The Quarry (***) That’s a weird f-n verse
You won’t be moved to smile by The Quarry. You will be moved, though.
3 Godfathers (***) – John Ford / John Wayne play on Wisemen
All told, this is a beautiful, if dispensable film for any time. It’s got a universal appeal with a simple story that works for purposes of a positive message in a desert world.
Greenland (***) is in search of an epic
Greenland is the kind of film that straddles the line between disaster movie and armchair psychology about those trying to survive it at all costs.
Come Play: Unloneliness (***)
Come Play is another debut by a director who turns a successful short into something hopefully better with studio support. The results are mixed, but overall this is the kind of film one shows their kids if unsure whether or not they’re really ready for a scary movie.
The Empty Man (***) – Long time for a short trip
If you want something to watch as it turns dusk, you could do worse. From dusk till dawn, though, you should try for something with more than chills.
Criterion: The Brood (***) is every mother’s little helper
Overall, this is an effectively creepy story that is more contained than his other stories of horror breaking out everywhere. The explanations behind it all are interesting enough. The gore is grotesque enough. Still, it’s only slightly better than an average film.
Criterion: Rabid (***) has the makings of stardom
If you want to see the state of low to mid-budget horror in the late 70’s, this is as good a place as any to start.
Criterion: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (***) is unrelenting horror
As it stands, there is no one that can take it’s cult status away. This will forever be a history making cinematic effort, even if it is almost as annoying as it is scary.
Another Look: Criminal Law (***) Big Fish, Little Pond
This film made impression enough on me that I started following Oldman, there and then, and I have never regretted it.
Ava (***) gives it all away
It’s all competent, but it could have been great.
Historical Nugget: The Return of the Living Dead (***) – Be a man, Frank
If you find a way to get into the groove of this film and wend your way through the cheese, it will reward you with some very nice moments.
Criterion: Images (***) is Altman’s house of mirrors
It’s hard to forgive a director of Altman’s skill the fact that he never comes close to having us fooled.
Friday the 13th Chronology continued: The expensive trash +2 good fan films
The best thing about the Never Hike… series is the way it takes its time getting to actual kills. It has confidence and is in no hurry.
Unhinged (***) is not quite falling down
If you want to see a film on par with The Hitcher, but well under the capability of Michael Douglas in Falling Down, you could do worse. I think I will watch Falling Down again.
Last Shift (***) not exactly the king of hell
It would be nice to see what DiBlasi could do with a smarter script.
Bill & Ted Trilogy (***) often takes the easier, funnier route
I appreciate these films more now in hindsight than I ever could when I was younger. With less time to waste, this trilogy finally feels like less a waste of my precious hours.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 