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Hit Lady (1974)
Watched: 12/29/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Artist by day, beautiful high-priced assassin becomes involved with hit.
6-word review:  Complex melodrama, great until safe ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie written by and starring Yvette Mimieux

Make Up (2019)
Watched: 12/28/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Obsessed teenage village girl suspects boyfriend cheating, so turns lesbian.
6-word review:  Good acting but makes little sense.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Molly Windsor, Joseph Quinn

The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015)
Watched: 12/28/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Nymphomaniac girl has affair with mother's boyfriend, makes inappropriate choices.
6-word review:  Unusual coming-of-age story. Funny, sad, triumphant.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring ensemble cast

Guilty Bystander (1950)
Watched: 12/25/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Alcoholic ex-cop searching for kidnapped son encounters hoodlums, dames, murderers.
6-word review:  Exciting subway chase; nice twist ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Zachary Scott, Faye Emerson

Hoard (2023)
Watched: 12/25/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Years after girl's mother dies under her hoard, tragedy resurfaces.
6-word review:  Uncomfortable and distasteful. Wast of time.
Rating: ★
Note:  Starring British ensemble cast

Black Christmas (1974)
Watched: 12/21/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Someone is killing sorority girls during Christmas break baffling police.
6-word review:  Suspenseful, with dark humor, ambiguous ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Olivia Hussey

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Watched: 12/20/25     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; favorite quote: "I must go to it!"

Flight to Mars (1951)
Watched: 12/12/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  First flight to Mars includes mechanical problems, betrayals, jealousy, romance.
6-word review:  Colorful, cartoonish. Corny dialogue. Nice costumes.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Arthur Franz, Marguerite Chapman

The Shore (2005)
Watched: 12/12/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Indifferent single mother leaves child with her parents; child drowns.
6-word review:  Warren, Gazzara excellent as grieving grandparents.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Lesley Ann Warren, Ben Gazzara

Ass Backwards (2013)
Watched: 12/09/25     Provider: Cineverse
10-word summary:  BFFs' calamity-ridden road trip home for children's beauty pageant reunion.
6-word review:  Clever writing, fun, but disjointed, forgettable.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring June Diane Raphael

Exquisite Corpse (2010)
Watched: 12/08/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Using experimental measures requiring killing others, neuroscientist revives dead girlfriend.
6-word review:  Stylishly macabre, minimal gore, likable cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring ensemble cast

Sam & Kate (2022)
Watched: 12/07/25     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Son, father meet daughter, mother; all confront life's emotional challenges.
6-word review:  Outstanding veteran acting, heartwarming and hopeful.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Sissy Spacek, Dustin Hoffman

The Wasp Woman (1959)
Watched: 12/07/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Rejuvenating wasp enzymes have monstrous side effects for cosmetics mogul.
6-word review:  Campy film demonstrates pressures of image.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Susan Cabot

Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)
Watched: 12/07/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Game warden hunts blood-sucking swamp monsters responsible for multiple disappearances.
6-word review:  Monsters, Vickers liveliest of stoic cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Yvette Vickers

The Man from Planet X (1951)
Watched: 12/06/25     Provider: The Essential Sci-Fi Channel
10-word summary:  Spaceman lands on Scottish moors, turns villagers into zombie-like slaves.
6-word review:  Interesting storyline but much too sedate.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Robert Clarke, Margaret Field

Bernie (2011)
Watched: 12/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Well-liked funeral director befriends wealthy disliked woman, eventually murders her.
6-word review:  Subtle black comedy lacks defining irony.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine

Purity Falls (2019)
Watched: 12/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Widowed suburbanite hires muscled twinks to service bored rich housewives.
6-word review:  Titillating topic treated tamely; totally tiresome.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring bad actors

The Sergeant (1968)
Watched: 12/04/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Hard-nosed, repressed homosexual, career Sergeant becomes obsessed with handsome soldier.
6-word review:  Worthwhile, bleak, tragic on every level.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Rod Steiger, John Phillip Law

