John Parker

Aug 11, 2024 | entertainment-focus.com | John Parker

Michael Lehmann’s jet black cult comedy ‘Heathers’ makes its debut on 4K UHD this week, courtesy of a jam-packed release from Arrow Video. However, if you already own the Blu-ray edition from this label, I’m sorry to say you aren’t getting much more bang for your buck with this latest release. Restored and repackaged (without a single new special feature) it certainly looks fantastic, but is only really worth upgrading if you are beholden to the latest formats.

Jul 28, 2024 | entertainment-focus.com | John Parker

Paul Brickman’s 1983 quintessential coming-of-age movie ‘Risky Business’ contains one of cinemas most indelible images. An era defining image that created arguably the biggest movie star in the world. Ask anyone about ‘Risky Business’ and the first thing that will slide into their brain is the moment Joel (Tom Cruise) slides into frame in his underwear and starts dancing to Bob Seger’s ‘Old Time Rock and Roll’.

Jul 25, 2024 | entertainment-focus.com | John Parker

Brian De Palma peels back the curtain on movie making in this meticulous conspiracy thriller about a sound engineer who inadvertently records a crime being committed. His expertly crafted 1981 thriller ‘Blow Out’ has been given a stunning UHD release by Criterion, and it is one of the most beautifully rendered 4K upgrades I’ve ever seen. There’s a stunning clarity and vibrancy to the image, whilst still maintaining the authentic filmic elements of grain and texture.

Jul 10, 2024 | entertainment-focus.com | John Parker

Ralph Nelson’s incendiary 1970 Western ‘Soldier Blue’ is not for the faint of heart. This is not the romantic myth-making of Ford and Wayne, with their sweeping, picturesque vistas. Nope, this a visceral gut-punch of a film that strips away the veneer of heroism and dives headlong into the dark, brutal reality of American expansionism. Exquisitely restored in 4K UHD, scanned from the original 35mm, this is likely to be the most complete cut of the film we will ever see in the UK.

Jul 10, 2024 | entertainment-focus.com | John Parker

It’s always something of a jarring experience when you revisit films that changed the landscape and language of cinema. It’s so familiar to the point of parody, you can’t help but feel that its impact has been diluted, and you have to remind yourself that this is the film that invented the tropes and motifs that are now ingrained in your cinematic vocabulary. ‘Le Samouraï’ is one of those films.