News

Quentin Tarantino crowned Sergio Corbucci as the second-best director of Italian westerns, but our vote goes to Sergio Sollima — this is the most satisfying Spaghetti oater outside of the Leone corral. In his first starring role, Lee Van Cleef is lawman Jonathan Corbett, who pursues Tomas Milian’s killer into Mexico for an American millionaire. Political screenwriter Franco Solinas helped cook up the story, which pitches frontier ethics against ‘establishment’ corruption. The two-disc special edition presents the show in 4 versions, if we count a clever English-Italian language hybrid.

The Big Gundown

Region B Blu-ray

Powerhouse Indicator

1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 110, 90, 95 min. / La resa dei conti / Street Date February 13, 2023 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £22.99

Starring: Lee Van Cleef, Tomas Milian, Walter Barnes, Nieves Navarro, Gérard Herter, Manolita Barroso, Robert Camardiel, Ángel del Pozo, Luisa Rivelli, Luis Barboo, Benito Stefanelli.

Cinematography: Carlo Carlini

Set decorators: Carlo Leva, Carlo Simi, Nicola Tamburo

Costumes: Carlo...

It’s a spooky, snowy train ride across thousands of miles of Siberian rails — trapped on board with a victim-possessing creature from outer space, with eyes that kill! Actually, ‘Pánico en el transiberiano’ is a fine show for Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, a Spanish-made chiller with a smart script and some effective shocks.

Horror Express

Blu-ray

Arrow Video

1972 / Color / 1:78 widescreen / 90 min. / Street Date February 12, 2019 / Available from Arrow Video

Starring: Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, Telly Savalas, Alberto de Mendoza, Silvia Tortosa, Julio Peña, Ángel del Pozo, Helga Liné.

Cinematography: Alejandro Ulloa

Original Music: John Cacavas

Written by Arnaud d’Usseau, Julian Zimet

Produced by Bernard Gordon

Directed by Eugenio Martín

Dedicated horror fans look to the past to uncover forgotten chillers, or just to complete their lists of rare items unseen. For instance, although no release date has been given, we’re told that Kino Lorber will be giving...

Writer-director Sergio Sollima gives us one of the best 'political' Italo westerns from the pre- May '68 era... with two top stars in great form, Gian Maria Volontè and Tomas Milian. This two-disc German import has both the long and short versions of the movie in HD, with full language options for each. Face to Face (Faccia a faccia; Von Angesicht zu Angesicht) Region A+B Blu-ray Explosive Media (Alive) 1967 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 93, 112 min. / Street Date April 29, 2016 / available at Amazon.de / E 21,93 Starring Gian Maria Volontè, Tomas Milian, William Berger, Jolanda Modio, Gianni Rizzo, Carole André Ángel del Pozo, Aldo Sambrell, Antonio Casas, Lidia Alfonsi, John Karlsen, Gastone Moschin, G&eacutge;rard Tichy. Cinematography Raphael Pacheco Film Editor Eugenio Alabiso Original Music Ennio Morricone Art Direction and sets Carlo Simi Written by Sergio Donati, Sergio Sollima Produced by Arturo González, Alberto Grimaldi <Directed by Sergio Sollima

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

Wow,...

Who Do You Think You Are?: BBC One, 9pm

The new series begins with BAFTA-winning actress Julie Walters, who starred in Mamma Mia! and the Harry Potter movies, looking back at her family history.

She traces her roots back to County Mayo in western Ireland, where her great-grandfather Anthony Clark was one of the first members of the Land League.

Scandal: Sky Living, 9pm

Fitz is reluctant to go along with Mellie and Cyrus's plan, and Olivia (Kerry Washington) learns the price she has to pay to ensure Jake's safety.

Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal more about Olivia's relationship with her father, the origins of her friendship with Huck, and also highlights the true extent of how dangerous Rowan and B613 are.

Cuckoo: BBC Three, 10pm

The comedy returns, starring Taylor Lautner. Two years after Cuckoo went missing and was presumed dead, Ken and Lorna are looking forward to...

An acting coach weighs in on the Mc's flair for the dramatic.

By Jocelyn Vena

Nicki Minaj in her "Moment 4 Life" music video

Photo: Young Money / Universal

Nicki Minaj is one of the hottest MCs in the game, but in her "Moment 4 Life" video, the singer also shows off her acting abilities, playing her fairy godmother, Martha, and a Roman-inspired, Cinderella-like version of herself. The New York native does have a background in drama, having attended New York's famous Laguardia High School, and now it seems she's putting some of that training to good use.

So how do her skills rate? "I think she has a great personality that comes through; very vibrant. I love her energy. I love her rapping ability," said Roger Del Pozo, assistant director of admissions at New York Film Academy, who helps handle acting auditions for the school. "As an actress, probably not that subtle,...

An acting coach weighs in on the Mc's flair for the dramatic.

By Jocelyn Vena

Nicki Minaj in her "Moment 4 Life" music video

Photo: Young Money / Universal

Nicki Minaj is one of the hottest MCs in the game, but in her "Moment 4 Life" video, the singer also shows off her acting abilities, playing her fairy godmother, Martha, and a Roman-inspired, Cinderella-like version of herself. The New York native does has a background in drama, having attended New York's famous Laguardia High School, and now it seems she's putting some of that training to good use.

So how do her skills rate? "I think she has a great personality that comes through; very vibrant. I love her energy. I love her rapping ability," said Roger Del Pozo, assistant director of admissions at New York Film Academy, who helps handle acting auditions for the school. "As an actress, probably not that subtle,...