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January 2020     |     Back to top

Midnight Cowboy (1969)
Watched: 01/19/20
10-word summary:  Sickly streetwise grifter schools naive hustler on New York life.
6-word review:  Excellent film of unlikely male friendship.

Rating: ★★★★

Christmas with a View (2018)
Watched: 01/20/20
10-word summary:  Attractive couple fall in love, overcome issues, in mountain resort.
6-word review:  Cute, heartwarming romance, Jess Walton costars.

Rating: ★★½

Double Indemnity (1944)
Watched: 01/21/20
10-word summary:  Icy dame manipulates gullible schnook into murdering no good husband.
6-word review:  Ultimate film noir, Stanwyck at peak.

Rating:★★★★
Note:  Barbara Stanwyck

The Hideous Sun Demon (1958)
Watched: 01/22/20
10-word summary:  Sunlight transforms radiation-contaminated scientist into a lizard demon. Mayhem ensues.
6-word review:  A well-done, low-budget sci-fi. Watchable fun.

Rating: ★★★★

Discarded Lovers (1932)
Watched: 01/23/20
10-word summary:  Movie star murdered. Many suspects, including husband, lovers, jealous wives.
6-word review:  A Pre-code murder mystery, predictable outcome.

Rating: ★★

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019)
Watched: 01/23/20
10-word summary:  Story of charismatic serial killer Ted Bundy and his trials.
6-word review:  Zac Efron delivers excellent, creepy performance.

Rating: ★★★

Unspeakable Acts (1990)
Watched: 01/25/20
10-word summary:  Parents discover daycare sexual abuse, first trial with children testifying.
6-word review:  Ground-breaking television film of disturbing subject.

Rating: ★★½

Leave Her to Heaven (1945)
Watched: 01/26/20
10-word summary:  Manipulative, possessive, cold-blooded heiress eliminates everyone close to her husband.
6-word review:  Beautiful, well-acted classic, unsympathetic Tierney shines.

Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Gene Tierney

The Snake Pit (1948)
Watched: 01/26/20
10-word summary:  Woman suffers nervous breakdown. Eventual recovery aided by then-new “psychotherapy.”
6-word review:  Horrific portrait of primitive psychiatric treatments.

Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Olivia de Havilland

Atomic Submarine (1959)
Watched: 01/26/20
10-word summary:  Earth threatened by alien cyclops, submarine scientist team saves us.
6-word review:  Earnest acting, silly script, nuclear propaganda.

Rating: ★★

Ruthless (1948)
Watched: 01/28/20
10-word summary:  Poor youth grows to become cut-throat financier, destroying everyone close.
6-word review:  Well-paced account of heartless, despicable character.

Rating: ★★★½

Make Haste to the Line (1954)
Watched: 01/28/20
10-word summary:  After years in prison, bitter gangster tracks down runaway wife.
6-word review:  Menacing McNally, bland McGuire, ho-hum melodrama.

Rating: ★★
Note:  Dorothy McGuire—popular, but tepid actress; Stephen McNally—underrated, all-purpose actor

A Dark Place (2018)
Watched: 01/29/20
10-word summary:  Autistic garbage collector obsesses and investigates child murder and cover-up.
6-word review:  Well acted; plot full of holes.

Rating: ★★½

Karen Carpenter: Goodbye to Love (2016)
Watched: 01/30/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of Karen’s career and complex, troubled life and death.
6-word review:  New insights, worthwhile interviews, dreadful reenactments.

Rating: ★★½

Our Town (1940)
Watched: 01/30/20
10-word summary:  Daily life, loves, and heartaches of folks in small town.
6-word review:  So-so adaptation of stage play; dated.

Rating: ★½

The Iron Lady (2011)
Watched: 01/31/20
10-word summary:  Biopic of Margaret Thatcher as senile old lady looking back.
6-word review:  Streep in top form; tedious film.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Oscar win for Meryl Streep, Olivia Colman as her daughter, Jim Broadbent annoying as ever, Phoebe Waller-Bridge small role

February 2020     |     Back to top

People are Funny (1946)
Watched: 02/01/20
10-word summary:  Rival producers race to launch audience-participation radio program for laughs.
6-word review:  These people aren’t; dreadful screwball comedy.
Rating: ½★

Note:  Music version of Art Linkletter’s popular radio & TV show

The Deadly Duo (1962)
Watched: 02/02/20
10-word summary:  Evil twin plots to murder good one to obtain fortune.
6-word review:  Well acted, attractive cast, crisp dialogue.

Rating: ★★★½

Convicted (1950)
Watched: 02/03/20
10-word summary:  Bar fight becomes manslaughter, nice guy imprisoned, hardened, redeemed, released.
6-word review:  Expected prison clichés, humanistic, well-done story.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Broderick Crawford, Glenn Ford, Dorothy Malone, and many 1950s character actors

Shed No Tears (1948)
Watched: 02/04/20
10-word summary:  Old man, unfaithful hot wife. Insurance policy, lover, murder, mayhem.
6-word review:  Crisp dialogue, well-played noir; everybody’s bad.
Rating: ★★½

Note: See also Watched on: 7/31/20 entry.

Destination Murder (1950)
Watched: 02/04/20
10-word summary:  Woman investigates father’s murder by cozying up to mobsters responsible.
6-word review:  Snappy noir, gutsy heroine, diverse villains.

Rating: ★★★

The Giant Claw (1957)
Watched: 02/05/20
10-word summary:  Huge atomic buzzard menaces earth. Heroic scientists save the world.
6-word review:  Laughable monster, cheesy dialogue, great fun!

Rating: ★★½

Black Spurs (1965)
Watched: 02/06/20
10-word summary:  Bounty hunter corrupts town over railroad contract, then undoes corruption.
6-word review:  A fast-paced oater; good veteran cast.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Linda Darnell’s last film

Canon City (1948)
Watched: 02/07/20
10-word summary:  Semi-documentary of Colorado 12-man prison break, their flight and recapture.
6-word review:  Human spin on terrifying real-life events.

Rating: ★★★

Chattahooche (1989)
Watched: 02/08/20
10-word summary:  Korean War veteran goes crazy, exposes asylum conditions, resulting reforms.
6-word review:  Formulaic tale of abuse and redemption.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Frances McDormand shines as his restless wife

Honey Boy (2019)
Watched: 02/10/20
10-word summary:  Shia LaBeouf painfully recounts abusive father during stint in rehab.
6-word review:  Helps explain his troubles. So-so film.

Rating: ★★

The Moors Murders (2004)
Watched: 02/11/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of gruesome child murders near Manchester England, early 60s.
6-word review:  Fascinating telling of sick, killing couple.

Rating: ★★★

The Tenant (1976)
Watched: 02/12/20
10-word summary:  Paranoid man gradually assumes dead woman’s identity, descends into madness.
6-word review:  Scary, humorously bizarre, even for Polanski.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Roman Polanski directs and stars

The Sleeping Tiger (1954)
Watched: 02/12/20
10-word summary:  Psychiatrist’s bored wife falls for young thug patient, bad idea.
6-word review:  Well-acted and excellent psychological film noir.

Rating: ★★★★

The Last Man on Earth (1964)
Watched: 02/13/20
10-word summary:  Lone survivor of global epidemic battles daily against zombie vampires.
6-word review:  Low-budget message of survival; well done.

Rating: ★★★

Street Scene (1931)
Watched: 02/13/20
10-word summary:  Slice of NY life during heatwave, set on apartment stoop.
6-word review:  Pre-code, wears well, great ensemble cast.

Rating: ★★★★

Sinners in Paradise (1938)
Watched: 02/14/20
10-word summary:  Plane crash survivors land on island, squabble, co-exist until rescue.
6-word review:  Awkward mix of drama and comedy.

Rating: ★★

Road to Happiness (1941)
Watched: 02/15/20
10-word summary:  Unemployed singer, divorced dad, struggles to make home for son.
6-word review:  Heartwarming, if highly improbable; happy ending.

Rating: ★★

The Incredible Petrified World (1959)
Watched: 02/15/20
10-word summary:  Scientists lowered in diving bell get trapped in undersea caverns.
6-word review:  Uneventful film, unremarkable rescue, unhumorously bad.

Rating: ½★

Double Platinum (1999)
Watched: 02/16/20
10-word summary:  Star diva mentors long-abandoned daughter, conflicts resolved, both careers soar.
6-word review:  Diana should have made more movies.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  TV movie; Diana Ross very good; Brandy terrible

A Good Marriage (2014)
Watched: 02/18/20
10-word summary:  Wife discovers husband’s a serial killer; exacts her own justice!
6-word review:  Little action, minimal tension, thrill-less thriller.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Written by Stephen King

A Fall from Grace (2020)
Watched: 02/18/20
10-word summary:  Rookie lawyer defends high-profile murder case and things get complicated.
6-word review:  Multi-layered plot with many twists; entertaining.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Tyler Perry in dramatic role, also wrote and produced

Pee-wee’s Big Holiday (2016)
Watched: 02/19/20
10-word summary:  Pee-wee has wacky adventures while traveling to New York City.
6-word review:  Clever; silly road trip fun; colorful!

