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January 2023

My Foolish Heart (1949)
Watched: 01/01/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Pregnant girl's soldier boyfriend killed. Marries friend's beau. Everyone miserable.
6-word review:  Weepy romance, leads overripe, nice music.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Susan Hayward, Dana Andrews

Dawn: Portrait of a Teenage Runaway (1976)
Watched: 01/02/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  15-year-old runaway becomes prostitute, has harrowing experiences, matures, goes home.
6-word review:  Plumb not bad in cautionary tale.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Watched on "Fake Jan Day," TV movie starring Eve Plumb (the real Jan Brady)

Fingerman (1955)
Watched: 01/02/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Surly undercover ex-con works with government to finger crime boss.
6-word review:  Moody, efficient crime noir. Nobody's likable.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Frank Lovejoy, Forrest Tucker

The Long Haul (1957)
Watched: 01/03/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  A discharged soldier-cum-trucker encounters organized crime and a sultry dame.
6-word review:  Gritty, twists, love triangle, noir gem.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Victor Mature, Diana Dors

Shotgun (1955)
Watched: 01/05/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Marshall hunts outlaws who killed friend; strong-willed woman tags along.
6-word review:  Cast recites dialogue in action-packed oater.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Sterling Hayden, Yvonne De Carlo

The Prowler (1981)
Watched: 01/06/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Why is someone fatally pitchforking teenagers on graduation dance night?
6-word review:  Checks all boxes of teen-slasher clichés.
Rating: ★★
Note: Farley Granger has small—but significant—role

Play Misty for Me (1971)
Watched: 01/06/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  DJ's insignificant fling turns possessive, obsessive, psychotic, suicidal, then murderous.
6-word review:  Walter is good. Eastwood is Eastwood.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Jessica Walter, Clint Eastwood

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
Watched: 01/07/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  American couple accidentally embroiled in international assassination plot; son kidnapped.
6-word review:  Tense movie. Doris distraught, Stewart smug.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Doris Day (singing Oscar-winning song "Que Sera, Sera"), James Stewart

Shampoo (1975)
Watched: 01/08/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Bed-hopping LA hairdresser juggles relationships with women during mid-life crises.
6-word review:  Excellent satire of swinging Hollywood lifestyle.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Warren Beatty, Julie Christie (and her wig), Goldie Hawn

Carry On Abroad (1972)
Watched: 01/08/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Silly shenanigans among tourists on holiday where everything goes wrong.
6-word review:  Occasionally clever double entendres; mostly sophomoric.
Rating: ★★
Note: 24th of 31 British "Carry On" films

Pretty Poison (1968)
Watched: 01/09/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Paranoid parolee and devious teen beauty commit some serious crimes.
6-word review:  Quirky multi-layered film. Weld "out-psychos" Perkins.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Anthony Perkins, Tuesday Weld

The Big Combo (1955)
Watched: 01/09/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Cop uses crime boss's unhappy mistress to bring down syndicate.
6-word review:  Well-acted film. Great characters. Classic noir.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte, Jean Wallace

The Rage of Paris (1938)
Watched: 01/10/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Unemployed model poses as French socialite to snare rich husband.
6-word review:  Amusing romantic comedy, good supporting cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Danielle Darrieux, Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

The Stepfather (2009)
Watched: 01/10/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Charming man seeking perfect family murders those that don't qualify.
6-word review:  Remake of 1987 thriller falls short.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward

Hellgate (1952)
Watched: 01/12/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Veterinarian wrongly sentenced to desert prison prevents deadly plague spread.
6-word review:  Offbeat, gritty, well-paced western. Solid performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Sterling Hayden, Ward Bond

Harold and Maude (1971)
Watched: 01/13/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Unlikely romance between ignored, morose 19-year-old and spirited, life-loving 79-year-old.
6-word review:  Deserving black comedy classic. Distracting music.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort

12 Hours to Kill (1960)
Watched: 01/14/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Murder witness discovers his police-protectors are in cahoots with killers.
6-word review:  Enjoyable, well-done crime film; lotsa chasing.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Nico Minardos, Barbara Eden

Fallen Angel (1945)
Watched: 01/15/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Grifter woos small-town tart, marries another for cash; tart murdered.
6-word review:  Slick, precise, well-acted noir; Darnell gorgeous.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Alice Faye, Linda Darnell, Dana Andrews

The Fox (1967)
Watched: 01/15/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Women's stark, lesbian, chicken-farming life disrupted by handsome, passionate drifter.
6-word review:  Beautifully filmed, moody, tragic, love triangle.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Sandy Dennis, Keir Dullea, Anne Heywood

Junebug (2005)
Watched: 01/16/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Bringing sophisticated wife to meet small-town family stirs long-held issues.
6-word review:  Truthful without condescending, insightful performances throughout.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Amy Adams, Alessandro Nivola

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
Watched: 01/16/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Newscaster exposes government scaremongering tactics used during 1950s communist witch-hunts.
6-word review:  Somber. Intelligently examines dark McCarthyism period.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring David Strathairn, George Clooney

Hud (1963)
Watched: 01/18/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Arrogant, womanizing rancher's son must face reality on many levels.
6-word review:  Acting excellence in dysfuntional family drama.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, Melvyn Douglas

The Savages (2007)
Watched: 01/20/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Self-absorbed adult siblings must care for unfeeling, now-demented, dying father.
6-word review:  Darkly funny, intelligent, perceptive. Great acting.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Laura Linney, Philip Seymour Hoffman

The Street with No Name (1948)
Watched: 01/21/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Undercover FBI agent joins criminal gang to nab ruthless cutthroats.
6-word review:  Good crime story. Widmark nicely sinister.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Mark Stevens, Richard Widmark

The Deadly Mantis (1957)
Watched: 01/22/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Scientists, military, collaborate to save world from giant prehistoric bug.
6-word review:  Stock footage, cheesy effects, terrorized acting.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Craig Stevens, William Hopper

Anna's Storm (2007)
Watched: 01/22/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Small-town mayor bravely, compassionately contends with a devastating meteor storm.
6-word review:  Some excitement in predictable disaster film.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring Sheree J. Wilson, Peter LaCroix

Small Town Murder Songs (2010)
Watched: 01/24/23     Provider: TCL Channel
10-word summary:  Community's troubled police chief investigates town's first murder in decades.
6-word review:  Jarring soundtrack detracts from good story.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Peter Stormare, Martha Plimpton

That Is All (2019)
Watched: 01/24/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Straight, 30-year-old has affair with friend's boyfriend, questioning depressing life.
6-word review:  Slow, pensive, gloomy, sad. Attractive cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Joel Ballanger, Al Braatz

Auntie Lee's Meat Pies (1992)
Watched: 01/25/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Woman's beautiful nieces lure men to become meat pie filling.
6-word review:  Silly, black comedy horror; occasional chuckle.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Karen Black

Pieces of Dreams (1970)
Watched: 01/26/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hot priest falls for attractive social worker, questions his vocation.
6-word review:  Fifty years later, same religious issues.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Robert Forster, Lauren Hutton

Shotgun Wedding (2022)
Watched: 01/27/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Perfectly planned tropical destination wedding becomes comically pirate-terrorized screwball fiasco.
6-word review:  Makes little sense, but fun diversion.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jennifer Lopez, Josh Duhamel

God Told Me To (1976)
Watched: 01/29/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Investigating random NY murders, devout Catholic cop discovers psychic powers.
6-word review:  Promising crime drama takes weird turn.
Rating: Abandoned
Note: Starring Tony Lo Bianco

To Sir, with Love (1967)
Watched: 01/29/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  First-time teacher tames and earns respect of unruly inner-city class.
6-word review:  Dignified Poitier performance; great theme song.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Sidney Poitier, Judy Geeson, Lulu

Intrusion (2021)
Watched: 01/30/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman discovers seemingly perfect husband has been keeping lotsa secrets.
6-word review:  Tense moments in this far-fetched thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Freida Pinto, Logan Marshall-Green

Edge of Winter (2016)
Watched: 01/30/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  In remote snowbound cabin, boys must escape increasingly unhinged father.
6-word review:  Bleak, violent, suspenseful. Powerfully ambiguous ending.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Joel Kinnaman, Tom Holland

The Crooked Way (1949)
Watched: 01/30/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Returned amnesiac veteran learns of his criminal past, cyncical wife.
6-word review:  Shadowy, multi-plotted, well-paced noir. Nice camerawork.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring John Payne, Ellen Drew

February 2023     |     Back to top

Hawaii (1966)
Watched: 02/01/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Self-righteous minister inflicts Christianity on vulnerable people with tragic results.
6-word review:  Worthwhile but overlong—third hour best.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Julie Andrews, Max von Sydow

Little Pink House (2017)
Watched: 02/01/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Woman fights to save home from large corporation's eminent domain.
6-word review:  True story told well; good performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Catherine Keener, Jeanne Tripplehorn

Sixteen Candles (1984)
Watched: 02/02/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  93 minutes of teen whining about family forgetting her birthday.
6-word review:  Sexist, racist, sophomoric—offensive to everyone.
Rating: ★
Note: Starring Molly Ringwald

Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Watched: 02/02/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Stubborn, different-class-would-be-lovers must overcome title biases to finally get together.
6-word review:  Beauty, humor, melodrama, music—all here.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Keira Knightley, ensemble cast

Stay Awhile (2014)
Watched: 02/03/23     Provider: Pluto TV
10-word summary:  Documentary of career, personal relationships of Canadian band The Bells.
6-word review:  Interesting story behind the title song.
Rating: ★★★
Note: A film by Jessica Edwards, the daughter of The Bells band members Cliff and Ann Edwards.

