Hot Enough For June - 1964 - 6/10
Aspiring writer Nicholas, on the dole, lands a job with a glass firm.
Which is actually a front for MI6, now sending ignorant amateurs into the field.
In this case, Prague 1964, still very much behind the Iron Curtain.
Even as an innocent, our faux spy (Dirk Bogard) catches on quick.
And tumbles for his Czech minder, Sylva Koscina.
This starts as a satire, gradually grows more serious, though the tone stays light.
Arctic Circle - 2018 - 6/10
AKA - Ivalo
A sexually transmitted disease breaks out in northern Finland.
Mating is OK, hosts are OK, but pregnancies turn into spontaneous, bloodied abortions.
If it spreads, extinction of humanity on a mass scale within generations.
Scientists and law enforcement work in tandem to track down and isolate carriers.
For a cure? They need to find patient zero.
Potentially gripping thriller is weighed down with too many characters and side plots.
Minor characters are more like cameos, several of the breakaway plots simply vanish.
I suspect writers had enough material for a great 6-part series, but the show was 10 episodes.
Padding, and obvious padding at that.
Behind Stone Walls - 1932 - 5/10
The dinner party was breaking up anyway.
The District Attorney (aspiring Governor) is taking wife Esther to theatre.
Until the courthouse phones, saying only HE can handle an extradition.
With that, Esther slips off to play hide the sausage with the best friend.
Grade-C Pre-Code is loaded with sleaze.
Adultery, murder, blackmail (financial and sexual), and sly courtroom deals.
Acting is stilted, directing stagey, dialogue a river of pauses and gushes.
On Becoming A Guinea Fowl - 2024 - 7/10
Driving home from a costume party, Shula sees a body in the road.
Her Uncle Fred – dead. She phones her father, who is drunk but still begs for money.
A cousin appears, waving a bottle and bombed out of her mind.
Police eventually take charge, and Shula goes home to settle herself.
Until an auntie quartet arrives, wailing, hollering, issuing demands.
Why, I wonder, is professional woman Shula is still living there?
This “comedy” will play better for members of big, boisterous, nosy families.
And while the aunties may say, “We love you, our children” it becomes clear they loved Fred more.
For ostriches and those who always look the other way, avoid this.
Otherwise, an eye-opening view of Zambia.
’49-‘17 - 1917 - 6/10
Stifled by Eastern refinements, the Judge hankers for the wilder West of his youth.
Back when he was an original ‘49er.
He sends his young assistant to restore ghost town Nugget Notch and fill it with suitable inhabitants.
Unfortunately, by 1917, most weren’t as comfortable with shooting irons as the Judge had been.
There are a few mysteries to unravel, pardner, as well as the town cutie lusted after by the gambler.
And Jean Hersholt as Gentleman Jim steals the money, the scene, and the movie.
Fun little Silent kinda moseys along, although it barely runs an hour.
The Girl On The Late, Late Show - 1974 - 6/10
So whatever happened to Carolyn Parker?
Big star a few decades earlier, now disappeared.
So wonders the producer of a New York morning show, who flies out to Los Angeles.
Mixed concoction of Noir, TV formula and laziness.
The premise is solid, but the plotting, the writing, lacks edge.
Stars in cameos include Van Johnson, Walter Pidgeon, Yvonne De Carlo.
Noir heavyweights John Ireland and Gloria Graham are given mere moments.
While a failed attempt, this is worth tracking down by Noir fans.
Litsid - 2018 - 5/10
AKA - Madame K // Whores
So, in your wildest dreams, imagine Hallmark decides to create a series about a brothel.
Filled with lots of young, attractive females who love their work, giggle and laugh, and share happy moments.
Complicating matters: this is Estonia, 1939, on the eve of World War II.
Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union are squeezing the small nation.
Meanwhile, the house is kinda / sorta busy with well-dressed officers, glib politicians, and athletes.
The ladies are all smiles, historic accuracy – unsure, the storyline pure puffery.
Followed by a spinoff series, which I have no interest in.
The Last Shark - 1981 - 5/10
AKA - L’ultimo Squalo
The annual windsurfing regatta is scheduled for the weekend.
Meanwhile, a great white has arrived in the neighborhood, and it has a taste for long pig.
The mayor and local skippers take precautions, but this is one wily fish.
It can tear things up, it can build, as well. It’s big, it’s fast, and it is not anorexic.
Blatant ripoff of Jaws proves laugh out action after a lethargic start.
