Glenn Erickson's Reviews: Month: June 2026

Destination Moon 06/30/26

After decades of neglect, George Pal’s history-making Sci-fi breakthrough arrives in a worthy video transfer. The milestone production is as original as Kubrick’s 2001 and arguably more influential, as it spurred the public to believe that space travel was a practical possibility. Filmed in Technicolor, Pal’s moonscapes captured the world’s imagination, and his silver-winged craft Luna set the standard for spaceships in the pre-NASA era. As is often pointed out, the real moon landing 19 years later bore numerous similarities … right down to a last-minute improvised landing adjustment. The special edition contains an entire extra feature in HD, Walter Mirisch’s Flight to Mars. On Blu-ray from Film Masters.
06/30/26

Thirty Seconds over Tokyo 06/30/26

One of the best combat films of World War II is this MGM ode to the 1942 Dolittle Raid, the strike at the mainland of Japan conducted as a needed morale booster in the early months of hostilities. Some Hollywood films were an outlet for public outrage against the enemy; Dalton Trumbo’s screenplay records honest sentiments and attitudes on what was essentially a suicide mission. Arnold Gillespie’s special effects deliver realistic visual illusions, some so good that audiences wondered if they could be real. It’s possibly Van Johnson’s best movie, with Spencer Tracy offering a moral argument for ‘symbolic’ revenge. Cast members Phyllis Thaxter and Robert Mitchum deliver Dalton Trumbo’s secondary message of hopes and dreams for a better future. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
06/30/26

My Neighbor Adolf 06/27/26

Here’s a rather good picture that’s a tough sell. We especially admire its comic tightrope act … there’s no humor in the Holocaust, but there always is in human nature. It’s a potentially grim story positioned as comedy, or an odd kind of anti-comedy. David Hayman is a cranky old concentration camp survivor living in self-imposed isolation in South America, who witnesses the impossible happening next door. All the clues point to his mystery neighbor (Udo Kier) being the most reveiled monster of the century, somehow still alive. Is it really a comedy?  The Polish-Israeli film goes where few comedies dare to tread. We liked it. On Blu-ray from Cohen Media Group.
06/27/26

Without Apparent Motive 06/27/26

Sans mobile apparent.  Star Jean-Louis Trintignant and composer Ennio Morricone dominate this cheerfully attractive serial killer tale, shot in sunny Nice. A mad sniper is nailing Frenchmen right and left, and Inspector Trintignant is fresh out of clues. Philippe Labro directs from a book by Ed McBain, with Dominique Sanda, Carla Gravina, Laura Antonelli and Stephane Audran taking turns as eye candy diversion … or targets for the killer. Vinegar Syndrome’s presentation is flawless, for both picture and sound. On Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome.
06/27/26

The Hunt for Red October  — 4K 06/23/26

I bet that Russians would enjoy this Cold War thriller as much as we do — the villains are Reds but Sean Connery charms everyone. 36 years later, the cast really shines: Connery, Alec Baldwin, Scott Glenn, Sam Neill, James Earl Jones, Richard Jordan, Peter Firth, Tim Curry, Skarsgård and Jeffrey Jones. Tom Clancy’s seagoing tale has marvelous action above the waterline, and underwater effects that impress even when they don’t really convince. We can see Alec Baldwin’s stardom being confirmed — he’s terrific. On 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray Steelbook from Paramount.
06/23/26

Monty Python’s  Life of Brian  — 4K 06/23/26

Charlie Largent reviews Terry Jones’ & Monty Python’s most daring comic production. The misadventures of a misunderstood prophet are as irreverent as we expect, but the backbone of the thesis is thoughtful and humane. The prophet Brian Cohen is born on the same day as Jesus, one door down from the manger. Brian resents the Roman occupation as much as any good rebel; mixups become inevitable when every fumbled notion that comes from Brian’s mouth is recorded as holy doctrine. Pontius Pilate is comedy relief, with a wholly non-PC speech impediment. Do Criterion’s extras make sense of it all?  When financiers got cold feet at the 11th hour, George Harrison once again came to the rescue. On 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray from Criterion.
06/23/26

La tête contre les murs 06/20/26

Head Against the Wall.  Georges Franju’s first feature adapts a novel protesting the French system of mental health asylums — and breathes poetry into every scene, with images that evoke more than what meets the eye. Young star (and screenwriter) Jean-Pierre Mocky is a spoiled punk locked away by a vengeful father. There’s no appeal: doctor Paul Meurisse’s human approach is overridden by that of doctor Pierre Brasseur, who revels in his power as a jailer. It’s a strong directorial debut, with standout performances from Anouk Aimée and Charles Aznavour, plus the remarkable first screen appearance of the legendary Edith Scob. On Blu-ray from US Radiance Films.
06/20/26

Charade  — 4K 06/20/26

High on the list of ’60s mainstream movie entertainments is this twist-laden comic-romantic murder thriller, cleverly modeled on the Hitchcock template by screenwriter Peter Stone. The subgenre usually concentrates either on style or the charm of its personalities; with Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant we get both. It’s got chemistry and a sense of fun: Cary Grant’s appeal hasn’t faded a bit, and Audrey Hepburn remains one of the brightest stars of the century. It’s a winner in brilliant restored 4K. On 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.
06/20/26