If Looks Could Kill (2016)
Watched: 02/03/23     Provider: Crackle TV
10-word summary:  Manipulative woman marries cop; his close friend rightfully distrusts her.
6-word review:  Implausible, but mildly entertaining, late-night viewing.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Lifetime TV movie starring not one recognizable name.

A Summer Place (1959)
Watched: 02/04/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Long-ago lovers reunite as their almost grownup children become involved.
6-word review:  Melodramatic, romantically cheesey. Beautiful scenery, music.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Troy Donahue, Sandra Dee; well-known theme song

Force of Evil (1948)
Watched: 02/05/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Unscrupulous gangster's lawyer attempts to take over numbers racket; mistake.
6-word review:  Garfield intense in taut crime drama.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring John Garfield

The Human Jungle (1954)
Watched: 02/05/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Strict new police captain cleans up precinct, solves dame's murder.
6-word review:  Tough procedural crime story. Sterling's great.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Gary Merrill, Jan Sterling

Suspect (1987)
Watched: 02/06/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Public attorney defends man experiencing homelessness in high-profile political murder.
6-word review:  Cher's great; plot's full of holes.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Cher, Dennis Quaid

American Swing (2008)
Watched: 02/06/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Documentary of heyday, demise of 70s swingers' club Plato's Retreat.
6-word review:  Interesting, low-budget look at bygone era.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Interviews with club patrons, employees, and owner Larry Levenson

Disappearance at Clifton Hill (2019)
Watched: 02/06/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Unreliable woman, suddenly remembering witnessing 1994 kidnapping, does some investigating.
6-word review:  Drags a bit; nice twist ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Tuppence Middleton

Trapeze (1956)
Watched: 02/06/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Scheming trampolinist comes between two acrobats with chance at stardom.
6-word review:  Colorful circus soap opera; Burt's good.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Burt Lancaster, Tony Curtis, Gina Lollobrigida

Bridesmaids (2011)
Watched: 02/09/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Her life a self-centered mess, woman nearly ruins friend's wedding.
6-word review:  Only occasional chuckle. Unlikable lead character.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Ensemble cast

Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022)
Watched: 02/10/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Examines history of black cinema, mainly focusing on 1970s Hollywood.
6-word review:  Excellent clips and narration; interviews vary.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Director and narrator: Elvis Mitchell

Trapped (1949)
Watched: 02/11/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Incarcerated counterfeiter makes deal with Feds to nab criminal accomplices.
6-word review:  Tight, well-paced early noir, great twists.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Lloyd Bridges, Barbara Payton

Scarface (1932)
Watched: 02/11/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Gangster violently takes over Chicago liquor business; dominates younger sister.
6-word review:  Dated, but still-potent, action-packed crime classic.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Paul Muni, Ann Dvorak

Sonny (2002)
Watched: 02/12/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  New Orleans prostitute's son, groomed for the business, wants out.
6-word review:  Angst, anger, bad accents, good ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring James Franco, Brenda Blethyn

Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971)
Watched: 02/12/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  Doctor experimenting with serum transforms to dangerous alter ego temptress.
6-word review:  Fun, but dark; early gender bender.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Ralph Bates, Martine Beswick

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985)
Watched: 02/13/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Secret Service agents track down high-level counterfeiters; avenge colleague's death.
6-word review:  Petersen's hot; great chase, surprise ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring William Petersen, Willem Dafoe

Bullitt (1968)
Watched: 02/15/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Witness murdered in police custody. Cop tracks hitmen, annoys politician.
6-word review:  Slow-burn thriller, highlighted by classic chase.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Steve McQueen, Robert Vaughn

One Million Years B.C. (1966)
Watched: 02/15/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Exiled prehistoric man meets beauty from another tribe—adventures ensue.
6-word review:  Kitschy fun, great effects, Raquel gorgeous.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Raquel Welch (R.I.P. 09/05/1940 - 02/15/2023), John Richardson

The Last of Sheila (1973)
Watched: 02/16/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Movie producer invites wife's murder suspects to vacation on yacht.
6-word review:  Complicated mystery, great cast, clever resolution.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring ensemble cast

The Other Love (1947)
Watched: 02/17/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Doctor smitten with dying patient reluctant to cooperate with treatment.
6-word review:  Romantically unrealistic. Stanwyck's great, doomed heroine.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, David Niven

Rock All Night (1957)
Watched: 02/17/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  Unbalanced thugs hold patrons hostage in sleazy bar; lives changed.
6-word review:  Good performances, minimal story, lively music.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jeanne Cooper, Russell Johnson

The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963)
Watched: 02/17/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Precocious youngster plays matchmaker for his lonely, recently widowed father.
6-word review:  Howard outshines adults in warm-hearted dramedy.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Glenn Ford, Shirley Jones, Ronny Howard, Stella Stevens (R.I.P. 10/01/1938 - 02/17/2023)

Beast (2022)
Watched: 02/18/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man, daughters visiting South Africa are hunted by man-eating lion.
6-word review:  Exciting adventure. Nice scenery. Suspend disbelief.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Idris Elba

The Woman King (2022)
Watched: 02/19/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Unit of fierce women warriors defends African nation against slavers.
6-word review:  Has it all: story, acting, spectacle.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Viola Davis

I Start Counting (1970)
Watched: 02/19/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  English schoolgirl suspects worshipped foster brother is sex maniac murderer.
6-word review:  Intriguing premise; dated, slow; bad music.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Jenny Agutter

Frankenstein Created Woman (1967)
Watched: 02/20/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Receiving wrongly executed man's soul, his once-deformed lover exacts revenge.
6-word review:  Fun movie—if not expecting much.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Peter Cushing, Susan Denberg

Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Watched: 02/20/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Botched diamond heist participants rendezvous in warehouse for fatal confrontation.
6-word review:  Deadpan humor, conflict, violence; good acting.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, starring an ensemble cast

March 2023     |     Back to top

The Missouri Traveler (1958)
Watched: 03/03/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Runaway orphan, befriended by turn-of-the-century small town, gains life experience.
6-word review:  Charmingly obvious, coming-of-age drama. Brandon's good.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Brandon De Wilde, Gary Merrill

This Is Where I Leave You (2014)
Watched: 03/03/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Family gathers for father's funeral, secrets revealed, issues dealt with.
6-word review:  Good cast brightens up familiar plot.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Jason Bateman, Jane Fonda

Poor Cow (1967)
Watched: 03/03/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Early pregnancy, wrong men, little education. Working-class girl feels trapped.
6-word review:  Shallow lead character evokes little empathy.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Carol White, Terence Stamp

Sal (2011)
Watched: 03/03/23     Provider: Freebie TV
10-word summary:  Last day of life for murdered, charismatic actor Sal Mineo.
6-word review:  Detailed account of otherwise unremarkable day.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Directed by James Franco, starring Val Lauren

Zoombies (2016)
Watched: 03/04/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Staff must contain infected zoo animals, not to zombify world.
6-word review:  Silly, cartoonish thrills. [SPOILER ALERT:] Annoying child survives.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring nobody famous

Behave Yourself! (1951)
Watched: 03/04/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Gangsters, counterfeiters, cops follow dog following man home—mayhem ensues.
6-word review:  Heavy-handed screwball comedy; high body count.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring (both miscast) Farley Granger, Shelley Winters

Retake (2016)
Watched: 03/04/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Lonely businessman hires hustler to recreate a long-ago road trip.
6-word review:  Intriguing, well-acted drama with realistic ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Tuc Watkins

Tabloid (2010)
Watched: 03/05/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Unbalanced woman accused of 1977 kidnapping, rape of Mormon missionary.
6-word review:  Straightforward telling of sensationalized, true story.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Features interviews with Joyce McKinney (the accused) and others involved

Bad Grandmas (2017)
Watched: 03/04/23     Provider: Freevee TV
10-word summary:  Four grandmas accidentally kill con man; covering up gets complicated.
6-word review:  Silly, southern black comedy. Lively cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Florence Henderson, Pam Grier

Blood Red Sky (2021)
Watched: 03/07/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Mysteriously ill woman defends transatlantic flight against hijackers, protects son.
6-word review:  High-altitude, character-driven thriller; excellent special effects.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Peri Baumeister, Kais Setti

