While I’m on the subject of 1980s pretty-boy actors that turned to writing and/or directing too young, I might as well devote some space to “Dangerously Close,” the 1986 teen exploitation outing co-written by actor John Stockwell; while not on Netflix, it can be viewed in its entirety on YouTube. Produced by my favorite overzealous … Continue reading »
“Wisdom” (1986), with Emilio Estevez
“Wisdom”is easily one of the dopiest made-in-earnest films I’ve ever seen, and not only because its star, writer and director, Emilio Estevez, has named the lead character after the title. (It’s not on Netflix but can be viewed on YouTube). Estevez has a comically sulky face that can’t be taken seriously when it explodes in … Continue reading »
“Speedy” (1928), with Harold Lloyd
A few weeks ago, I caught a screening of “Speedy,” Harold Lloyd’s last silent film, at Williamsburg, Brooklyn’s Nitehawk Cinema, which has classroom-style desks and table service–during the movie–of cocktails, $9 milkshakes and lime and Thai chili-infused beef jerky, among other choices. Admittedly, what I’ll remember most about the evening is the delightful musical accompaniment … Continue reading »
Coming soon…
Apologies for the scarcity of posts on my end lately. I’ve been working hard on a freelance story about some of the original “Dark Shadows” writers, which sprung up randomly when I was doing interviews for the blog. That should come out in mid-June, somewhere, somehow, while “Dark Shadows” is still in theaters. I have … Continue reading »
Animals Were Harmed: Richard Brooks Films Not Available on Netflix
If Richard Brooks were alive today, he’d be exactly 100 years old; he died of heart failure in 1992. But the rarely compromising, notoriously angry writer/director (who brought us films as varied in scope, mood and locale as “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “In Cold Blood,” “Lord Jim,” “The Professionals” and “Blackboard Jungle”) would … Continue reading »
“Jimmy the Kid” (1982)
What is it about precocious child actors that induces anger, if not outright violence, in even the gentlest movie-goers? Even as a nine year-old seduced by the endless Nintendo plugs within “The Wizard,” I found it a bit absurd that the pre-pubescent kids played by Fred Savage and Jennie Lewis were able to hitchhike cross-country … Continue reading »
“Divorce: A Contemporary Western” (1998), “Twisted Love” (1995)
“Divorce: A Contemporary Western” is a 1998 ensemble drama starring a number of talented character actors: Elias Koteas (of “CSI: NY”), Christopher McDonald (Shooter McGavin in “Happy Gilmore”), Wendie Malick (from “Just Shoot Me” as well as the classic HBO show “Dream On”), Denise Crosby (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”) and Terry Kiser (the dead … Continue reading »
“The Gamble” (1988)
While generally dull and pathetic, “The Gamble” is just campy enough to qualify as drunken so-bad-it’s-good entertainment. Shot on location in Venice, Verona and lush stretches of French and Italian countryside, “The Gamble” is a dead-earnest 19th century period piece, brimming with carriages, horseback chases, fencing matches along moats and castle rooftops, and aristocrats sporting … Continue reading »
“Born Into Shit” (2006)
Yes, I ordered this movie solely because of the title, which stuck out like a sore thumb as I perused imdb.com’s list of every movie ever made. Though released in the Czech Republic in 2006, it was acquired by Los Angeles-based Seminal Films in 2010 and released on DVD in the US; as such, I … Continue reading »
“Shogun Assassin” (1980)
Although “Shogun Assassin” was on my movie wish list Google Doc for several months, I never officially ordered it, nor did any of my loved ones or dear friends that have access to the list. So I am at an utter loss as to how it arrived at my doorstep a month ago. It must … Continue reading »
