John Coltrane helms an amazing quartet, comprised of McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Garrison, and Elvin Jones, in this sweet set of tunes recorded in 1963. Coltrane and his rhythm section are astonishing here, with mind-boggling solo work from him on both tenor and soprano — as well as from Tyner’s piano.

Grade: A+.

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Paul Thomas Anderson writes and directs this masterfully crafted Daniel Day-Lewis about an oil mogul in Southern California around the turn of the 20th Century. Day-Lewis is a menacing protagonist and his supporting characters are all vividly off-kilter and unusual. This virtuoso work really earned its accolades.

Grade: A.

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Matthew McConaughey leads a talented cast in this inspiring football picture based on the true story of Marshall University’s reconstruction of their college football team after a tragic plane crash killed the team, coaches, and prominent community members. The story lags in the middle slightly, but maintains an optimistic determination.

Grade: B.

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Art Pepper leads a phenomenal group of musicians in this compilation of various sessions from the early 80s. There are plenty of great solos by Pepper–as well as Bill Watrous (trombone), Sonny Stitt (alto), Russ Freeman (piano), and Lee Konitz (alto)–making this an enjoyable set of familiar standards.

Grade: B+.

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Flutist Ali Ryerson leads a solid rhythm section in this nice collection of standard tunes and original charts. Her playing is first-rate and this relaxed straight-ahead set really hits the spot, especially on familiar tracks like In Your Own Sweet Way, Blue in Green, and Chega de Saudade.

Grade: A-.

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Mario Van Peebles directs and stars in this almost documentary biopic about the making of his father’s genre-launching Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. The picture chronicles the hardships of Melvin Van Peebles production of an unwanted, but necessary, picture, through casting to release–a fascinating glimpse of the insider’s view of a classic.

Grade: A-.

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Burt Reynolds, Jan-Michael Vincent, Sally Field, Adam West, and James Best star in this unexpectedly hilarious action-comedy romp from the late 70s. Reynolds plays an aging Hollywood stuntman, trying hard to stay on top of his game. The acting is bewilderingly cheesy, but this insane film is incredibly fun.

Grade: B.

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Justin Martin and Johnny Fiasco contribute their mixing skills to this Om Records two-disk mixed deep house compilation. Both DJs select some tracks that are instant classics, while other tracks have lyrics that squander funky fist-pumping dancefloor cuts. This is a fun collection, though, good for frequent plays.

Grade: B.

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Ben Sowton joins forces with New York’s Mateo & Matos on this funky continuously-mixed Bargrooves compilation. Lip-curling basslines and booty-shaking rhythms contribute to a fun couple of hours. With a good number of enjoyable vocal tracks, this deep house set offers enticing cuts worthy of multiple spins.

Grade: B+.

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This ISA-nominated romance centers around a gay couple who leaves Hong Kong to travel around Argentina to reestablish their rocky relationship. With solid direction and a beautiful Argentine backdrop, this surprisingly beautiful picture shows two damaged people who can’t live without each other, despite anger, hostility, infidelity, and neglect.

Grade: B.

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