Rating: ★★★½

Miss Virginia (2019)
Watched: 02/19/20
10-word summary:  Single mother fights congress for better education for gifted son.
6-word review:  “A Hollywood version” of real-life events..
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Uzo Aduba good as low-income mother

Wives Under Suspicion (1938)
Watched: 02/19/20
10-word summary:  Tough district attorney softens when case parallels his own life.
6-word review:  Talky, but thought provoking; appealing cast.

Rating: ★★★

Fear (1946)
Watched: 02/21/20
10-word summary:  Impoverished medical student murders pawnbroker, paranoia builds, police hound him.
6-word review:  Good until silly denouement ruins it.
Rating: ★★

Note:  [Spoiler alert] It was all a dream—calling Bobby Ewing in the shower

Allotment Wives (1945)
Watched: 02/22/20
10-word summary:  Dame runs racket: women marry multiple servicemen for their checks.
6-word review:  A nice twist of tough-woman mobster.

Rating: ★★

The Eleventh Commandment (1933)
Watched: 02/22/20
10-word summary:  Wealthy spinster dies without known heirs; people squabble over millions.
6-word review:  Interesting premise, dull drama, comic touches.

Rating: ★★

Prison Nurses (1938)
Watched: 02/22/20
10-word summary:  Trio of nurses encounter flood, typhoid epidemic, prison break, romance.
6-word review:  Excitement, prison clichés, humor, well-done drama.

Rating: ★★★

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1979)
Watched: 02/23/20
10-word summary:  Maya Angelou’s memoir, childhood trauma, and heroes who inspired her.
6-word review:  Well done, moved along, good cast.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  TV movie

Stolen Hours (1963)
Watched: 02/24/20
10-word summary:  Rich playgirl has brain tumor surgery, marries doctor, then dies.
6-word review:  Classic Susan Hayward tearjerker, beautifully filmed.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Ironically, Susan Hayward died of a brain tumor in 1975; remake of Dark Victory—a 1939 Bette Davis film

The Night the World Exploded (1957)
Watched: 02/25/20
10-word summary:  Mankind abuses planet, massive earthquakes ensue, scientists save the world.
6-word review:  Routine sci-fi, good special effects; average.

Rating: ★★

P.S. I Love You (2007)
Watched: 02/26/20
10-word summary:  Young woman’s husband dies, leaves letters to help her heal.
6-word review:  Long, but sweet story. Good cast.

Rating: ★★★

Room to Rent (2019)
Watched: 02/28/20
10-word summary:  Mentally unbalanced, lonely widow becomes dangerously obsessed with hot roomer.
6-word review:  Quirky thriller with Shaye’s knockout performance.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Lin Shaye; Oliver Rayon is gorgeous.

Dead End (2003)
Watched: 02/28/20
10-word summary:  Dysfunctional family on eerie holiday road trip stabbed by Death!
6-word review:  Creepy thriller with many surprising twists.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Lin Shaye

March 2020     |     Back to top

Manhandled (1949)
Watched: 03/01/20
10-word summary:  Convoluted plot of murder, jewel theft, blackmail, sleazebags, cops, dames.
6-word review:  Stereotypes populate involved story; tries hard.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Dan Duryea always fun

Johnny Trouble (1957)
Watched: 03/02/20
10-word summary:  Apartments convert to college dorms. Elderly woman stays. Bonds form.
6-word review:  Dated, heartwarming drama. Ethel Barrymore shines.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Several big bands of the day: Freddy Martin, Count Basie; title is misleading other possibilities: “Johnny Come Home,” “Nana,” “Waiting for Johnny”; theme is “What really makes a family?”

Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Watched: 03/04/20
10-word summary:  Grotesque stalker haunts teenagers’ nightmares. Only dreams, or are they?
6-word review:  Not even laughably bad, terrible acting.

Rating: ★

Change of Heart (a.k.a. Hit Parade of 1943) (1943)
Watched: 03/05/20
10-word summary:  Songwriting team spar, fall in love. Strung together by songs.
6-word review:  Silly, simple story. Peppy musical numbers.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Young, beautiful Susan Hayward, wisecracking Eve Arden

The Girl Who Came Back (1935)
Watched: 03/05/20
10-word summary:  Girl gangster reforms, gang finds and tries to blackmail her.
6-word review:  Strong female lead; refreshing early noir.

Rating: ★★★

Abandon Ship! (1957)
Watched: 03/07/20
10-word summary:  Captain must weed out shipwreck survivors from overloaded life boat.
6-word review:  Taut drama of moral dilemma. Excellent.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Tyrone Power; movie originally known as “Seven Waves Away,” then “Seven Days from Now,” then “Abandon Ship!”

Probation (1932)
Watched: 03/09/20
10-word summary:  Handsome hothead paroled to chauffeur spoiled society girl. Love blooms.
6-word review:  Pre-code drama romance, attractive leads. Satisfying.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  John Darrow; very young Betty Grable has small role

The Big Chance (1933)
Watched: 03/10/20
10-word summary:  Crooked manager tries to get boxer to throw championship fight.
6-word review:  An enjoyable, compact, and right-versus-wrong story.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  John Darrow; 12-year-old Mickey Rooney has prominent role

Hands of a Stranger (1962)
Watched: 03/13/20
10-word summary:  Surgeon transplants unknown’s hands onto pianist who then becomes murderer.
6-word review:  Predictable story with humor, moral questions.

Rating: ★★½

The O’Briens (2013)
Watched: 03/17/20
10-word summary:  Loving, dysfunctional family reunites amidst change, secrets revealed, healing happens.
6-word review:  Nice story; too many song interludes.
Rating: ★½

Note:  Irish film

Love Story (1970)
Watched: 03/18/20
10-word summary:  Opposites meet—he’s rich, she’s not—; they marry, she dies.
6-word review:  Incredibly bad. Music and Ryan pretty.
Rating: ½★

Note:  Ali MacGraw terrible actress; movie made a fortune, and many Oscar nominations for such a bad movie.

Lost Girls (2020)
Watched: 03/18/20
10-word summary:  Brushed off by police, determined mother investigates wayward daughter’s disappearance.
6-word review:  True story unsensationally told. Excellently acted.

Rating: ★★★

The Owl and the Pussycat (1970)
Watched: 03/24/20
10-word summary:  Occasional hooker meets failed writer, sparks fly, fall in love.
6-word review:  Hilarious love story. Brassy, bawdy, Barbra!

Rating: ★★★★

Last Ferry (2019)
Watched: 03/21/20
10-word summary:  Lonely lawyer’s Fire Island weekend goes terribly wrong; tragic results.
6-word review:  A slow-moving thriller; ultimately satisfying.

Rating: ★★½

Crazy Mama (1975)
Watched: 03/22/20
10-word summary:  Three generations of hillbilly women conduct cross-country comic crime caper.
6-word review:  Good cast wasted; forced humor.
Rating: ★½

Note:  Cloris Leachman

4D Man (1959)
Watched: 03/22/20
10-word summary:  Scientist discovers way to pass through solid objects, goes mad.
6-word review:  Implausible sci-fi, well made, clever twists.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Very young Patty Duke has small role.

The 27th Day (1957)
Watched: 03/23/20
10-word summary:  Dying planet alien challenges earthlings—remain peaceful or risk destruction.
6-word review:  Timely tale of panic and paranoia.

Rating: ★★½

A Kiss Before Dying (1956)
Watched: 03/25/20
10-word summary:  Handsome cad kills pregnant girlfriend, stages suicide, woos doubtful sister.
6-word review:  Wagner wooden in well-paced, tense thriller.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Robert Wagner, Joanne Woodward; Virginia Leith plays sister famous for The Brain that Wouldn’t Die (1962)

Phantom from Space (1953)
Watched: 03/25/20
10-word summary:  Peaceful alien lands on earth, met with fear paranoia. Killed.
6-word review:  Talky sci-fi, compassionate woman, dull men.

Rating: ★★

The Happy Ending (1969)
Watched: 03/25/20
10-word summary:  Rich, white woman whines about how bad she has it.
6-word review:  Much too long; unsympathetic lead character.

Rating: ★★

Diary of a High School Bride (1959)
Watched: 03/26/20
10-word summary:  Young bride faces reality, also tormented by ex-boyfriend, “shaking” ending.
6-word review:  Hampered by annoying lead; fun climax.

Rating: ★½

April 2020     |     Back to top

The Wilde Wedding (2017)
Watched: 04/03/20
10-word summary:  Much wed actress’ extended family gathers for another marriage attempt.
6-word review:  Heavyweight actors in humorless ensemble comedy.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Glenn Close, John Malkovich, Patrick Stewart, Minnie Driver, Yael Stone…

The Nudist Story (1960)
Watched: 04/03/20
10-word summary:  Prudish business woman resists inherited nudist camp, falls in love.
6-word review:  Entertaining, well-made, matter-of-factly told, simple plot.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  British film; known in the U.S. as Pussycat Paradise

If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (1969)
Watched: 04/04/20
10-word summary:  Comedy of American tourists on “zany” whirlwind tour of Europe.
6-word review:  Dated with clichéd characters; occasionally amusing.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Suzanne Pleshette and scenery are beautiful; funnier 50 years ago

Undertow (1949)
Watched: 04/06/20
10-word summary:  Framed for murder of gangster, man must prove his innocence.
6-word review:  Well-made, well-acted, exciting noir. Builds nicely.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Directed by pre-“schlock-mister” William Castle; Scott Bray at his most handsome; Rock Hudson’s ("Roc") 1st credit

The Wrong Stepmother (2019)
Watched: 04/11/20
10-word summary:  Deranged woman seeks perfect family, rich gullible dad a bonus.
6-word review:  Entertaining romp in evil step-parent genre.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Lifetime movie; good performances; Tracy Nelson has small, significant role.