The Baby (1973)
Watched: 12/02/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman keeps grown son as infant; concerned social worker intervenes.
6-word review:  70s' worst clothes. Hilariously twisted ending.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Anjanette Comer, Ruth Roman

Whoever Slew Auntie Roo? (1972)
Watched: 12/02/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rich eccentric keeps orphan captive, thinking she's her long-dead daughter.
6-word review:  Entertaining and campy. Shelley's a hoot.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Shelley Winters

November 2025     |     Back to top

Cloudburst (1951)
Watched: 11/30/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Wife of former spy murdered; he's calmly obsessed with revenge.
6-word review:  Low-key British noir with great performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Robert Preston

Death on the Nile (1978)
Watched: 11/26/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Bitchy socialite murdered on river cruise, all passengers had motive.
6-word review:  So much entertainment here, few missteps.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring an all-star cast

Snowbeast (1977)
Watched: 11/21/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Bigfoot-like monster terrorizes popular ski resort during crowded winter carnival.
6-word review:  Nothing new here, change the channel.
Rating: ★½
Note:  TV movie starring Yvette Mimieux, Bo Svenson

After the Hunt (2025)
Watched: 11/20/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Professor caught between colleague and a student's sexual misconduct accusations.
6-word review:  Julia's excellent; plot a bit muddled.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Julia Roberts

Tremors (1990)
Watched: 11/19/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Small group of isolated townspeople battle massive tunneling killer worms.
6-word review:  Goofy, dumb, fun, 50s homage film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Kevin Bacon, Reba McEntire

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Watched: 11/18/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Quirky recluse falls for life-size doll; many lives are affected.
6-word review:  Charming, sweet, sad. Entire cast excellent.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Ryan Gosling and ensemble

Million Dollar Murder [a.k.a. Murder in the Hamptons] (2005)
Watched: 11/18/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Millionaire murdered during bitter divorce; unbalanced wife, her lover suspects.
6-word review:  Pretty good until abrupt, unsatisfying ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring Poppy Montgomery

The Beast of Hollow Mountain (1956)
Watched: 11/17/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  American rancher in Mexico battles prejudice, superstitions, and prehistoric monsters.
6-word review:  Makes little sense but totally entertaining.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Guy Madison, Patricia Medina

1,000 Years From Now, 3,000 A.D. [a.k.a. Captive Women] (1952)
Watched: 11/16/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Post-atomic annihilation power struggle between the Norms and the Mutes.
6-word review:  Apocalyptic cheapie with powerful anti-prejudice message.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Robert Clarke, Margaret Field

Omoo-Omoo the Shark God (1949)
Watched: 11/16/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Curse of shark god follows group who violated sacred idol.
6-word review:  Jungle silliness has good second half.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Ron Randell

The Tattered Dress (1957)
Watched: 11/15/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Slick lawyer frees murderers of local golden boy, irks townspeople.
6-word review:  Suspenseful noir with great surprise ending.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Jeff Chandler, Jeanne Crain

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid (1982)
Watched: 11/15/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  PI investigates murder aided by and involving classic noir characters.
6-word review:  Outstanding clips. Watch those movies instead.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Steve Martin

Chicago Massacre: Richard Speck (2007)
Watched: 11/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Grisly documentary-style account of murders of eight Chicago student nurses.
6-word review:  Hard to watch; creepy lead performance.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Corin Nemec

Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Watched: 11/13/25     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

Playdate (2025)
Watched: 11/13/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Two dads, two kids, chased all day by bad guys.
6-word review:  Cute comedy — likable leads, tolerable kids.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Kevin James, Alan Ritchson

The Undercover Man (1949)
Watched: 11/11/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Relentless IRS agent, investing crime boss, methodically takes him down.
6-word review:  Well-done procedural drama. Outstanding familiar cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Glenn Ford, Nina Foch

Candy Stripe Nurses (1974)
Watched: 11/11/25     Provider: Plex
10-word summary:  Three high school girls volunteer in a hospital, have adventures.
6-word review:  Nurseploitation film with plot, credible acting.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast; cameo appearance by Sally Kirkland (R.I.P. 10/31/1941 - 11/11/2025)

