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January 2021

Repeat Performance (1947)
Watched: 01/01/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Actress kills husband; wishes she could play the year over.
6-word review:  Intriguing fantasy/noir mix, destiny prevails.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Joan Leslie; Louis Hayward; Richard Basehart

The Woman in Red (1935)
Watched: 01/02/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Independent society wife becomes mystery woman in horsy-set murder trial.
6-word review:  Stanwyck's presence elevates routine talky drama.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Barbara Stanwyck; Gene Raymond

Big City Interlude [a.k.a. Morals for Women] (1931)
Watched: 01/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Secretary comes clean to old flame about being boss's mistress.
6-word review:  So-so star, scandalous situation, sanitized screenplay.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Known in the UK as "Farewell Party"; American pre-code talking film; starring Bessie Love

The Brass Legend (1956)
Watched: 01/04/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sheriff must protect young boy who helped capture notorious killer.
6-word review:  Stone-faced O'Brian versus vicious Burr. Routine.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Hugh O'Brian, Raymond Burr

Double Jeopardy (1955)
Watched: 01/04/21     Provider: Classic Noir
10-word summary:  Lawyer clears girlfriend's father of the murder of sleazy blackmailer.
6-word review:  Crooks, dames, double-cross; has it all.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Rod Cameron, Allison Hayes

Frogs (1972)
Watched: 01/05/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Humans are pollluting the environment and overusing pesticides; nature retaliates.
6-word review:  Good message, laughlably overdone, Elliott gorgeous.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Sam Elliott, Ray Milland, Joan Van Ark

Lake City (2008)
Watched: 01/06/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  A deeply-involved, drug-dealer son dangerously upends his mother's quiet life.
6-word review:  Family drama turns thriller; Sissy ascends.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Sissy Spacek, Troy Garity, Keith Carradine, Rebecca Romijn, Dave Matthews

Flightplan (2005)
Watched: 01/07/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Child goes missing on plane; frantic mother searches, outwits hijackers.
6-word review:  Tense, but far-fetched thriller; Jodie excellent.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Jodie Foster, Peter Sarsgaard, Sean Bean

The Children's Hour (1961)
Watched: 01/08/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Vindictive girl spreads lesbian rumors about two teachers; tragic results.
6-word review:  Overwrought acting, abridged plotlines, dated attitudes.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn

Sebastiane (1976)
Watched: 01/08/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Fictionalized homoerotic account of last days of early Christian martyr.
6-word review:  Stark, brutal, stylish. Understandable cult favorite.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  In Latin with subtitles

South of Pago Pago (1940)
Watched: 01/09/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Scheming, white, pearl hunters nearly destroy peaceful Pacific Island life.
6-word review:  Dated, politically incorrect. Nice underwater photography.
Rating: ★★
Note:  New York Times listed it among the worst films of the year; starring Jon Hall, Frances Farmer, Victor McLaglen

Lady in a Cage (1964)
Watched: 01/09/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Distraught woman trapped in private elevator, tormented while home ransacked.
6-word review:  Multi-layered thriller, Olivia good, others so-so.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Olivia de Havilland, James Caan, Ann Sothern

The Egg and I (1947)
Watched: 01/10/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  City couple buys ramshackle chicken farm, adjust to country life.
6-word review:  Amusing, but predictable. Colbert tries hard.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray; inspiration for radio series Granby's Green Acres, and later, TV series Green Acres; also, first screen appearance of Ma & Pa Kettle

Edge of Doom (1950)
Watched: 01/11/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Troubled youth kills uncaring priest over penniless mother's funeral arrangements.
6-word review:  Interesting enough, Granger good, Andrews boring.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Farley Granger, Dana Andrews

The 39 Steps (1935)
Watched: 01/12/21     Provider: American Classics
10-word summary:  Innocent man accused of murder exposes international espionage, clears himself.
6-word review:  Suspense, intrigue, wit, romance. Donat charming.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Robert Donat, Madeleine Carroll; directed by Alfred Hitchcock

The Walking Target (1960)
Watched: 01/13/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Ex-con romances accomplice's widow while trying to collect hidden loot.
6-word review:  Okay caper. No suprises. Acting good.
Rating: ★★½

The Man with the Golden Arm (1955)
Watched: 01/14/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Tormented junkie tries to go straight, everything goes against him.
6-word review:  Groundbreaking, powerful, still potent; Sinatra terrific.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Frank Sinatra, Kim Novak, and Eleanor Parker

One Night in Miami (2020)
Watched: 01/15/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Fictionalized gathering of four black legends discussing volatile racial issues.
6-word review:  Excels in every area. Exceptional film.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Directorial debut for Regina King; Legends include: Malcolm X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke

Crime of Passion (1957)
Watched: 01/15/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Independent, woman-turned-insipid-housewife kills to help advance her unambitious policeman-husband's career.
6-word review:  Adult romance dangerously meets improbable noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Sterling Hayden, and Raymond Burr

Run! Bitch Run! (2009)
Watched: 01/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Shotgun-armed schoolgirl seeks revenge against thugs who brutally raped her.
6-word review:  Violent, nasty, occasionally amusing grindhouse film.
Rating: ★★

Midnight (1934)
Watched: 01/17/21     Provider: American Classics
10-word summary:  Jury foreman supports guilty woman's execution. Daughter commits similar crime.
6-word review:  Some good moments, then very talky.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Re-released in 1949 as Call It Murder, after supporting player Humphrey Bogart made it big.

The Strange One (1957)
Watched: 01/17/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Military college bully controls all, until he encounters defiant cadet.
6-word review:  Machismo, latent homosexuality, in well-played drama.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Ben Gazzara, George Peppard

Pieces of a Woman (2020)
Watched: 01/18/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Baby dies during home birth, guilt-ridden parents experience unbearable grief.
6-word review:  Well-acted, 2-hour movie—seemed like 4.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Vanessa Kirby, Shia LeBeouf, Ellen Burstyn

The Bigamist (1953)
Watched: 01/19/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Salesman finds himself with two wives—and loves them both.
6-word review:  Sympathetic look at emotionally trying situation.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Edmond O'Brien, Ida Lupino, Joan Fontaine; directed by Ida Lupino

Charly (1968)
Watched: 01/20/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Experimental brain surgery turns simpleton into genius, but only temporarily.
6-word review:  Terric acting. Gimmicky filming techniques distracting.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Cliff Robertson, Claire Bloom

The Strangler (1964)
Watched: 01/20/21     Provider: Classic Noir
10-word summary:  Corpulent loner strangles attractive nurses because he hates domineering mother.
6-word review:  Well done. Investigation employs psychological profiling.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Victor Buono, Ellen Corby

Johnny O'Clock (1947)
Watched: 01/21/21     Provider: Classic Noir
10-word summary:  High-class crook gets in trouble with the law; redeems himself.
6-word review:  Routine programmer with wit, action, romance.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Dick Powell, Evelyn Keyes, Lee J. Cobb

The House in Marsh Road (1960)
Watched: 01/22/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary: Adulterer's plot to murder wealthy wife foiled by watchful poltergeist.
6-word review: Nice combination of suspense and melodrama.
Rating: ★★★

Benji (1974)
Watched: 01/23/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary: Lovable stray dog outsmarts inept kidnappers and saves doctor's children.
6-word review: Charming film; many familiar TV stars.
Rating: ★★★

Blazing Saddles (1974)
Watched: 01/24/21     Provider: (Did) Own (now disposed of)
10-word summary:  Black sheriff saves frontier town from evil railroad land swindlers.
6-word review:  Absolutely dreadful spoof of western movies.
Rating: ½★
Note:  Starring Cleavon Little; Madeline Kahn, who is the only reason this got even half-a-star; and Gene Wilder

Connie and Carla (2004)
Watched: 01/25/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Female lounge singers witness murder; hide out as drag queens.
6-word review:  Energetic musical numbers enliven predictable silliness.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Toni Collette, Nia Vardalos

Vicki (1953)
Watched: 01/26/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Unbalanced cop, obsessed with murdered supermodel, hounds her presumed-guilty publicist.
6-word review:  Leads lovely, but bland. Unremarkable noir.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Jeanne Crain, Jean Peters

The Silencing (2020)
Watched: 01/27/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man tracks down murderer who kidnapped his daughter years ago.
6-word review:  Far-fetched cat-and-mouse thriller; Coster-Waldau is excellent.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Rain (1932)
Watched: 01/27/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Self-righteous preacher bullies prostitute to reform, rapes her, kills himself.
6-word review:  Pre-code classic; showcase vehicle for Crawford.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Joan Crawford, Walter Huston, Beulah Bondi

The Beverly Hillbillies (1993)
Watched: 01/28/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Hillbillies strike it rich, move to California, adjust to wealth.
6-word review:  Sophomoric, slapstick adaptation of popular series.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Lily Tomlin, Cloris Leachman

Sounder (1972)
Watched: 01/29/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Depression-era, black sharecropper jailed; determined wife keeps the family going.
6-word review:  Outstanding performances; heartwarming without excessive sentimentality.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield

The Garment Jungle (1957)
Watched: 01/30/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Garment manufacturer tries to keep union out using murderous thugs.
6-word review:  Fast-paced noir; unusual setting. Matthews handsome.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Kerwin Matthews, Lee J. Cobb, Richard Boone