Blow the Man Down (2019)
Watched: 04/13/20
10-word summary:  Girl kills low-life attacker, an investigation unleashes long-hidden village secrets.
6-word review:  Entertaining black comedy/thriller, quickly paced.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Nice veteran cast mix with newcomers; Annette O’Toole, Margo Martindale…

Dog Eat Dog (1964)
Watched: 04/15/20
10-word summary:  Million dollar robbery getaway goes dreadfully wrong; all involved die.
6-word review:  Absurd plot, terrible acting, oddly alluring.
Rating: ★★

Note:  One of Jayne Mansfield’s later, very bad movies; so bad it’s funny

From Hell It Came (1957)
Watched: 04/16/20
10-word summary:  Scientists battle against tree stump monster and primitive, native ignorance.
6-word review:  Laughably bad acting; however, timely message.

Rating: ★★½

Hard Bounty (1995)
Watched: 04/17/20
10-word summary:  Saloon prostitute murdered, sister whores and ex-bounty hunter exact revenge.
6-word review:  Unremarkable western, stereotypes abound, clichéd plot.

Rating: ★½

Tiger Bay (1959)
Watched: 04/18/20
10-word summary:  Young girl witnesses murder, bonds with tenderhearted murderer, stonewalls police.
6-word review:  Exciting thriller, comic touches, well acted.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Hayley Mills’ first role; she’s excellent

The Whisperers (1967)
Watched: 04/18/20
10-word summary:  Old woman finds money stashed by dishonest son, misfortune follow.
6-word review:  Depressing story, quietly unfolding, beautifully acted.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Dame Edith Evans

Millie (1931)
Watched: 04/20/20
10-word summary:  Naive girl becomes free-spirited woman, shoots gigolo to save daughter.
6-word review:  Well-done, pre-code melodrama; heroine evokes sympathy.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Helen Twelvetrees

Von Trapped (2004)
Watched: 04/21/20
10-word summary:  Woman obsessed with Sound of Music reunites with old flame.
6-word review:  Cute premise, underdeveloped plot, light fluff.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Caroline Quentin good

Hot Money (2001)
Watched: 04/22/20
10-word summary:  Trio devises clever scheme to steal bank's money before incineration.
6-word review:  Entertaining thriller/comedy caper; brilliant cast.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Caroline Quentin good

Bad Sister (1931)
Watched: 04/23/20
10-word summary:  Selfish girl falls for con man, nearly ruining family's lives.
6-word review:  Good cast, entertaining film, happy ending.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Bette Davis' film debut

What’s Up, Doc? (1972)
Watched: 04/24/20
10-word summary:  Mix-up of four identical suitcases sparks hilarity, epic chase, romance.
6-word review:  Funniest movie ever. Barbra shines brightly.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Madeline Kahn’s film debut

The Great Man's Lady (1942)
Watched: 04/25/20
10-word summary:  Old woman tells tragic, loving story of her pioneering husband.
6-word review:  Brilliant Stanwyck, sweeping saga, compactly told.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Stanwyck ages to 100+ years; she's the great one!

Circus of Books (2019)
Watched: 04/26/20
10-word summary:  Nice Jewish couple owns nation's premier gay porn store/distribution.
6-word review:  Entertaining documentary of a family-owned business.

Rating: ★★★

The Lady Gambles (1949)
Watched: 04/27/20
10-word summary:  Housewife rapidly develops dangerous gambling addiction nearly destroying all around.
6-word review:  Stanwyck is at her over-the-top best.

Rating: ★★★

Internes Can't Take Money (1937)
Watched: 04/28/20
10-word summary:  A doctor and gangsters help down-and-out woman find her child.
6-word review:  Early film noir, tender Stanwyck performance.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Joel McCrea as filmdom's first appearance of Dr. Kildare

All I Desire (1953)
Watched: 04/28/20
10-word summary:  Adulterous, failed actress returns to hometown ruining her family's lives.
6-word review:  Glossy production, soapy plot, melodramatic Stanwyck.

Rating: ★★½

Escape to Burma (1955)
Watched: 04/29/20
10-word summary:  Murder suspect flees to attractive woman's plantation; then danger, romance!
6-word review:  Laughable storyline, Stanwyck's parody of herself.
Rating: ★★

Note:  She wanted to keep working!

Dangerous Lies (2020)
Watched: 04/30/20
10-word summary:  Caretaker inherits from old man unleashing sordid questions, mysteries, murder.
6-word review:  “Lifetime movie,” acting watchable, time filler.

Rating: ★★
Note:  Netflix movie; Elliott Gould draining as old man; no other names

May 2020     |     Back to top

Becoming (2020)
Watched: 05/06/20
10-word summary:  Intimate, close-up look at Michelle Obama on a book tour.
6-word review:  Why we love and miss her.

Rating: ★★★★

Carrie Pilby (2016)
Watched: 05/07/20
10-word summary:  Teenage prodigy, Harvard graduate, struggles to develop a normal life.
6-word review:  Heartwarming, if unlikely; but good performances.

Rating: ★★

Baby Face (1933)
Watched: 05/08/20
10-word summary:  Embittered woman uses sexual power to climb out of poverty.
6-word review:  Excellent pre-code film, classic Stanwyck performance.

Rating: ★★★★

All Night Long (1981)
Watched: 05/08/20
10-word summary:  Drugstore executive demoted, re-evaluates his life, lovers, unfulfilled dreams, future.
6-word review:  Humorous, thought provoking. Subtle Streisand performance.

Rating: ★★★★

House at the End of the Street (2012)
Watched: 05/16/20
10-word summary:  Teenager befriends lonely neighbor with troubled past; things go bad.
6-word review:  A well-acted, face-paced, surprisingly satisfying thriller.

Rating: ★★★

The Queen (1968)
Watched: 05/18/20
10-word summary:  Low-budget drag competition documentary highlights early pioneer of gay subculture.
6-word review:  Fascinating, intimate record of pre-Stonewall history.
Rating: ★★★

Note: See also Watched on: 6/15/20 entry.

Seberg (2019)
Watched: 05/19/20
10-word summary:  Idealistic actress's career and mental health “neutralized” by FBI surveillance.
6-word review:  Unsettling, but over-simplified, and well acted.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Kristen Stewart good as Jean Seberg

Dog Pound (2010)
Watched: 05/19/20
10-word summary:  Three teens sent to juvenile prison soon learn harsh realities.
6-word review:  Empathetic slant toward delinquents; violent, intense.

Rating: ★★

Caged Heat (1974)
Watched: 05/20/20
10-word summary:  Scantily clad female prisoners clash with sadistic warden; break out.
6-word review:  Fun mix of exploitation and feminism.

Rating: ★★

Union Pacific (1939)
Watched: 05/21/20
10-word summary:  Struggles of building transcontinental railroad, everything from danger to romance.
6-word review:  Exciting, grand-scale epic, and good performances.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Stanwyck with Irish accent

Four Frightened People (1934)
Watched: 05/21/20
10-word summary:  Four passengers jump plague-ridden ship, trek dangerous jungle to rescue.
6-word review:  Absurd story, broadly acted, watchable escapism.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Claudette Colbert needs Valium

How to Beat the High Cost of Living (1980)
Watched: 05/28/20
10-word summary:  Financially strapped women execute plan to steal money from mall.
6-word review:  Dated but cute; nice ensemble cast.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Jane Curtin, Jessica Lange, Susan St. James, Eddie Albert...

Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956)
Watched: 05/29/20
10-word summary:  Teen schemes to buy dress for “rock and roll” prom.
6-word review:  Silly, thin plot; fun musical numbers.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  13-year-old Tuesday Weld's first film; time capsule of early rock & roll; look fast for Valerie Harper as one of teens in the crowd

Karla (2006)
Watched: 05/30/20
10-word summary:  “Perfect” couple are actually abusive psychopaths, raping and murdering girls.
6-word review:  Grisly story, more horrifying because true.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Laura Prepon good

War of the Colossal Beast (1958)
Watched: 05/30/20
10-word summary:  Colossal man returns to wreak havoc on Los Angeles area.
6-word review:  Well-known plot with empathy for beast.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Sequel to 1957’s Amazing Colossal Man

Rocket Man (2019)
Watched: 05/31/20
10-word summary:  Elton bio told in Hollywood production numbers and fantasy vignettes.
6-word review:  Trite treatment of rich musical life.

