The Stuntman is a decidedly distinctive and original early 80’s film, which blends elements of dark comedy, film-making satire, psychological thriller, drama and action film. It regards a on-the-run fugitive, who literally stumbles onto the set of a film, a seasoned director who may/ may not be mad. The movie is a wonderfully tonal shifting affair, which is constantly batting back and forth between the real ‘n’ unreal and serious drama ‘n’ comedy, making for a head-spinning, unpredictable yet entertaining ride.  Here from Radiance Films TX sublabel is a dual Blu Ray & UHD release of the film- featuring a 4k scan, new and archive commentary tracks/ extras.

Wayne Wang, best known for films such as Chan Is Missing, Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart, and The Joy Luck Club, revisits one of his most unusual projects with Life Is Cheap, But Toilet Paper Is Expensive. Originally released in 1989 and later revised into the version presented here, the film was co-directed and co-written by Spencer Nakasako, who also stars in the central role.

Hotel is a 2001 comedy/horror/thriller from acclaimed Academy Award-nominated director Mike Figgis (Leaving Las Vegas, Stormy Monday and Timecode). The film has an excellent ensemble cast including Max Beesley (The Gentleman, Hijack and The Outsider), Saffron Burrows (Troy, Mozart in the Jungle and The Bank Job), Rhys Ifans (The Boat That Rocked, Notting Hill and The Amazing Spiderman), Salma Hayek (Desperado, Frida and Dogma),  Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Kill Bill Vol.1 and Chicago), Burt Reynolds (Smokey and the Bandit, Cannonball Run and Boogie Nights), Julian Sands (Naked Lunch, Warlock and Argento’s Phantom of the Opera) and David Schwimmer (Friends, band of Brothers and Six Days, Seven Nights) and John Malkovich (Being John Malkovich, Red and In the Line of Fire). 

With his new album Esoterik, veteran Dutch dark electronic producer Bong-Ra (real name Jason Köhnen) carries on the sound of his previous album, Black Noise, which was a throwback to Godflesh-esque late 80's and early 90's industrial metal sounds, pre-computer electronic compositions with drum machines,  sludgy, minimalist guitar riffs, and vocals which to me recall Front Line Assembly or Clock DVA.  This was a time when music felt perhaps more open-ended and exciting than in today's streaming-optimised world, and Godflesh's doomy, minimal approach was unusual even in the days from which it originated, so it is interesting to hear it explored more fully. Black Noise was one of my favourite albums, and this style transition for Bong-Ra could not feel more natural.

Here’s a CD box set bringing together the first four albums from Hersham, Surrey's Sham 69. They started off as a street punk/ Oi! band, before shifting into a more produced/ polished classic British rock sound- the albums here very much highlight this shift.

Continuity, Fragility, Resonance is a 2020-2021 piece for octet: string and saxophone quartets from  Swiss composer Jürg Frey. It’s a fifty-one-minute work, which compellingly moves itself through brooding pomp, moody saw ‘n’ simmer, and bitter-sweet rises/ hovers.