Category: 2 Stars
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Criterion: Death Line / Raw Meat (**) because Brando couldn’t make it
This film will be more for those curious about the process of how we got from blood going down the drain in black and white in Pscyho to where film in the early ’80’s is so gross.
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3 Turns of the Screw: The Nightcomers, The Turning and Netflix’ The Haunting of Bly Manor
Of the three James’ inspired works, The Haunting of Bly Manor is the one that is truly inspired, even if it’s not as scary as we’d hope.
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The Lie (**): Parent Trap
How one reacts to The Lie will depend on how far along they ride with its conceit.
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Sorry To Bother You (**) Comedy + Woke = Not funny
Riley and company might create a compelling version of his story a few films from now. For now it just feels like something we’re supposed to learn, which is rarely funny.
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Another Look: Step-Brothers (Unrated) Why did Holmes & Watson fail?
There’s almost enough here to make a movie that’s not half bad.
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Criterion: The Idiot (**) – Pure soul / faithless world / messy film
There is no known full version of this film. If there were, it might take me a year to finish. It would likely be a lot better, though.
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Cocktail (**) For a movie, it is a good soundtrack
See it if you want to see the kind of film Cruise made before he completely took control of his career. It’s not worth sitting through otherwise, just to hum along.
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The Voices (**) I know Karate
Reynolds does his very best straight face through all of Jerry’s challenges. He’s completely hidden any idea that he’s in on the joke. Or even that it is intended to be a joke.
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Gretel and Hansel (**) Mephistopheles is not your name
The dread / fascination with and of Krige feels more like a weekend spent with a widowed aunt who just can’t wait to tell you her recipe for fruitcake.
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The Turning (**) doesn’t make it all the way around
There isn’t enough here to qualify for halfway satisfying. If they had pushed a little harder to complete the circle, maybe. Not this. This is an incomplete scare handed off into thin air.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 