Rating: ★★

June 2020     |     Back to top

River of No Return (1954)
Watched: 06/01/20
10-word summary:  Trio makes perilous raft trip. “Injuns,” rapids, bad guys everywhere.
6-word review:  Marilyn, Mitchum, scenery beautiful. Exciting journey!
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Trio = Marilyn Monroe, Robert Mitchum, and Tommy Rettig; Rory Calhoun handsome scoundrel

My Awkward Sexual Adventure (2012)
Watched: 06/03/20
10-word summary:  Accountant hires stripper to teach sexual proficiency to woo ex-girlfriend.
6-word review:  Cute sex comedy, good performances; longish.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Emily Hampshire is terrific; Canadian film

Born Innocent (1974)
Watched: 06/03/20
10-word summary:  Innocent girl goes to juvenile prison, bullied, brutalized, becomes hardened.
6-word review:  Dated, but still packs a punch.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Controversial for its day, including shower gang rape scene; Linda Blair’s first movie after The Exorcist; highest-rated TV movie of 1974; Impetus for TV’s “family viewing hour policy” lawsuit re: adult material

Sweet Hostage (1975)
Watched: 06/04/20
10-word summary:  Escaped mental patient kidnaps illiterate girl, educates her, romance blooms.
6-word review:  Talky, cheesy dialogue, sporadically entertaining; average.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Linda Blair spunky; Jeanne Cooper her haggard mother; Martin Sheen annoying

Summer of Fear (1978)
Watched: 06/04/20
10-word summary:  Teenage girl not fooled by backwoods cousin witch. Family terrorized.
6-word review:  A 90-minute “cat fight.” Suspenseful fun!
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Linda Blair (teenager) and Lee Purcell (backwoods cousin witch)

Sarah T. - Portrait of a Teenage Alcoholic (1975)
Watched: 06/05/20
10-word summary:  Lovely teenage girl drinks a lot, spirals out of control.
6-word review:  Eye-opening film, good performances; well done.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Linda Blair

Savage Streets (1984)
Watched: 06/06/20
10-word summary:  Angry, crossbow-wielding Brenda avenges friend’s murder, deaf-mute sister’s gang rape.
6-word review:  Violent, deliciously vulgar, exploitation; deafening soundtrack.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Linda Blair’s over-the-top performance makes it watchable.

Savage Island (1985)
Watched: 06/06/20
10-word summary:  Jewel thieves use sexy, brutalized women prisoners in elaborate heist.
6-word review:  So bad even on camp levels.
Rating: ½★

Note:  I hope Linda Blair was paid well.

The Liberation of L. B. Jones (1970)
Watched: 06/08/20
10-word summary:  "Negro" undertaker hires prominent white lawyer to divorce unfaithful wife.
6-word review:  A powerful story of small-town racism.

Rating: ★★★½

I Walk the Line (1970)
Watched: 06/09/20
10-word summary:  Sheriff falls for hillbilly girl and shields her moonshine-making family.
6-word review:  Well-acted, but downbeat tale of obsession.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Tuesday Weld (gorgeous), Ralph Meeker (hot)

Bernice Bobs Her Hair (1976)
Watched: 06/09/20
10-word summary:  Awkward girl becomes popular when plans haircut; second thoughts afterward.
6-word review:  Witty adaptation of Fitzgerald short story.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Shelley Duvall, Veronica Cartwright, and Bud Cort all excellent

Dirty Teacher (2013)
Watched: 06/09/20
10-word summary:  Beautiful, deranged teacher seduces student with jealous girlfriend; deadly results.
6-word review:  Predictable, but fun. Surprisingly well done.

Rating: ★★★

Deadly Nightshade (1953)
Watched: 06/10/20
10-word summary:  Prison escapee assumes another’s identity, discovers he hasn’t chosen wisely.
6-word review:  Clever, twistily plotted, well-done espionage noir.

Rating: ★★½

Bookends (2016)
Watched: 06/10/20
10-word summary:  Boozy, hurricane-trapped couples decide to swap partners, with life-changing outcome.
6-word review:  Interesting to a point; ultimately shallow.

Rating: ★★

Nora (2000)
Watched: 06/10/20
10-word summary:  The story of James Joyce and Nora Barnacle’s tempestuous relationship.
6-word review:  Good performances in a slow-moving biopic.
Rating: ★★

Note:  James Joyce, Irish author: Ulysses, Dubliners, Finnegans Wake, The Dead

The World of James Joyce: His Life and Work (1986)
Watched: 06/11/20
10-word summary:  Detailed documentary of restless writer; composed of interviews, archived footage.
6-word review:  Absorbing, top-notch portrait of literary revolutionary.

Rating: ★★★

Knives Out (2019)
Watched: 06/12/20
10-word summary:  Wealthy author commits suicide, maybe; nurse left fortune, family irate.
6-word review:  Amusing, Agatha Christie-esque mystery; great cast.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Jamie Lee Curtis, Christopher Plummer, Michael Shannon

Gerald’s Game (2017)
Watched: 06/14/20
10-word summary:  Man dies during sex, handcuffed wife confronts present/past demons.
6-word review:  Stagy, but watchable thriller; appropriate gore.

Rating: ★★½

The Guest (2014)
Watched: 06/15/20
10-word summary:  Friend of family’s slain son visits. Not as he appears.
6-word review:  Intelligent enough to justify extreme violence.

Rating: ★★½

The Screaming Skull (1958)
Watched: 06/15/20
10-word summary:  Sinister man plots to drive wealthy, neurotic, second wife mad.
6-word review:  Sporadically not dull, but good music.
Rating: ★½

Note: See also Watched on: 12/21/20 entry.

The Queen (1968)
Watched: 06/15/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of drag competition, and contestants offstage personalities, rivalries, friendship.
6-word review:  Fascinating look at pre-Stonewall drag life.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  1967 “All-America Camp Beauty Contest” held @ NYC Town Hall; see also Watched on: 5/18/20 entry.

The Stepford Wives (1975)
Watched: 06/16/20
10-word summary:  Why are the women of Stepford beautiful—and love housework?
6-word review:  Classic, creepy, misogynistic thriller; excellent performances.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Mixed reviews upon release, has developed cult status, and part of our language.

The Lovebirds (2020)
Watched: 06/19/20
10-word summary:  Squabbling couple becomes embroiled in murder, blackmail; help catch suspect.
6-word review:  Appealing leads, snappy dialogue, ultimately predictable.

Rating: ★★½

A Century of Black Cinema (2003)
Watched: 06/21/20
10-word summary:  A documentary detailing Black Hollywood’s hundred-year struggle against systemic racism.
6-word review:  Good use of movie clips; compelling.

Rating: ★★★

Happiness Adjacent (2018)
Watched: 06/23/20
10-word summary:  Shipboard romance between gay New York Jew and married Midwesterner.
6-word review:  Often touching, entertaining; way too long.

Rating: ★★½

Song of the South (1946)
Watched: 06/25/20
10-word summary:  Kindly Uncle Remus befriends lonely boy, tells Br'er Rabbit tales.
6-word review:  Cringe-worthy, whitewashed, plantation life; nice music.
Rating: ★½

Note:  Disney “classic,” an embarrassment in today’s climate. Nice mix of live actors with animation in some scenes. Animation segments with Br'er Rabbit and Br'er Fox violent (torture depicted and hard to watch). Oscar-winning song Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. Hattie McDaniel wasted in stereotype role.

Kept Husbands (1931)
Watched: 06/27/20
10-word summary:  Heiress marries blue collar, tries running things, learns men rule.
6-word review:  Dated tale of fragile masculinity; average.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Stars a young, handsome Joel McCrea.

Disclosure (2020)
Watched: 06/29/20
10-word summary:  Reflections by trans people on history and treatment in media.
6-word review:  Interesting, in-depth look at trans struggle.

Rating: ★★★

July 2020     |     Back to top

Can She Bake a Cherry Pie? (1983)
Watched: 07/04/20
10-word summary:  Talkative, romantically damaged New York neurotics reluctantly fall in love.
6-word review:  Fun, quirky comedy, extremely Karen Black.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Not for all tastes.

Asylum (1972)
Watched: 07/05/20
10-word summary:  Anthology set in remote psychiatric facility run by insane doctor.
6-word review:  Well-known cast, terror, humor; above average.

Rating: ★★★

David Foster: Off the Record (2019)
Watched: 07/06/20
10-word summary:  In-depth documentary of prolific hit-making record producer’s life and career.
6-word review:  Star interviewees stroke the subject’s ego.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Barbra Streisand has prominent screen time, along with Celine, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Quincy Jones…

Hello Again (2017)
Watched: 07/06/20
10-word summary:  Ten lost souls’ musically connected, sensual experiences, spanning several decades.
6-word review:  Outstanding cast overlap in unrelated stories.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Audra McDonald, Cheyenne Jackson…

Act of Vengeance (1974)
Watched: 07/07/20
10-word summary:  Rape victims become vigilantes to exact revenge on serial rapist.
6-word review:  Sleazy, watchable trash. Exploitation 70s style.

Rating: ★★

13th (2016)
Watched: 07/09/20
10-word summary:  Exploration of racial inequality cycles, focusing on criminal justice system.
6-word review:  A disturbing, maddening, extremely well-made film.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Ava DuVernay-directed documentary

Night Watch (1973)
Watched: 07/12/20
10-word summary:  Wealthy neurotic woman’s adulterous husband plots to drive her crazy.
6-word review:  Liz’s histrionic best; clever twist ending.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Elizabeth Taylor, Laurence Harvey

Storm Warning (1951)
Watched: 07/12/20
10-word summary:  Witness to Klan murder protects naive sister married to murderer.
6-word review:  An overwrought melodrama, with still-relevant themes.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Bullying, mob rule, vigilante, white-male dominance, racial issues non-existent in this film, outsider was eliminated. Ginger Rogers, Doris Day, Steve Cochran, Ronald Reagan.