Steel Magnolias (1989)
Watched: 01/30/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Six beauty parlor friends share life's good and bad times.
6-word review:  Iconic modern classic with unsurpassed cast.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis

The Centurion (2010)
Watched: 01/31/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  In ancient Scotland, safety-seeking soldier fights off savage indigenous warriors.
6-word review:  Tediously violent gore, before satisfying denouement.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Michael Fassbender, Dominic West

The Man with a Cloak (1951)
Watched: 01/31/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Seeking French Revolution funding, woman encounters lover's uncle's formidable associates.
6-word review:  Dull affair. Stanwyck brings only interest.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joseph Cotten, Leslie Caron

February 2021     |     Back to top

The Migrants (1974)
Watched: 02/02/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Amid desperate times and tragedy, migrant family dreams of more.
6-word review:  Excellent early Spacek. Heart-wrenching Leachman performance.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Cloris Leachman, Sissy Spacek, Ron Howard; Story by Tennessee Williams

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
Watched: 02/03/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Investigator rescues terrified woman, becomes dangerously embroiled in mysterious plot.
6-word review:  Multi-layered noir involving Cold War panaroia.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Ralph Meeker as Mickey Spillane's fictional character Mike Hammer; Cloris Leachman's film debut

Jack the Giant Killer (1962)
Watched: 02/04/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Young peasant man defends princess against sorcerer's giants, demons, spells.
6-word review:  Cartoonish heroic tale. Mathews in tights!
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Kerwin Mathews

Agatha and the Truth of Murder (2018)
Watched: 02/05/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Christie disguises herself; solves nurse's six-year-old murder, revitalizes her career.
6-word review:  Entertaining mix of fact and fiction.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  A British made-for-TV movie

Saving the Titanic (2012)
Watched: 02/06/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Docudrama of engineers, stokers, firemen in the ship's final hours.
6-word review:  Poignant look at brave ship-saving attempts.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  A British made-for-TV movie

Hair (1979)
Watched: 02/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Film version of hit Broadway anti-Vietnam musical. Hippies protest war.
6-word review:  Touching; slim plot. Exuberant production numbers.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Treat Williams, John Savage, Beverly D'Angelo

Hustlers (2019)
Watched: 02/07/21     Provider: Starz
10-word summary:  Dancers drug rich men, running up credit cards for profit.
6-word review:  Well-acted, feminist statement from unlikely women.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jennifer Lopez

Flight That Disappeared (1961)
Watched: 02/10/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Beta-bomb scientiests' pentagon-bound flight hijacked to another dimension; futuristic trial.
6-word review: Entertaining, but obvious, plot; preachy message.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Craig Hill, Paula Raymond

Hitsville: The Making of Motown (2019)
Watched: 02/10/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Documentary of history of Motown records: its sound, artists, influence.
6-word review:  Detailed mix of archival footage, interviews.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Inspired to watch by the death of Mary Wilson

Ginger in the Morning (1974)
Watched: 02/11/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Middle-aged businessman picks up young hippie hitchhiker; their lives change.
6-word review:  Superficial, notable only for Spacek's presence.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Sissy Spacek, Monte Markham; Sissy wrote and sings the featured songs

The Robot vs. the Aztec Mummy (1958)
Watched: 02/12/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Mad scientist builds robot to fight mummy guarding Aztec treasures.
6-word review:  The title is the best part.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Spanish title: La momia azteca contra el robot humano. Mexican horror film, part 3 of a trilogy with The Aztec Mummy and The Curse of the Aztec Mummy. All 3 filmed in 1957.

The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
Watched: 02/14/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  The perfectly planned million-dollar jewel robbery that goes terribly wrong.
6-word review:  Among the best crime films ever.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Sterling Hayden, Louis Calhern, Sam Jaffe, Jean Hagen, and Marilyn Monroe

Andy Warhol's Bad (1977)
Watched: 02/15/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Housewife does home electrolysis, sends sleazy women on repulsive errands.
6-word review:  Indie black comedy; not for all.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Carroll Baker, Perry King, Susan Tyrrell

A Killer Next Door (2020)
Watched: 02/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Teenage girl suspects her neighbor is notorious fugitive family killer.
6-word review:  Intriguing story, bad acting, unsatisfying outcome.
Rating: ★★

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (2020)
Watched: 02/18/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Borat risks life returning to America with his 15-year-old daughter.
6-word review:  Cleverly satirizes American Republicans and rednecks.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Sacha Baron Cohen

Cage of Evil (1960)
Watched: 02/19/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Detective falls for diamonds—and girlfriend—of theif he's pursuing.
6-word review:  Entertaining, low-budget noir; stock characters populate.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Ron Foster, Patricia Blair

War of the Satellites (1958)
Watched: 02/23/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  An unknown force declares war against Earth's first space exploration.
6-word review:  Talky, laughably clichéd. Classic sci-fi music.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Susan Cabot, Dick Miller

I Care A Lot (2020)
Watched: 02/26/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Woman gets old people declared incompetent, herself guardian; scams them.
6-word review:  Unlikable characters, good cast, too long.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Rosamond Pike, Peter Dinklage

Tormented (1960)
Watched: 02/26/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  After letting her die, pianist is haunted by his ex-lover.
6-word review:  Laughably fun special effects. Schlock classic!
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Richard Carlson

Atom Age Vampire (1960)
Watched: 02/27/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Scientist restores scarred singer's beauty with serum from the dead.
6-word review:  Poorly acted, dubbed, and edited; predictable.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Original title: Seddok, l'erede di Satana; Italian horror film, nothing to do with vampires

Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)
Watched: 02/28/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Disastrous "perfect" bank robbery, with racial twist to gang infighting.
6-word review:  Brooding, deliberately paced noir; exciting climax.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Harry Belafonte, Robert Ryan, Shelley Winters, Ed Begley

Banjo on My Knee (1936)
Watched: 02/28/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Mississippi River boy marries girl from town; many misunderstandings, miscommunications.
6-word review:  Has its moments; Stanwyck makes watchable.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Walter Brennan, Buddy Ebsen

March 2021     |     Back to top

Ocean's Eleven (1960)
Watched: 03/01/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Eleven of Ocean's crew gather to pull off perfect robbery.
6-word review:  Dated, sexist, slow-building; satisfying ironic ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Peter Lawford, Sammy Davis Jr.

Harvey (1950)
Watched: 03/02/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Sister tries committing brother whose bestfriend's an imaginary 6-foot rabbit.
6-word review:  Whimsical comedy; well written, perfectly cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring James Stewart, Josephine Hull

Freeway (1996)
Watched: 03/02/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Tough young girl turns tables on sicko serial rapist, murderer.
6-word review:  Witherspoon shines in well-cast black comedy.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Reese Witherspoon, Keifer Sutherland, Brooke Shields

The Sleeping City (1950)
Watched: 03/03/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  An undercover policeman discovers narcotics racketeers on a hospital staff.
6-word review:  Well-paced noir with nice unhappy ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Richard Conte, Coleen Gray

The Vampire (1957)
Watched: 03/03/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Small-town doctor addicted to pills, turning him into fanged killer.
6-word review:  Suspenseful, seriously told with humorous touches.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring John Beal, Coleen Gray, Kenneth Tobey

Man in the Darkness (1953)
Watched: 03/05/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Brain surgery erases criminal's viciousness and memory of hidden loot.
6-word review:  Interesting twist; otherwise familiar noir plot.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Edmond O'Brien, Audrey Totter

The Brain That Wouldn't Die (1962)
Watched: 03/05/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Doctor keeps fiancée's decapitated head alive, looking for a body.
6-word review:  Exudes sleaze and classic campy horror.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jason Evers, Virginia Leith

Burnt Offerings (1976)
Watched: 03/06/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Family's fragile relationships disintegrate after renting supernaturally possessed summer estate.
6-word review:  Grand-scale acting balances haunted house clichés.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Karen Black, Oliver Reed, Bette Davis

The Blue Gardenia (1953)
Watched: 03/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Jilted woman may have murdered opportunistic cad; lovestruck reporter investigates.
6-word review:  Dangerously dark beginning dissolved to banality.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Anne Baxter, Richard Conte, Raymond Burr

Account Rendered (1957)
Watched: 03/13/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Police find that everyone had motive to murder wealthy woman.
6-word review:  Competent interwoven backstories enhance noirish mystery.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Honor Blackman

Octaman (1971)
Watched: 03/14/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Intrusive scientific team becomes target of angry radiation-induced humanoid octopus.
6-word review:  Sympathetic rubber-suited monster. Sluggish; predictable climax.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Kerwin Mathews, Pier Angeli in her final film before her death by a barbituate overdose

Capricorn One (1978)
Watched: 03/15/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  NASA fakes Mars mission; to avoid exposure, astronauts must die.
6-word review:  Great cast, believable premise, exciting climax.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro; stars both of Barbra's husbands

Beauty Shop (2005)
Watched: 03/16/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Strong-willed woman opens own salon; perseveres despite setbacks an sabotage.
6-word review:  Colorful characters perk up predictable plot.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Queen Latifah, Alicia Silverstone

Almost Love (2019)
Watched: 03/17/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Five friends navigate the sometimes turbulent waters of love's ocean.
6-word review:  Quirky ensemble highlights this feel-good film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Scott Evans, Augustus Prew