The Bookfair Murders (2000)
Watched: 11/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Writer, publisher, police team up to solve controversial author's murder.
6-word review:  Slow, cringey dialogue. Geneviève Bujold wasted.
Rating: ★★
Note:  TV movie starring Samantha Bond

The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1952)
Watched: 11/06/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Dying writer reflects on his life's regrets, triumphs, and loves.
6-word review:  Beautiful scenery. Good acting. Hollywood ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Gregory Peck, Susan Hayward

Donovan's Brain (1953)
Watched: 11/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Scientist keeps ruthless tycoon's brain alive. Brain then takes control.
6-word review:  Interestingly far-fetched. Ayres good, Davis stilted.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Lew Ayres, Nancy Davis (Reagan)

Murder on Pleasant Drive (2006)
Watched: 11/04/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sister and daughter of murdered woman search relentlessly for justice.
6-word review:  Slow start, satisfying conclusion. Arkin's good.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Lifetime TV movie starring Adam Arkin

The Death of Richie (1977)
Watched: 11/03/25     Provider: Artflix
10-word summary:  Parents suffer having whiny overindulged violent teenage drug addict son.
6-word review:  Gazzara, Brennan good. Annoying Benson miscast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring Ben Gazzara, Eileen Brennan, Robby Benson

Curse of the Swamp Creature (1968)
Watched: 11/03/25     Provider: Artflix
10-word summary:  Everglades geologist stumbles upon mad scientist's secret lab, experimental man-beasts.
6-word review:  Misleading title, bad acting, silly fun.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring John Agar

The Twilight People (1972)
Watched: 11/03/25     Provider: Artflix
10-word summary:  Kidnapped to become part of super race, man fights back.
6-word review:  Familiar mad-scientist plot. Mutants best part.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Ashley

October 2025     |     Back to top

The Return of Count Yorga (1971)
Watched: 10/29/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Yorga returns without any explanations; clueless people have learned nothing.
6-word review:  Fun, essentially unplotted frights, campy ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Robert Quarry, Mariette Hartley

Count Yorga, Vampire (1970)
Watched: 10/29/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Friends learn handsome séance medium is vampire; vampire shenanigans ensue.
6-word review:  Moves quickly, freshly incorporating usual clichés.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Robert Quarry

Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Watched: 10/28/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Small group of strangers fight flesh-eating ghouls from abandoned farmhouse.
6-word review:  Great multi-layered film deserving cult status.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Duane Jones

Burn, Witch, Burn! [a.k.a. Night of the Eagle] (1962)
Watched: 10/26/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  College professor learns wife's been practicing witchcraft, occult involvement deepens.
6-word review:  Long in buildup, then gets terrifying.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Peter Wyngarde, Janet Blair

Lies We Tell (2023)
Watched: 10/26/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Orphaned teenage heiress must accept guardianship by unscrupulous money-grabbing uncle.
6-word review:  Great performances highlight lush period drama.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Agnes O'Casey

Bury Me Dead (1947)
Watched: 10/26/25     Provider: Classic Film Time
10-word summary:  Supposedly murdered woman attends own funeral. Who's in her coffin?
6-word review:  Fun low-budget mystery, tension-filled twist ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring June Lockhart (R.I.P. 06/25/1925 - 10/23/2025), Hugh Beaumont

The Vampire Lovers (1970)
Watched: 10/21/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Mysterious lesbian vampire leaves trail of beautiful blood-drained village girls.
6-word review:  Bosoms, bloodshed, bad acting — little else.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Ingrid Pitt

My Name is Julia Ross (1945)
Watched: 10/17/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  New secretary kept prisoner by old lady and wacko son.
6-word review:  Great no-nonsense thriller that unfolds nicely.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Nina Foch, Dame May Whitty, George Macready

The Monster That Challenged the World (1957)
Watched: 10/17/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Giant radioactive sea snail terrorizes California naval base beach town.
6-word review:  Too serious for silly subject matter.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Tim Holt, Audrey Dalton

Arthur's Whisky (2024)
Watched: 10/16/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary: Widow discovers husband's invented youth elixir, tries it with friends.
6-word review:  Cutish, wanted to like it more.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Diane Keaton (R.I.P. 01/05/1946 - 10/11/2025), Lulu

The Invisible Man (1933)
Watched: 10/14/25     Provider: Hollywood Classics
10-word summary:  Scientist develops invisibility formula, possible madness consequences, overlooks making antidote.
6-word review:  Delightfully demented, great effects, clever dialogue.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Claude Rains; a favorite quote: "Why, he has the brain of a tapeworm!"

