Gregory's Girl (1980) **

The Scottish setting and a winning cast provides the charm and interest in this coming-of-age flick that's not in the Hollywood mold.

Mona Lisa (1986) ***

Brit noir character study, well played and directed.

Secret of the Incas (1954) *

Chuck does a good job playing a cad in an Indiana Jones outfit but the rest of the picture is deadly dull.

Countess Dracula (1971) *

It's well photographed and mounted and has the lovely Ms. Pitt in her prime, but it's rather dull. Disappointing.

Appointment with Death (1988) **

Disappointing whodunnit despite the semi-star cast. Nice location shots.

The Clouded Yellow (1950) **

Well done chase flick with a lovely Ms. Simmons in her prime.

Marnie (1964) **

Possibly the goofiest film in Hitchcock's repertoire. Colorful, and some interesting sequences but the last third really drags as the "odeur" of Freud becomes unbearable.

Foreign Intrigue (1956) **

Colorful, globe trotting whodunnit leans heavily on Bob Mitchum's star power and Ms. Thulin's looks. A bit convoluted.

The Set-Up (1949) **

Goes a bit overboard with the cutesy, but delivers in the ring. Nice to see Bob Ryan in a lead for a change.

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) ***

Upon repeated viewings this thriller becomes more of a portrait of an unhappy marriage near collapse. Hitch relies a little too much on the obvious rear projection shots, but still some masterful sequences of near silent cinema.

Rachel and the Stranger (1948) **

Pleasant enough Hollywood western features a couple of stars having fun and a brisk pace.

Easy Rider (1969) ***

Despite some laughable "experimental" editing and a rare awful Nicholson performance, this is a thoughtful, well made road movie with some meat to it. Superlative cinematography by the great Lazlo Kovacs, and an unflinching script.

Michael Clayton (2007) ***

Excellent cast in a well written Mamet-esque legal whodunnit. Clooney was never better.

Why John Waters, the Pope of Trash, keeps returning to the Bay Area

SFGATE: Anything else you think our readers should know about?

Waters: Other than, “Come to the Mosswood thing!” that’s the best I can do. I do Camp John Waters [a summer camp for adults], which is sold out. That’s in Kent, Connecticut. About 500 people come and live as my characters and live their lives for four days. We have guest counselors every year — this year it’s Deborah Harry and Colleen Fitzpatrick, who played her daughter in “Hairspray” and went on to be Vitamin C, the pop star. It’s really amazing. People have contests, we speak, we have dinners. Then I do a 20-city Christmas tour, so I’ll be back with a musical. I’m writing that. I’m writing new shows. I’m so busy, I think I’m overexposed. Maybe you shouldn’t hear about me for a while.

Casablanca (1942) **

Ms. Bergman lights up the screen and there's some nifty one liners in the dialogue but it's too long and the acting quality varies wildly.

La Notte (1961) **

A day in the life of a couple breaking up. Ms. Vitti and Ms. Moreau make it watchable.

Hustle (2022) **

Leans heavily on the sturdy Hollywood sports flick structure but keeps it interesting with real NBA stars as actors.

The Big Picture (1989) **

A gentle cautionary tale for aspiring filmmakers features some terrific performances, tons of big star cameos and a witty, humane script. The only drawback (and it's a big one since he's the lead) is Mr. Six Degrees Of Separation.

People Will Talk (1951) *

Not even Cary can rescue this bizarre attempt at depicting human behavior which fails miserably. Not one character in this film would ever be confused with an actual human being.

Licorice Pizza (2021) ***

Visual tone poem to being 15 in the 70's in general and in the San Fernando Valley in particular, is thoroughly enjoyable for viewers d'un certain age. Captures the vibe and the look to a certain extent with a terrific soundtrack. Game cast is excellent.