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
Watched: 03/17/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Alien pods grow into exact replicas of humans, replacing them.
6-word review:  "Message film" disguised as sci-fi thriller.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter

Chasing Pavement (2015)
Watched: 03/19/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Gay porn actor wants out; shy roommate obsesses over him.
6-word review:  Intelligent but stiff. (No pun intended.)
Rating: ★★½

Who Killed the Cat? (1966)
Watched: 03/19/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Three old ladies have good reason to murder mean landlady.
6-word review:  Witty, fast-paced whodunnit. Reminiscent of Capra.
Rating: ★★½

Queen Bee (1955)
Watched: 03/21/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Vicious woman runs and ruins lives of her whole family.
6-word review:  Crawford chews scenery in over-the-top soaper.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Joan Crawford, Barry Sullivan

Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)
Watched: 03/23/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Warden, politicians, and inmates clash over cruel, inhumane prison conditions.
6-word review:  Fast-paced, semi-documentary film; no happy ending.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring just about every 1950s character actors

The Snake Woman (1961)
Watched: 03/23/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Doctor's wife births half-snake baby after multiple cobra venom injections.
6-word review:  Silly, but entertaining low-budget British film.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Susan Travers

The Last Blockbuster (2020)
Watched: 03/23/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Documentary on movie rentals and only remaining video rental store.
6-word review:  Slight, but nostalgic and entertaining diversion.
Rating: ★★½

Legacy of Fear (2006)
Watched: 03/24/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Detective pursues killer who murdered her mother thirty years earlier.
6-word review:  Suspenseful damaged cop versus villain story.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie; starring Teri Polo

Avalanche (1978)
Watched: 03/25/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Wealthy ski resort owner ignores dangerous environmental conditions; bad mistake.
6-word review:  Stars work hard; enjoyably bad movie.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie; starring Mia Farrow, Rock Hudson, Robert Forster

The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1976)
Watched: 03/26/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Girl lives in secluded house with father; or does she?
6-word review:  Foster excellent. Sheen creepy. Film eerie.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Jodie Foster, Martin Sheen

Lilith (1964)
Watched: 03/27/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Troubled veteran works at private asylum; falls for schizophrenic patient.
6-word review:  Downbeat story of obsession and insanity.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Warren Beatty, Jean Seberg

Barefoot in the Park (1967)
Watched: 03/27/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Newlywed opposites—he's serious, she's kooky—adjust to married life.
6-word review:  Dated rom-com has some cute moments.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda

Ride Out for Revenge (1957)
Watched: 03/29/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hateful town murders Cheyenne chief; sympathizing ex-marshal prevents revenge attack.
6-word review:  Well-done western with a relevant message.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Rory Calhoun, Gloria Grahame, Lloyd Bridges

Whirlwind (2007)
Watched: 03/30/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Stranger messes with lives of close-knit group of gay friends.
6-word review:  Okay film, slow start, satisfying ending.
Rating: ★★½

Friends Effing Friends Effing Friends (2016)
Watched: 03/30/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Five boring friends rotate lovers, argue, and whine about life.
6-word review:  Talky, drama-less drama and comedy-less comedy.
Rating: ★½

Grinder (2016)
Watched: 03/31/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Promised modeling career, naive gay teenager lured to New York.
6-word review:  Moody drama of angst and obsession.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Title doesn't refer to hook-up site, according to the writer-director-star, Brandon Ruckdashel: "Grinder was inspired by New York City being a meat grinder, which eats some people up, chews on them, and spits them out."

April 2021     |     Back to top

Saturday Night at the Baths (1975)
Watched: 04/01/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Homophobic heterosexual plays piano at Continental Baths; his attitude changes.
6-word review:  Slice of post-Stonewall, pre-AIDS gay life.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Filmed at the Contentinetal Baths in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel, New York City. Jane Oliver has small role"

Daddy (2015)
Watched: 04/01/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Successful man falls for much younger man with devastating outcome.
6-word review:  Big plot twist makes film worthwhile.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring (and directed by) Gerald McCullouch

Unhinged (2020)
Watched: 04/02/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Minor road rage escalates into full-blown terror of psychopathic revenge.
6-word review:  Believable premise becomes violent chase film.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Russell Crowe

Bad Lieutenant (1992)
Watched: 04/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Corrupt cop in drug-fueled downhill spiral investigatges rape of nun.
6-word review:  Intense performance by Keitel carries film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Harvey Keitel

The Fall of '55 (2006)
Watched: 04/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Documentary of Boise men accused of sex with teenage boys.
6-word review:  Fascinating look at mid-1950s homophobic perceptions.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Chronicles the the Boise homosexuality scandal

Hooked (2017)
Watched: 04/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Volatile young male prostitute befriended by compassionate rich older man.
6-word review:  Unsavory characters rapidly grow on you.
Rating: ★★½

Monsoon (2019)
Watched: 04/04/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Returning to scatter parents' ashes, man reconnects with Vietnam heritage.
6-word review:  Slow-paced, moody and reflective. Lovely film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Henry Golding

Niagara (1953)
Watched: 04/05/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Unfaithful wife plots with lover to kill her unstable husband.
6-word review:  Well-done noir. Marilyn and falls gorgeous.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Marilyn Monroe, Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters

Journey to the Seventh Planet (1962)
Watched: 04/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Astronauts explore Uranus where unseen all-powerful being controls their minds.
6-word review:  Nice sets and effects, otherwise silly.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring John Agar

Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
Watched: 04/07/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Mentally unstable girl hired to babysit in hotel has breakdown.
6-word review:  Marilyn's excellent dramatic performance highlights film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Marilyn Monroe, Richard Widmark, Anne Bancroft

As Young as You Feel (1951)
Watched: 04/08/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Mandatorily retired per company policy, elaborate scheme gets job back.
6-word review:  Low on probability, high comic charm.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Monty Woolley, Thelma Ritter, Marilyn Monroe, Jean Peters

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)
Watched: 04/10/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Couple encounters one problem after another in building ideal home.
6-word review:  Charming screwball-ish comedy with delightful characters.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Cary Grant, Myrna Loy

Trooper Hook (1957)
Watched: 04/11/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  White woman captured by savage Indians, rescued; has "half-breed" child.
6-word review:  Interesting oater; dated, but prejudices continue.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea, Earl Holliman

Imitation of Life (1934)
Watched: 04/12/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Two women, black and white, experience poverty, success, children, heartache.
6-word review:  Hard to watch with today's racism.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Claudette Colbert, Louise Beavers

Imitation of Life (1959)
Watched: 04/13/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Successful actress and maid raise daughters together; race, class struggles.
6-word review:  Well-acted, ultimate soaper outshines original version.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Lana Turner, Juanita Moore, Susan Kohner, Sandra Dee

Mahalia (2021)
Watched: 04/14/21     Provider: Lifetime
10-word summary:  Biopic of influential, passionate, gospel singer and civil rights activist.
6-word review:  Good performances in formulaic Hollywood biography.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Life story of Mahalia Jackson; starring Danielle Brooks, Joaquina Kalukango

Ma (2019)
Watched: 04/14/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Dangerously unstable woman provides alcohol and party place to teenagers.
6-word review:  Nicely done, change-of-pace, nutjob Spencer role.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Octavia Spencer, Juliette Lewis

Wander (2020)
Watched: 04/21/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Troubled private investigator investigates murder, possibly linked to daughter's death.
6-word review:  Busy, muddled plot makes little sense.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Aaron Eckhart, Tommy Lee Jones, Heather Graham

Jack the Ripper (1959)
Watched: 04/25/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  In 1888, a serial killer is murdering prostitutes in London.
6-word review:  Interesting, fictionalized account of unsolved crimes.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Lee Patterson

Moonrise Kingdom (2012)
Watched: 04/27/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Twelve-year-olds fall in love, decide to run away; townsfolk pursue.
6-word review:  Quirky, romantic black comedy. Great cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Frances McDormand, Bruce Willis, Bill Murray, Edward Norton

Pinky (1949)
Watched: 04/28/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Negress nurse, passes for white, returns home, reevaluates her choices.
6-word review:  Miscast Crain mars potent racial drama.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jeanne Crain, Ethel Waters, Ethel Barrymore

Young Doctors in Love (1982)
Watched: 04/29/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Comic adventures of nurses and first-year interns in city hospital.
6-word review:  Occasional chuckles from sophomoric, slapstick shenanigans.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Michael McKean, Dabney Coleman; sprinkled with cameos by many popular soap opera stars

May 2021     |     Back to top

The Corpse (1969)
Watched: 05/02/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Abusive man murdered by wife and daughter; or was he?
6-word review:  Many scary moments, unexplained plot twists.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  1969 British film released in North America in 1971 as Crucible of Horror; starring Yvonne Mitchell, Michael Gough

Let Them All Talk (2020)
Watched: 05/03/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Famous author's life-changing Atlantic crossing with two friends and nephew.
6-word review:  Intelligent, largely improvised script. Great cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Meryl Streep, Candice Bergen, Lucas Hedges, Dianne Wiest

Seven Psychopaths (2012)
Watched: 05/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Screenwriter, working on movie of psychopaths, befriends actual murderous psychopaths.
6-word review:  Black comedy goes on too long.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell

Track of the Cat (1954)
Watched: 05/04/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Feuding sons of dysfunctional family hunt a mysterious livestock-killing cougar.
6-word review:  Stagy, brooding, atypical western. Overly melodramatic.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Robert Mitchum, Tab Hunter

Desperado (1995)
Watched: 05/05/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Mariachi seeks revenge on drug lord who killed his girlfriend.
6-word review:  Short on story, high on action.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek

Project Moonbase (1953)
Watched: 05/10/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Space exploration crew, infiltrated by spy, makes emergency moon landing.
6-word review:  17-years-in-future-1970 set, bland silliness. Mercifully short.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Hayden Rorke

Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Watched: 05/11/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Negotiated by ambitious husband, woman impregnated and has Satan's baby.
6-word review:  Eerie, potent thriller. Mia is excellent.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon

Things Heard & Seen (2021)
Watched: 05/12/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Young woman discovers long-hidden secrets of haunted house—and husband.
6-word review:  Occasionally compelling; fizzles out. Attractive cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Amanda Seyfried, James Norton

State of Play (2009)
Watched: 05/12/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Reporter investigating death of congressman's mistress uncovers deep-seated government corruption.
6-word review:  Effective political thriller with stellar cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Russell Crowe, Rachel McAdams

Invisible Invaders (1959)
Watched: 05/17/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Aliens attempt to destroy the earth; plan thwarted by scientists.
6-word review:  Fast-paced, low-budget, but entertaining sci-fi programmer.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Agar, Jean Byron

Halston (2019)
Watched: 05/17/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Documentary of life and career of influential American fashion designer.
6-word review:  Career emphasized, personal life glossed over.
Rating: ★★½

The Perfect Host (2010)
Watched: 05/19/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Crook cons his way into bizarre dinner party; bad decision.
6-word review:  Clever black comedy of ever-turning tables.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring David Hyde Pierce, Helen Reddy

Body of Evidence (1993)
Watched: 05/20/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman stands trial, accused of killing rich man with sex.
6-word review:  Ludicrous dialogue, boring sex, unbelievable plot.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Madonna, Willem Dafoe

Jory (1973)
Watched: 05/30/21     Provider: Western Mania
10-word summary:  Fifteen-year-old boy learns valuable life lessons on western horse drive.
6-word review:  Slow-paced oater, annoying Benson, nice music.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Robby Benson, John Marley, B.J. Thomas

June 2021     |     Back to top

The Christine Jorgensen Story (1970)
Watched: 06/06/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Fictionalized biopic based on the first widely publicized transsexual memoir.
6-word review:  Ground-breaking story that deserved better treatment.
Rating: ★★½

Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon (2008)
Watched: 06/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Life and various careers of 70s porn personality Jack Wrangler.
6-word review:  Well-done documentary of multi-faceted gay superstar.
Rating: ★★★

Cherry Grove Stories (2018)
Watched: 06/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Personal reflections of long-standing gay community life on Fire Island.
6-word review:  An emotional pre-Stonewall gay history lesson.
Rating: ★★★

Short Eyes (1977)
Watched: 06/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Accused pedophile tries to survive brutal prison trreatment from inmmates.
6-word review:  Gritty, realistic, with ironic ending twist.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Bruce Davison

Stonewall Uprising (2010)
Watched: 06/09/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Homosexuals had enough. Documentary of beginning of gay rights movement.
6-word review:  Well-done documentary. Personal accounts add poignancy.
Rating: ★★★½

Dancing Queens (2021)
Watched: 06/10/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Girl disguises as boy to get job as drag queen.
6-word review:  Yentl meets Flashdance. Likably predictable dramedy.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  A Swedish film

The Woman in the Window (2021)
Watched: 06/10/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Agoraphobic woman witnesses mysterious wrongdoings while keeping tabs on neighbors.
6-word review:  Multiple plot twists keep it interesting.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Amy Adams

The Towering Inferno (1974)
Watched: 06/11/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Epic tragedy follows cost-cutting measures in star-studded skyscraper disaster film.
6-word review:  Exciting, clichéd, unexpected—has it all.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Steve McQueen, Paul Newman

Mystic River (2003)
Watched: 06/18/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Daughter of ex-con brutally murdered—impacting extensive, intertwined, blue-collar neighborhood.
6-word review:  Compelling, multi-layered story; excellent, all-star cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Sean Penn, Kevin Bacon, Tim Robbins, Marcia Gay Hardin, Laura Linney

The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996)
Watched: 06/19/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  University professors enter into romanceless marriage arrangement; fall in love.
6-word review:  Intelligent script, engaging cast, nice music.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Barbra Streisand, Jeff Bridges, Lauren Bacall

The Little Things (2021)
Watched: 06/22/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  County deputy becomes embroiled in Los Angeles serial killer case.
6-word review:  Routine psychological thriller; Leto excellent villain.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto

Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Watched: 06/24/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Shakespeare's classic tale of ill-fated young lovers from enemy families.
6-word review:  Lavish production everyone should see once.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Leonard Whiting, Olivia Hussey

The Last Tycoon (1976)
Watched: 06/25/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  F. Scott Fitzgerald's unfinished story of golden days of Hollywood.
6-word review:  All-star cast wasted in dreadul film.
Rating: Abandoned after an hour!
Note:  Starring Robert De Niro and others

The Monolith Monsters (1957)
Watched: 06/26/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Town evacuated while geologist tries to stop menacing rock towers.
6-word review:  Nice twist on formulaic sci-fi thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Grant Williams and Lola Albright

The Mole People (1956)
Watched: 06/26/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Scientists find underground city of pale people and mutant slaves.
6-word review:  Slow start, unintentional humor, fun mutants.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Agar and Hugh Beaumont

Pee-wee's Big Adventure (1985)
Watched: 06/28/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Man-child Pee-wee's bike stolen; quest to reclaim involves colorful characters.
6-word review:  Reubens' genius not for all tastes.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Paul Reubens

July 2021     |     Back to top

Not of This Earth (1957)
Watched: 07/02/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Alien must secure human blood to save his dying race.
6-word review:  Well-acted, fast-paced, tense, low-budget, sci-fi fun.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Beverly Garland

No Sudden Move (2021)
Watched: 07/03/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Small-time Detroit crooks stumble into far-reaching, high-stakes auto industry crime.
6-word review:  Star-studdded cast enlivens twisty noir plot.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Don Cheadle, Benicio Del Toro

Mohawk (1956)
Watched: 07/05/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Painter falls for Mohawk maiden; duplicitous settler stirs up trouble.
6-word review:  Dated, colorful oater insults Native Americans.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Scott Brady, Allison Hayes

Fatale (2020)
Watched: 07/06/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Psychotic cop makes life living hell for Vegas one-night stand.
6-word review:  Lurid morality tale of bad choices.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Hilary Swank

Burn After Reading (2008)
Watched: 07/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Doltish pair discover possibly top-secret information, attempt to exploit it.
6-word review:  Droll humor, convoluted plot, great cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt; Written, produced, and directed by Ethan and Joel Coen

All Mine to Give (1957)
Watched: 07/08/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Twelve-year-old boy finds homes for his five younger orphaned siblings.
6-word review:  Heartwarming, fact-based story without the sappiness.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Glynis Johns, Cameron Mitchell

A Place in the Sun (1951)
Watched: 07/08/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man accidentally murders annoying, plain, pregnant girlfriend to woo beauty.
6-word review:  Film classic that deserves the distinction.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Shelley Winters, Raymond Burr

Human Capital (2019)
Watched: 07/09/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Two families collide when their children's relationship leads to tragedy.
6-word review:  Well-acted film, mostly downbeat, realistic ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Liev Schreiber, Marisa Tomei, Peter Sarsgaard

Firestarter (1984)
Watched: 07/10/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Pyrokenetic young girl kidnapped by secret government agency for experimentation.
6-word review:  Barrymore makes this predictable film worthwhile.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Drew Barrymore, David Keith

Before I Go to Sleep (2014)
Watched: 07/10/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Anterograde amnesiac's memory slowly returning; becomes suspicious of protective husband.
6-word review:  Excellent performances bolster overly plotted thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth

River's Edge (1986)
Watched: 07/11/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Teen kills girlfriend; circle of stoner friends underreact, attempt coverup.
6-word review:  Quirky, thought-provoking film about pervasive indifference.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Keanu Reeves, Crispin Glover

The White Orchid (2018)
Watched: 07/11/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Social service investigator becomes too involved in brutal murder case.
6-word review:  Cheesy, sleazy, redeemed by veteran actors.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Olivia Thirlby, John Carroll Lynch, Jennifer Beals, Nichelle Nichols

Woman in Motion (2019)
Watched: 07/12/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Documentary of Nichelle Nichols' ongoing campaign to increase NASA diversity.
6-word review:  Fascinating story of a remarkable woman.
Rating: ★★★★

Angels Crest (2011)
Watched: 07/18/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Tragic, negligent death of three-year-old upsets close-knit, remote, small town.
6-word review:  Underdeveloped leads, best are supporting characters.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Elizabeth McGovern, Mira Sorvino, Jeremy Piven

Red Joan (2018)
Watched: 07/19/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Woman gave Russians atomic bomb secrets over 50 years ago.
6-word review:  Interesting story, boring flashbacks, sluggish film.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Judi Dench