Life and Times: Anne Murray (1996)
Watched: 10/11/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  CBC documentary of iconic singer: small-town beginnings to international fame.
6-word review:  Music industry interviews, family movies, memories.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Anne Murray; Season 1, episode 3 of Life and Times, a Canadian TV documentary series

New Best Friend (2002)
Watched: 10/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Bookish outcast insinuates herself into rich-girl clique, spirals dangerously downward.
6-word review:  Manipulative Kirshner good in so-so-film.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Mia Kirshner, Taye Diggs

The Naked Street (1955)
Watched: 10/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Gangster pulls strings to free pregnant sister's no-good death-row boyfriend.
6-word review:  Competent, not compelling. Good cast uninspired.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Anthony Quinn, Farley Granger

Machete [a.k.a. The Witches from Another World] (1958)
Watched: 10/08/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sugar planter's slutty new bride causes trouble in Puerto Rico.
6-word review:  Lotsa emoting, smoldering looks, and sneers.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Mari Blanchard, Albert Dekker

September 2025     |     Back to top

The Nut Farm (1935)
Watched: 09/21/25     Provider: Hollywood Classics
10-word summary:  Selling grocery to buy farm, man swindled by fake moviemakers.
6-word review:  Cute comedy improves as it progresses.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Wallace Ford

Savannah Smiles (1982)
Watched: 09/19/25     Provider: Hollywood Classics
10-word summary:  Politician's neglected child forms bond with her bumbling accidental kidnappers.
6-word review:  Sweet, easygoing film; likable main characters.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Mark Miller (also writer and producer), Bridgette Andersen

The Monster Maker (1944)
Watched: 09/19/25     Provider: Hollywood Classics
10-word summary:  Mad scientist vengefully injects acromegaly virus into reluctant sweetheart's father.
6-word review:  Acting: hammy to awful. Overall: dull.
Rating: ★
Note:  Starring J. Carroll Naish

The Clearing (2004)
Watched: 09/18/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Millionaire is kidnapped by unemployed man, battle of wits ensues.
6-word review:  Should've been exceptional given powerhouse cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Robert Redford (R.I.P. 08/18/1936 - 09/16/2025), Helen Mirren, Willem Dafoe

The Colossus of New York (1958)
Watched: 09/17/25     Provider: Classic Movies & TV
10-word summary:  Surgeon transplants brilliant son's brain into robot with unintended results. 😱
6-word review:  Lamebrained proof brain transplants never work.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Mala Powers, Ross Martin

Girl Gone Bad [a.k.a. Guiltless] (2022)
Watched: 09/17/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  16-year-old lesbian turns tables on intruder who murdered her girlfriend.
6-word review:  Cheesy slasher with an anti-bullying message.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring unknowns

Klondike Annie (1936)
Watched: 09/16/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Wrongly accused saloon singer poses as missionary to elude authorities.
6-word review:  Subdued West quite good. Choppy editing.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Mae West; a favorite quote: "When I'm caught between two evils, I go with the one I haven't tried." And Mae sings: I'm an Occidental Woman in An Oriental Mood for Love

The Desiring (2024)
Watched: 09/16/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man grapples with father's long-ago suicide while stalking adulterous wife.
6-word review:  Pretentious — tries for art and meaning.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring nobody famous

Little Sweetheart (1988)
Watched: 09/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Criminal couple falls victim to unlikeliest of blackmailer; violence results.
6-word review:  Terrific film, terrific performances, terrific twists.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Cassie Barasch, John Hurt

The Delinquent Season (2018)
Watched: 09/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Two "perfect" marriages crumble due to affairs, lies, bad decisions.
6-word review:  Great acting in downbeat, realistic film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Cillian Murphy, Andrew Scott

