Stranger Than Paradise (1984) ****

Minimalist slacker dramedy is expertly shot and directed with a stunning debut performance by Eszter Balint. Transcends its genre.

Megadoc (2025) **

Fascinating look at big budget movie making and how the inherent bloat and Shia Labeouf nearly kill Francis Coppola.

Birth of the Endless Summer: Discovery of Cape St. Francis (2021) **

A doc about the back story to another, better, doc is well done but probably only for fans of the better doc.

The Endless Summer (1966) ****

Enjoyable surf doc is a masterpiece of photography, editing and writing. Impressive. This film was shot on 16mm film and has better visuals than any movie made in the past 20 years. You can keep all your Imax's and VistaVisions, they don't matter if the pic is not lit properly.

Guilty Bystander (1950) **

Zach Scott is strong in this gritty blackout noir nearly stolen by Kay Medford.

Confessions of an Opium Eater (1962) **

Cheap (and cheaply made) exploitation flick is just bonkers enough to be entertaining. Vincent Price as an action star is one thing and the dialogue is a hoot. At least they used Asian actors to play the Asian characters.

Deadline at Dawn (1946) **

Frustrating blackout noir that has some terrific dialogue, a never better Sue Hayward, a couple of great supporting turns but also some crazy plot twists and an awful lead. Entertaining nonetheless.