The Best of Appellate Judge Jennifer Malkowski (Oct 2005 - present)
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (13 Jun 2006)
I was thrilled to write up the review for the new edition of this cult classic that really is "so bad it's great." Hopefully I managed to convey the ridiculous, random campiness of this Roger Ebert scripted (!) film.
Beavis and Butt-Head: The Mike Judge Collection, Volume 2 (14 Jun 2006)
After immersing myself in 40 mini-episodes ofBeavis and Butthead to review this collection, I was so attuned to the boys' charming mode of expression I was able to bring them in for a "commentary track" on my own review. I think my friends and family were glad I found another outlet for all of my infantile "Huh huh. She said head" -style remarks that week!
Half Nelson (27 Feb 2007)
A great little film about a lot of tough issues -- especially the possibilities and perils of trying to "make a difference" -- and a review I put a lot of thought into.
Shortbus (19 Mar 2007)
As the first American art film to depict unsimulated, hardcore sex, this indie from John Cameron Mitchell is bound to shock. But to its credit, it also does a whole lot more. This was a fun review to write -- and I somehow managed to resist sneaking in naughty images from the film.
My So-Called Life: The Complete Series (30 Oct 2007)
This was a fantastic release of a greatly beloved series, and I think my review is nicely coated with the kind of passionate, nostalgic fan-love a lot of people -- including me -- still feel about My So-Called Life.
No Country for Old Men (17 Mar 2008)
One of my favorite aspects of writing for DVD Verdict is that there are so few rules, allowing for lots of different approaches to the reviewing task. In this one, I decided to do a more in-depth review essay, discussing the film in its entirety with an eye for scholarly analysis more so than critical evaluation. I got lots of great feedback here, so I think people appreciated the help in untangling this philosophically complex film.
Ten Canoes (25 Sep 2007)
The result of an amazing collaboration between a white Australian director and an indigenous Australian community, Ten Canoes is full of breathtaking visuals and a complex narrative structure that is rewarding for the right kind of viewer. I also wrote an essay on this film for my Film Studies PhD program, so the review is extra-informed (and hopefully not too academic).
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix: Two-Disc Special Edition (4 Dec 2007)
For this review, I got to dissect a film from one of my very favorite fandoms and use an extended analogy to a grammatical concept. Nerd heaven!
Sesame Street: Dinosaurs! (26 May 2008)
I don't review kids' DVDs too often, but my passion for dinosaurs compelled me to pick this one up. It was fun to imagine a harsher prehistoric world for these beloved muppets in the review.
Let the Right One In (Blu-ray) (20 Mar 2009)
This Swedish vampire movie is an unexpected gem, and I hope I captured some of its atmospheric, bittersweet horror-romance in this review. See it before it soon gets a ghastly American remake!
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