Alone in the Neon Jungle (1988)
Watched: 03/07/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Police captain struggles to clean up her crime-ridden, inner-city precinct.
6-word review:  Routine story made interesting by Pleshette.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring Suzanne Pleshette

Easy A (2010)
Watched: 03/08/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  A lie about reputation transforms teen from anonymous to infamous.
6-word review:  Privileged teenage angst. An easy-going comedy.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Emma Stone

The Bad Seed (1956)
Watched: 03/09/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Woman discovers sweet little daughter is a manipulative cold-blooded killer.
6-word review:  Great performances in stagy demon-child melodrama.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)
Watched: 03/10/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  West Point cadets are being ritualistically murdered; embittered detective investigates.
6-word review:  Slow, somber, bleak until late-movie twist.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Christian Bale

Warm Nights and Hot Pleasures (1964)
Watched: 03/11/23     Provider: Midnight Pulp
10-word summary:  Three small-town girls, in NYC for Broadway careers, quickly disillusioned.
6-word review:  Sleazy, voyeuristic, low-budget production; oddly poignant.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Marla Ellis

Giant from the Unknown (1958)
Watched: 03/12/23     Provider: Midnight Pulp
10-word summary:  500-year-old fossilized Spanish giant revived in electrical storm causes trouble.
6-word review:  Routine 1950s sci-fi; silly but entertaining.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Ed Kemmer, Sally Fraser

Lured (1947)
Watched: 03/12/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  American dancer helps Scotland Yard catch killer of lonely girls.
6-word review:  Lucy's good in well-done British noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Lucille Ball, George Sanders

Handsome (2017)
Watched: 03/13/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Overweight Los Angeles detective solves murder of neighbor's dismembered babysitter.
6-word review:  Characters try hard to be quirky.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jeff Garlin, Natasha Lyonne

Deadly Strangers (1975)
Watched: 03/16/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Dangerous psychotic patient escapes. Woman takes ride with a stranger.
6-word review:  Unfolds slowly. Hayley's good. Surprising ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Hayley Mills, Simon Ward

Sky West and Crooked (a.k.a. Gypsy Girl) (1966)
Watched: 03/17/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Simple girl falls for gypsy who saved her from drowning.
6-word review:  Excellent performances in charming, unusual film.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Hayley Mills (written by her mother, Mary Hayley Bell; directed by her father, John Mills), Ian McShane

The Criminal (a.k.a. The Concrete Jungle) (1960)
Watched: 03/18/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Hardened criminal won't tell double-crossing accomplices where robbery loot's hidden.
6-word review:  Gritty, well-paced crime drama. Annoying girlfriend.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Stanley Baker

The Long Goodbye (1973)
Watched: 03/18/23     Provider: Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Elliott Gould

A Different Story (1978)
Watched: 03/19/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Friends, roommates, gay man, lesbian fall in love, marry; trouble.
6-word review:  Progressive, but patronizing. Offensive sitcom ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Perry King, Meg Foster

The Horror at 37,000 Feet (1973)
Watched: 03/20/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Plane transporting ancient church stones possessed by ice-cold evil spirits.
6-word review:  High-altitude nonsense that cast takes seriously.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring ensemble of 1970s stars

Faraway (2023)
Watched: 03/21/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Stagnant woman inherits house on Croatian island; many lives change.
6-word review:  Delightful film carried by wonderful leads.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Naomi Krauss, Goran Bogdan

Concrete Plans (2020)
Watched: 03/22/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Arrogant landowner hires rough crew for renovations, withholds pay; mistake.
6-word review:  Builds nicely with twists and surprises.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Goran Bogdan

Riot on Sunset Strip (1967)
Watched: 03/25/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Counterculture teens protest Strip curfews. Cop tries to keep peace.
6-word review:  Once groovy, mostly cheesy; Aldo's good.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Aldo Ray, Mimsy Farmer

Doctors' Wives (1971)
Watched: 03/26/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Adultery, murder, drugs, alcohol, scandal—problems of typical rich physicians.
6-word review:  Slick soap opera. Guilty pleasure viewing.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring all-star ensemble

Duck Soup (1933)
Watched: 03/26/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Wacky leader of small country declares war for silly reasons.
6-word review:  70 long minutes of dated buffoonery.
Rating: ★½
Note: Starring The Marx Brothers

The New Centurions (1972)
Watched: 03/27/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Rookie cops team with veterans to learn rough L.A. streets.
6-word review:  Well-acted, episodic film. Empathy for cops.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring George C. Scott, Stacy Keach

The Big Sleep (1946)
Watched: 03/29/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  PI hired to resolve blackmail becomes involved in complex mystery.
6-word review:  Complicated plot lines, rapid-fire noir dialogue.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall

Black Angel (1946)
Watched: 03/29/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Boozy songwriter helps woman prove her husband innocent of murder.
6-word review:  Slick, suspenseful story takes its time.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Dan Duryea, June Vincent

The Three Musketeers (1973)
Watched: 03/31/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Naive French peasant proves worthy to join elite sword-fighting corps.
6-word review:  Rousing slapstick comedy with great cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Michael York, Raquel Welch and all-star ensemble

April 2023     |     Back to top

High School Hellcats (1958)
Watched: 04/03/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  New girl must join tough girl gang to be popular.
6-word review:  Bad acting, bad music, nice clothes.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Yvonne Lime, Brett Halsey

Another Man's Poison (1951)
Watched: 04/03/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Mystery writer kills husband, then the impostor taking his place.
6-word review:  Tangled web of deception. Bette's good.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Bette Davis, Gary Merrill

Dangerous Passage (1944)
Watched: 04/04/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man traveling to claim inheritance boards ship full of criminals.
6-word review:  Lotsa action in a short film.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Robert Lowery

The Mauritanian (2021)
Watched: 04/04/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Lawyer defends detained, tortured man suspected of recruiting 9/11 terrorists.
6-word review:  Compelling, well-acted film. Parts difficult watching.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Jodie Foster, Benedict Cumberbatch

Walk a Crooked Mile (1948)
Watched: 04/06/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  FBI must stop atomic secrets from falling into enemy hands.
6-word review:  Suspenseful, patriotic, semi-documentary, Cold War noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Dennis O'Keefe, Louis Hayward

Sorority Row (2009)
Watched: 04/07/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Gone-wrong prank and cover-up turns deadly for bitchy sorority girls.
6-word review:  Over-the-top slasher with occasionally witty dialogue.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Carrie Fisher

Crime Against Joe (1956)
Watched: 04/07/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Evidence points to accused murderer, Joe, who must prove innocence.
6-word review:  Starts slowly. Bromfield's handsome. Satisfying ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring John Bromfield, Julie London

Inside Man (2006)
Watched: 04/08/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  More going on than perfectly planned robbery of large bank.
6-word review:  Layered plot. Excellent acting. Ironic twists.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Denzel Washington, Clive Owen, Jodie Foster

The Blazing Sun (1954)
Watched: 04/08/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Wealthy sugar-cane grower destroys peasant's crop, murders and revenge follow.
6-word review:  Intense, epic drama. Charismatic young Sharif.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Omar Sharif, Faten Hamamah

Land (2021)
Watched: 04/09/23     Provider: Freevee TV
10-word summary:  Devastated, grieving woman isolates in wilderness, bonds with also-grieving man.
6-word review:  Beautifully tragic, ultimately hopeful. Excellent performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Robin Wright (who also directed it), Demián Bichir

Piranha (1978)
Watched: 04/10/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary: Mutated killer fish—unwittingly released into resort lake—wreak havoc.
6-word review:  Environmental message, genuine scares, campy fun.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies-Urich

Piranha (1995)
Watched: 04/10/23     Provider: Popcornflix
10-word summary:  Unnecessary remake of 1978 film, almost identical script, worse acting.
6-word review:  Just what you'd expect; watchable silliness.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring William Katt, Alexandra Paul

The Snowman (2017)
Watched: 04/17/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Disgraced alcoholic cop tracks elusive serial killer in snow-covered Norway.
6-word review:  Multiple unresolved storylines. Slow and bleak.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Michael Fassbender

But I'm a Cheerleader (1999)
Watched: 04/17/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Teen sent to conversion camp by parents to cure lesbianism.
6-word review:  Funny, satirical film about serious issue.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Natasha Lyonne, RuPaul, and ensemble cast

Bros (2022)
Watched: 04/22/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Two commitment-phobic men—one charming, one annoying—fall in love.
6-word review:  Preachy gay film follows rom-com formula.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Billy Eichner, Luke Macfarlane

Kansas City (1996)
Watched: 04/26/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Floozy, involved with gangsters and lowlifes, kidnaps senator's opium-addicted wife.
6-word review:  Music's good. Leigh's bad. Ending's good.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Harry Belafonte; written and directed by Robert Altman

World in My Corner (1956)
Watched: 04/27/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Slum-kid-turned-boxer falls for rich, unhappy daughter of leading ball-bearing manufacturer.
6-word review:  Stilted acting, corny dialogue, predictably watchable.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Audie Murphy, Barbara Rush

