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Anthronomicon (LP)
Ulthar
Literally what more could I ask for? TWO Ulthar releases in 2023?! (Check out Helionomicon too!) Support local Bay Area Artists!
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Holy Spider (BLU)
This movie is taking its sweet time getting a physical release in the US. An Iranian true crime film about a series of prostitute murders at the turn of the 21st century and the female journalist investigating the story. This movie couldn't possibly have come out at a more relevant time. The acting from the lead is quite stellar. There is apparently an officially government sanctioned film about this same subject that I am dying to see. This film was, as you expect, not filmed in Iran but oozes atmosphere from its Jordanian shooting locations. Directed by Ali Abbasi who made the amazing Swedish film "Border" in 2018.
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Accion Mutante (BLU)
Alex De La Iglesia is one of my favorite directors. His sense of style and wild energy are infectious. His first film, Accion Mutante, owes quite a bit to the style of Jeunet and Caro (City of Lost Children) and I believe even shared some crew members. This is a definite outlier for Iglesia but its still a great movie and a great introduction. If you checked out Iglesia's Day of the Beast you already know you are in for a good time.
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A Zed & Two Noughts and The Falls / Drowning By Numbers (BLU)
My three favorite Peter Greenaway films now have official US blu-ray releases.
A Zed & Two Noughts is my favorite. Twins, time lapse photography, and style for days. The Falls is a 3+ hour faux documentary that I believe is one of the greatest things ever made. It might be a bit daunting in one sitting but my god the amount of creativity involved is stunning.
Drowning by Numbers has long been hard to get in the states and I don't know why. This is one of the more crowd pleasing films of his catalog. Why is The Cook, the Thief... his most famous movie? Drowning by Numbers is way more fun. Who doesn't like a group of ladies plotting their husbands deaths.
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Looney Tunes Collector's Choice: Volume 1 (BLU)
When I heard this set was coming out, I assumed there would be a fair amount of double dipping from the now very out of print Platinum blu-rays. Well I was dead wrong. 20 Looney shorts never before on blu-ray.
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Samurai Wolf I & II (BLU)
Hideo Gosha! While somehow not a household name in the west, Hideo Gosha is well known to fans of Samurai films as quite possibly the best director out there. Sure there are some ideas borrowed from Kurosawa, but pretty much all of Gosha's films are highly recommended.
These 2 definitely borrow from the same Western influences as Yojimbo, but with their own attitude and style galore. I think I liked the second one even more. B&W blood sprays never looked so good. Also, I really appreciate the short running times on these. Movies almost never need to be 2+ hours.
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In The Line of Duty I - IV (BLU)
Yet another stellar Hong Kong action box set from 88 Films who thankfully are now releasing titles stateside. These films are very loosely related, with their titles being renamed after the fact to fit a quadrilogy. Michelle Yeoh stars in the first 2 and Cynthia Khan the latter. Yes Madam!!
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Tiger Cage Trilogy (BLU)
Excellent collection of gritty action packed flicks from Hong Kong's golden age (in this case 1988-1991). These movies have some great stunt work and pretty good acting to boot.
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A Moment of Romance (BLU)
The new boutique label, Radiance, has been quietly kicking ass here and more-so, across the pond, with some wildly disparate releases. A Moment of Romance, made in Hong Kong in 1990, is my favorite so far. This movie really nails the ghost romance, the humor isn't too over the top and the acting is great. More Wong Kar Wai, less Wong Jing.
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Baroque Hoedown (Expanded Edition) (LP)
The Three O'Clock
A great reissue of this EP that now includes extra tracks that were only on the original French release. Terrific melodic psych-pop from the originators of the Paisley Underground and a nice prelude to their "Sixteen Tambourines" LP. (Available on CD/LP/Cassette)
Read moreInfinity (Tone Poet Series) (LP)
Lee Morgan
This long out-of-print album is finally released again and given the Blue Note Tone Poet treatment - a super high quality LP issue! Lee Morgan with Jackie McLean, Larry Willis, Reggie Workman and Billy Higgins performing excellent intricate hard bop. Recommended indeed!
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Polarity (LP)
Hoff Ensemble
Featuring pianist Jan Gunnar Hoff, bassist Anders Jormin & drummer Audun Kleive. Accessible introspective modern trio pieces done with an ECM aesthetic and recorded in Immersive Sound for truly superb audio quality! (Available on LP or Hybrid CD/SACD + Blu-ray Audio)
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Deified (Other)
National Brass Ensemble / Eun
A top brass ensemble featuring some of the finest U.S. orchestral brass players performing compositions by Richard Wagner, R. Strauss, Arturo Sandoval and San Franciscan Jonathan Bingham. A wonderful showcase for brass music lovers! (Available on Hybrid CD/SACD)
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Do It All Next Week (LP)
Uni Boys
Uni Boys are the new band to watch. They are a true power pop group from Los Angeles, California.
They released their latest album "Do It All Next Week" last year on the California based record label, Curation Records, run by Brent Rademaker who played in bands such as Beachwood Sparks and Further. They pull major inspiration from bands like The Quick, The Beat, Milk 'n' Cookies etc..When seeing them perform, you're immediately transported back to 1977 at The Whiskey a Go Go or the Starwood, wasted, high on quaaludes, wearing platforms and sporting feathered hair. Pay attention, they are apart of the great rock'n'roll revival. Catch them around L.A. or in a city near you.
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Desire Pathway (LP)
Screaming Females
Perhaps the greatest touring rock band you could ever hope to experience seeing for less than $20. National heroes, consistently innovating new ways for guitar lines to burrow into your brain and make you a better person. Catch them on tour with The Breeders, because The Breeders get it.
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