Mucho, Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado (2020)
Watched: 07/13/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of life and work of flamboyant astrologer Walter Mercado.
6-word review:  Entertaining look at outrageous barrier breaker.

Rating: ★★★

Fatal Affair (2020)
Watched: 07/13/20
10-word summary:  An obsessed long-ago acquaintance turns deadly stalker of successful woman.
6-word review:  Overdone storyline, clichéd dialogue, thrill-less thriller.

Rating: ★★★

Europa ‘51 (1952)
Watched: 07/19/20
10-word summary:  Tragedy makes self-centered woman realize she must help the downtrodden.
6-word review:  Overlong, well-acted tale of misunderstood ideals.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Ingrid Bergman

Stand By Your Man (1981)
Watched: 07/20/20
10-word summary:  Superficial telling of Tammy Wynette and George Jones’s tumultuous marriage.
6-word review:  Annette O’Toole okay in lackluster film.

Rating: ★★

The Little Colonel (1935)
Watched: 07/20/20
10-word summary:  Precocious antebellum child helps her mother and estranged grandfather reunite.
6-word review:  Supporting cast shines, Shirley overly cute.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Classic stair tap dance numbers by the outstanding Bill Robinson; Hattie McDaniel delightful as Becky in stereotypical role. (Racist throughout, but Shirley’s playmates were black children.)

Too Many Husbands (1940)
Watched: 07/21/20
10-word summary:  A presumed-dead husband returns finding wife remarried; complicated hilarity ensues.
6-word review:  Familiar plot, screwball handling, top-notch cast.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Another version of 1864 poem Enoch Arden by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Released shortly before “My Favorite Wife.” Also as “Move Over Darling” in 1963.

Pipe Dreams (1976)
Watched: 07/22/20
10-word summary:  Woman follows estranged husband to Alaska to rekindle stagnant romance.
6-word review:  Overall mediocre, Gladys’ soundtrack best part.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Starring Gladys Knight. Barry Hankerson terrible actor and not at all attractive.

Blonde Venus (1932)
Watched: 07/22/20
10-word summary:  Woman becomes playboy’s mistress to save husband’s life, he’s pissed.
6-word review:  Nice showcase for Dietrich, dated plot.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Starring Marlene Dietrich. Hattie McDaniel has small, memorable role late in film.

Blood and Lace (1971)
Watched: 07/22/20
10-word summary:  Orphanage proprietress keeps captured runaways in freezer for support checks.
6-word review:  Grahame fun in a well-done slasher.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Starring Gloria Grahame.

Big House, U.S.A. (1955)
Watched: 07/24/20
10-word summary:  Sleazy criminal reluctantly joins even worse in prison, ends bad.
6-word review:  Meeker attractive creep. A documentary-style work.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Starring Ralph Meeker, Broderick Crawford.

Paths of Glory (1957)
Watched: 07/25/20
10-word summary:  Three soldiers unjustly executed to cover up mistakes of higher-ups.
6-word review:  Powerful story of abuse of power.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Starring Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker; directed by Stanley Kubrick

I Am Divine (2013)
Watched: 07/25/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of life and career of Glenn Milstead, aka Divine.
6-word review:  Fun look at complex, avant-garde actor.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Starring Divine, John Waters, Tab Hunter

The Heiress (1949)
Watched: 07/26/20
10-word summary:  Penniless gigolo woos/deserts plain heiress, she gets last laugh.
6-word review:  Brilliantly made film in every way.

Rating: ★★★★

The Proud Rebel (1958)
Watched: 07/27/20
10-word summary:  Man with a mute son helps woman against evil neighbors.
6-word review:  Excellent mix of action and warmth.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Starring Olivia de Havilland, Allan Ladd

First Period (2013)
Watched: 07/28/20
10-word summary:  Clueless misfits try to fit in with popular school crowd.
6-word review:  Silly, gay, cheesy, occasionally clever dialogue.

Rating: ★★

The Letter (1940)
Watched: 07/29/20
10-word summary:  Woman kills lover, underhandedly acquitted, husband forgives, lover’s wife avenges.
6-word review:  “Bad Bette” great in stylish melodrama.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Starring Bette Davis

Dark Mirror (1946)
Watched: 07/30/20
10-word summary:  Beautiful identical twin murders lover, but which twin did it?
6-word review:  Compact psychological noir, and well acted.

Rating: ★★★

Shed No Tears (1948)
Watched: 07/31/20
10-word summary:  Adulteress schemes to double-cross husband after they defraud insurance company.
6-word review:  Low budget, evil dame, fun movie.
Rating: ★★½

Note: See also Watched on: 2/20 entry.

Hoodlum (1951)
Watched: 07/31/20
10-word summary:  Paroled criminal betrays family trust, masterminds disastrous armored car robbery.
6-word review:  An exciting, taut, “tough-guy” crime drama.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Starring Lawrence Tierney

Apartment 12 [a.k.a. Life/Drawing] (2000)
Watched: 07/31/20
10-word summary:  Pretentious, unsuccessful artist meets unpretentious girl; he re-evaluates what’s important.
6-word review:  Appealing cast in breezy romantic comedy.
Rating: ★★½

Note: Starring Mark Ruffalo

August 2020     |     Back to top

Lady Gangster (1942)
Watched: 08/01/20
10-word summary:  Dame assists bank robbery; in prison, plots to expose doublecrossers.
6-word review:  Uncharismatic femme fatale, otherwise good noir.

Rating: ★★

East Side, West Side (1949)
Watched: 08/01/20
10-word summary:  Affluent philanderer’s mistress murdered; all involved have motive; who’s guilty?
6-word review:  A slick, slow-building soaper; excellent cast.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Barbara Stanwyck, James Mason, Ava Gardner, Van Heflin, Beverly Michaels

My Reputation (1946)
Watched: 08/02/20
10-word summary:  Recently widowed woman finds new love, family and friends disapprove.
6-word review:  Stanwyck stunning in a well-acted romance.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent

Cry Wolf (1947)
Watched: 08/03/20
10-word summary:  After husband's “death,” woman seeks inheritance, mysterious family secrets revealed.
6-word review:  A well-played, preposterously plotted Gothic thriller.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Barbara Stanwyck, Errol Flynn

Freedom Riders (2010)
Watched: 08/04/20
10-word summary:  Nonviolent, civil-rights activists rode buses in the South to protest.
6-word review:  Impressive, detailed look at courageous movement.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  John Lewis featured

Betrayed Women (1955)
Watched: 08/04/20
10-word summary:  Tough gal thrown in brutal southern women’s prison; breaks out.
6-word review:  Clichés abound in this low-budget gem.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Beverly Michaels

Blonde Bait (1956)
Watched: 08/05/20
10-word summary:  Feds help dame escape prison to nab her murderous boyfriend.
6-word review:  Fun moments outweigh dull stretches; average.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Beverly Michaels

Payment on Demand (1951)
Watched: 08/06/20
10-word summary:  Husband leaves controlling wife. She’s miserable, he’s lonely. They reunite.
6-word review:  Humorless look at marriage, well-acted soaper.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Bette Davis

Always Goodbye (1938)
Watched: 08/06/20
10-word summary:  Woman gives up baby, meets him later, marries adoptive father.
6-word review:  Improbable plot, cute kid, Stanwyck gorgeous.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Barbara Stanwyck

The Wayward Bus (1957)
Watched: 08/07/20
10-word summary:  Disparate people take problematic soul-baring trip in broken down bus.
6-word review:  Great characters, never dull, minimal clichés.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Jayne Mansfield, Joan Collins; based on John Steinbeck novel

Satan in High Heels (1962)
Watched: 08/08/20
10-word summary:  Stripper ditches husband for NY, uses men to advance career.
6-word review:  Cast looks like Amy Winehouse; awful!

Rating: ★

Turn the Key Softly (1953)
Watched: 08/09/20
10-word summary:  Three very different women have eventful day after prison release.
6-word review:  One day, three stories, well done.

Rating: ★★★

Playgirl (1954)
Watched: 08/10/20
10-word summary:  Naive girl rooms with shrill singer; jealousy, mistrust, tragedy follows.
6-word review:  Shelley chews scenery in dreadful film.
Rating: ★½

Note:  Shelley Winters

The Devil’s Hand (1961)
Watched: 08/10/20
10-word summary:  Telepathic beauty seduces willing schmucks into a human-sacrificing voodoo cult.
6-word review:  Dull, bad acting, absurd plot, forgettable.

Rating: ★

The Great St. Louis Bank Robbery (1959)
Watched: 08/11/20
10-word summary:  A gang's infighting contributes to well-planned heist going terribly wrong.
6-word review:  Long setup, gay subtext, exciting climax.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Steve McQueen

The Gangster Story (1959)
Watched: 08/12/20
10-word summary:  With robberies and collateral killings, they become FBI’s most-wanted criminals.
6-word review:  Wooden acting, otherwise interesting; well paced.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Walter Matthau

Violent Saturday (1955)
Watched: 08/15/20
10-word summary:  Hardened criminals rob a small-town bank, glimpses into townsfolk's lives.
6-word review:  Soaper meets film noir; above average.

Rating: ★★★

The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019)
Watched: 08/16/20
10-word summary:  Entrepreneur promises to revolutionize phlebotomy process, became billionaire from lies.
6-word review:  A fascinating look at smooth-talking fraud.

