DWilson

Leap of Faith Shudder
Director William Friedkin speaks for 100 minutes about the making of "The Exorcist". It's self-congratulatory, of course, but if you are a fan of the film or of film-making in general, it's an engrossing presentation. 45 years later, Friedkin is still able to speak quite eloquently about every aspect of the film, and the documentary is aided immeasurably that every single scene or idea he discusses is illustrated by the necessary clip required.

JeffTheAlpaca

I don't know why I waited so long or 2hr and 30+ running time scared me but this is worth your time.

Maybe one of Spike Lee's most violent movies ever?

Lindo was superb and wonder why he got shut out of Oscar contention.

mwbmis

My Super Ex-Girlfriend - Haven't seen this since around when it came out. While I think there was potential in the idea, the finished product was not a good movie. Wilson has been OK in things before, but he's a charisma void here. (HBO Max)

Cellar Door

Tenet - I think I'm going to have to watch it again before I know if I liked it or not.

mwbmis

21 Jump Street - Hadn't seen this one in a few years. While it's still funny, it didn't quite hold up to my memory of it. (MA)

TheMovieman

National Treasure (2004) — Seen this one many times over the years and still a lot of fun. Solid adventure-comedy with Nicolas Cage in his element with this sort of material. Diane Krueger's performance was a bit iffy at times but she had some okay scenes and never can go wrong with Sean Bean playing the villain, though the character is made out to be smart when all he does is some online searches and stealing from others. ***¾/*****

Crazy to think it won't be that long before it's celebrating its 20th anniversary...

TheMovieman

Quick Change (1990) — Still one of my personal favorite comedies, seen this one numerous times and still have a good time with this trio and the oddball things that happen to them on their journey to the airport. Murray, Davis and Quaid are great together as well as Jason Robards as the frustrated police chief. ****¼/*****

JeffTheAlpaca

Hulu

It was ok and had some moments but it was not great as people make it out to be or something I would watch again or buy on Blu-ray

TheMovieman

Erased (2012) — Decent if not uneven suspense-thriller has shades of a B-level Bourne movie, but I liked Aaron Eckhart in the lead. Starts off well enough and kind of loses some steam in the middle with a satisfying enough ending. ***½/*****

JANK

mank

Nick Danger

Shanghai Express (1932) Silver nitrate film could make a woman look so beautiful. Color film has never duplicated it. A pre-code story about a mixed group of passengers who take a 3-day train ride from Beijing to Shanghai during the civil war. Marlene Dietrich is a courtesan who meets the man to whom she was once engaged to marry, but they're each too proud to take the first step back to each other. The train is captured by rebel troops. The plot doesn't quite hang together, but Dietrich is incandescent.

JeffTheAlpaca

One of Dafoe's early roles in 1984.

It gives you the urge to drive on a highway in AZ in a classic car and pick up some snacks and drinks along the way.

TheMovieman

Vanquish (2021) — I actually like Ruby Rose, not a great actress for sure but can be entertaining but she seemed to have quickly devolved into direct-to-video territory with this and her previous film, The Doorman, neither would've gotten a theatrical release even without COVID-19. Anyway, this one could've been passably entertaining if not for the terrible editing, atrocious photography (not sure what was with the green tint or over-saturation of colors in other scenes.

Also doesn't help it was predictable. Oh, and Morgan Freeman takes another paycheck, this one spending his entire time in a wheelchair and pretty much in one location. **/*****

JeffTheAlpaca

This was really long at 2hr and 45 minutes with a bunch of annoying teenagers who all rap in unison while they travel on a bus.


Shia must have it in his contract that he gets to bang the lead actress in every movie he does.

Riley Keough in a two piece confederate bikini?

JeffTheAlpaca

Starz

A Filipina teen dreams of becoming a country risk while facing the risk of being deported.

DWilson

Fade To Black (1980) Shudder

This had the potential to be a solid "concept" thriller, -A troubled film geek who kills his perceived enemies in various classic film guises and methods, -but it went in the direction of being more of a character study (ala "Joker" ). Unfortunately, the script is built around a lot of random plot-turns and extraneous characters and could do with some tightening. Dennis Christopher is quite good in the lead role, -enough to be uncomfortably creepy a lot of the time, -and Linda Kerridge is quite charming as a Marilyn Monroe impersonator.

Nick Danger

The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946, Lana Turner). A jobless hitchhiker stops at a rural diner-garage, sees Lana Turner, and decides to stay as an employee. The two of them gradually decide to murder her husband. Neither one is a criminal mastermind, and things don't go very well. This is a movie about sexual obsession, adultery, and murder, but it's from the code era. This means there is no sex at all, not even implied, which leaves a weird gap in its foundation. Fine performances by all, especially by Hume Cronyn as the underhanded defense attorney.

JANK

Bohemian Rhapsody

TheMovieman

Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) — Seen this one a few times over the years and still as fun as ever with a wonderful ensemble cast, a few of which have had a sustained career (others, like Phoebe Cates, Robert Romanus and Brian Backer, not so much). Has a good amount of heart mixed in with the comedy. Not sure where I place this amongst other coming-of-age flicks like The Breakfast Club or Dazed and Confused) but still really well made. ****/*****

JeffTheAlpaca

Showtime

I was thinking this was going to be a suspense horror movie but more of a drama but great performances by the leads Jude Law and Carrie Coon.

mwbmis

To be fair to Phoebe, she worked steadily for the next twelve years in mostly lead roles and then chose to retire.

TheMovieman

That is true. Good point.

TheMovieman

King Kong (1976) — A bit long but not terrible and had some adorably funny moments like seeing a man in an ape outfit tossing around a model train or hiding behind a building to avoid a helicopter. But seriously, the ape costume wasn't bad however his expressions were at times creepy, especially when looking at Dwan. Certainly one of the lesser of the Kong movies (though haven't seen King Kong Lives) but I guess watchable. ***/*****

JeffTheAlpaca

It came out in 2000.

I assume the Hendrix estate did not give them permission to use his music.

The acting was horrible by everyone though Wood Harris was not awful.

Maybe a Hendrix movie could be done with a better director and screenplay.

JeffTheAlpaca

Sabrina Carpenter plays the lead.

It was not bad though nothing you have not seen before