That'll Be the Day (1973)
Watched: 07/20/21     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  A restless youth chooses hedonistic, rock-and-roll lifestyle over his family.
6-word review:  Well-acted film, Essex charasmatic, great soundtrack.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring David Essex, Ringo Starr

Seven Days in May (1964)
Watched: 07/21/21     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Fanatic general plans overthrow of United States; must be stopped.
6-word review:  Excellent. Feasible scenario given recent past.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Burt Lancaster, Kirk Douglas

The Shadow of the Cat (1961)
Watched: 07/21/21     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Cat is witness to wealthy woman's murder; avenges her death.
6-word review:  Clever, scary, thriller with comic touches.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Barbara Shelley

The Boy with Green Hair (1948)
Watched: 07/22/21     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  War-orphaned boy ridiculed when hair turns green, symbolizing war's injustice.
6-word review:  Simple story with a deeper message.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Dean Stockwell, Pat O'Brien

A Woman Under the Influence (1974)
Watched: 07/23/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Woman's descent, affect on family, and possible recovery from madness.
6-word review:  Rowlands' harrowing performance anchors stagy film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Gena Rowlands, Peter Falk

The Food of the Gods (1976)
Watched: 07/23/21     Provider: TCL Channel
10-word summary:  Nature is upset; giant chickens, wasps, and rats fight back.
6-word review:  Terrible acting, cheesy effects, laughably bad.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Marjoe Gortner, Ralph Meeker, Ida Lupino

Tina (2021)
Watched: 07/26/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Tina Turner's personal and professional struggles; 1980s global phenomenon resurgence.
6-word review:  Intimate and revealing, excellent archival footage.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Tina Turner

Night of the Blood Beast (1958)
Watched: 07/30/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Extraterrestrial revives body of astronaut for invasion force breeding vessel.
6-word review:  Short film—should have been shorter.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Angela Greene, Ed Nelson

Cisco Pike (1971)
Watched: 07/30/21     Provider: Movieland TV
10-word summary:  Musician pressured by corrupt cop to sell marijuana within weekend.
6-word review:  70s stars shine in dated classic.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Kris Kristofferson, Karen Black

August 2021     |     Back to top

Scary Movie (2000)
Watched: 08/02/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Someone is slaughtering high schoolers; parody of teen slasher films.
6-word review:  Occasional chuckle, but mostly silly, sophomoric.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Anna Faris

Dog Day Afternoon (1975)
Watched: 08/03/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Brooklyn bank robbery goes wrong, hostage situation, media circus ensues.
6-word review:  Tense, well-acted film; deserves its accolades.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Al Pacino, Chris Sarandon

And Then There Were None (1945)
Watched: 08/04/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Ten invited by unknown host for remote weekend systematically killed.
6-word review:  Suspenseful whodunit with light comic touch.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Louis Hayward, Barry Fitzgerald, Walter Huston; based on the 1939 novel by Agatha Christie

Val (2021)
Watched: 08/07/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Documentary on Val Kilmer, benefits from his personal self-filmed videotapes.
6-word review:  Truthful and reflective telling without self-pity.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Val, Jack, and Mercedes Kilmer, Joanne Whalley

Poms (2019)
Watched: 08/07/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Retirement community loner forms controversial cheerleading club for young-at-heart seniors.
6-word review:  Nice, feel-good predictable film; great cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Diane Keaton, Jacki Weaver

Inventing David Geffen (2012)
Watched: 08/08/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Detailed look at entertainment mogul Geffen's influence on popular culture.
6-word review:  Fascinating portrait of a complex man.
Rating: ★★★★

Funny Girl (1968)
Watched: 08/10/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Biopic of Ziegfeld's Fanny Brice: career, romance, ups and downs.
6-word review:  Classic star-making role. Barbra's the movie.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif

Beach House (2018)
Watched: 08/17/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Young woman drawn to ominous family houseguest from mother's past.
6-word review:  Creepy, slow-building film; nice twist ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Willa Fitzgerald, Murray Bartlett

The Bedroom Window (1987)
Watched: 08/19/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Supposed witness to woman's attack hunts killer with victim's help.
6-word review:  Unbelievable thriller benefits from McGovern's presence.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Elizabeth McGovern, Steve Guttenberg

Looking: The Movie (2016)
Watched: 08/21/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Story of three gay men—best friends—in San Francisco.
6-word review:  Colorfully exaggerated comedy and neuroses mixture.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jonathan Groff, Murray Bartlett; A follow-up, finale to an HBO series.

The Little Foxes (1941)
Watched: 08/22/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Siblings scheme to get dying man's money for cotton mill.
6-word review:  Stagy well-acted film. Davis at peak.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall

In a Lonely Place (1950)
Watched: 08/24/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Erratic screenwriter alibied by neighbor in murder case; romance begins.
6-word review:  Tension builds in slick, well-acted noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Grahame

For Your Consideration (2006)
Watched: 08/25/21     Provider: HBOmax
10-word summary:  Washed-up actress gets Oscar buzz for small independent Jewish film.
6-word review:  Insightful satire of behind-the-scenes Hollywood politics.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Christopher Guest, and his usual troupe of actors.

Trilogy of Terror (1975)
Watched: 08/27/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Three stories of: inappropriate lust, sisterly rivalry, Zuni fetish terror.
6-word review:  Some of Karen Black's finest performances.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Karen Black

Island of Desire (1952)
Watched: 08/28/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Nurse and Marine blissfully island stranded until third castaway arrives.
6-word review:  Beautiful stars and scenery; predictable plot.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Linda Darnell, Tab Hunter

A Letter to Three Wives (1949)
Watched: 08/28/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Mysterious town vixen states she's stolen somebody's husband, but whose?
6-word review:  Well-acted, well-written mix of drama, wit.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Linda Darnell, Ann Sothern, Jeanne Crain

The Prime Time (1960)
Watched: 08/29/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Bored girl seeking excitement gets involved with sleazy nude modeling.
6-word review:  Low-budget teenage sensationalism; dated, campy fun.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Karen Black has small role; first film appearance

Youngblood Hawke (1964)
Watched: 08/30/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Talented writer achieves success, makes bad personal and professional decisions.
6-word review:  Soapy mess, Pleshette outstanding, others variable.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring James Franciscus, Suzanne Pleshette

A Rage to Live (1965)
Watched: 08/30/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Wealthy free-spirited woman tries marriage, discovers she still needs affairs.
6-word review:  Sexy Pleshette shines in steamy soap.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Suzanne Pleshette, Bradford Dillman, and Ben Gazzara. Note: 20 years earlier this would have been a Barbara Stanwyck film.

September 2021     |     Back to top

The Naked Kiss (1964)
Watched: 09/01/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Ex-prostitute discovers wealthy fiancé is a pedophile; accidentally kills him.
6-word review:  Over-the-top performances make lurid tale fun.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Constance Towers, Anthony Eisley

Fatal Attraction (1987)
Watched: 09/01/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Spurned after casual fling, woman becomes dangerously unstable and vindictive.
6-word review:  Close is excellent, and truly scary.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, Anne Archer

The Legend of Lizzie Borden (1975)
Watched: 09/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Fall River spinster maybe murders parents, has sensational trial, acquitted.
6-word review:  Interesting. Tells what might have happened.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  TV movie starring Elizabeth Montgomery

The Magnetic Monster (1953)
Watched: 09/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Scientist gives energy-eating isotope 900,000,000 electricity volts, saving the world.
6-word review:  Slow start, finishing with a bang.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Richard Carlson

The Voyeurs (2021)
Watched: 09/12/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Curiosity becomes full-blown obsession as couple spies on sexy neighbors.
6-word review:  Slow-building psychological thriller with many twists.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Sydney Sweeney, Ben Hardy

Smash Up: The Story of a Woman (1947)
Watched: 09/12/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Singer abandons career when crooner husband becomes successful; drinks excessively.
6-word review:  Hayward's over-the-top emoting makes the movie.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Susan Hayward, Lee Bowman, Eddie Albert, Marsha Hunt

Jeffrey (1995)
Watched: 09/12/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Gay man gives up sex as AIDS response; finds love.
6-word review:  Mixed bag—comedy, drama, commentary, romance.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Steven Weber and a host of LGBT ally actors

The Hitch-Hiker (1953)
Watched: 09/13/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Fishermen pick up psychotic sociopath intent on robbery and murder.
6-word review:  Tense, gritty noir thriller; good cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Edmond O'Brien, Frank Lovejoy, William Talman

The Whole Truth (2016)
Watched: 09/13/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Lawyer defends wealthy teen accused of abusive father's brutal murder.
6-word review:  Okay courtroom drama, predictable plot twists.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Keanu Reeves, Renée Zellweger

Gentlemen's Agreement (1947)
Watched: 09/14/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Writer poses as Jewish while writing series of magazine articles.
6-word review:  Unspoken antisemitism explored in then-controversial film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, Celeste Holm

Sweet Girl (2021)
Watched: 09/14/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Girl seeks revenge on those responsible for mother's cancer death.
6-word review:  Mix of action and topical message.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jason Momoa

Marsha Hunt's Sweet Adversity (2015)
Watched: 09/15/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Life of Marsha Hunt, including acting career, blacklisting, humanitarian activism.
6-word review:  An in-depth look at amazing actress/activist.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Marsha Hunt