Shakedown (1950)
Watched: 04/27/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Unscrupulous newspaper photographer uses people—even gangsters—to get ahead.
6-word review:  Concise crime drama; great noir cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Howard Duff, Lawrence Tierney

Mad Dog Killer [a.k.a. Beast with a Gun] (1977)
Watched: 04/30/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Sadistic murderer escapes prison, seeks revenge, eludes police, terrorizes populace.
6-word review:  Violent, fast-paced Italian film. Beautiful leads.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Helmut Berger, Marisa Mell

The Damned (1969)
Watched: 04/30/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Aristocratic corporation family members become entwined with Hitler's ultimate plan.
6-word review:  Long, complicated, engaging, sordid, disturbing, timely.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Helmut Berger, Ingrid Thulin; earned an X rating in 1969

May 2023     |     Back to top

The Landlord (1970)
Watched: 05/04/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Privileged white boy buys black tenement building, learns about life.
6-word review:  Poignant drama mixed with satire, comedy.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Beau Bridges, Diana Sands

Come Back, Little Sheba (1952)
Watched: 05/05/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Lonely, slovenly housewife supports handsome, fragile, alcoholic husband; obstacles arise.
6-word review:  Heartbreaking, Oscar-winning Booth performance. Lancaster matches.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Shirley Booth, Burt Lancaster

Eunice (1982)
Watched: 05/10/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  25 years of comically dysfunctional Harper family fighting, making up.
6-word review:  Darker than original skits. Vickie's good.
Rating: ★★★
Note: TV movie starring Carol Burnett, Vickie Lawrence; characters originated on The Carol Burnett Show and led to the series Mama's Family

Tender Mercies (1983)
Watched: 05/13/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Washed-up alcoholic singer finds a renewed life with gentle widow.
6-word review:  Low-key, thought-provoking with excellent understated performances.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Robert Duvall (Oscar-winning role), Tess Harper

Lilies (1996)
Watched: 05/15/23     Provider: Sling TV
10-word summary:  Prisoners stage play forcing bishop to confront his past sins.
6-word review:  Downbeat, lyrically tragic. Not for all.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring All-male Canadian cast

Rome Adventure (1962)
Watched: 05/17/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Progressive woman travels to Italy, finds romance, life experiences, love.
6-word review:  Beautiful scenery, dramatic emoting, romantic fluff.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Suzanne Pleshette, Troy Donahue

Parrish (1961)
Watched: 05/18/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Determined young man defies tobacco baron stepfather, romances three women.
6-word review:  Dreamy Troy, soapy story, lush production.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Troy Donahue, Connie Stevens, ensemble cast

Palm Springs Weekend (1963)
Watched: 05/20/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  College students spend Easter break romancing and getting into mischief.
6-word review:  Forced humor, bad acting, clichéd plot.
Rating: ★
Note: Starring Troy Donahue, Stefanie Powers

Conversation Piece (1974)
Watched: 05/20/23     Provider: Plex
10-word summary:  Reclusive professor rents apartment to unconventional family; quiet life disrupted.
6-word review:  Beautiful, but long, well-acted, multi-themed film.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Burt Lancaster, Helmut Berger

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)
Watched: 05/21/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Drag queens travel to a remote-town performance, have life-changing experiences.
6-word review:  Great music, costumes, performances. Poignantly uplifting.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Hugo Weaving, Terence Stamp, Guy Pearce

Living in Oblivion (1995)
Watched: 05/21/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  Independent, low-budget filmmaker juggles egos, insecurities, equipment malfunctions during shoot.
6-word review:  Incisive, fast-paced satire, mixing humor, realism.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener

Cockneys vs Zombies (2012)
Watched: 05/21/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  Inept bank robbers fight zombies to save retirement home residents.
6-word review:  Amusing, action-packed, black comedy/horror. Likable cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Harry Treadaway, Rasmus Hardiker

Cocaine Bear (2023)
Watched: 05/27/23     Provider: Virgin Voyages
10-word summary:  Bear eats bags of cocaine, goes crazy, kills for more.
6-word review:  Initially funny comedy quickly goes flat.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring ensemble cast

Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018)
Watched: 05/29/23     Provider: Virgin Voyages
10-word summary:  Young woman opens mother-honoring Greek hotel while singing ABBA songs.
6-word review:  Colorful, exuberant, entertaining—with energetic performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring ensemble cast, including Cher!

June 2023     |     Back to top

Let's Make Love (1960)
Watched: 06/01/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  With coaching from famous celebrities, billionaire woos beautiful off-Broadway singer/actress.
6-word review:  Marilyn sparkles, Montand sucks, movie's so-so.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Marilyn Monroe (who was born on this day in 1926), Yves Montand

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
Watched: 06/01/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Romantic adventures of two showgirls on a voyage to Paris.
6-word review:  Classic musical numbers. Marilyn's comedic peak.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Marilyn Monroe (who was born on this day in 1926), Jane Russell

Untamed Mistress (1956)
Watched: 06/02/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman living with gorillas, men fight murderous apes keeping her.
6-word review:  Low budget, stock footage, entertaining silliness.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jacqueline Fontaine, John Martin

Girl Gang (1954)
Watched: 06/03/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Gangster hooks girls on drugs, has them commit robberies, prostitution.
6-word review:  Terrible acting, fast-paced story, obvious outcome.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Timothy Farrell, Joanne Arnold

Girls in Chains (1943)
Watched: 06/03/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman takes undercover job in women's prison to expose corruption.
6-word review:  Snappy, early women-in-prison film; familiar themes.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Arline Judge, Barbara Pepper

To Leslie (2022)
Watched: 06/04/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Annoying alcoholic woman alienates everyone around her, rebuilds her life.
6-word review:  Slow. Good performances. Quick wrap up.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Andrea Riseborough, Allison Janney

The Toll of the Sea (1922)
Watched: 06/04/23     Provider: Classic Film Time
10-word summary:  An American seaman marries naive Chinese girl then deserts her.
6-word review:  Wong is excellent as tragic beauty.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Anna May Wong, Kenneth Harlan; silent film, 7th color film, 2nd Technicolor film

Between Midnight and Dawn (1950)
Watched: 06/05/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Two patrolmen pursue vicious gangster, fall for same reluctant woman.
6-word review:  Good slow-building crime drama, exciting shootout.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Edmond O'Brien, Mark Stevens, Gale Storm

She's Lost Control (2014)
Watched: 06/05/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sexual surrogate's life unravels when she develops feelings for client.
6-word review:  Compelling story of isolation and alienation.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Brooke Bloom, Marc Menchaca

I See You (2019)
Watched: 06/06/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Strange happenings in home of small-town detective investigating missing boys.
6-word review:  Scares and suspense mix makes worthwhile.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jon Tenney, Helen Hunt

Street of Shadows [a.k.a. Shadow Man] (1953)
Watched: 06/07/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Casino owner, socialite girlfriend, both suspected in his ex's murder.
6-word review:  Solid acting, good soundtrack, well-done production.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Cesar Romero, Kay Kendall

Fathers and Daughters (2015)
Watched: 06/08/23     Provider: Sling TV
10-word summary:  Brilliant, damaged writer struggles raising daughter who develops own demons.
6-word review:  Great cast, excellent performances, appropriately melodramatic.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried

Earthquake (1974)
Watched: 06/10/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Massive earthquake hits Los Angeles, imperiled survivors face continued danger.
6-word review:  Big stars. Bad acting. Disastrous nonsense.
Rating: ★½
Note: Starring Ensemble cast

Carnival Story (1954)
Watched: 06/10/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Woman joins carnival, becomes headliner, wooed by two—trouble brews.
6-word review:  Quirky film delivers sin, sex, melodrama.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Anne Baxter, Steve Cochran, Lyle Bettger

Private Hell 36 (1954)
Watched: 06/11/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Investigating counterfeiters, cops become involved with sultry dame and corruption.
6-word review:  Strong performances in tense, well-made noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Ida Lupino (who also wrote and produced), Steve Cochran, Howard Duff

Il Grido (The Cry) (1957)
Watched: 06/11/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  After broken relationship, man wanders countryside seeking work, purpose, meaning.
6-word review:  Cochran good in stark episodic film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Steve Cochran, Alida Valli

Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
Watched: 06/14/23     Provider: Icelandair
10-word summary:  Irish villager shuns longtime friend—confusion, series of tragedies ensue.
6-word review:  Wonderful characters, beautifully filmed, unexpectedly dark.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Collin Farrell, Brenden Gleason

The Fabelmans (2022)
Watched: 06/18/23     Provider: Norwegian Cruise Line
10-word summary:  Spielberg's memoir—his quirky family and early passion for movie-making.
6-word review:  Meticulously filmed, but long. Excellent acting.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Michelle Williams, Paul Dano

