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Obsession (1976)
De Palma cures insomnia
Brian De Palma's "Obsession" turns into homework faster than a speeding bullet. It's heavy handed and painfully dull. It's locations are nice but the movie is grey all of the time so the movie doesn't look as good as it should. The music is not only totally overbearing, it also never stops. And when I mean it never stops, I mean it never stops. I don't want to say that Cliff Robertson mails it in but I will say that he's not very good in "Obsession". John Lithgow isn't that great and his accent is annoying. Genevieve Bujold is an appealing actress but even she can't save this movie. Director Brian De Palma has made quite a few good movies. "Obsession" isn't one of them.
Kelly's Heroes (1970)
A True Classic
I've seen "Kelly's Heroes" a bunch of times, including in the theater (Bellerose, NY). It's always a great time. It's very funny and very exciting. "Kelly's Heroes" is a great looking movie with excellent locations. The action scenes are some of the best stuff ever filmed. The explosions and the tanks going through walls never gets old. The cast is one of the best ever assembled. Knock out performances all over the place. Donald Sutherland, Carol O'Connor and Telly Savalas have never been better. Savalas delivers an Oscar caliber performance. "Kelly's Heroes" is probably Clint Eastwood's best movie. If not, it's in his Top 5.
The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
Yawn
I like my friends at work but their movie recommendations, they're the pits. TV shows are easy for me to get out of because I don't watch them. The last show I watched start to finish was M*A*S*H. (That's not an exaggeration.) When it comes to movie recommendations, it's harder to get out of. My buddy told that "The Greatest Night in Pop" was a good movie. I knew I won't like it but he kept asking me so I gave it a shot. It was pretty much exactly what I expected. "The Greatest Night in Pop" plays like an updated extended VHS video. (I watched this on Netflix.) (IMDB has a 600 character minimum.)
Psycho II (1983)
A lot better than expected
You would think that a twenty three year late sequel to "Psycho" would be DOA (Dead on Arrival) but it's not. It's actually a pretty entertaining movie. The script of "Psycho II" does fly off the rains every once in a while but the overall experience is a good one. That's mostly because of a very likeable cast. Anthony Perkins does a great job. Meg Tilly was wildly likeable in her day and in "Psycho II" she's at the top of her charm. "Psycho II" is too long by about fifteen or twenty minutes but the overall experience is a lot more thrilling than you might expect. (I watched this movie on Netflix".)
Dementia 13 (1963)
Low budget creepiness
I've been meaning to watch Francis Ford Coppola's "Dementia 13" for many years. I remember it used to play the midnight movies circuit and later VHS etc but I was always a little interested in it but I never pulled the trigger. I've been on a bit of a Coppola kick recently ever since I saw "Megalopolis". (It was better than I thought it would be. I gave it a 5 out of 10.) So now was the time to finally to watch "Dementia 13". It was also a lot better than I expected. "Dementia 13" is a nice creepy little movie. I liked a lot of it, especially when Luana Anders decides to go swimming. (I watched this movie on Freevee.)
Chopping Mall (1986)
Ridiculous
"Chopping Mall" isn't the worst movie in the world but, at the end of the day, it's just too dumb to really be enjoyed. It does have its fair share of lame jokes and a nice dose of skin but once any more chances for nudity fades anyway so did my interest in the movie. The cast is fine and I got a kick looking at some forgotten mall stores but those things can carry the movie only so far. Besides the nudity, the only thing "Chopping Mall" has going for it is its very friendly running time of seventy seven minutes. (I watched "Chopping Mall" on Tubi.) (IMDB has a 600 character minimum. So...how are you feeling?)
The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)
Not for me
I took an instant disliking for Virginia Madsen in "The Haunting in Connecticut". I didn't like her and ended up having no sympathy for her character. Madsen ends up dragging the father and the son into my zone of dislike. Obviously, a movie is in trouble with me me if I don't like the three main characters. I give the daughters a pass but they're minor characters. Ever since, "Some Kind of Wonderful" I've enjoyed seeing Elias Koteas show up in a movie. Koteas does a nice job in this movie but I could have done without his fake looking gray hair. Unfortunately, "The Haunting in Connecticut" was pretty much dead on arrival with me because I didn't like the cast.