Star Reporter (1939)
Watched: 09/16/21     Provider: Sci-Fi Collection Channel
10-word summary:  Young newspaper owner uses paper to campaign against organized crime.
6-word review:  Fast-paced, good-versus-evil programmer with attractive cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Warren Hull, Marsha Hunt

Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)
Watched: 09/17/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Marine and nun stranded on South Pacific island during WWII.
6-word review:  Almost great movie. Mitchum, Kerr, wonderful.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Deborah Kerr, Robert Mitchum

The Last Days of Pompeii (1935)
Watched: 09/17/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Roman blacksmith becomes corrupt slave owner; his son embraces Christianity.
6-word review:  Early, disaster special effects only attraction.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Preston Foster

Everybody's Talking About Jamie (2021)
Watched: 09/18/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  16-year-old dreams of being drag queen; wears dress to prom.
6-word review:  Mediocre songs distract from potent message.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Max Harwood, Sarah Lancashire

Child's Play (1972)
Watched: 09/18/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rivalry between teachers at boys' school gets out of hand.
6-word review:  Stylishly creepy, but makes little sense.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring James Mason, Robert Preston, Beau Bridges

Wind River (2017)
Watched: 09/19/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Hunter helps FBI agent investigate murder of Native American woman.
6-word review:  Unusual setting for intense crime thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jeremy Renner, Elizabeth Olsen

Jennifer's Body (2009)
Watched: 09/21/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Demonically possessed by rock band, teenage beauty devours boy classmates.
6-word review:  Witty female-empowerment black comedy; good performances.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Amanda Seyfried, Megan Fox

The Phantom from 10,000 Leagues (1955)
Watched: 09/23/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Fishermen killed by radioactive sea monster; handsome scientist saves world.
6-word review:  Seaside sci-fi setting, standard plot, average.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Kent Taylor, Cathy Downs

Red-Haired Alibi (1932)
Watched: 09/23/21     Provider: Classic Movie Vault
10-word summary:  Naive girl becomes unknowingly involved with gangster, then finds love.
6-word review:  Choppy, dated, over-acted, lackluster, gangster melodrama.
Rating: ★
Note:  Starring Merna Kennedy, Grant Withers

Rocketship X-M (1950)
Watched: 09/24/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Moon expedition accidentally lands on Mars, tries to get home.
6-word review:  Occasionally entertaining but way too preachy.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Lloyd Bridges, Osa Massen

The Starling (2021)
Watched: 09/25/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  A grief-stricken woman encounters combative bird, begins her healing process.
6-word review:  Light touch given to tragic issues.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd

Flesh Gordon (1974)
Watched: 09/26/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Flesh must save world from evil Emperor Wang's sex ray.
6-word review:  Sexed-up spoof of early superheroes; dreadful.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Jason Williams, Suzanne Fields

Willard (1971)
Watched: 09/27/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Meek, socially awkward, young man befriends rats; very bad idea.
6-word review:  Still scary after all these years.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Bruce Davison, Ernest Borgnine

Ben (1972)
Watched: 09/27/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Sickly boy befriends rat who has thousands of troublesome friends.
6-word review:  Cheesy, but fun. Great theme song.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Sequel to Willard, starring Lee Montgomery, Meredith Baxter

Dr. Blood's Coffin (1961)
Watched: 09/27/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Disbarred doctor experiments with heart transplantation with unwilling living donors.
6-word review:  Interesting medical concepts throughout macabre storyline.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Kieron Moore, Hazel Court

Three Blondes in His Life (1961)
Watched: 09/28/21     Provider: Film Noir Movies
10-word summary:  Investigating colleague's murder, investigator discovers deceased was juggling three women.
6-word review:  Wooden actors, sultry dames, convoluted plot.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jock Mahoney

The Sadist (1963)
Watched: 09/29/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Homicidal maniac on killing spree meets three stranded school teachers.
6-word review:  Horrifying character, tense moments, satisfying ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Arch Hall Jr.

Rhythm in the Clouds (1937)
Watched: 09/30/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Homeless songwriter squats in celebrity's empty apartment, says they're collaborators.
6-word review:  A fast-paced, witty, musical screwball romance.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Patricia Ellis, Warren Hull

October 2021     |     Back to top

The Moon-Spinners (1964)
Watched: 10/02/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Young English tourist becomes dangerously involved with Greek jewel thieves.
6-word review:  Slow first half, then satisfying ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Hayley Mills, Peter McEnery

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Watched: 10/03/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Teens involved in hit-and-run stalked by not-dead victim year later.
6-word review:  Genuine scares from well-done teen slasher.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar

Salmonberries (1991)
Watched: 10/04/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sexually ambiguous Alaskan forms unlikely bond with troubled German immigrant.
6-word review:  Bleak. Artsy. Stick to singing, k.d.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring k.d. lang, Rosel Zech

The Monkey's Uncle (1965)
Watched: 10/04/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Eccentric college misfit genius develops self-propelled flying machine for endowment.
6-word review:  Except for Annette—lively, forgettable silliness.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Tommy Kirk, Annette Funicello, and great opening theme song by Annette and The Beach Boys

Dream Lover (1993)
Watched: 10/05/21     Provider: Pluto TV
10-word summary:  Architect falls for mysterious beauty; she's not what she seems.
6-word review:  Worthwhile. Spader and Amick nice match.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring James Spader, Madchen Amick

Little White Lies (1998)
Watched: 10/05/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  After her husband's sudden death, woman uncovers several unsettling truths.
6-word review:  Mostly believable with overdone last act.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  A BBC TV movie, starring Tara Fitzgerald, Gerard Butler

Guilty (2021)
Watched: 10/06/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Volatile demoted cop working 911 calls helps kidnapped woman caller.
6-word review:  Tense, well-acted thriller, but totally unbelievable.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jake Gyllenhaal

Small Town Crime (2017)
Watched: 10/07/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Disgraced, alcoholic, ex-cop finds dying prostitute, tracks down her killers.
6-word review:  Gritty, fast-paced thriller. Colorful, likable characters.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring John Hawkes, Octavia Spencer

Who Killed Teddy Bear? (1965)
Watched: 10/07/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Manhattan discotheque hostess receives obscene, unsettling phone calls; gets scared.
6-word review:  Mineo excellent as disturbed, obsessive stalker.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Sal Mineo, Juliet Prowse

Murder in Mind (1994)
Watched: 10/09/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Investigating detective falls for unfeeling therapist whose patients commit suicide.
6-word review:  Slow-moving psychological thriller. Excellent Rampling performance.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  BBC TV movie, part of Screen One anthology series, starring Charlotte Rampling, Trevor Eve

Hunted [a.k.a. The Stranger in Between] (1952)
Watched: 10/10/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Fugitive and abused orphan bond as they flee from authorities.
6-word review:  Great performances in heartwarming chase thriller.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Dirk Bogarde, Jon Whiteley

Street of Shadows [a.k.a. The Shadow Man] (1953)
Watched: 10/10/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Saloon owner must prove his innocence of woman's brutal murder.
6-word review:  Slow, steady build to obvious conclusion.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Cesar Romero, Kay Kendall

Parents (1989)
Watched: 10/10/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Ideal 1950s parents not what they seem; child has suspicions.
6-word review:  Mid-century settings best in odd film.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Randy Quaid, Mary Beth Hurt, Sandy Dennis

Extracurricular Activities (2019)
Watched: 10/11/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  High schooler contracts with other students to eliminate unwanted parents.
6-word review:  Clever black comedy, nice unknown cast.
Rating: ★★★

Miss Meadows (2014)
Watched: 10/11/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  A prim, proper, perfect, grade-school teacher is a vigilante killer.
6-word review:  Nice black comedy and drama mix.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Katie Holmes

Priest (1994)
Watched: 10/15/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Conservative young priest torn between Catholic doctrines and being gay.
6-word review:  Well-done illustration of problems with Catholicism.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Linus Roache, Tom Wilkinson

The Student Prince [a.k.a. The Prince of Hearts] (1997)
Watched: 10/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Prince and his bodyguard learn life and love at Cambridge.
6-word review:  Sweet, subtle, comedy with a message.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  British TV movie, starring Robson Green, Tara Fitzgerald

Scenes of a Sexual Nature (2006)
Watched: 10/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Diverse couples, various relationship stages, a day in the park.
6-word review:  Comedic and poignant look at relationships.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  British ensemble cast

True Crime (1995)
Watched: 10/17/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Precocious high schooler and street-wise police cadet track serial killer.
6-word review:  Likable cast in predictable mystery/thriller.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Alicia Silverstone, Kevin Dillon

Ella Fitzgerald: Just One of Those Things (2019)
Watched: 10/18/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Life and career of innovative jazz music legend Ella Fitzgerald.
6-word review:  Straightforward BBC documentary, focus on career.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Includes archival interviews and performances

Prison Mutiny (1943)
Watched: 10/20/21     Provider: Classic Movie Vault
10-word summary:  Framed robber befriends prisoners, endures hardships, reforms prison, finds love.
6-word review:  Stodgy, with simple and obvious messages.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Edward Norris, Milburn Stone

Criminally Insane (1975)
Watched: 10/22/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Angry, obese nut job kills anyone who mentions her weight.
6-word review:  Clever little independent film. Alden terrific.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Priscilla Alden