M3GAN (2022)
Watched: 06/25/23     Provider: British Airways
10-word summary:  AI doll—lonely girl's playmate—becomes too human; turns evil.
6-word review:  Bad Seed meets Trilogy of Terror.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Allison Williams, Violet McGraw

Promising Young Woman (2020)
Watched: 06/29/23     Provider: Freevee TV
10-word summary:  Haunted by tragedy, woman meticulously exacts revenge on those responsible.
6-word review:  Slow starting, quirky twists, ultimately satisfying.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Carey Mulligan

July 2023     |     Back to top

Casa Susanna (2022)
Watched: 07/01/23     Provider: PBS: American Experience
10-word summary:  Documentary of 1960s Catskills haven for cross-dressing men, transgender women.
6-word review:  Poignant stories of early queer history.
Rating: ★★★

Stage Mother (2020)
Watched: 07/01/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Conservative mother inherits dead son's drag bar; many lives change.
6-word review:  An exuberant, if predictable, comedy-drama mix.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Jacki Weaver, Adrian Grenier

Hollywood Story (1951)
Watched: 07/03/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Movie producer stirs up 22-year-old unsolved, scandalous, Tinseltown murder case.
6-word review:  Promising premise. Pedestrian pace. Placid presentation.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Richard Conte, Julie Adams

Hell Bound (1957)
Watched: 07/04/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Ruthless gangster hatches complex scheme to steal government surplus narcotics.
6-word review:  Russell is pure evil. Great ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring John Russell, June Blair

Cry of the City (1948)
Watched: 07/04/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Cop killer escapes prison, hides, tries to solve jewelry heist.
6-word review:  Great cast in tense, episodic noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Richard Conte, Victor Mature

The Man in the Net (1959)
Watched: 07/06/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Unstable, adulterous wife goes missing; affable, frustrated husband wrongly accused.
6-word review:  Ladd stoic. Jones spirited. Tediously obvious.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Alan Ladd, Carolyn Jones

The Secret Life of the Cruise (2018)
Watched: 07/08/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Documentary about what it takes to run a cruise ship.
6-word review:  Fascinating, recommended viewing for all cruisers.
Rating: ★★★½

Nightmare (1956)
Watched: 07/08/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Musician dreams he killed someone, suspects it might be true.
6-word review:  Slow movie saved by late twist.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Edward G. Robinson, Kevin McCarthy

Heartland (1979)
Watched: 07/08/23     Provider: Freevee TV
10-word summary:  Widow takes job as gruff Wyoming rancher's housekeeper; faces hardships.
6-word review:  Beautifully filmed and acted. Realistically touching.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Conchata Ferrell, Rip Torn

Wham! (2023)
Watched: 07/09/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Story of friendship and sensational career of 80s pop duo.
6-word review:  Nothing new revealed; music's still great.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring George Michael, Andrew Ridgeley

Screaming Mimi (1958)
Watched: 07/09/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Unbalanced exotic dancer has obsessed admirer, also maybe murderous stalker.
6-word review:  Ekberg gorgeous. Lurid, cheesy, nicely filmed.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Anita Ekberg, Gypsy Rose Lee

The Man Who Turned to Stone (1957)
Watched: 07/10/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  200-year-old scientists drain life from girl prisoners, prolonging own lives.
6-word review:  Offbeat enough to be enjoyable diversion.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring William Hudson, Victor Jory

Walk on the Wild Side (1962)
Watched: 07/11/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Texan finds old flame working as prostitute for tough madam.
6-word review:  Stanwyck forceful in seamy bordello shenanigans.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Capucine, Jane Fonda

Lady of Burlesque (1943)
Watched: 07/11/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Burlesque headliner turns amateur sleuth to help solve showgirl murders.
6-word review:  Silly musical mystery. Stanwyck's main attraction.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck

A Message to Garcia (1936)
Watched: 07/12/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Trio treks treacherously through Cuban jungle delivering secret war plans.
6-word review:  Rousing adventure. Brooklyn's señorita Stanwyck's feisty.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, John Boles, Wallace Beery

Mexicali Rose (1929)
Watched: 07/12/23&nbp;    Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Barkeep divorces cheating wife; she retaliates marrying his foster son.
6-word review:  Early strumpet Stanwyck. Otherwise dull movie.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Sam Hardy

Hot Pursuit (2015)
Watched: 07/13/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Uptight cop escorts criminal's widow to court; murderous thugs pursue.
6-word review:  Silliness abounds. Enjoyable leads. Terrible editing.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Reese Witherspoon, Sofía Vergara

Night Nurse (1931)
Watched: 07/14/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Savvy nurse assumes mysteriously sick children's care; unravels devious plot.
6-word review:  Akimbo-armed Stanwyck commands multilevel, pre-code classic.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Blondell

The Miracle Woman (1931)
Watched: 07/15/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Evangelist gets rich and famous duping audiences with fake miracles.
6-word review:  Fiery, spirited Stanwyck. Edgy, cynical story.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, David Manners

Shock Treatment (1964)
Watched: 07/15/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Actor poses as asylum patient to find murderer's stolen money.
6-word review:  Unusual movie full of plot twists.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Stuart Whitman, Lauren Bacall

The Brasher Doubloon (1947)
Watched: 07/15/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Valuable coin missing, Philip Marlowe investigates; lies, blackmail, murders follow.
6-word review:  Light-hearted mystery mixed noir, sly humor.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring George Montgomery, Nancy Guild

The Night Walker (1964)
Watched: 07/16/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Wealthy woman tormented by recurrent nightmares of dead, disfigured husband.
6-word review:  Screaming Stanwyck in campy convoluted thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck (her last big-screen film; today (7/16) is her birthday—born in 1907), Robert Taylor (was married to Stanwyck from 1939-1949)

Back Street (1932)
Watched: 07/19/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Woman spends life as devoted mistress to wealthy married man.
6-word review:  Slow, maudlin, melodramatic, dated, bleak, humorless.
Rating: ★½
Note: Starring Irene Dunne, John Boles; remade in 1941, and again in 1961—the best version—starring Susan Hayward

Forty Guns (1957)
Watched: 07/19/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Rancher controls territory with her gunslingers until U.S. marshal arrives.
6-word review:  Stylishly brutal. Stanwyck's fierce. Cheesy ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Barry Sullivan

Pictures of Hollis Woods (2007)
Watched: 07/21/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Troubled orphan bonds with eccentric foster parent with ever-worsening Alzheimer's.
6-word review:  Heartwarming without being cloying. Sissy's fantastic.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: TV movie starring Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard

Outside the Law (1956)
Watched: 07/22/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Hothead parolee aids feds in busting international money counterfeiting operation.
6-word review:  Exciting finale compensates for dull stretches.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Ray Danton, Grant Williams

Murder by Television (1935)
Watched: 07/22/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Electronics wizard's murder witnessed by people watching new invention demonstration.
6-word review:  Surprisingly dull. Wooden actors. Cringeworthy stereotypes.
Rating: ★
Note: Starring Bela Lugosi, Hattie McDaniel

The Flame (1947)
Watched: 07/22/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Man has girlfriend marry dying brother for inheritance; plan fails.
6-word review:  Interesting plot; supporting cast outshines leads.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring John Carroll, Vera Ralston

Babylon (2022)
Watched: 07/23/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Decadent and excessive Hollywood during transition from silents to talkies.
6-word review:  Ambitious, good in parts, too long.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie

Uranium Boom (1956)
Watched: 07/25/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Successful uranium mining partnership strained; both love the same woman.
6-word review:  Well-done, straight-forward, of-the-time story. Familiar cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Dennis Morgan, William Talman, Patricia Medina

Of Human Bondage (1934)
Watched: 07/26/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Handicapped medical student becomes completely obsessed with callous, promiscuous waitress.
6-word review:  Star-making Davis showcase, Howard quite good.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Bette Davis, Leslie Howard

Mysterious Island (1961)
Watched: 07/27/23     Provider: American Classics
10-word summary:  Soldiers escape war prison by balloon, fantastic island adventures follow.
6-word review:  Outstanding special effects. Effective music, performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Ensemble cast

The Thrill of It All (1963)
Watched: 07/28/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Housewife becomes TV celebrity, husband becomes resentful, slapstick conflicts follow.
6-word review:  Charismatic Doris shines in dated comedy.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Doris Day, James Garner

Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
Watched: 07/30/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Flapper sets sights on handsome boss; breaks white slavery ring.
6-word review:  Energetic, colorful, overacted, overlong, sexist, racist.
Rating: ★½
Note: Starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore

This Gun for Hire (1942)
Watched: 07/30/23     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Killer-for-hire hunts down treasonous double-crosser who paid with marked bills.
6-word review:  Fast-paced noir, attractive cast, patriotic overtones.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake

August 2023     |     Back to top

Till (2022)
Watched: 08/02/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Story of brutally murdered Emmett Till's mother's fight for justice.
6-word review:  Disturbing, detailed, deliberately paced. Excellent performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Danielle Deadwyler