Cult of Chucky (2017)
It runs out of gas
I was having a pretty good time with "Cult of Chucky" for the first hour or so. The last half hour, however, isn't nearly as good. The movie loses much of its humor and slides into some pretty standard gross-out territory. "Cult of Chucky" works a lot better when it's funny. That said, "Cult of Chucky" is worth watching. The movie looks good and the cast is likeable. The standout being the very appealing Fiona Dourif. I'm not an expert of the Child's Play franchise. (I think I've seen them all but I can't remember.) I can't honestly rank this one with the others. I'm guessing it's middle of the pack, which isn't bad for a Part 7.
The Changeling (1980)
Top-Notch Ghost Story
"The Changeling" is as quiet as it is tense. It does a slow burn until it reaches its very satisfying conclusion. George C. Scott gives an excellent performance. His supporting cast also does a nice job, with the standout being Melvyn Douglas, but this movie belongs to Scott. "The Changeling" is a good looking movie with very good music. The tension builds and builds. I've seen "The Changeling" quite a few times over the years, including in the theater when it first came out (Bellerose, NY). It never fails to hit the spot. (IMDB has a six hundred character minimum. I have thirty to go. Now eight)
Poltergeist (1982)
An 80's Classic
Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg's "Poltergeist" is a big time 80's special effect extravaganza. What goes on in this movie is completely off the wall. It has little or nothing to do with what poltergeists really are but that doesn't matter. The movie looks great. The cast is very likeable. And, most importantly, the special effects are outstanding. There's nothing better than pre-CGI specials effects and there are few movies that top "Poltergeist" in that department. I saw "Poltergeist" in the theater when it first came out (New Hyde Park, NY) and I've seen it many times since. It always hits the spot.
Night of the Living Dead (1990)
Solid Remake
I should take the blame for being late to the party with Tom Savini's "Night of the Living Dead" but I won't. I'm going to blame film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. Gene and Roger really blasted this movie when it first came out. I didn't see it in the theater or even rent it. I used to stumble across it on cable every once in a while but I was never really interested. For some reason I used to think it was a shot for shot remake with the only difference being that it was shot it color. Well I wasted my youth. This "Night of the Living Dead" is a worthy remake to the original classic. George Romero's script is very good. Tom Savini's direction is tight. The cast is likeable with the standout being a dreamy Particia Tallman. This "Night of the Living Dead" is one of the best of the series.
Joker: Folie à Deux (2024)
On par with the first one
I gave "Joker" a 7/10. I saw it once in the theater when it first came out and I haven't seen it since. I don't want to call "Joker" overrated but I will say it's overpraised. I saw "Joker: Folie a Duex" today (AMC Raceway 10 Westbury, NY) and I ended up also giving it a 7/10. It's as strong a sequel as I could have expected. The musical numbers all worked for me. The performances were all good. The movie looks great. However, "Joker: Folie a Deux" does run out of steam a bit during the last half hour or so. The movie ends up being about fifteen minutes too long. Writer/producer/director Todd Phillips and company deserve a lot of credit for aiming high. Honorable mention: Leigh Gill.
The Wolf Man (1941)
Classic Stuff
"The Wolf Man" is a great looking movie. It looks great in its glorious black & white. It also has a good story and tells it well. The cast is top-notch with the standout being Lon Chaney Jr. Chaney has never been better. "The Wolf Man" comes in at a very friendly seventy minutes. You get a lot for your money with this one. It's a classic. (I watched this on Turner Classic Movies.) (IMB has a six hundred character minimum so I have to ramble on for a little while more. So how was your day? Mine is going pretty well. My shoes are off and I hope they stay off for the rest of the afternoon. Almost there...)