For viewers who slow down to gape at car accidents, there are piles of unhappy meals.
Final Destination: Bloodlines - 2025 - 7/10
Aww, man. And the day had been going so well, too.
Who would have guessed such a small thing would have dire consequences?
Not only for Iris, in the middle of the conflagration, but for her family down the line.
Major reboot of a franchise I had lost interest in.
The Rube Goldbergs in this are cleverly thought out, well executed.
While not a comedy, the humor here is pitch black appropriate.
Tony Todd has a nice role in this, his final appearance in the series.
Apple Cider Vinegar - 2025 - 7/10
Quasi-true retelling of Belle Gibson, health influencer.
She had terminal brain cancer, but survived it. Incredible!
How? Good food, exercise, New Age medicines.
Once online, once with her own book and web app, she garnered millions of followers.
And – surprise – she reaps financial windfalls.
Hucksters and frauds extend back to cavemen.
Short series manages to be funny and infuriating, based on a true con artist.
For trusting souls who hope YouTube health videos will cure those ailments, here’s your guru.
Sweet Mama - 1930 - 6/10
Goldie, member of the burlesque troupe, is stranded when she receives word her boyfriend is arrested.
She races back to New York, only to find Jimmy has already been sprung.
By his boss, nightclub owner and racketeer, who likes withdrawing money from banks.
Twist on a common trope, Goldie is determined to rescue her man.
Lively Pre-Code trots merrily from beginning to end.
Short film, under an hour, owing to most songs being cut after audiences hollered “Enough already!”.
Alice White captivates, others hit and miss, the gangster undercurrent adds an angle.
Murder In Sarlat - 2017 - 6/10
AKA - Meurtres à Sarlat
Clues include references to ancient feuds between peasants and aristocrats.
Oh, and a big clue jutting from the chest.
The paired investigators apparently had an anonymous fling a few years earlier.
So he, a wad of insecurities, starts whining, wondering if he was unmemorable.
This was unnecessary, as the mystery, the history, the suspects, are all fine.
Ignore the forced romance, and focus on the slithering heels.
In a Nutshell - 2025 - 6/10
The commission is to recreate a horrific murder site in a dollhouse.
Emma has been working at it, a perfectionist. Right down to the tiniest details.
The tiniest being a creepy sigil painted on the wall. Is that blood?
Effective Horror short builds to a brutal release.
The first season of Dexter Resurrection is a perfect addition to the acclaimed series. Everything about this new offering is phenomenal, and I appreciate and applaud the care that was put into it.
I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.
Star Wars has 3 eras: The eras are 1977-1983(pre Expanded Universe), (1983-2014) expanded universe, or (2014- now) Disney-bought version. Each are valid.
My movie reviews aren’t AI, they’re just written by someone who’s Neurodivergent. If you don’t like them, then simply don’t read them.
Linda - 1973 - 6/10
Oh, she has her claws in him, dug in tight.
Not only did Linda murder Jeff’s rich wife, but she also framed her own husband, Paul.
Paul either does the time or hangs, while Linda and Jeff live happy.
Pretty good TV Noir, over reliant on Ed Nelson.
John McIntire almost steals the film as the crafty defense attorney.
The real draw, however, is Stella Stevens, who was simply born too late for classic Noir.
Vixen Stella makes a coaxing femme fatale.
The film Black Phone 2 is a masterpiece, which is just as good as the original if not a little bit better! I’m blown away at the quality of it, and the sheer majestic detail! A must see for fans of the original and horror aficionados in general!
I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.
Star Wars has 3 eras: The eras are 1977-1983(pre Expanded Universe), (1983-2014) expanded universe, or (2014- now) Disney-bought version. Each are valid.
My movie reviews aren’t AI, they’re just written by someone who’s Neurodivergent. If you don’t like them, then simply don’t read them.
Companion - 2025 - 6/10
Strolling the grocers, heading toward the clichéd Produce section, Iris is about to meet-cute.
With Josh, who has the charisma of a never washed gym sock.
All ain’t fair in love, however, as Iris is being set up by greedy would-be criminals.
Despite being the ultimate innocent, Iris learns right quick.
This has the workings of a good, fun thriller, but the writing is clumsy.
Way too many sections of explanations and expositions.
Scriptwriting 101 – Show, don’t tell.
Fatal Termination - 1990 - 6/10
AKA - Chi se da Feng Bao // 赤 色 大 風 暴
The insanity of Hong Kong cinema.