Shock (1946)
Watched: 08/03/23     Provider: Continuum
10-word summary:  Psychiatrist murders wife, tries convincing only witness she is insane.
6-word review:  Occasionally suspenseful, mostly cheese. Bari's good.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Vincent Price, Lynn Bari

White Woman (1933)
Watched: 08/06/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Beautiful, scandalized young widow marries crude, older jungle plantation owner.
6-word review:  Lombard pouts, Laughton sneers. Melodramatic adventure.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Carole Lombard, Charles Laughton

Red, White, & Royal Blue (2023)
Watched: 08/13/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  President's son and England's prince fall in love; gets complicated.
6-word review:  Cute, idealistic LGBTQ rom-com. Attractive cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Taylor Zakhar-Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Uma Thurman

Run Rabbit Run (2023)
Watched: 08/15/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Girl possibly possessed by dead aunt—or mamma's losing it.
6-word review:  Persuasive psychological thriller with unanswered questions.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Sarah Snook

They Live by Night (1948)
Watched: 08/17/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Naive prison escapee, backwards girl run from law; inevitable outcome.
6-word review:  Bland O'Donnell minimized romantically tragic noir.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Farley Granger, Cathy O'Donnell

The Rebel Set (1959)
Watched: 08/19/23     Provider: Golden Age of Hollywood
10-word summary:  Beatnik coffeehouse owner recruits three ne'er-do-wells to rob armored truck.
6-word review:  Nifty low-budget crime caper. Jazzy music.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Edward Platt

The Final (2010)
Watched: 08/19/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Bullied by popular students, high school outcasts exact torturous revenge.
6-word review:  Good message in badly acted slasher.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring nobody famous

The Devil and Miss Jones (1941)
Watched: 08/19/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Department store owner changes heart after taking menial job there.
6-word review:  Well-written, amusing social satire. Coburn's great.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Charles Coburn, Jean Arthur

Larceny (1948)
Watched: 08/20/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Con man falls for rich dame he's trying to swindle.
6-word review:  Shelley stands out in great cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring John Payne, Dan Duryea, Shelley Winters

Forced Landing (1941)
Watched: 08/20/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  American flier battles corrupt general sabotaging vital jungle government project.
6-word review:  Young Gabor keeps action melodrama interesting.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Richard Arlen, Eva Gabor (in her debut film)

April in Paris (1952)
Watched: 08/21/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Chorus girl mistakenly chosen to represent USA at International Festival.
6-word review:  Doris energetic, Bolger limber. Colorful silliness.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Doris Day, Ray Bolger

Mr. Soft Touch (1949)
Watched: 08/21/23     Provider: Classic Film Time
10-word summary:  Hiding from gangsters, gambler falls for settlement house social worker.
6-word review:  Wonderfully understated film. Perfect ambiguous ending.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Glenn Ford, Evelyn Keyes

The Scarlet Hour (1956)
Watched: 08/23/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Sultry, manipulative wife's infidelity with schmuck results in robbery, murder.
6-word review:  Familiar plot given glossy dramatic treatment.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Carol Ohmart, Tom Tryon

Telephone Operator (1937)
Watched: 08/24/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Dedicated operator staffs switchboard and romances lineman during devastating flood.
6-word review:  Enjoyable. Snappy dialogue. Exciting flood scenes.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Judith Allen, Grant Withers

A Woman Deceived (2017)
Watched: 08/24/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rich widow marries handsome cowboy, discovers he killed her husband.
6-word review:  Attractive cast, predictable plot, bittersweet ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring Ashley Scott, Jay Pickett

Do Revenge (2022)
Watched: 08/24/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Two girls plot elaborate revenge on those who wronged them.
6-word review:  Occasional dark humor; meanders and overlong.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Camila Mendes, Maya Hawke

Blanche Fury (1948)
Watched: 08/25/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Governess marries dull landowner, falls hard for hunky horse trainer.
6-word review:  Torrid melodrama. Granger and Hobson great.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Stewart Granger, Valerie Hobson

September 2023     |     Back to top

The Purchase Price (1932)
Watched: 09/05/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Chanteuse ditches gangster to be humble wheat farmer's mail-order bride.
6-word review:  Brooklyn-accented Stanwyck's swell. Story illogically entertaining.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent; a favorite line: "You daffy little tomato, I'm bugs about you."

The Wild Ride (1960)
Watched: 09/05/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Arrogant jerk drives recklessly, causes two deaths, then feels bad.
6-word review:  Embarrassingly dated, amateur acting, minimal plot.
Rating: ★
Note: Starring Jack Nicholson

The Spanish Gardner (1956)
Watched: 09/09/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Stoic father rabidly jealous of son's friendship with kind gardener.
6-word review:  Intense, ultimately heartwarming. Good performances throughout.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Dirk Bogarde, Jon Whiteley

I Could Go on Singing (1963)
Watched: 09/09/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Singer tries reconnecting with son she gave up years ago.
6-word review:  Plot secondary to Judy's emotion-filled numbers.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Judy Garland (in her final film), Dirk Bogarde

Smart Girls Don't Talk (1948)
Watched: 09/11/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Beautiful socialite dates criminal nightclub owner to aid police investigation.
6-word review:  Attractive cast recites stilted, clichéd dialogue.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Virginia Mayo, Bruce Bennett

The Wolf Man (1941)
Watched: 09/13/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man attacked by legendary werewolf becomes one, terrorizes small village.
6-word review:  Classic horror film for good reason.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Lon Chaney Jr., Claude Rains

The Public Enemy (1931)
Watched: 09/15/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Roughneck advances from small crimes to big-time bootlegger; ends badly.
6-word review:  Uneven classic of the gangster-film genre.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring James Cagney

The Strays (2023)
Watched: 09/15/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Woman's idyllic life unravels when her long-abandoned children come calling.
6-word review:  Tension builds quickly. Clever, twist ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Ashley Madekwe

The Dark Corner (1946)
Watched: 09/16/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary: Detective involved in multilayered murder plot; secretary's integral in solving.
6-word review:  Actress Lucy's good, plot keeps surprising.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Mark Stevens, Lucille Ball; a favorite quote: "She always looks like she's been out in the rain feeding the poultry."

The Neanderthal Man (1953)
Watched: 09/16/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Scientist transforms self, cat, housekeeper into prehistoric beings; upsets townspeople.
6-word review:  So bad it's good. Effective effects.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Robert Shayne

Boulevard (2014)
Watched: 09/17/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Married man's long-suppressed sexual identity emerges after meeting male prostitute.
6-word review:  Thoughtful, poignant film. Subdued Williams performance.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Robin Williams, Kathy Baker

Joy in the Morning (1965)
Watched: 09/18/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Law student marries beneath him, juggles school, money, family, society.
6-word review:  Melodramatic. Beautiful leads play it safe.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Richard Chamberlain (who even warbles the theme song), Yvette Mimeux

The Man Who Died Twice (1958)
Watched: 09/19/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Man involved in drugs, murders, fakes death; brother helps police.
6-word review:  Chasing, shooting, all wrapped up neatly.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Rod Cameron, Vera Ralston

Jacqueline (1956)
Watched: 09/19/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Spirited young Irish girl helps tippler father find new job.
6-word review:  Heartwarming slice-of-life drama. Wonderfully likable characters.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring John Gregson, Kathleen Ryan

Twilight of Honor (1963)
Watched: 09/19/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Lawyer defends dimwit, with slutty wife, who killed prominent sleazeball.
6-word review:  Great performances in impassioned courtroom drama.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Richard Chamberlain, Nick Adams, Joey Heatherton

Anaconda (1997)
Watched: 09/23/23     Provider: AMC
10-word summary:  Documentary film crew encounters shifty character who's hunting legendary snake.
6-word review:  Campy thriller. Nicely photographed brazen silliness.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jennifer Lopez, ensemble cast

Red-Headed Woman (1932)
Watched: 09/23/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Beautiful low-class tramp uses sex for financial and social advantages.
6-word review:  Harlow glamorously seedy, others unbelievably gullible.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jean Harlow, Chester Morris; A favorite quote: "Yeah, she's strictly on the level, like a flight of stairs."