The Children (1980)
Worth the watch
"The Children" is a fun early 80's horror movie. It's not that scary but it is pretty well done (for what it is that is). The cast is likeable. Early in the movie there is a bikini scene and some welcome nudity and that kind of stuff never hurts. "The Children" does wear out its welcome a little bit. It takes a little too long to get to its "see it coming down Broadway" ending. The movie clocks in at an hour and thirty three minutes. That's not bad but it should have been ten minutes shorter. Many years ago film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert used have a "Dog of the Week" segment on their show. One week Roger (I think) selected "The Children". Simmer down Roger, it's not that bad. (I watched this movie on Tubi.)
Megalopolis (2024)
Better than I expected
I wasn't expecting much when I went in to watch Francis Ford Coppola's "Megalopolis". I thought it would be a challenge not to leave early. As it turned out, I didn't even go to the bathroom. I didn't want to miss anything. "Megalopolis" is a great looking movie. The cast does a nice job with the only real weak link being Shia LaBeouf. LaBeouf gives a fearless performance but it's also a bit much. A little of LaBeouf goes a long way in this movie. The problem with "Megalopolis" has to do with Coppola's script. It's not confusing but it doesn't build up to a satisfying conclusion either. Coppola's last film (most likely) isn't the failure some people say it is. It's just not that great either. Dishonorable mention: LaBeouf and Aubrey Plaza's "love" scene.
Carrie (2002)
Ruined by its shoddy production
As I watched "Carrie", I kept thinking how shocked I was this was originally aired on NBC as a three hour movie event. (I do remember it ever being on.) It's shocking because the cheap production values are way below network television standards. If fact, "Carrie" looks worse than a lot of I see on The WB and SyFy. It was a major distraction. On the plus side, the cast was pretty good with the standouts being Angela Bettis as Carrie and Patricia Clarkson as the mom. Unfortunately, Clarkson and Bettis can only carry the movie so far. And as far as the big prom night finale goes, the cheap efforts ruin any chance it may have had.
Tarot (2024)
It's an easy watch
There's nothing I like less in movies than "check all the boxes" casting. It's usually an instant turn-off for me. (Exhibit A: "Alien: Romulus"). So I got off on the wrong foot when it comes to "Tarot". However, the cast won me over after only a few minutes. The cast was very likeable and lifted the kind of goofy material into a enjoyable night. Now, "Tarot" is a PG-13 horror movie so...they are what they are. That said, those kind of movies are my 22 year daughter's wheelhouse. She jumped a couple of times. She closed her eyes hiding from gory moments that don't happen in PG-13 movies. Sitting with my daughter with an appealing cast made "Tarot" a good watch.
Carrie (2013)
Weak by comparison
In Brian De Palma's "Carrie" (1976) the mother had an important role but the movie was about Carrie. I didn't have a stop watch but if I did, I'm guessing that a glammed down Julianne Moore (as the mom) has almost as much screen time as Carrie. In the original "Carrie" Piper Laurie played the mom and she earned an Oscar nomination. Moore is in full Oscar fishing mode in this movie. She does a nice job but her scenes end up being a bit much. Chloe Grace Moretz is in over her head as Carrie. She's an appealing actress. She's fine for the most part but when the big finale comes, she's as unconvincing as they come. Oh bye the way, the big prom scene ends up being less than thrilling. "Carrie" ends up being a hard pass for anyone who's seen the original.
Smorgasbord (The Movie) (1983)
Silly but very funny
I don't know if I was laughing with "Smorgasbord (The Movie)" (that's title under which I watched this movie) or laughing at it but it doesn't really matter. All that matters is that I was laughing. "Smorgasbord" is a funny movie. It's very silly but I laughed a lot. I laughed out loud more than a few times. Writer/director/star Jerry Lewis really delivers the goods with this movie. Lewis gives a very funny performance and he gets fun performances out of his supporting cast. Even Forster Brooks' cameo is pretty funny. "Smorgasbord" is a funny movie that I need to watch more often. (I watched this movie on Turner Classic Movies.)