Rating: ★★★½

The Girl Can’t Help It (1956)
Watched: 08/18/20
10-word summary:  Mobster promotes untalented singer, plot strung together by musical numbers.
6-word review:  Overdone silliness; music the best part.
Rating: ★½

Note:  Features many pop recording acts of the day

Dragstrip Riot (1958)
Watched: 08/19/20
10-word summary:  Angst, jealousy, fights, drama, music, dancing, romance—among privileged teens.
6-word review:  An early “beach-party genre" film; predictable.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Connie Stevens, Fay Wray featured

Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)
Watched: 08/19/20
10-word summary:  Scientists attempting to investigate radiation effects, interrupted by mutant crabs.
6-word review:  Competent mix of suspenseful and outrageous.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Russell Johnson ("The Professor" of Gilligan's Island)

Swamp Women (1956)
Watched: 08/21/20
10-word summary:  Women’s prison escape, undercover cop. Hidden diamonds, infighting, treacherous swamp.
6-word review:  Classic tough girls—film's best asset.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Beverly Garland, Marie Windsor, Carole Mathews, “Touch” Mike Connors

Terror in the Midnight Sun (1959)
Watched: 08/23/20
10-word summary:  Furry Swedish alien monster terrorizes snowbound scientist; avalanche kills it.
6-word review:  Trite plot, laughable monsters, forgettable cast.

Rating: ★

O’Henry’s Full House (1952)
Watched: 08/24/20
10-word summary:  John Steinbeck introduces five O’Henry short stories with all-star casts.
6-word review:  Humorous to heartwarming irony; well done.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  20th Century Fox produced; full of 20th Century Fox contract players and stars, including Marilyn

You’re Killing Me (2015)
Watched: 08/24/20
10-word summary:  Gay YouTube celebrity falls for handsome, but psychotic, serial killer.
6-word review:  A deadpan black comedy, well-done fun.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Featuring Jack Plotnick, Mindy Cohn

Rapture in Blue (2020)
Watched: 08/25/20
10-word summary:  Pressured by girlfriend, teen questions sexuality, meets mysterious boy, snaps!
6-word review:  Artsy aspirations unfulfilled; muddled, meandering mess.

Rating: ★½

Frozen Alive (1964)
Watched: 08/25/20
10-word summary:  Scientist volunteers for cryogenic experiment, wife shoots self, he’s suspected.
6-word review:  Sci-fi meets soap, earnest cast, slow.

Rating: ★★

The Southerners (1945)
Watched: 08/27/20
10-word summary:  Farming family faces flood, sickness, hardships; love gets them through.
6-word review:  Nice mix of drama and schmaltz.

Rating: ★★★

Last Summer (2018)
Watched: 08/29/20
10-word summary:  Boys’ idyllic lives shattered by tragedy; spiraling effects, nobody untouched.
6-word review:  Well-acted, unsentimental look at unthinkable situation.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Welsh film

The Head (1959)
Watched: 08/30/20
10-word summary:  Doctor transplants crippled woman’s head onto stripper’s body; disastrous results.
6-word review:  Interesting premise, avoids camp, seriously okay.

Rating: ★★½

Last Woman on Earth (1960)
Watched: 08/31/20
10-word summary:  Apocalypse leaves three people; two men fight over one woman.
6-word review:  Tries to be meaningful; unanswered questions.

Rating: ★★

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Watched: 08/31/20
10-word summary:  Sloppy assistant proves herself to demanding boss, then to herself.
6-word review:  Great cast, great script, lessons learned.

Rating: ★★★

September 2020     |     Back to top

Eden’s Curve (2003)
Watched: 09/01/20
10-word summary:  Naive student falls for troubled roommate then poetry professor, tragically.
6-word review:  Slow, strives for artiness; attractive cast.

Rating: ★★½

No Man for Her Own (1950)
Watched: 09/02/20
10-word summary:  Pregnant, abandoned, penniless woman assumes another’s identity for child’s future.
6-word review:  Improbable, but effective soaper; excellent acting.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Barbara Stanwyck, John Lund, and a sinister Lyle Bettger

Mesa of Lost Women (1953)
Watched: 09/02/20
10-word summary:  Scientist attempts to create superhuman women by injecting tarantula serum.
6-word review:  Mostly dull, time waster; bad music.
Rating: ★

American Grindhouse (2010)
Watched: 09/03/20
10-word summary:  Documentary look at low-budget exploitation films, over 200 clips, interviews.
6-word review:  Extensive, fun study of movie genre.

Rating: ★★★

Night of the Cobra Woman (1972)
Watched: 09/07/20
10-word summary:  Beautiful woman, bitten by cobra, must kill to stay young.
6-word review:  Watchable mess; plot lacks any logic.

Rating: ★★½

De Palma (2015)
Watched: 09/09/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of director of Carrie, The Untouchables, Mission Impossible, others.
6-word review:  Tells his own story; many clips.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Brian De Palma

The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
Watched: 09/09/20
10-word summary:  Spoiled, arrogant son of once grand family finally gets comeuppance.
6-word review:  “Classic” doesn’t mean great. Moorehead terrific.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Orson Welles directed and wrote screenplay; stars Joseph Cotton, Agnes Moorehead, young Anne Baxter, others

Blow Out (1981)
Watched: 09/09/20
10-word summary:  Sound man unknowingly records political assassination, unravels attempted cover up.
6-word review:  Effective thriller, good performances, exciting climax.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Directed by Brian De Palma; stars John Travolta, Nancy Allen, John Lithgow

Humoresque (1946)
Watched: 09/10/20
10-word summary:  Rich, possessive woman sets sights on hot, young classical violinist.
6-word review:  Music tops love; among Crawford’s best.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Stars Joan Crawford, John Garfield

Emergency Hospital (1956)
Watched: 09/10/20
10-word summary:  Slice of life on one night shift in city ER.
6-word review:  Low-budget, fast-paced, implausible drama. Laughably dated.

Rating: ★★½

The Lady Vanishes (1938)
Watched: 09/12/20
10-word summary:  Old woman disappears aboard train, young couple unravels complex mystery.
6-word review:  Mix of espionage, romance, clever dialogue.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Alfred Hitchcock directs, stars Dame May Whitty

Cast a Dark Shadow (1955)
Watched: 09/12/20
10-word summary:  Charmer murders rich, older wife, left penniless, finds wealthier second.
6-word review:  Well acted; well written; twisty plot.

Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Dirk Bogarde, Margaret Lockwood

Born to Win (1971)
Watched: 09/12/20
10-word summary:  Ex-hairdresser heroin addict, girlfriend, mixed up with drug dealers, cops.
6-word review:  Uneven black comedy/drama. Great cast.
Rating: ★★

Note:  George Segal, Karen Black, Robert De Niro, Paula Prentiss, others

A Stranger in Town (1943)
Watched: 09/13/20
10-word summary:  Vacationing Supreme Court judge helps clean up small town corruption.
6-word review:  Amusing, delightfully fast-paced with still-relevant issues.

Rating: ★★★
Note:  Frank Morgan, Richard Carlson

Love & Friendship (2016)
Watched: 09/14/20
10-word summary:  Beautiful widow schemes to obtain husbands for herself and daughter.
6-word review:  Delightful period comedy, excellent writing, performances.

Rating: ★★★½

The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)
Watched: 09/14/20
10-word summary:  Biography of pioneering French microbiologist who revolutionized agriculture and medicine.
6-word review:  Straightforward, well-acted focus on disease research.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Paul Muni won Best Actor Oscar for this role

Nicole (2019)
Watched: 09/15/20
10-word summary:  For an attractive, depressed lush, first dates can be murder!
6-word review:  Sly mix of comedy and horror.

Rating: ★★½

Miss Tulip Spends the Night [a.k.a. Dead by Morning] (1955)
Watched: 09/15/20
10-word summary:  Couple lets woman in during rainstorm, by morning, she’s murdered.
6-word review:  Forced mystery/screwball comedy. Occasionally amusing.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Diana Dors is the best thing about it

Tread Softly Stranger (1958)
Watched: 09/16/20
10-word summary:  Two schnook brothers commit big-time crime to impress duplicitous dame.
6-word review:  Nicely done noir; great twist ending.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Diana Dors

Strangers on a Train (1951)
Watched: 09/16/20
10-word summary:  Psychopath devises plan to exchange murders with stranger; goes bad.
6-word review:  Builds nicely, exciting climax, wonderful film.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Alfred Hitchcock directs; starring Farley Granger, Robert Walker, Ruth Roman, and nice performance by Hitchcock's daughter Patricia

The Social Dilemma (2020)
Watched: 09/19/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of perils of technical persuasion through Facebook and others.
6-word review:  Good presentation of issues; silly re-enactments.

Rating: ★★★

Not Another Teen Movie (2001)
Watched: 09/25/20
10-word summary:  Spoof of the genre, every silly movie cliché parodies, exaggerated.
6-word review:  Sophomoric at best; offensive and stupid.

Rating: ★

Night Work (1930)
Watched: 09/29/20
10-word summary:  Window dresser wants to adopt orphan and marry his nurse.
6-word review:  Predictable pre-code comedy has nice moments.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Eddie Quillan (gay) stars, many pre-code gay innuendos

October 2020     |     Back to top

Leopard Man (1943)
Watched: 10/02/20
10-word summary:  Leopard escapes, girls killed, leopard killed, murders continue, killer found.
6-word review:  Boring B movie mystery; real snoozer.