Keep the Lights On (2012)
Watched: 09/24/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Gay Danish documentarian endures long dysfunctional relationship with closeted addict.
6-word review:  Promising first half; settles into tedium.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth

The Black Scorpion (1957)
Watched: 09/26/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Mexican earthquake unleashes giant prehistoric scorpions terrorizing villagers and livestock.
6-word review:  Slobbering insects, fun effects, routine plot.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Richard Denning, Mara Corday

The Painted Veil (1934)
Watched: 09/26/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Ignored Cholera-treating doctor's wife strays, regrets it; suffers for forgiveness.
6-word review:  Great acting, impressive production, safe ending.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Great Garbo, Herbert Marshall

Revealing Mr. Maugham (2012)
Watched: 09/27/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Documentary of one of literature's most influential and popular writers.
6-word review:  Excellent home movies, Hollywood clips, interviews.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring W. Somerset Maugham (archival footage)

The Razor's Edge (1946)
Watched: 09/27/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Soul-searching WW1 veteran shuns wealth, travels world seeking life's meaning.
6-word review:  Acerbically questions society's values. Outstanding acting.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Tyrone Power, Gene Tierney, Clifton Webb, Anne Baxter (Oscar winner, Best Supporting Actress)

Sparkle (1976)
Watched: 09/27/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Singing sisters trio endures individual struggles trying to achieve success.
6-word review:  Good performances, adequate music, flashy production.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Irene Cara, Philip Michael Thomas

Tugboat Annie (1933)
Watched: 09/29/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Tugboat captain and her alcoholic husband rescue imperiled ocean liner.
6-word review:  Chafing beginning, gets better, dramatic finale.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Marie Dressler, Wallace Beery; A favorite quote: "You dance like St. Vitus himself."

Them! (1954)
Watched: 09/29/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Gigantic, atomically mutated ants threaten to savagely destroy human civilization.
6-word review:  Intelligent, exciting, classic of big-bug genre.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring James Whitmore, James Arness

Danger Signal (1945)
Watched: 09/30/23     Provider: TCM
10-word summary:  Slick sociopath who woos, then murders women, meets his match.
6-word review:  Very good noir with familiar cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson

October 2023     |     Back to top

Alligator (1980)
Watched: 10/02/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  A massive sewer alligator, surviving on testosterone-tainted carcasses, terrorizes Chicago.
6-word review:  Clichéd fun. Doesn't take itself seriously.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Robert Forster, Robin Riker

Reptile (2023)
Watched: 10/03/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Investigating realtor's murder, cop unravels far-reaching drug ring involving police.
6-word review:  Great performances, detailed and multilayered thriller.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Benicio Del Toro, Justin Timberlake, Alicia Silverstone

Lost Lagoon (1957)
Watched: 10/06/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Presumed dead, man creates idyllic island life; soon all crumbles.
6-word review:  Predictable. Acting's meh. Fun Calypso music.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Jeffrey Lynn

She Said (2022)
Watched: 10/08/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Reporters investigate longstanding allegations of sexual misconduct by Hollywood producer.
6-word review:  True story told with integrity, intelligence.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Carey Mulligan, Zoe Kazan; (2017 New York Times article kicked off the MeToo movement)

Anna Lucasta (1958)
Watched: 10/10/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hooker dragged home for arranged marriage by spiteful drunken father.
6-word review:  Contrived plot, stagy stereotypes. Eartha's good.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Eartha Kitt, Sammy Davis Jr.

The Vampire Bat (1933)
Watched: 10/10/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Blood-drained murdered villagers—vampire bats? Or something even more sinister?
6-word review:  Suspense and humor. Well-done early horror.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Lionel Atwill, Fay Wray

Anna Lucasta (1949)
Watched: 10/11/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Farmer falls for unlikable hooker with creepy father, dysfunctional family.
6-word review:  Supporting cast easily outshines miscast Goddard.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Paulette Goddard, William Bishop

The Return of Tanya Tucker: Featuring Brandi Carlile (2022)
Watched: 10/11/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Chronicles Tanya's enduring career and production of her Grammy-winning album.
6-word review:  Affectionate, realistic tribute to remarkable artist.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Tanya Tucker, Brandi Carlile

The Mugger (1958)
Watched: 10/14/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Police psychiatrist investigates serial mugger who slashes lonely women's faces.
6-word review:  Routine procedural drama, could've been better.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Kent Smith, Nan Martin

Confidence Girl (1952)
Watched: 10/14/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  A con-artist couple pose as a detective and a psychic.
6-word review:  Gets better as it goes along.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Hillary Brooke, Tom Conway

The Strange Possession of Mrs. Oliver (1977)
Watched: 10/15/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Repressed woman assumes alternate persona wreaking havoc on her life.
6-word review:  Cheesy. But nobody's like Karen Black.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring Karen Black, George Hamilton

The Sex Symbol (1974)
Watched: 10/15/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  After meteoric rise; inevitable decline of glamorous, neurotic movie star.
6-word review:  Connie's scene-chewing, over-the-top performance only draw.
Rating: ★½
Note: TV movie (with nude scenes added for European release) starring Connie Stevens, Shelley Winters

Tammy (2014)
Watched: 10/16/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Unemployed burger-joint waitress with cheating husband takes road-trip with grandma.
6-word review:  All-star cast tempers frequently overbearing McCarthy.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Melissa McCarthy, Susan Sarandon, and ensemble cast

The Family Secret (1951)
Watched: 10/18/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Young man accidentally kills drunken friend, tells only his parents.
6-word review:  Dramatic buildup, churning emotions, big letdown.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring John Derek, Lee J. Cobb

Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean (1990)
Watched: 10/19/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rise, and fall—from tax evasion—of prominent realtor, hotelier.
6-word review:  Nothing exceptional but Pleshette's mean performance.
Rating: ★★
Note: TV movie starring Suzanne Pleshette, Lloyed Bridges

The Smashing Bird I Used to Know [Later released in the U.S. as School for Unclaimed Girls in 1973] (1969)
Watched: 10/20/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Stabbing mother's sleazy boyfriend lands fragile teen in reform school.
6-word review:  Good in trashy way. Great ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring Madeleine Hinde

The Elevator (1974)
Watched: 10/21/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Fleeing, claustrophobic robber trapped in crowded, damaged, about-to-plummet skyscraper elevator.
6-word review:  Plenty of thrills in formulaic thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note: TV movie with all-star cast

The Corruption of Chris Miller (1973)
Watched: 10/21/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Bitter woman and traumatized stepdaughter suspect handyman is scythe-wielding murderer.
6-word review:  Lotsa intrigue in creepy, slow-building thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Jean Seberg, Marisol

Springtime in the Rockies (1942)
Watched: 10/22/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Broadway musical stars in love; misunderstandings, fighting, singing, dancing, reuniting.
6-word review:  Silly plot, good music, great cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Betty Grable, John Payne

The Last House on the Left (1972)
Watched: 10/25/23     Provider: Freevee TV
10-word summary:  Parents of murdered girl turn the tables on sadistic murderers.
6-word review:  Disturbing, violent slasher with ironic moments.
Rating: ★★
Note: Wes Craven's directorial debut

The Burial (2023)
Watched: 10/29/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Small-town funeral home owner sues big corporation, uncovering massive corruption.
6-word review:  Compelling courtroom drama, uniformly great performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Tommy Lee Jones, Jamie Foxx

They Cloned Tyrone (2023)
Watched: 10/30/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Unlikely trio discovers widespread government research conspiracy targeting Black people.
6-word review:  Overlong social commentary mixed humor, sci-fi.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, Teyonah Parris

The Music Box Kid (1960)
Watched: 10/30/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hotshot gangster with religious wife attempts takeover of organized crime.
6-word review:  Stereotypical gangsters in efficient crime drama.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Ron Foster, Luana Patten

That's Entertainment! (1974)
Watched: 10/31/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Compilation of MGM's classic musical numbers from Hollywood's golden age.
6-word review:  Well-selected film clips, somewhat gushing narration.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring MGM Studios' biggest stars

The Black Sleep (1956)
Watched: 10/31/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Mad brain surgeon experiments on corpses to save dying wife.
6-word review:  Slow starting, intelligent buildup, great finale.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Basil Rathbone, Herbert Rudley

November 2023     |     Back to top

Cassandro (2023)
Watched: 11/01/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Unapologetically gay luchador adopts exotica persona, achieves success and fame.
6-word review:  Entertaining, exuberant, touching. Bernal is great.
Rating: ★★★★
Note: Starring Gael Garcia Bernal

Tea for Two (1950)
Watched: 11/04/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Heiress must say "No" 48 hours for Broadway show funding.
6-word review:  Lighthearted, amusing. Rousing numbers. Nelson's terrific.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson

The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956)
Watched: 11/05/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Outspoken, determined small-time shareholder shakes up corrupt, billion-dollar manufacturing corporation.
6-word review:  Holliday's delightful in breezy, feel-good comedy.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Judy Holliday, Paul Douglas

The Adventures of Errol Flynn (2005)
Watched: 11/05/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Swashbuckling star's life in movie clips, family and friends' recollections.
6-word review:  Captures larger-than-life personality. Great movie scenes.
Rating: ★★★
Note: TV movie starring Olivia de Havilland, others

American Gothic (1987)
Watched: 11/06/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Stranded campers take shelter with family of demented bible-thumping murderers.
6-word review:  Campy, clichéd. Embarrassing for veteran actors.
Rating: ★½
Note: Starring Rod Steiger, Yvonne de Carlo

House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Watched: 11/09/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Millionaire invites 5 strangers to share haunted night for $10,000.
6-word review:  Silly, dated, but Price is right.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart

