revolution of the 1960’s. offering more heated embraces and sexual innuendo than most films of the era. George Peppard stars as Jonas Cord (a character loosely based on Howard Hughes), the son of the wealthy Jonas Cord, […]
Something Wild (1961) (Criterion Collection) (Blu-ray)
Based on Alex Karmel’s novel Mary Ann, Something Wild was independently financed and released through United Artists largely on the strength of star Carroll Baker. Baker was then married to writer/director Jack Garfien, who had received critical accolades for his film directing debut, The Strange One in 1957. At the time, Baker was anxious to […]
Blu-ray Review: Harlow
Released in 1964, Harlow: An Intimate Biography, co-written by Irving Shulman and Jean Harlow’s one-time agent Arthur Landau, hit the best seller lists and became one of the hottest books of the year. Critically panned and the subject of several lawsuits—including one from Jean Harlow’s own elderly father—was a decidedly salacious, heavily fictionalized account of […]
Blu-ray Review: The Big Country
The Big Country may not be William Wyler’s best work, but it’s certainly illustrative of his style. The rather simple story is dwarfed by the breathtaking scenery, with its wide vistas and rugged canyon. In fact, its vastness is a running joke throughout the film. Gregory Peck’s character, James McKay, declares he’s seen such vastness […]