Death Proof

00s Drama
4 stars

I've already been in one heated discussion about this Tarantino film (with Drew from I Am Spoonbender), but I liked it. Way more than I liked either volume of the insufferable Kill Bill, and also more than Jackie Brown. Tarantino seemed to have a good time making this film and it is reflected on the screen. Sure, there's the overt homage to Vanishing Point, but what the heck is wrong with that? Nada. I didn't mind the on-and-on dialog, as I felt it made the violence that much more impactful. Kurt Russell as Stuntman Mike rocks, but can't touch Snake Pliskin. Those stunts at the end, while totally gratuitous, were adrenaline inducing, to say the least.

The Desperate Hours

Noir
3.5 stars

Despite whatever profound commentary can be made about the corruptibility of the haven of the suburban household, this one didn't really do it for me. I thought it predictable (although very well crafted) and routine. On the plus side, Bogart is dominant, as it should be.

The Missouri Breaks

70s Western
2.5 stars

A rather low rating on this one, even though I love Brando and Nicholson, and Night Moves by Penn is one of my all-time favorites. I actually like Brando's performance here, even with his all-over-the-place style, he's still somewhat of a rated PG badass. The story just doesn't compel. Film seems influenced by another favorite of mine, Peckinpah's Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid, but is nowhere near as good. Should've been rated R, and if it had been we could've learned what was really up with Brando's sexually ambiguous character.

Side Street

Noir
4 stars

Anthony Mann noir about a guy who commits thievery only to regret it!

Buena Vista Social Club

Music Doc
3.5 stars

Great music, moving stories and masterful craft demonstrated, but let's be clear: the moving camera bothered me in this context. I also feel this film is entirely overrated. The film seems somehow stiff and inorganic to me. I did NOT teach on this film to my class.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

00s Comedy
4 stars

Wildly entertaining with great music about a transvestite singer. Music is great. Hilarious, similar in many aspects to Velvet Goldmine.

The Bird With The Crystal Plumage

70s Thriller
3 stars

I know this film has crazy street cred, but I was a little underwhelmed by it. There's style in bunches, but overall what we've got here is a fairly standard story with a less-than-thrilling payoff. This was my first Argento experience, and I'm intrigued to check out more. I'm just not frothing at the mouth to do it. Yet.

For Your Consideration

00s Comedy
3 stars

I fell promptly and soundly asleep. Granted, I had just come back from Las Vegas where I enjoyed a weekend with the fellas, drank a lot of margaritas and slept little. The comedy here was the first I've seen by this team not uproariously funny. A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, and Spinal Tap were all way more memorable. Ok that's cheating because I snored through most of this, so I really can't say.

Hiroshima Mon Amour

50s Drama
Existential
4.5 stars
My Uncle Stu's Favorite Film!

A poetic, interesting piece on the nature of loss. My Uncle Stu's favorite film, and his is one opinion I trust. For my money, this is about as powerful as film making gets. It's hard from 2008 to understand just how pervasive and horrifying WWII must have been on every level of consciousness, but the existence of this film and Night and Fog reveal some of how coping was approached by Resnais.

Crime Wave

Film Noir
5 stars

A great find. This noir has a strong story, a young Charles Bronson, an on-his-game Sterling Hayden, wonderful footage of old-school Los Angeles and outstanding cinematography.

Strait-Jacket

60s Drama
Woman in Danger
4.5 stars

This is best described as a "B" picture, but Joan Crawford gives an amazing performance, at once psychotic and sad. I found myself getting quite taken in by her character. It's a totally campy movie, with George "Police Squad" Kennedy as some sort of threatening farmhand, but this movie deserves a special place in any film lover's heart.

Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte

60s Drama
Older Woman In Danger
4 stars

The so-called "psycho biddy" (older woman in danger) subgenre continues here with Bette Davis as the main character and she's in fine acting form, along with Agnes Moorehead. Another decent Robert Aldrich film, the cinematography is great, and the spastic violence surprises and shocks. Long, melodramatic, but Gothic and good.

Die! Die! My Darling!

60s Drama
Older Woman in Danger
3 stars

Another from the crazy old woman series, this one's got an English twist, produced by the Hammer Studios. Not exactly graphic, not exactly gruesome, but no doubt hammy and over the top. This time, the older woman is not in danger, she's causing it. Alternate title is "Fanatic" and that fits this film.

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

60s Drama
Older Woman in Danger
4 stars

I know how highly regarded this film is, and I have love for Aldrich, but how much mean stuff from Davis to Crawford can I take? The payoff confession at the end also fell way flat, although I loved seeing King Tut Buono from the old Batman tv show in here. Wonderfully acted, downright scary.

What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?

60s Drama
3 stars
Older Woman In Danger

I can say this film was almost so bad it was great, and I suppose in a strange way it is great. A lonely, batty woman knocks off her housekeepers, as numbered by the trees in her garden. A kooky, hammy mess of entertainment, churned up in the wake of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

Fear In The Night

Noir
1940s Drama
2.5 stars

DeForest Kelly fans rejoice! Here's a starring old-school vehicle for your man Bones. This movie is a very slow kind of mystery, with some noir elements such as the sets showcasing the inner psychological makeup of the main character. This movie is excruciatingly slow, however. I fell asleep twice watching it, but managed to get through it in 3 sittings.