Walk of Shame (2014)
Watched: 10/23/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  After boozy night, stranded woman must get to important interview.
6-word review:  Screwballish comedy, delightful characters, letdown denouement.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Elizabeth Banks, James Marsden

This Changes Everything (2018)
Watched: 10/24/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Documentary of Hollywood gender disparity through eyes of well-known women.
6-word review:  Well-done exploration of entertainment industry sexism.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Geena Davis

Ghost (1990)
Watched: 10/25/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Murdered man, with psychic's help, catches murderer and protects girlfriend.
6-word review:  Overlong, uneven dramedy. Whoopie the standout.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg

Prom Night (1980)
Watched: 10/26/21     Provider: Filmrise
10-word summary:  Child's long-ago death avenged on a memorable high school night.
6-word review:  Boring, humorless, badly acted teen slasher.
Rating: ★
Note:  Starring Jamie Lee Curtis

Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model (1977)
Watched: 10/26/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Police widow, turned PI, solves case invovling multiple sleazy murders.
6-word review:  By-the-books TV film; Eden only draw.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Unsold pilot for TV series, starring Barbara Eden

Say Yes (2018)
Watched: 10/28/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Dying woman tries matchmaking her soon-to-be-widowed husband with her brother.
6-word review:  Appealing cast helps situation seem plausible.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Patrick Zeller, Matt Pascua

Robinson Crusoe (1954)
Watched: 10/30/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Shipwrecked nobleman spends 28 years on lush South Pacific island.
6-word review:  Classic story done well, still relevant.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Dan O'Herlihy

Halloween (1978)
Watched: 10/31/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Deranged killer escapes from insane asylum, terrorized his hometown teens.
6-word review:  Tame today, but villain still scary.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jamie Lee Curtis

November 2021     |     Back to top

Motel Hell (1980)
Watched: 11/01/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Brother and sister make smoked meat out of motel patrons.
6-word review:  Gruesome, humorless, moronic black comedy. Dreadful.
Rating: Abandoned
Note:  Starring Rory Calhoun, abandoned after 80 minutes

Mulligans (2008)
Watched: 11/04/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Perfect family man falls for son's college buddy; comes out.
6-word review:  Issues sanitized. Uneven, but enjoyable, film.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Dan Payne, Thea Gill

Goodbye Seventies (2020)
Watched: 11/05/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Injured dancer redirects, becomes cutting-edge gay porn director, producer, star.
6-word review:  Compelling, homage to 70s gay life.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Written, produced, directed by Todd Verow

The Harder They Fall (2021)
Watched: 11/06/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Rival old west gangs settle longstanding feud with gun battle.
6-word review:  Touches of humor, way too long.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Idris Elba, Regina King

Compulsion (1959)
Watched: 11/09/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Two rich boys, senselessly, without feeling kill child; sensational trial.
6-word review:  Often-filmed story, excellent acting superb film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Dean Stockwell, Bradford Dillman, Orson Welles

The Loners (1972)
Watched: 11/10/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Bad luck gets half-breed in big trouble, runaway girl follows.
6-word review:  Stereotypes abound, implausible story, oddly appealing.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Dean Stockwell

Passing (2021)
Watched: 11/11/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Free-spirited woman who passes for white, reconnects with childhood friend.
6-word review:  Moody, deliberate, thought-provoking, beautifully acted film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga

To Each His Own (1946)
Watched: 11/13/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Woman gives up baby, has sad life, reunites years later.
6-word review:  Sentimental story, well acted, rightfully classic.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Olivia de Havilland (Oscar winner for Best Actress), John Lund

The Wasp Woman (1959)
Watched: 11/14/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rejuvenating wasp enzymes have disastrous side effects for cosmetics mogul.
6-word review:  Campy film, with laughable wasp monster.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Susan Cabot

Heathers (1988)
Watched: 11/14/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Popular students' murders staged as suicides by cynical, psychotic misfit.
6-word review:  Black comedy gets way too serious.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Winona Ryder, Christian Slater

Five Guns West (1955)
Watched: 11/14/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Condemned criminals recruited by confederacy for dangerous mission—for pardons.
6-word review:  Entertaining oater with many stereotypical characters.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Lund, Dorothy Malone

Intruders (2015)
Watched: 11/15/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Agoraphobic young woman turns tables on three violent home invaders.
6-word review:  Tense, believable first half; disappointing ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Beth Riesgraf, Rory Culkin

Shared Rooms (2016)
Watched: 11/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Three interrelated stories of gay friends redefining love and family.
6-word review:  Characters endear themselves as stories unfold.
Rating: ★★★

The House Bunny (2008)
Watched: 11/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Ex-playboy bunny becomes sorority house mother, makes over homely girls.
6-word review:  Farris delightful. Cute, but formulaic comedy.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Anna Faris, Emma Stone

Ride the High Country (1962)
Watched: 11/17/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Aging lawmen, transporting gold, rescue runaway bride, have big shootout.
6-word review:  Preachy and slow before action-packed ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Randolph Scott, Joel McCrea, Mariette Hartley

Stonewall (1995)
Watched: 11/18/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Fictionalized story of events leading up to historic Stonewall riot.
6-word review:  Dark point historically, made entertainably accessible.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Guillermo Díaz, Frederick Weller. Watch the Stonewall Uprising (2010) documentary for a more accurate telling of events.

Witness to Murder (1954)
Watched: 11/20/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Woman sees neighbor commit brutal murder; no one believes her.
6-word review:  Stanwyck’s histrionics elevate this tension-filled noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Sanders, Gary Merrill

tick, tick...Boom! (2021)
Watched: 11/20/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Promising young Broadway theater composer navigates love, friendship, artistic pressures.
6-word review:  Energetic musical with a great cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Andrew Garfield, story of Jonathon Larson who created hit Broadway show Rent

The Scarlet Letter (1934)
Watched: 11/21/21     Provider: Classic Movie Vault
10-word summary:  1642 woman bears illegitimate child, must wear sign of adultery.
6-word review:  Moore good in a quick-moving film.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Colleen Moore, Hardie Albright

The Time of Their Lives (2017)
Watched: 11/22/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Selfish, faded movie star and beleaguered housewife form unlikely friendship.
6-word review:  Cute road-trip film has seasoned cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Joan Collins, Pauline Collins

Street Law (1974)
Watched: 11/23/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Man seeks revenge after being kidnapped and terrorized by thugs.
6-word review:  Effective vigilante film, lots of action.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Franco Nero

The Last House on the Street (2021)
Watched: 11/24/21     Provider: TCL Channel
10-word summary:  Two pretty sisters move in across from two slackers; trouble.
6-word review:  "Thriller comedy?" Boring and joyless. Awful.
Rating: Abandoned

Hattie (2011)
Watched: 11/25/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Biopic of popular actress Hattie Jacques, including turbulent private life.
6-word review:  Nice performances, interesting story, moves along.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  A BBC TV movie starring Ruth Jones, Robert Bathurst

Dinner at Eight (1933)
Watched: 11/26/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Society matron plans lavish dinner party; everything possible goes wrong.
6-word review:  Wonderful comedy/drama with a star-studded cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Marie Dressler, John Barrymore

Strange Bargain (1949)
Watched: 11/26/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Schnook becomes suspect in boss's messy suicide or murder case.
6-word review:  Routine crime film, nice twist ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jeffrey Lynn, Martha Scott

Tight Spot (1955)
Watched: 11/27/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Cops must protect brassy dame testifying against murderous crime boss.
6-word review:  Rogers annoying, otherwise solidly produced melodrama.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Ginger Rogers, Brian Keith

Heat Wave [a.k.a. The House Across the Lake] (1954)
Watched: 11/27/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Writer meets cold-blooded temptress who wants her rich husband dead.
6-word review:  Fun noir reminiscent of Double Indemnity.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Alex Nicol, Hillary Brooke

Sky Liner (1949)
Watched: 11/27/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  FBI man and stewardess solve spy murder on crowded flight.
6-word review:  A fast-paced mystery, wrapped up neatly.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Richard Travis, Rochelle Hudson

Reptilicus (1961)
Watched: 11/28/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Copenhagen terrorized by prehistoric beast that regenerates from tissue chunks.
6-word review:  Laughably clichéd, bad acting, cartoonish monster.
Rating: ★ (for the monster)
Note:  An all-Danish cast

Motor Patrol (1950)
Watched: 11/29/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Police cadet poses as member of murderous car theft gang.
6-word review:  Fast-paced crime film, good chase scenes.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Dan Castle, Jane Nigh

I Mobster (1959)
Watched: 11/29/21     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  Son of poor immigrants rises to control the criminal underworld.
6-word review:  Compelling crime drama, Cochran is excellent.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Steve Cochran

The Missing Juror (1944)
Watched: 11/30/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Notorious murder trial jurors are being killed one by one.
6-word review:  Snappy dialogue, fast pacing, enjoyable programmer.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jim Bannon, Janis Carter

Curse of Demon Mountain [a.k.a. The Shadow of Chikara] (1977)
Watched: 11/30/21     Provider: Western Mania
10-word summary:  Supernatural spirit follows party, hunting hidden diamonds, through Arkansas wilderness.
6-word review:  Builds slowly to fantastic surprise ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Joe Don Baker, Sondra Locke

