What Price Hollywood? (1932) **

Some clever dialog keeps this behind the scenes melo afloat but the denouement is a bit too pat.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024) **

Disappointing to see Tim Burton succumb to the same photographic sins as other contemporary flicks (too dark, backlit) in a mainly underwhelming sequel save for the inspired extended musical sequence that uses almost the entire 7.5 minute original Macarthur Park intact.

The Tenth Man (1988) **

Strong cast and nice production values keep this strained fable afloat.

Midnight Mary (1933) **

Loretta Young, all of 20, shines in this hyper-paced melo.

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1947) ***

Delightful, streamlined adaptation of the Dickens epic with a terrific cast, expertly produced, photographed and directed. The casting is superb with one glaring exception.

The Verdict (1982) **

Well-made courtroom drama that adheres a little too strictly to the Hollywood sports movie tropes.

Hold Your Man (1933) *

Dated pre-code melo just seems silly nowadays but there's some snappy banter.