Anything Else (2003) *

Woody and the leads are badly miscast and the script has not much to say. Disappointing.

Stephen Wolfram - Computational Foundations for the Second Law of Thermodynamics

So how does this relate to the Second Law? It’s what makes it possible for a system like rule 30 to operate according to a simple underlying rule, yet to intrinsically generate what seems like random behavior. If we could do all the necessary computationally irreducible work then we could in principle “see through” to the simple rules underneath. But the key point (emphasized by our Physics Project) is that observers like us are computationally bounded in our capabilities. And this means that we’re not able to “see through the computational irreducibility”—with the result that the behavior we see “looks random to us”.

And in thermodynamics that “random-looking” behavior is what we associate with heat. And the Second Law assertion that energy associated with systematic mechanical work tends to “degrade into heat” then corresponds to the fact that when there’s computational irreducibility the behavior that’s generated is something we can’t readily “computationally see through”—so that it appears random to us.

Play Misty for Me (1971) **

Nice to see the Carmel-Big Sur area in all its early '70's glory, when a DJ at a tiny jazz station could afford a cliff house right on the ocean. The script has a few gaping holes and Clint's direction meanders quite a bit but it's a charming stalker flick, if there is such a thing.

La fille de Monaco (2008) **

A jarring third act sinks what was an hilarious comédie romantique. Stunning debut for the lovely Ms. Bourgoin.

Judy (2019) **

Well photographed and Ms. Zellweger is superb. Too bad the script and direction are awful.

The Remarkable Mr. Kipps (1941) *

Too literal adaptation of a Wells story fails to make cinematic impact wasting a fine Mike Redgrave.

Helena Bonham Carter: ‘​I’ve got so many issues, but as you get older you go: whatever’

What’s yours [complex]?
I’ve got so many issues, but as you get older you go: “Whatever.” The curse of being young is you take your complex too seriously. Or you take your opinion of yourself too seriously. As soon as you’re a bit older, you tell the demons to shut up because they’re boring.
Does that make you happier?
There’s no doubt that I’m happier now with my 56-year-old envelope than I was any time before that.

King Lear (2018) **

For the first two thirds of the film it is beautifully produced and colorfully shot, then the director makes the foolish decision to start desaturating the color until it ends up looking like your run-of-the-mill Marvel flick. Superb cast nonetheless.

You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010) **

Would have been better without Josh who is glaringly miscast.

Man Hunt (1941) *

Talky actioner is too long and too heavy-handed.

Billion Dollar Brain (1967) *

Makes Moonraker look like Hamlet. Mike Caine, Françoise Dorléac and the great Oskar Homolka are the only reasons to sit through this.

The Minus Man (1999) **

Another flick with excellent parts but lacks the sure handed direction to bring it all together.

Beat the Devil (1953) **

An example of a film with many exceptional parts that just doesn't add up to much. Shot by the great Oswald Morris, and featuring the lovely Ms. Lollobrigida.

Variety (1983) **

Loved the snapshot of early '80's NYC but the third rate script and direction is a let down.

Florence Pugh called John le Carré an “old f*cking fart,” which… inspired him?

The new friendship turned out to be a very good one, at least for Le Carré, who would lament to Pugh a year later that he was suffering from a serious case of writer’s block, to which Pugh replied, “What do you mean your writing days are over? Just keep writing. Keep stretching your brain. Do it.” And it worked.

The Pale Blue Eye (2022) *

Deadly dull and shot in perpetual shade and darkness. Half the time you can't see the actors' complete faces but when you can, you see they're struggling to say the lines. Complete waste of Ms. Gainsbourg.

Moonlighting (1982) **

Clever socio-political allegory is wonderfully made on a shoestring, but Jeremy Irons just seems lost from start to finish. Not sure if it is him, his performance or the character poorly written.

The Shout (1978) ****

Lots to chew on here or maybe nothing at all. Expertly directed puzzle picture offers spectacular scenery, beautiful images and a top cast.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) ***

Episodic look at the addictive pull of war-time journalism succeeds with a top-notch cast, solid script and direction.

Tangerines (2013) ***

Effective anti-war fable told with restraint and humanity.