December 2021     |     Back to top

Drowning Mona (2000)
Watched: 12/01/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Small-town woman drowns suspiciously; everyone in town is a suspect.
6-word review:  Passable black comedy, talented cast tries.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Bette Midler, Danny DeVito

Single All the Way (2021)
Watched: 12/04/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  LA gay man has roommate play boyfriend for family Christmas.
6-word review:  "Hallmark Channel", feel-good movie for gays.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Michael Urie, ensemble cast

Closer (2004)
Watched: 12/05/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Two couples meet, fall in love, fight, separate, whine, pout.
6-word review:  Attractive, star-studded cast in meandering talkfest.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Julia Roberts, Jude Law

My Dad's Christmas Date (2020)
Watched: 12/05/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Teen daughter plays online mistletoe matchmaker for handsome widowed dad.
6-word review:  Piven, Richardson wasted in tedious drivel.
Rating: Abandoned
Note:  Starring Jeremy Piven, Joely Richardson

Vita and Virginia (2018)
Watched: 12/06/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Love affair between author Vita Sackville-West and icon Virginia Woolf.
6-word review:  Beautifully filmed but slow, very dry.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Gemma Arterton, Elizabeth Debicki

An Early Frost (1985)
Watched: 12/07/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Gay lawyer contracts AIDS, must finally come out to family.
6-word review:  Groundbreaking on release; still poignant, powerful.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  TV movie, starring Aidan Quinn, Gena Rowlands

In the Cut (2003)
Watched: 12/07/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Teacher has affair with detective investigating murder of neighborhood woman.
6-word review:  Stylish thriller with weirdly twisty plot.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Mark Ruffalo, Meg Ryan

The Power of the Dog (2021)
Watched: 12/08/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Rancher makes life hell for new sister-in-law, her effeminate son.
6-word review:  Powerful acting, intriguing story, beautiful cinematography.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons

I'll Give My Life [a.k.a. The Unfinished Task] (1960)
Watched: 12/08/21     Provider: Classic Movie Vault
10-word summary:  Man gives up promising engineering career to become jungle missionary.
6-word review:  Maudlin, arrogant, melodramatic. Blatant religious propaganda.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Ray Collins, Angie Dickinson

Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950)
Watched: 12/08/21     Provider: TV Time
10-word summary:  Tarzan leads group on perilous jungle trek, carrying anti-plague serum.
6-word review:  Fun watching, if not taken seriously.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Lex Barker

Damn Yankees (1958)
Watched: 12/09/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Man sells soul for baseball team championship, musically re-examines decision.
6-word review:  Legendary cast overshadows material; energetic performances.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Tab Hunter, Gwen Verdon

52 Pick-Up (1986)
Watched: 12/10/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Industrialist being blackmailed over affair with stripper stubbornly fights back.
6-word review:  Unbelievable, but action-packed thriller; great cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Roy Scheider, Ann-Margaret

Three Desperate Men (1951)
Watched: 12/11/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Brothers become outlaws when one's framed for robbery and murder.
6-word review:  Action-packed oater with terrific shootout ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Preston Foster, Virginia Grey

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Watched: 12/11/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Sophisticated magazine writer falsifies domesticity, motherhood, to entertain Christmastime sailor.
6-word review:  Perfect dialogue, cast. Ultimate holiday fluff.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Dennis Morgan

Star in the Night (1945)
Watched: 12/11/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Young immigrant couple has baby in a barn—sound familiar?
6-word review:  Excellent contemporary version of the nativity.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  1946 Academy Award winner for "Best Short Subject, Two-reel," starring J. Carroll Naish

Law Abiding Citizen (2009)
Watched: 12/12/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  After family's murder, man exacts revenge on killers, justice system.
6-word review:  Has you rooting for the vigilante.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx

Saleslady (1938)
Watched: 12/12/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Heiress takes job to find husband who truly loves her.
6-word review:  Extremely dated. Annoying, misogynistic leading man.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Anne Nagel, Weldon Heyburn

Swing Hostess (1944)
Watched: 12/14/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Out-of-work singer takes job at jukebox company, makes hit record.
6-word review:  Cute story of misunderstandings and romance.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Martha Tilton, Iris Adrian

Alice, Sweet Alice (1976)
Watched: 12/14/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Creepy young girl may have killed her sister—and others.
6-word review:  Fun slasher, especially if you're Catholic.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Linda Miller, Paula E. Sheppard

The Pajama Game (1957)
Watched: 12/14/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Factory leader falls for supervisor amid struggle for higher wages.
6-word review:  Lively numbers highlight frothy musical romance.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Doris Day, John Raitt

Renegade Girl (1946)
Watched: 12/14/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Tempestuous woman seeking revenge against Indian who murdered her family.
6-word review:  Rare strong woman character; satisfying oater.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Ann Savage, Alan Curtis

eCupid (2011)
Watched: 12/15/21     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Man bored with boyfriend tries mysterious dating site; bad idea.
6-word review:  Nice message, but overlong and uninspired.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Houston Rhines, Noah Schuffman

My Reputation (1946)
Watched: 12/16/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Beautiful young widow bucks convention by dating and embracing life.
6-word review:  Stanwyck top form in soapy romance.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Barbara Stanwyck, George Brent

Private Property (1960)
Watched: 12/16/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hoodlum plots seduction of lonely housewife for his virginal friend.
6-word review:  Edgy game of manipulation; homoerotic undertones.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Corey Allen, Warren Oates

Private Duty Nurses (1971)
Watched: 12/19/21     Provider: Shout TV
10-word summary:  Three student nurses become overly involved with doctors and patients.
6-word review:  Dated, dreary, dull dialogue. Totally unbelievable.
Rating: ★½

Man on the Prowl (1957)
Watched: 12/20/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Woman unwittingly puts family in danger by befriending murderous psychopath.
6-word review:  Tense, well-acted thriller; moves along quickly.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Mala Powers, James Best

Female Jungle (1955)
Watched: 12/20/21     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Alcoholic off-duty cop blacks out, possibly murdered someone, solves case.
6-word review:  Gritty noir; Tierney excellent as cop.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Lawrence Tierney, Jayne Mansfield (film debut)

The Midnight Story (1957)
Watched: 12/21/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Cop moves in with family of suspect in priest's murder.
6-word review:  Curtis good as idealistic young cop.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Tony Curtis, Gilbert Roland

1922 (2017)
Watched: 12/21/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Farmer murders shrewish wife, then's relentlessly haunted by her ghost.
6-word review:  Slow-building descent into madness. Effective performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Based on a Stephen King novella; starring Thomas Jane, Molly Parker

Storm Fear (1955)
Watched: 12/22/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Wounded bank robber hides out at brother's farm during snowstorm.
6-word review:  Change-of-pace setting for tense, well-done noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Cornel Wilde, Jean Wallace

Wicked Woman (1953)
Watched: 12/23/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Barroom floozy tempts boss to leave wife, escape to Mexico.
6-word review:  Terrific, tawdry tale of tantalizing temptation.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Beverly Michaels, Richard Egan

Being the Ricardos (2021)
Watched: 12/24/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Glimpse into personal and professional relationship of Lucy and Desi.
6-word review:  Interesting and well-acted film. Kidman excellent.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem

Don't Look Up (2021)
Watched: 12/24/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Huge, devastating comet heads toward Earth; no one believes scientists.
6-word review:  Great cast in apocalyptic black comedy.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and many others

Bluebeard (1944)
Watched: 12/25/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  In Paris, artist paints portraits of women then strangles them.
6-word review:  A still-effective early serial killer tale.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Carradine

Outside In (2017)
Watched: 12/26/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Paroled socially awkward ex-con forms life-changing relationship with former teacher.
6-word review:  Good performances, downbeat drama, hopeful ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jay Duplass, Edie Falco

A Blueprint for Murder (1953)
Watched: 12/27/21     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Man suspects sister-in-law murdered his brother and niece for money.
6-word review:  Melodramatic noir overwrought with narrator's angst.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Joseph Cotten, Jean Peters; double-billed with Man in the Attic ("with no A")

Still of the Night (1982)
Watched: 12/27/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Art dealer may have killed ex-lover; dead man's psychiatrist investigates.
6-word review:  Boring until final moments. Streep wasted.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Roy Scheider, Meryl Streep

The Big Night (1951)
Watched: 12/28/21     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  A pistol-armed, 17-year-old tracks down sportswriter who beat his father.
6-word review:  Episodic noir with unusual youth angle.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Drew Barrymore, Preston Foster

Freedomland (2006)
Watched: 12/29/21     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Search for lost child amplified by media and racial issues.
6-word review:  Intense performances help predictable social drama.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Julianne Moore, Samuel L. Jackson

Free Ride (2013)
Watched: 12/30/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Mother involved in illegal drugs to improve life for daughters.
6-word review:  Interesting fact-based story, Paquin is excellent.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Anna Paquin

Murder at My Door (1996)
Watched: 12/30/21     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Mother suspects troubled son of recent neighborhood teenage girls' murders.
6-word review:  Keeps you guessing; well-done domestic drama.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie, starring Judith Light

Slaughter on 10th Avenue (1957)
Watched: 12/31/21     Provider: TV Time
10-word summary:  Witnesses reluctant to testify after longshoreman's murder by union racketeers.
6-word review:  Intense, emotional crime drama. Excellent performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Richard Egan, Jan Sterling