The Story of Sin (Arrow Video, NR)
The tameness of the eroticism doesn’t hinder Borowczyk’s patented style, who keeps his strong themes of religion, sex positivity, and social control.
Articles by Nic Champion
Cinema Paradiso (Arrow Video, R)
This is one of the best Arrow releases I’ve gotten to see in some time, not only in terms of quality and quantity, but also relevance.
Steamboat Bill, Jr. and College (Kino Lorber, NR)
Both films espouse the triumphs of traditional “manhood.”
Hannah: Buddhism’s Untold Journey (Kino Lorber, NR)
Despite not having as much spiritual weight as I would have liked, I ended up greatly informed of Buddhist issues and sub-schools.
Beauty and the Beast (Walt Disney Studios, PG)
There are some problems with it, but it’s entertaining enough.
The Black Dragon’s Revenge (The Film Detective, NR)
Considering the battles are coherent, easy to see, and the punches and kicks seem real, it boggles the mind to wonder how the rest of it could fail so entertainingly.
The General and Three Ages (Kino Lorber, NR)
It’s an extremely well-rounded release, the two films contained in it being a very inspired match.
Toni Erdmann (NFP, R)
While presenting itself as a family comedy with some thematic undertones, Toni Erdmann really pushes those distinctions past their limit.
Fifty Shades Darker (Universal Pictures, R)
There’s a pretty astounding amount of nothing going on in this film.
Best Films of 2016 | Nic Champion
The Lobster is one of the weirdest, funniest, and dazzlingly good-looking movies of the year, and the best for me.