August 2025     |     Back to top

The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
Watched: 08/31/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  After exposure to radioactive cloud, man slowly shrinks; everything questioned.
6-word review:  Intelligent. Acting, effects outstanding. Existentialism throughout.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Grant Williams

Brain of Blood (1971)
Watched: 08/29/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Surgeon transplants brain of Arab ruler into body of imbecile.
6-word review:  Sincere freak show; some good moments.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Grant Williams

Lady of Vengeance (1957)
Watched: 08/29/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  After spoiled girl's suicide, benefactor seeks revenge on those responsible.
6-word review:  Okay beginning, lackluster middle, good ending.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Dennis O'Keefe

Nashville Girl (1976)
Watched: 08/28/25     Provider: Xumo
10-word summary:  Nubile girl repeatedly exploited on path to country music stardom.
6-word review:  Watchable clichéd sleaze. Very low-rent 70s.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Monica Gayle, Glenn Corbett

The Crawling Eye [a.k.a. The Trollenberg Terror] (1958)
Watched: 08/28/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Decapitations on Swiss mountainside appear connected to mysterious radioactive cloud.
6-word review:  Cheap effects, stiff acting, talk, talk.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Forrest Tucker, Janet Munro

The Wild Party (1956)
Watched: 08/27/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Delusional ex-football star and other lowlifes kidnap naive thrill-seeking couple.
6-word review:  Not one likable character. Stagy, dated.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Anthony Quinn

Cop Hater (1958)
Watched: 08/27/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Series of police murders takes its toll on NYC precinct.
6-word review:  Adequate police procedural drama, unsurprising ending.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Robert Loggia, Gerald S. O'Loughlin

Wicked (1998)
Watched: 08/26/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Suburban adulteress murdered; surly daughter — too friendly with daddy — suspected.
6-word review:  Stiles is terrific in predictable thriller.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Julia Stiles

O. Henry's Full House (1952)
Watched: 08/24/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Five short films based on stories by author O. Henry.
6-word review:  Nice mix of poignancy, comedy, irony.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring an all-star cast, narrated by John Steinbeck

The Toolbox Murders (1978)
Watched: 08/23/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Series of brutal murders using handyman's tools upsets apartment complex.
6-word review:  Bible-spouting slasher turns effective psychological thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

Suspiria (1977)
Watched: 08/23/25     Provider: Xumo
10-word summary:  Girl joins prestigious dance academy; uncovers a coven of witches.
6-word review:  Minimal plot. Colorful, spooky, campy fun.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jessica Harper

Swan Song (2021)
Watched: 08/22/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man escapes nursing home to do former client's funeral hair.
6-word review:  Poignant, funny, sad, melancholic — ultimately uplifting.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Udo Kier

The Whole Truth (1958)
Watched: 08/20/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Temperamental actress murdered. Suspects: movie producer/lover, wronged wife, jealous husband.
6-word review:  Routinely contrived, totally implausible, thoroughly confusing.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Stewart Granger, Donna Reed

The Initiation of Sarah (1978)
Watched: 08/20/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Dowdy sorority girl uses telekinetic powers against mean pretty girls.
6-word review:  Alternate title: "The Imitation of Carrie"
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring Kay Lenz, Shelley Winters

The Ravine (2021)
Watched: 08/19/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Murders and suicide in close-knit town baffle family, long-time friends.
6-word review:  Story drags — too much backstory, preaching.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Eric Dane, Leslie Uggams

Ava (2020)
Watched: 08/19/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Female assassin breaks protocol, becomes target, juggles survival, family drama.
6-word review:  Good performances in escapist action thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jessica Chastain

Shockproof (1949)
Watched: 08/17/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Parole officer marries murderess; they flee after she shoots ex-lover.
6-word review:  Incredibly stupid decisions in fast-paced noir.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Cornel Wilde

The Hit (1984)
Watched: 08/17/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hit men kidnap years-ago snitch taking him to be killed.
6-word review:  Great well-acted psychological thriller. Gorgeous scenery.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Terence Stamp (R.I.P. 07/22/1938 - 08/17/2025)