Rating: ★

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Watched: 10/07/20
10-word summary:  Volatile patient disrupts cruel psychiatric nurse’s strict routine. Who’s crazy?
6-word review:  Much-lauded film still packs a punch.

Rating: ★★★½

Judy (2019)
Watched: 10/07/20
10-word summary:  Judy’s last year with erratic behavior, concert triumphs and disasters.
6-word review:  Renee Zellweger excellent in okay movie.

Rating: ★★

Dolly Parton: Here I Am (2019)
Watched: 10/07/20
10-word summary:  A look at Dolly’s iconic career through memories, songs, interviews.
6-word review:  Emphasized determination, talent, savvy; always entertaining.

Rating: ★★★

Peeping Tom (1960)
Watched: 10/08/20
10-word summary:  [Spoiler alert] Psychopath films his victims as he murders them, ultimately himself.
6-word review:  Well-paced thriller; attractive, creepy lead; worthwhile.

Rating: ★★★

American Murder: The Family Next Door (2020)
Watched: 10/09/20
10-word summary:  Documentary of man’s murder of pregnant wife, two young daughters.
6-word review:  Well-done story using police tapes, interviews.

Rating: ★★★

The Boys in the Band (2020)
Watched: 10/09/20
10-word summary:  Birthday party turns vicious when bitchy homosexuals air dirty laundry.
6-word review:  Impressive new version of groundbreaking play.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  All-gay cast; remake of the 1970 classic

The Boys in the Band (1970)
Watched: 10/10/20
10-word summary:  Heterosexual disrupts homosexual birthday party, fangs come out, souls bared.
6-word review:  History. Required viewing for every queer.
Rating: ★★★★

Note: This is the original; it was remade in 2020 with an all-gay cast

The Eagle and the Hawk (1950)
Watched: 10/12/20
10-word summary:  Texas ranger, federal agent foil French plot to invade Texas.
6-word review:  Historical events frame colorful, formulaic western.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  John Payne, Dennis O'Keefe, Rhonda Fleming

Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982)
Watched: 10/12/20
10-word summary:  Twenty-year fan-club reunion, and some have changed more than others.
6-word review:  Stagy, humorous, revelatory, poignant. Great cast!

Rating: ★★★★

Blackenstein [a.k.a. Black Frankenstein] (1973)
Watched: 10/13/20
10-word summary:  Experimental surgery to reattach man's limbs, sabotaged by doctor's assistant.
6-word review:  Campy, worst of horror and blaxploitation.

Rating: ★½

How to Make a Monster (1958)
Watched: 10/14/20
10-word summary:  Fired makeup man uses hypnotized "monsters" to kill studio executives.
6-word review:  Nice teen/monster film; familiar cast.

Rating: ★★½

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)
Watched: 10/19/20
10-word summary:  Defendants accused of inciting riots at 1968 Democratic National Convention.
6-word review:  Excellent, well-cast telling of famous trial.
Rating: ★★★★

Note:  Eddie Redmayne & all-star cast

The Bitter Tea of General Yen (1932)
Watched: 10/19/20
10-word summary:  Missionary held captive by enigmatic Chinese general; falls for him.
6-word review:  Stanwyck's grand-scale acting makes this worthwhile.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Barbara Stanwyck, Nils Asther

Spellbound (1945)
Watched: 10/21/20
10-word summary:  Amnesia victim might be murderer and falls for case-solving psychiatrist.
6-word review:  Slow talky. Classic doesn't mean great.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Alfred Hitchcock directs

The Monolith Monsters (1957)
Watched: 10/22/20
10-word summary:  Townspeople save sleepy desert community from threatening, giant, growing rocks.
6-word review:  Excellent special effects, brisk plot, entertaining.
Rating: ★★★½

Note:  Grant Williams, Lola Albright

The Couch (1962)
Watched: 10/22/20
10-word summary:  Psychopath calls police before killing, between sessions with father-figure analyst.
6-word review:  Tense, psychological thriller; turns totally unbelievable.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Grant Williams, Shirley Knight

Red Sundown (1956)
Watched: 10/23/20
10-word summary:  Gunslinger turns deputy, proves his worth, falls for sheriff's daughter.
6-word review:  Attractive cast; routine, but entertaining oater.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Rory Calhoun, Grant Williams' screen debut, Martha Hyer, Dean Jagger, Robert Middleton

Lone Texan (1959)
Watched: 10/23/20
10-word summary:  Ex-union soldier returns to Texas hometown, pitting brother against brother.
6-word review:  Multiple, complex, still-relevant issues, well done.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Grant Williams, Audrey Dalton

The Escort (2015)
Watched: 10/24/20
10-word summary:  Unemployed sex addict journalist and educated prostitute fall in love.
6-word review:  Formulaic rom-com with a racy twist.

Rating: ★★½

The Wasp Woman (1959) (Watched on 10/26/20.)
Watched: 10/26/20
10-word summary:  Wasp serum injections turn aging cosmetics executive into killer insect.
6-word review:  Good, what-price-for-beauty film; Susan Cabot terrific!

Rating: ★★★

The Leech Woman (1960)
Watched: 10/26/20
10-word summary:  Aging woman would kill to remain young, and she does.
6-word review:  Great performance by Gray; campy fun.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Coleen Gray, Grant Williams, Gloria Talbott

The Bat (1959)
Watched: 10/27/20
10-word summary:  Missing money, dubious characters, spooky house, stormy weather, multiple murders.
6-word review:  Literate, earnest, but unscary by-the-numbers whodunit.
Rating: ★★

Note:  Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, Darla Hood

Shadow of Fear [a.k.a. Before I Wake] (1955)
Watched: 10/27/20
10-word summary:  Nobody believes young woman's claim of stepmother's plotting her murder.
6-word review:  Totally evil villainous, suspenseful little movie.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Mona Freeman, Jean Kent

12 to the Moon (1960)
Watched: 10/28/20
10-word summary:  International astronaut team reaches moon, faces peril, only 7 return.
6-word review:  Talk, talk, talk, action. Mostly boring.
Rating: ★★

Note: Adorable Cocker Spaniel & Ken Clark

The Mole People (1956)
Watched: 10/28/20
10-word summary:  Archaeologists discover photophobic mushroom-eating civilization deep within the earth's core.
6-word review:  Silly premise, but good production value.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  John Agar

I Am Woman (2019)
Watched: 10/29/20
10-word summary:  Helen Ready biopic. Struggles, success, hit songs, personal turmoil, survival.
6-word review:  Routine film, set to Helen's songs.

Rating: ★★½

Paid to Kill (1954)
Watched: 10/29/20
10-word summary:  Man hires friend to kill him so wife collects insurance.
6-word review:  Sympathetic lead, convoluted plot, moves quickly.

Rating: ★★½

November 2020     |     Back to top

Airplane! (1980)
Watched: 11/01/20
10-word summary:  Spoof of disaster films, filled with gags, puns, double entendres.
6-word review:  A great cast in still-fresh silliness.

Rating: ★★★½

The Forty-Year-Old Version (2020)
Watched: 11/02/20
10-word summary:  Promising playwright's career stalls forcing her to evaluate her life.
6-word review:  Refreshing take on mid-life dreams, goals.

Rating: ★★★½

Loophole (1954)
Watched: 11/02/20
10-word summary:  Investigator hounds innocent teller for bank robbery. Teller solves case.
6-word review:  Tense, clever dialogue, touches of humor.

Rating: ★★★

Whirlpool (1950)
Watched: 11/04/20
10-word summary:  Con man cleverly frames hypnotized kleptomaniac for murder he committed.
6-word review:  Far-fetched, but tense, humorless pyschobabble noir.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Gene Tierney, José Ferrer, Richard Conte

Handsome Devil (2016)
Watched: 11/04/20
10-word summary:  High school misfit and star rugby jock form uneasy friendship.
6-word review:  Nice story of finding one's self.

Rating: ★★★

People You May Know (2016)
Watched: 11/05/20
10-word summary:  Unexpected pregnancy changes best friends' lives, dad's gay, mom's married.
6-word review:  Overlong, angst-ridden, witty, melodramatic, happy-ish ending.

Rating: ★★½

The Return of Doctor X (1939)
Watched: 11/18/20
10-word summary:  Doctor and creepy assistant revive dead using electricity, artificial blood.
6-word review:  Good performances, foreshadowing concepts, unnecessary comedy.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Humphrey Bogart and Dennis Morgan among all-purpose cast

One Girl's Confession (1953)
Watched: 11/18/20
10-word summary:  Ex-convict waitress gives up stashed loot, finds peace and romance.
6-word review:  Likable Cleo in redemptive noir tale.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Cleo Moore

Over-Exposed (1956)
Watched: 11/19/20
10-word summary:  Model-turned-photographer meets newsman and racketeers while climbing to the top.
6-word review:  Cleo good, Crenna whiny, slick production.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Cleo Moore, Richard Crenna

Rookie Cop [a.k.a. Take This Oath] (1939)
Watched: 11/21/20
10-word summary:  Murdered cop's son joins police force to find father's killer.
6-word review:  Joyce Compton delightful; otherwise, routine melodrama.