Explorers   — 4K 06/17/26

Director Joe Dante’s special skill with actors shines in this overachieving ‘juvenile’ space adventure that overflows with The Sense of Wonder. It is now in crystal 4K clarity. With a boost from aliens unknown, intrepid space cadets Ethan Hawke, River Phoenix and Jason Presson construct a fantastic vehicle; they dare to escape from the petty pressures of Junior High and fly where no man has flown before. Brand new extras, including a long-form documentary, tell the full tale of the film’s genesis. This one really pops in 4K! On 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome / Paramount.
06/17/26

Toomorrow 06/13/26

Dennis Bartok brings an oddball film back from obscurity — an unreleased big budget comic Sci-fi musical given a big 1970 premiere, only to drop out of sight for decades. The immediate point of interest is that its star is the late Olivia Newton-John, a full eight years before her big breakout co-starring with John Travolta. Alien Alphoids beam four London rock musicians up to their spaceship … because the group’s electronic ‘Tonalizer’ has the spark of warmth and soul that will save their planet. The synthetic band was a concoction of music promoter Don Kirschner, like The Monkees or The Archies. Decorated with expensive visual effects and makeup, writer-director Val Guest’s show is, uh, quite a spectacle. Beyond the genuine appeal of Ms. Newton-John, we see it as a real oddity, a ‘case for further study in cultural anthropology.’ On Blu-ray from Deaf Crocodile Films.
06/13/26

Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy 06/09/26

Criterion’s reboot of their Eclipse branded line of discs goes in a great direction with a remaster of Carlos Saura and Antonio Gades’ marvelous flamenco movies of the 1980s. The three features together did a lot for flamenco’s international standing. The most popular was the dynamic and sexy ‘flamenco ballet’ Carmen, a picture that filled art theaters in 1983. Blood Wedding is from play by Lorca, and El amor brujo goes all out to dramatize the passions of the music and ballet of Manuel de Falla. Bold, powerful and passionate, the pictures are a masterful blend of dance and cinema. On Blu-ray from Eclipse / Criterion.
06/09/26

Possessed  — (1931) 06/09/26

It’s glamour time with one of Joan Crawford’s best star vehicles, a core shopgirl-to-Park Avenue saga that’s All About Joan. Clark Gable provides dreamboat chemistry as her Big Apple conquest, but every scene belongs to Crawford, she reads not only her lines but sometimes Clark’s speeches as well. Being a kept woman has its downside — what happens when the love of your life wants to run for public office?  Everyone knows that no American politician can get elected with the slightest blemish on their morals. Joan may have found her ideal 1930s glamour look with this picture. It’s her show all the way. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
06/09/26

Sentimental Value  — 4K 06/06/26

A highlight of this year’s awards season becomes a handsome, rewarding Criterion release. Joachim Trier’s drama finds power in the intersection of ‘normal life,’ ambition in the arts, and the way family secrets meld with national history. Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinseve command our attention as a father and daughter split by ‘art and resentment,’ in an adult drama that doesn’t rely on extreme scenes or shock effects. Tragedy is in the small dispute, and so is understanding. And that house – you won’t forget the house. Five minutes into this picture, you’ll be considering a move to Oslo. On 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray from The Criterion Collection.
06/06/26

The 5-Man Army 06/06/26

Spaghetti westerns were the rage in 1969, as long as the action was constant and the body count high. An Italo producer made a lucrative deal with MGM for a ‘Dirty Dozen western’ with the name star Peter Graves. International success was guaranteed with the casting of Japanese star Tetsuro Tanba. Dario Argento’s story is generic, but the resulting film does have some decent action, a music score by Ennio Morricone, and the welcome presence of Bud Spencer, an actor so popular, he was billed first in some European countries. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
06/06/26

Unearthly Stranger  — Region A 06/02/26

1963’s critics favored this ‘cerebral’ Sci-fi offering but the main draw was its mysterious heroine, a new bride who may be an invader from beyond the stars. Fave actor John Neville is the Think Tank boffin who doesn’t understand why his wife isn’t like other women … just for starters, she doesn’t have a pulse. Serious intentions have maintained the show’s high reputation, and it still deserves points for being different. Kino gives it two separate audio commentaries. On Blu-ray from KL Studio Classics.
06/02/26

Follow Me Quietly 06/02/26

Director Richard Fleischer’s crime thriller passed the test with RKO’s new owner Howard Hughes, possibly because of its clever story hook: a mannequin is made of a serial killer, to better understand the killer’s motives. Otherwise Fleischer’s creative, snappy direction is what elevates the picture above the ‘B’ filler product category. A lady reporter all but seduces a detective to get in on the case, and ends up joining the investigation. That blank-faced dummy haunts the homicide squad. The direction makes everybody look good: William Lundigan, Dorothy Patrick, Jeff Corey, Edwin Max and Douglas Spencer. On Blu-ray from The Warner Archive Collection.
06/02/26