Moon Lee clutching tight to the hood of a speeding car, while a stuntman holds a kicking, screaming, terrified child by the hair!
A Lebanese terrorist needs to smuggle a crate of guns, over 1000, with a stopover in Hong Kong.
Most of the Customs agents have been bribed, save for a few righteous souls.
Police know something is afoot, but they keep getting outflanked.
Confusing plot, characters who muddle about, interspersed with action sequences.
Until the last third of the film. Then, buckle up.
The crazed car sequence above, a fight through towering shipping crates, combat between cars, helicopters, grenades, rockets.
The Locked Door - 1929 - 6/10
Ann accompanies Frank to one of those offshore, floating casinos.
A classic masher, Frank attempts to get her drunk and disrobe her.
Yet an unexpected police raid catches all in the net.
Within a year Ann, married to the stuffy Lawrence, sees Frank seduce her sister-in-law.
Stodgy Talkie melodrama bogs down once we leave the casino.
Menzies sets are worth studying, and the sweeping bar seems a precursor to Shanghai Lil.
Barbara Stanwyck, barely in her twenties, is captivating.
The Norman Conquests: Table Manners - 1977 - 7/10
Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy of manners of strained marriages.
Disappointed wives, a “kept” husband, a spinster sister who seems destined for a dullard.
Norman may be “kept” but he makes lecherous advances.
He is obnoxiously juvenile, gratingly so.
Still, never overlook the female prerogative to get soppy for fools.
This looks very much like British telly of the era. (eg: Are You Being Served?, Good Neighbors.
I found it amusingly odd to see Margo and Tom as a couple.
The Norman Conquests: Living Together - 1977 - 7/10
Concurrent with events in the dining room are those within the living room.
Norman seems more subdued here, perhaps guilty over his treatment of veterinarian Tom.
Reg has devised a new board game that no one is interested in.
Less explosive than the dining room, yet one senses undercurrents of quiet despair and ennui.
These are sad people, perhaps depressed, perhaps in denial.
Save for Tom, poor thing, who simply possesses no social skills, no radar for negativity.
The Norman Conquests: Round And Round The Garden - 1977 - 7/10
Final part of the trilogy, this one set in the back garden.
This opens earliest, with Tom arriving for an injured cat, then Norman, then Reg and Sarah.
One ought NOT watch this first, however, as subsequent proceedings stem from indoor incidents.
Any sympathy for Norman collapses in this outing.
Norman is an emotional huckster with a smooth lie, “I can make you happy.”
He comes off as a pathetic sleaze. One wonders at the desperation quotient of females drawn to him.
Norman is a charade, miserable himself, with radar for similar sufferers.
Ayckbourn comedy mixed with poignancy may rouse your ire.
Nadja - 1994 - 6/10
Modern take on Dracula, actually his daughter, and this bears little resemblance to the 1936 film.
The look is Noir / Gothic, although “vampiric” scenes are pixilated.
The pixilation is overused, gets repetitive, ultimately tedious.
A Van Helsing descendant is jailed after driving a stake (finally) through Count Dracula’s heart.
Dracula’s daughter retrieves the body, then parties begin scrambling across New York.
Acting is dominated by a loose, swinging Peter Fonda and a mesmerizing Elina Löwensohn.
Back and forth, I was riveted to the screen and bored out of my mind.
Arthouse vampires, in line with Only Lovers Kept Alive.
Dearest Sister - 2016 - 6/10
AKA - Nong Hak
Nok leaves the small village for large city Vientiane to care for a distant relative, Ana.
Ana, married to Westerner Jakob, is going blind, and suffers from passive aggressive servants.
A side-effect of the failing eyesight, Ana is soon seeing the dead, and receiving messages.
Numbers, winning lottery numbers, which the poor village girl exploits for material goods.
Nok is soon snooping, eavesdropping, losing small town morals.
Yes, there are some cloudy dead souls, but this is limited Horror, more a slow burn thriller.
Arachnid - 2001 - 5/10
An experimental stealth fighter locates and shoots down … an alien spaceship!
Jump ahead several years, when a scientific expedition flies to a remote South Seas island.
Natives are being decimated by some sort of mysterious venom dissolving them from within.
Oh-my-God, does that mean there was a big, intelligent spider piloting that craft?
Half-baked ripoff of Predator finds a team beset by various, deadly insects.
Locations reminded me of Ramar and Jungle Jim.
You like junk food? Here’s something to watch with it.