The Rage: Carrie 2 (1999)
It crashes and burns
I was okay with "The Rage: Carrie 2" for quite a while. It wasn't great but it wasn't that bad either. For the first hour or so it was a watchable 90's horror movie. I kept wondering why it was rated R because it was all pretty tame. However, the cast was likeable and that goes a long way for me. "The Rage: Carrie 2" is barley a sequel. It's more of a remake that tries to sell itself as a sequel. Whatever, I was fine with that until the movies fell apart on its way to Carrie's, I mean Rachel's, big flip out. The finale we've all been waiting for ends up being really stupid. "The Rage: Carrie 2" really drops the ball during the last half hour.
Carrie (1976)
The bloom is off the rose
I've seen "Carrie" a bunch of times. I guess I always liked it but watching it tonight it kind of left me flat. "Carrie" has been copied/ ripped off (often by its own director Brian De Palma)/ parodied so much over the years that the impact of the film has been diminished quite a bit. It's classic De Palma style over substance. As far as 1970's low budget horror movies, "Carrie" is better than a lot of them but it hasn't aged that well. Sissy Spacek gives a great performance. The supporting cast is good including the forever dreamy Nancy Allen. De Palma's direction is standout stuff at times but also very show-offy. That said, "Carrie" is still worth watching. (I saw this movie on Tubi.)
Identity Thief (2013)
A lot of laughs
"Identity Thief" is a lot of fun. Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy both give terrific performances. Their supporting cast is also very good. There are a bunch of big laughs in this movie. Now, there a scene or two (one in particular) that I could have done without but none of that is a deal breaker. The movie is also a little too long. An hour and fifty minutes is too long for a movie like this. I 've seen "Identity Thief" a few times now. I always get a kick out of it. (This time I watched "Identity Thief" on Netflix. I know you don't care where I saw this movie but IMDB has a six hundred character minimum so...)
Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland (1989)
Goofy Fun
"Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" is a goofy movie and it knows it. It also has a certain charm. The cast is appealing with the standout (non-naked standout that is) being the very likeable Pamela Springsteen. I don't think I'd call "Sleepaway Camp III: Teenage Wasteland" a comedy but it does have a lot of fun with the material. This movie also has a scene that made me feel uncomfortable. The wildly dreamy Stacie Lambert has a great nude scene where she looks stunning but, unfortunately, she has to spend it making out with Michael J. Pollard. Yikes. That's cruel and unusual punishment for both Lambert and the audience.
Spooks Run Wild (1941)
It's a long hour (and five minutes)
Back in the glory days of VHS I used to see "Spooks Run Wild" in the bargain bin all of the time. A bunch of different companies released this public domain movie. Without fail it was always a crappy looking copy. "Spooks Run Wild" used to show up once in a while on late (late) night television but it was also always a lousy looking copy. When I saw that Turner Classic Movies was showing this movie I had hopes that I would finally get a chance to see a decent copy. No such luck. TCM's copy of "Spooks Run Wild" is just a crappy as all of the others. Bummer. The poor quality of the video plus the cheap production values and almost zero laughs make "Spooks Run Wild" a very difficult watch.
Crime School (1938)
Worth Watching
Now, I must admit when it comes to prison movies I prefer the chicks-in-chains kind. Movies like "Caged Heat", "Chain Heat" and "Jailbait" are more my speed but I can watch guys in jail movies too. They're just not as much fun. That said, "Crime School" is a pretty good watch. It has the Dead Kids/Bowery Boys/whatever you want to call them playing it straight, for the most part. There is only one scene that is played for laughs and that scene is probably the weakest in the movie. "Crime School" clocks in at a friendly hour and twenty five minutes but would have been better if it was a little shorter. Taking that goofy painting the room scene out would have helped the movie out quite a bit. (I watched "Crime School" on Turner Classic Movies.)