★★½

The Lie (2018)
Watched: 11/21/20
10-word summary:  Parents go to extremes covering up teenage daughter's impulsive murder.
6-word review:  Leads outstanding, thought-provoking plot, twist ending.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Mireille Enos, Peter Sarsgaard

Nurse 3D (2013)
Watched: 11/23/20
10-word summary:  Sexy, psychotic nurse kills unfaithful scumbag, naive colleague gets suspicious.
6-word review:  Clichéd, poorly-acted slasher is absolutely dreadful.

Rating: ½★

Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
Watched: 11/26/20
10-word summary:  Law student deals with junkie mother, reflects on grandmother's influence.
6-word review:  Distracting flashback technique; Amy Adams terrific.

Rating: ★★½

The Third Alibi (1961)
Watched: 11/26/20
10-word summary:  Composer's affair with wife's sister leads to pregnancy, blackmail, murder.
6-word review:  Well-done procedural investigation with ironic outcome.

Rating: ★★★½

Uncle Frank (2020)
Watched: 11/27/20
10-word summary:  Tormented professor outed by bigoted father's will, old wounds opened.
6-word review:  70s attitudes realistically depicted, minimal stereotyping.

Rating: ★★★
Note:  Includes pet iguana named Barbra Streisand

Blush [a.k.a. Imaginary Order] (2019)
Watched: 11/27/20
10-word summary:  Obsessive-compulsive woman must reevaluate crumbling relationships before it's too late.
6-word review:  Intelligent, insightful observations, then peters out.

Rating: ★★½

December 2020     |     Back to top

Child's Play (1988)
Watched: 12/03/20
10-word summary:  Boy unknowingly receives doll possessed by spirit of serial killer.
6-word review:  Once scary, diluted by overdone imitations.

Rating: ★★

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Watched: 12/06/20
10-word summary:  Magazine writer poses as architect's wife entertaining handsome Chistmastime soldier.
6-word review:  Fun, fluffy; Stanwyck in top form.

Rating: ★★★★

Vice Squad (1953)
Watched: 12/07/20
10-word summary:  One-day investigation of bank robbery that's solved clue by clue.
6-word review:  Detailed, intelligent, great cast, moves quickly.

Rating: ★★★

A Vigilante (2018)
Watched: 12/08/20
10-word summary:  Abused woman becomes crusader to free other battered women/children.
6-word review:  Angst overload. Intriguing premise, but overlong.

Rating: ★★½

Man-Made Monster (1941)
Watched: 12/11/20
10-word summary:  Scientist-created, bioelectically driven zombie that murders, survives electric chair, rampages.
6-word review:  Story since clichéd; great special effects.

Rating: ★★★
Note: Lon Chaney Jr.

The Prom (2020)
Watched: 12/11/20
10-word summary:  Self-involved Broadway actors bring attention to prom-banned lesbian high schooler.
6-word review:  Splashy, overdone, star-studded musical, unsubtle message.
Rating: ★★½

Note: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden, Kerry Washington, Mary Kay Place, Tracey Ullman; forgettable young lesbian lead

Saturday Church (2017)
Watched: 12/14/20
10-word summary:  Bullied, questioning, effeminate boy finds support in underground transgender community.
6-word review:  Musical production numbers mar realistic story.

Rating: ★★★

I'm Your Woman (2020)
Watched: 12/15/20
10-word summary:  Criminal betrays partners, unsuspecting wife with baby forced to run.
6-word review:  Slow start, exciting buildup, slam-bang ending.

Rating: ★★★½
Note: Rachel Brosnahan is excellent.

The Sapphires (2012)
Watched: 12/16/20
10-word summary:  Aboriginal girl group entertaining troops in Vietnam, encounter life's realities.
6-word review:  Entertaining comedy/drama, great music, performances.

Rating: ★★★
Note: Chris O'Dowd is adorable.

Darkness Falls (2020)
Watched: 12/16/20
10-word summary:  Distraught detective links wife's apparent suicide to serial killer pair.
6-word review:  Suspend all logic when watching this.

Rating: ★½

Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (1995)
Watched: 12/17/20     Provider: Prime Video (TV movie)
10-word summary:  A check-off list of the life, career, and many marriages.
6-word review:  Glossy, but superficial; tells nothing new.

Rating: ★★

Life With Father (1947)
Watched: 12/17/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Stockbroker attempts to run household as he runs the office.
6-word review:  Charming family tale; innocence, nostalgia abounds.
Rating: ★★½

Note: Young Elizabeth Taylor and Martin Milner in cast

A Christmas Wish (2011)
Watched: 12/18/20     Provider: Prime Video (TV movie)
10-word summary:  Townspeople rally around beleagureed mother of 3, restore her faith.
6-word review:  Predictable, heartwarming Hallmark tale; clichéd characters.

Rating: ★★½

Berserk! (1967)
Watched: 12/19/20     Provider: Crackle TV
10-word summary:  Gruesome murders increase circus ticket sales, but who's committing them?
6-word review:  Crawford dominates cheesy film, great fun!

Rating: ★★★
Note: Joan Crawford, Ty Hardin, Diana Dors, Judy Geeson

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)
Watched: 12/20/20     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Tension-filled recording session of legendary, Rainey "mother of the blues."
6-word review:  Outstanding performances, intelligent script, excellent soundtrack.

Rating: ★★★★
Note: Viola Davis!

Blood of Dracula (1957)
Watched: 12/21/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hypnotized by depraved teacher, cranky girl transforms into bloodthirsty vampire.
6-word review:  Earnest, yet campy, teenage “Dracula” story.

Rating: ★★½

Miracle on 34th Street (1955)
Watched: 12/21/20     Provider: Prime Video (TV movie)
10-word summary:  Cynical mother, daughter learn to believe in Santa and others.
6-word review:  OK condensed version of Christmas classic.

Rating: ★★

The Screaming Skull (1958)
Watched: 12/21/20     Provider: Badass TV
10-word summary:  Cash-strapped widower tries to drive fragile, wealthy second wife mad.
6-word review:  A lot of running around screaming.

Rating: ★★
Note: See also Watched on: 6/15/20 entry.

Bloodlines (2010)
Watched: 12/22/20     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Psychiatrist executes wife's "perfect" murder. Doctor and detective catch him.
6-word review:  Satisfying procedural drama; adapted true story.

Rating: ★★★

Braven (2018)
Watched: 12/22/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Encountering ruthless drug traffickers, logger finds himself in kill-or-be-killed situation.
6-word review:  Momoa charisma elevates by-the-number tense thrilller.

Rating: ★★★
Note: Jason Momoa

Bent (2018)
Watched: 12/23/20     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Working to clear himself, innocent cop uncovers web of corruption.
6-word review:  Fast-paced thriller, attractive cast, twisty plot.

Rating: ★★½
Note: "Bent" refers to crooked policman

Pupplylove (2013)
Watched: 12/24/20     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Lonely girl's friendship with wild, promiscuous neighbor ends her innocence.
6-word review:  Refreshing, intelligent coming-of-age story; attractive cast.

Rating: ★★★½
Note: Belgium film, in French with subtitles

We The Animals (2018)
Watched: 12/24/20     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Very young gay boy has volatile parents and hooligan brothers.
6-word review:  Thought provoking; tries to be arty.

Rating: ★★

Run for the Sun (1956)
Watched: 12/26/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Couple’s seemingly endless run through the jungle pursued by Nazis.
6-word review:  Clichéd dangers, whining heroine, nicely photographed.
Rating: ★★

Note: Stars Richard Widmark, Jane Greer; remake of The Most Dangerous Game

The Scarf (1951)
Watched: 12/27/20     Provider: Classic Movies Network
10-word summary:  Mental hospital escapee, presumed murderer, meets shrill waitress, proves innocence.
6-word review:  Engaging noir, terrific performances, existential themes.
Rating: ★★★

Note: Stars John Ireland, Mercedes McCambridge

Don't Look in the Basement [a.k.a. The Forgotten and Death Ward #13] (1973)
Watched: 12/27/20     Provider: Classic Movies Network
10-word summary:  New nurse discovers strange goings on at private mental sanitarium.
6-word review:  Dreadful, cheaply made slasher; cult following.

Rating: ½★

The Brain Eaters (1958)
Watched: 12/27/20     Provider: Classic Movies Network
10-word summary:  Zombie producing Earth's core parasites destroyed by massive electical shock.
6-word review:  Preposterous even for genre; laughably serious.
Rating: ★★

Note: Ed Nelson stars and directs

Eyewitness (1956)
Watched: 12/28/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Witness to robbery/murder, hit by bus, pursued by culprits.
6-word review:  A fast-paced and implausible-but-exciting British thriller.

Rating: ★★★

Captain Kidd and the Slave Girl (1954)
Watched: 12/28/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Kidd saved from hanging by evil earl for hidden treasure.
6-word review:  Silly, stilted swashbuckler; Gabor adds interest.
Rating: ★★½

Note:  Anthony Dexter, Eva Gabor, Alan Hale Jr.

Desperate (1947)
Watched: 12/28/20     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Unknowingly involved in fatal robbery, innocent man, pregnant wife run.
6-word review:  Gritty, fast-moving noir, Burr pure evil.
Rating: ★★★

Note:  Steve Brodie, Raymond Burr