Book Reviews, CD Reviews, DVD & Video Reviews and Interviews
A BETTER TOMORROW Directed by John Woo Anchor Bay DVD

A BETTER TOMORROW Directed by John Woo Anchor Bay DVD

February 18, 2018
DVD
Long ago in a mystical land called Hong Kong, John Woo made fabulous action films. Then came the American movie deals, bloated stars and OSHA. The film that brought Woo to the attention of American movie audiences (geeky and underground as they were) was A BETTER TOMORROW. After directing film for twelve years, Woo found a formula that entranced audiences craving action and operatic themes of loyalty and betrayal. A BETTER TOMORROW delivered all of that and the promise…
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FIRST TIME’S A CHARM

FIRST TIME’S A CHARM

February 16, 2018
Interviews
Lauren Porosoff Mitchell's first novel mixes magic and reality into a tasty bit of fiction. Lauren Porosoff Mitchell's first book LOOK AT ME chronicles the life of Dana, a slut with a good job and a hankering for more. What that more is, she does not know. With an English degree, a law degree, a new marriage and a spectacular first novel under her belt, Mitchell, unlike her protagonist, seems to know exactly what she wants. We spoke via…
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THE LOS ANGELES POETRY FESTIVAL

THE LOS ANGELES POETRY FESTIVAL

February 9, 2018
Poets
LIVE READINGS THE THREE DAVIDS: David Dominguez, David Olivera and David St. John Hosted by Catherine Sandstrom Smith Skylight Books, Silverlake October 12, 2001 This second night of poetry organized for the week long Los Angeles Poetry Festival was a joy to behold. Hosted by poet Catherine Sandstrom Smith at Skylight Books in Silverlake, not only was the poetry first rate, but the venue was beautiful and poet friendly, and, most importantly and amazingly, it was also packed to…
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THE COMPLEAT CANNON Wallace Wood

THE COMPLEAT CANNON Wallace Wood

February 6, 2018
Books
Introduction by Jeff Gelb Fantagraphics Books www.fantagraphics.com I'll say right at the top that this title is a must-have for Wallace Wood fans in particular and comics fans in general. Beautifully produced by Fantogrphics this book collects all of Wood's CANNON strips in one volume. Jeff Gelb provides a breezy introduction that is a fact packed survey of the 1960s "Super Spy" genre in books, movies, TV shows and comics, which brings us to CANNON, Wally Wood's super spy.…
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BOOK OF STARS (1999)

BOOK OF STARS (1999)

February 2, 2018
DVD
BOOK OF STARS (1999) Winstar Video DVD ย ย ย This underrated sleeper stars the ever-underutilized Mary Stuart Masterson, and child star Jena Malone. Malone gave a riveting performance as the title character in BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA and manages to hold her own against her veteran co-stars. Masterson plays Penny, a bitter, down on her luck poet. In her effort to care for her dying sister Mary (Malone) she has taken the low road to prostitution and drug addiction hoping ease…
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