My life at the movies.
Directed by Karl Freund and Tod Browning. Starring Bela Lugosi, Helen Chandler, David Manners, and Dwight Frye.
I first saw Dracula on TV. I don’t remember when, but I was still fishing prizes out of breakfast cereals and watching Saturday morning cartoons. I do remember loving the movie. Toys, costumes, books, and a lifelong interest followed. In the decades since, I’ve seen the film dozens of times.
Yet, it wasn’t until this viewing that I realized the film leaves the Lucy plot-thread unresolved. Embarrassing, but true.
Directed by Ryan Coogler. Starring Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, and Danai Gurira.
A lot happens, but nothing matters. A fine enough self-contained entry, but the best Marvel films also impact the shared universe. Bonus points for Martin Freeman’s casino dialogue, which reminded me of Clark Gregg’s Agent Coulson.
Directed by Lowell Dean. Starring Leo Fafard, Amy Matysio, Sarah Lind, and Corinne Conley.
Ridiculous in the best way. An alcoholic sheriff’s deputy becomes a werewolf and uses his newfound powers to clean up his small town. Continue reading...
Directed by John Cromwell. Starring William Powell, Jean Arthur, Kay Francis, and Regis Toomey.
A great character caught in a bad story. Powell plays “Natural” Davis, New York City’s premier gambler, renowned for his charm and ethics. As a mark says early, “It’s a pleasure to lose your money to him.” Continue reading...
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock. Starring Herbert Marshall, Norah Baring, Phyllis Konstam, and Edward Chapman.
Hitchcock’s third sound picture. Herbert Marshall plays Sir John, a noted stage actor serving on the jury weighing the case of a young actress accused of murder. The case appears open-and-shut, but Sir John has doubts. After ceding to peer pressure and voting guilty, his conscience compels him to launch his own investigation. Continue reading...
Directed by Taika Waititi. Starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, and Mark Ruffalo.
Best Doctor Strange movie.
Directed by Lucio Fulci. Starring Jean Sorel, Marisa Mell, Elsa Martinelli, and Alberto de Mendoza.
Lucio Fulci’s first thriller wows with confident pacing, stylish camera-work, and strong performances. I went in cold and suggest you do likewise. The less you know, the better. Continue reading...
Directed by Lucio Fulci. Starring Franco Nero, George Hilton, Linda Sini, and Giuseppe Addobbati.
The somersault yanked me right out. Continue reading...
Directed by Terence Fisher. Starring Peter Cushing, Hazel Court, Robert Urquhart, and Christopher Lee.
For Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee’s first film for Hammer, a guest review from the good Baron himself: Continue reading...
Directed by Adam Green. Starring Kane Hodder, Joel David Moore, Deon Richmond, and Amara Zaragoza.
Takes the ’80s slasher formula, adds a liberal dose of humor, and executes with a talented cast and a boatload of heart. Sure, subbing arid southern California for a Louisiana swamp drains the budget and constrains the shot selection, but the practical effects are top-notch, inventive, and gruesome.
Enjoyed it enough to buy the Blu-Ray for the bonus features (which don’t disappoint).