The Beast with a Million Eyes (1955)
Watched: 11/09/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Powerful alien force turns animals vicious, terrorizing dysfunctional desert family.
6-word review:  Terrible acting, familiar plot. Enjoyably bad.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Paul Birch

The Killer (2023)
Watched: 11/10/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Assassin tracks down those who brutalized girlfriend after botched hit.
6-word review:  Methodical, cerebral thriller with slow-moving plot.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton

Hell's Angels '69 (1969)
Watched: 11/12/23     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Rich guys use bikers as diversion to rob Caesar's Palace.
6-word review:  Mostly boring. A few good scenes.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Tom Stern, Jeremy Slate, Conny Van Dyke (R.I.P. 09/28/1945 - 11/11/2023)

Framed (1975)
Watched: 11/12/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Upon release, innocently imprisoned man exacts revenge on those responsible.
6-word review:  Likable characters. Moves quickly. Appropriately violent.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Joe Don Baker, Conny Van Dyke (R.I.P. 09/28/1945 - 11/11/2023)

W.W. and the Dixie Dancekings (1975)
Watched: 11/13/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Charming, forward-looking con artist promotes country band to Nashville stardom.
6-word review:  Time-filling fun. Lotsa yahoo crowd appeal.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Burt Reynolds, Conny Van Dyke (R.I.P. 09/28/1945 - 11/11/2023)

Sex, Lies, and Sugar (2011)
Watched: 11/14/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Suburban housewives' potluck turns swinging, seriously complicating neighborhood friends' lives.
6-word review:  Insightful observations of establishing friendship boundaries.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Ensemble cast

The Earth Dies Screaming (1964)
Watched: 11/18/23     Provider: FreeTubeMovies
10-word summary:  Attempting to dominate earth, alien robots gas humans into zombies.
6-word review:  Alternates slow, silly, eerie. Ends optimistically.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Willard Parker, Virginia Field; Spoiler alert: The world does not die screaming.

The Long, Long Trailer (1954)
Watched: 11/19/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Newlyweds slapstick their way 'cross country hauling massive trailer house.
6-word review:  Very exaggerated but cute. Lucy's annoying.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Desi Arnaz, Lucille Ball

Too Many Girls (1940)
Watched: 11/19/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Spoiled heiress enrolls in college; daddy hires athletes as bodyguards.
6-word review:  Amusing, lighthearted. Fun music, great finale.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Ann Miller

The Harrad Experiment (1973)
Watched: 11/19/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Private college incorporates practice of modern sexual relationships in curriculum.
6-word review:  Titillating topic. Tries hard being profound.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Don Johnson, Tippi Hedren

The Corpse Vanishes (1942)
Watched: 11/20/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Scientist steals bride corpses for serum to keep wife young.
6-word review:  Low-energy thriller, interesting characters, Lugosi's creepy.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Bela Lugosi

Cut Bank (2014)
Watched: 11/21/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary: Everything goes wrong when small-town murder witness tries to capitalize.
6-word review:  Name cast wasted in hard-to-follow plot.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring Liam Hemsworth, John Malkovich

The Slime People (1963)
Watched: 11/22/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Radiation-awakened humanoids emerge from sewers creating fog dome engulfing L.A.
6-word review:  Bad acting. Comical monsters. Hilariously serious.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Robert Hutton, Judee Morton

Monster from the Ocean Floor (1954)
Watched: 11/24/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Gigantic one-eyed octopus terrorizes superstitious Mexican fishing village; tourist investigates.
6-word review:  Capable heroine. Underwater scenes good. Entertaining.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Anne Kimbell, Stuart Wade; producer Roger Corman's first feature film

I Was a Teenage Frankenstein (1957)
Watched: 11/26/23     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary: Doctor sews together perfect young man using freshest body parts.
6-word review:  Well-done, low-budget thriller. Lotsa underlying themes.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Whit Bissell, Phyllis Coates, Gary Conway; A favorite quote, when Dr. Frankenstein is trying to get his creation to talk: "Speak! You've got a civil tongue in your head. I know you have, because I sewed it in myself."

Frankenstein's Daughter (1958)
Watched: 11/27/23     Provider: Plex
10-word summary: Insane grandson of original Frankenstein attempts creating obedient female monster.
6-word review:  Follows well-known formula, with misogynistic slant.
Rating: ★★
Note: Starring John Ashley, Sandra Knight

Incident in an Alley (1962)
Watched: 11/27/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary: Crime-responding officer stands trial for shooting possibly innocent teen suspect.
6-word review:  Factually examines both sides of situation.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Chris Warfield, Virginia Christine

Blithe Spirit (1945)
Watched: 11/29/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary: Man's dead wife's ghost returns causing trouble in new marriage.
6-word review:  Witty dialogue helps stagy comic fantasy.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Rex Harrison, Margaret Rutherford

December 2023     |     Back to top

Kept Husbands (1931)
Watched: 12/02/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Spoiled heiress marries working man who resents living off her.
6-word review:  Attractive leads, moves quickly, charmingly dated.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Dorothy Mackaill, Joel McCrea

Love Affair (1932)
Watched: 12/02/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary: Heiress loves pilot, discovers she's penniless, turns to rich cad.
6-word review:  Racy, but slow-moving, pre-code, romantic melodrama.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Dorothy Mackaill, Humphrey Bogart

Violent Night (2022)
Watched: 12/03/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Embittered Santa saves wealthy dysfunctional family from high-tech murderous mercenaries.
6-word review:  Sweet message wrapped in cartoonish violence.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring David Harbour, John Leguizamo

May December (2023)
Watched: 12/05/23     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary: Years after notorious relationship, now-married couple, experiences renewed personal scrutiny.
6-word review:  Intense, ironic. Acerbic undertones. Excellent acting.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, Charles Melton

Christmas Holiday (1944)
Watched: 12/06/23     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary: Once-naive wife stands by sociopathic, murdering husband to the end.
6-word review:  Somber, unusual noir. Good cast, music.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly

Green Ice (1981)
Watched: 12/08/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary: Naive engineer executes hi-tech robbery of corrupt international emerald syndicate.
6-word review:  Uneven crime caper. Charmingly miscast O'Neal.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Ryan O'Neal (R.I.P. 04/02/1941 - 12/08/2023), Anne Archer, Omar Sharif

Asteroid City (2023)
Watched: 12/17/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Retro-futuristic space alien visits, complicating enactment of youth scientists convention.
6-word review:  Dynamically indulgent, colorfully batty, definitely niche.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Ensemble cast; written and directed by Wes Anderson

Saltburn (2023)
Watched: 12/24/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Poor student spends summer with friend's wealthy family, tragedies follow.
6-word review:  Cynical, cheeky, dark comedy. Excellent performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note: Starring Barry Keoghan, ensemble cast

Gypsy (1993)
Watched: 12/27/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary: Stage mother pushes daughter, Gypsy Rose Lee, to burlesque stardom.
6-word review:  Familiar music, colorful production, over-the-top Bette.
Rating: ★★½
Note: TV movie starring Bette Midler

You Only Live Once (1937)
Watched: 12/27/23     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary: Innocent man escapes death row, attempts eluding cops with wife.
6-word review:  Tense, sympathy for couple; inevitable denouement.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Sylvia Sidney, Henry Fonda; a favorite quote, from one of the prison inmates: "Boy, that dame is the lumps in my mashed potatoes!"

The Substitute (1996)
Watched: 12/28/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary: Professional soldier substitutes for injured teacher/girlfriend, takes down drug dealers.
6-word review:  No-nonsense Berenger, boring heroine, predictably action-packed.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Tom Berenger

Sin Takes a Holiday (1930)
Watched: 12/28/23     Provider: Classic Movies +
10-word summary: Rich man marries secretary to avoid conniving socialite; love blooms.
6-word review:  Well-behaved, pre-code comedy, needs some screwball.
Rating: ★★½
Note: Starring Constance Bennett, Kenneth MacKenna, Basil Rathbone

The Big Chill (1983)
Watched: 12/29/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary: Close-knit group reunites at friend's funeral; examines their own lives.
6-word review:  Insightful, first-world explorations. Great cast, soundtrack.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring All-star ensemble

The Ugly Dachshund (1966)
Watched: 12/29/23     Provider: Own
10-word summary: Great Dane, secretively raised with Dachshunds, disrupts couple's idyllic lifestyle.
6-word review:  Delightful, if sexist. Dogs ultimately prevail.
Rating: ★★★
Note: Starring Suzanne Pleshette, Dean Jones

Hidden in America (1996)
Watched: 12/30/23     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary: Widowed father of two loses job, refuses charity; children suffer.
6-word review:  Realistic look at welfare. Great performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note: TV movie starring Beau Bridges, Bruce Davison, Frances McDormand

The Naked Cage (1986)
Watched: 12/30/23     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Another innocent girl sent to women's prison fights to survive.
6-word review:  Generically sleazy, big hairdos, totally bonkers.
Rating: ★
Note: Starring Shari Shattuck