Tuesday, March 03, 2026

Le Magnifique (1973) **

Over-the-top slapstick aside, an amusing take on pulp spy novelists and their sometimes dreary lives. Belmondo shows a deft hand with comedy and Jackie Bisset was never lovelier.

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Winterset (1936) *

Might have worked better as a play. Interesting that to this day, in America, any sympathy with the working class is considered radical, leftist and dangerous.

Monday, February 23, 2026

The Internecine Project (1974) ***

Well produced heist flick masquerading as a political thriller features Jimmy Coburn and the eternally lovely Lee Grant (still kicking at 99!) essentially playing themselves. Nifty 70's London locales, beautifully lit.

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Wuthering Heights (2026) **

It's entertaining but the soundtrack is overbearing at times and the lighting and shot selection is terrible, as are so many current films, but it has a nice collage of images at the finale that works well. The casting is strange and it's interesting that Edgar (Shazad Latif) would appear to more closely resemble the features of Heathcliff per the novel than Elordi.

Monday, February 16, 2026

Heat Lightning (1934) **

The two female leads are the attraction in this desert noir. Nifty direction at the climax evokes kaidan films.

Friday, February 13, 2026

The Woman in Green (1945) **

Fairly forgettable Holmes flick watchable for the top cast members.

Monday, February 09, 2026

The Time Travelers (1964) **

Intriguing classic Trek style sci-fi flick could have used a bit more moolah for the spfx, but the cast are all game and the script keeps things fairly straight. Interesting ending.

Friday, February 06, 2026

Light Sleeper (1992) **

Answers the question nobody asked: what if Paul Schrader had directed Taxi Driver? Top notch cast keeps it watchable. Nice soundtrack too.

Sunday, February 01, 2026

Gentlemen Don't Eat Poets (1995) *

I think it was supposed to be more of a comedy but not sure that would have helped. Terribly shot, cut and directed. Waste of a good cast.

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Peter Hujar's Day (2025) *

Technical prowess of the two leads aside, the premise has already been done and this go round brings nothing more to the table.

Friday, January 23, 2026

Monterey Pop (1968) *

Nice time capsule of The Summer of Love with an eclectic concert in beautiful Monterey. Too bad Pennebaker can't seem to shoot in anything but close-ups. You get no sense of place and no sense of the performances.

Shampoo (1975) ***

Manic day in the life of a swinging LA hairdresser is an entertaining charcter study and subtle critique of late 60's mores and manners. Excellent cast is top notch.

Monday, January 19, 2026

The Oblong Box (1969) *

The photography is the only reason to sit through this mash-up of various horror tropes.

Friday, January 16, 2026

Fremont (2023) **

Indie character study has its moments but the lead is just not a compelling enough actress to handle such an under-written role.

Monday, January 12, 2026

Extract (2009) ***

Hilarious plot driven comedy that is perfectly cast and well played. The production design is top notch and rings true.

Friday, January 09, 2026

Two Minutes Late (1952) **

Nobody's a hero in this sordid Danish noir that was definitely not approved by Bill Hays.

Tuesday, January 06, 2026

Hidden in the Fog (1953) **

Human behavior takes a back seat to murder mystery tropes in this Swedish noir that has just a few too many twists.

Monday, January 05, 2026

Death Is a Caress (1949) **

I suppose it's a "noir" but really it's a realistic look at a couple who have a very strong physical attraction but little else. Troubles ensue.

Friday, January 02, 2026

Girl with Hyacinths (1950) **

Ulf Palme, a Swedish Alastair Sim, keeps it entertaining enough but it's very difficult to care about the lead. Maybe that was intentional?