Camp, the Movie (2002)
Watched: 08/15/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Adversarial drag queens unite to fight closeted mayor's drag ban.
6-word review:  So bad. Amateur acting. Appealingly silly.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Randy Light as Mary K. Mart, ensemble of Raleigh, NC drag queens

Bride of the Monster (1955)
Watched: 08/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Scientist tries unsuccessfully to create superhuman beings using nuclear power.
6-word review:  Idiotic dialog. Laughably bad cult film.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Bela Lugosi

Wives Under Suspicion (1938)
Watched: 08/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  DA prosecuting wife-killer realizes similarities with his own marital situationship.
6-word review:  Worthwhile over-the-top melodrama. Yarbo's a hoot!
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Warren William, Gail Patrick, Lillian Yarbo

Frankenstein (1931)
Watched: 08/13/25     Provider: Classic Movies & TV
10-word summary:  Brilliant scientist creates a monstrous man using dead body parts.
6-word review:  Great photography, effects. Justifiably often imitated.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Boris Karloff, Colin Clive; a favorite quote: "It's alive. It's alive!"

Speak No Evil (2024)
Watched: 08/13/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  American family visits British family met on holiday — big mistake!
6-word review:  Clever banter; degenerates to violent showdown.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring James McAvoy

Undertaking Betty [a.k.a. Plots with a View] (2002)
Watched: 08/12/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Undertaker helps sweetheart fake her death to escape philandering husband.
6-word review:  Promising black comedy goes way silly.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Brenda Blythen, Alfred Molina

Every Woman's Dream (1996)
Watched: 08/12/25     Provider: The Archive
10-word summary:  Lies catch up with charming manipulator married to two women.
6-word review:  Genre inconsistencies hamper otherwise good film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  TV movie starring Jeff Fahey, Kim Cattrall

Seven Samurai (1954)
Watched: 08/10/25     Provider: Rialto Theatre
10-word summary:  Beleaguered farmers hire Samurai to defend against murderous crop-stealing bandits.
6-word review:  Sweeping Japanese epic, well-deserved legendary status.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Toshirô Mifune, large ensemble; seen with a friend as part of The Cinema Inc.

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)
Watched: 08/07/25     Provider: Classic Film Time
10-word summary:  Settlers menaced by Tories and Indians during American Revolutionary War.
6-word review:  Patriotic. Uncomfortable stereotypes. Oliver steals movie.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Henry Fonda, Claudette (miscast) Colbert, Edna May Oliver

Every Secret Thing (2014)
Watched: 08/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Child is kidnapped; police question suspects of long-ago similar crime.
6-word review:  Great cast, plot full of twists.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

The Fifth Floor (1978)
Watched: 08/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Drugged at disco, committed to asylum, woman tries proving sanity.
6-word review:  Hilariously bad, nonsensical, tragically watchable mess.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Bo Hopkins, Dianne Hull

Mirage (1965)
Watched: 08/05/25     Provider: Thriller Classic Channel
10-word summary:  Trying to remember previous two years, amnesiac eludes deadly assassins.
6-word review:  Overly contrived, confusing. Anguished Peck tiresome.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Gregory Peck, Diane Baker

July 2025     |     Back to top

Deadly Wives Club [a.k.a. Death in the Cul-De-Sac] (2024)
Watched: 07/30/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman moves to perfect neighborhood, becomes suspicious of creepy wives.
6-word review:  Annoying cast, terrible acting, absurd plot.
Rating: ★
Note:  Lifetime TV movie with cast of nobody famous

Female on the Beach (1955)
Watched: 07/27/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Wealthy widow wooed, wedded by gigolo, fears he intends murder.
6-word review:  Great over-the-top atmospheric romantic noir thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Joan Crawford, Jeff Chandler

And Soon the Darkness (1970)
Watched: 07/26/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  On remote bike trip, girl goes missing; friend seeks answers.
6-word review:  Occasionally suspenseful, nice twists, needs trimming.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Pamela Franklin

The Killer is Loose (1956)
Watched: 07/25/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Criminal's wife accidentally killed by police; later, targets cop's wife.
6-word review:  Great cop noir; fast, tight directing.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Joseph Cotten, Rhonda Fleming

Big Eden (2000)
Watched: 07/24/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Gay artist must tend to stroke-ridden grandfather; finds unlikely romance.
6-word review:  If only. Lovely, heartwarming, idealistic film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

Too Scared to Scream (1984)
Watched: 07/23/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Someone is murdering residents of posh New York apartment building.
6-word review:  Unbelievably stupid and totally ludicrous story.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Mike Connors, Ian McShane

A Christmas Star (2017)
Watched: 07/23/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Christmas-born girl saves village's snow globe factory from evil developer.
6-word review:  Predictable heart warmer with likable cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Rob James-Collier and ensemble

The Rosary Murders (1987)
Watched: 07/20/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Serial killer targeting nuns, priests, confesses to tormented parish priest.
6-word review:  Slow thriller about Catholic rules, absurdities.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Donald Sutherland

The Human Monster [a.k.a. The Dark Eyes of London] (1939)
Watched: 07/20/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Several heavily insured bodies drowned in Thames. Mad doctor suspected.
6-word review:  Uneasy fast-paced thriller. Lugosi deliciously creepy.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Bela Lugosi, Greta Gynt

Dear Murderer (1947)
Watched: 07/20/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Man murders one of wife's lovers, frames another for it.
6-word review:  Great plot with great evil-dame performance.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Greta Gynt

Stark Fear (1962)
Watched: 07/19/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Overwhelmed by guilt, emotionally abused wife sticks with sicko husband.
6-word review:  Garland's great as twitchy, conflicted heroine.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Beverly Garland

She Played with Fire (1957)
Watched: 07/18/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Insurance investigator encounters ex-girlfriend; fraud arson, death, blackmail soon follow.
6-word review:  Swell British noir well worth watching.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Arlene Dahl, Jack Hawkins

The Cleanup Crew (2024)
Watched: 07/18/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Cleaners find gangster's money, decide to keep it — bad decision.
6-word review:  Unlikable dolts throughout, forgettable black comedy.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Antonio Banderas

Babygirl (2024)
Watched: 07/10/25     Provider: Emerald Star
10-word summary:  Female CEO risks everything by having affair with male intern.
6-word review:  Kidman spectacular in unpredictable erotic thriller.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Nicole Kidman, Antonio Banderas

Anyone But You (2023)
Watched: 07/08/25     Provider: Emerald Star
10-word summary:  Relationship-soured individuals pose as happy couple for complicated family wedding.
6-word review:  Cute — like raunchier Doris Day movie.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell

Novocain (2025)
Watched: 07/02/25     Provider: Air France
10-word summary:  Man who doesn't feel pain violently tracks down bank robbers.
6-word review:  Messy violence, dark humor, expected outcome.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jack Quaid

The Last Showgirl (2024)
Watched: 07/02/25     Provider: Air France
10-word summary:  Long-running Vegas cabaret show closing; long-time dancer must make decisions.
6-word review:  Nice flashy performances in simple story.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Pamela Anderson

A Kind of Madness (2025)
Watched: 07/01/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man kidnaps Alzheimer's-stricken wife from care facility, upsetting adult children.
6-word review:  Complex issues covered realistically, ultimately heartwarming.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring a South African ensemble cast

June 2025     |     Back to top

Please Don't Feed the Children (2024)
Watched: 06/29/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  During deadly epidemic, orphans take refuge with woman hiding something.
6-word review:  Great start, then gets too muddled.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Michelle Dockery

The Careless Years (1957)
Watched: 06/24/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Teenagers plan to marry, parents oppose. Teenagers realize it's foolish.
6-word review:  Dated, sexist, uninspiring writing, overwrought acting.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Dean Stockwell, Barbara Billingsley

True Things (2021)
Watched: 06/24/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Lonely woman has torrid affair with ex-con; [spoiler alert 😏] they break up.
6-word review:  Tries hard to be arty — meh.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Ruth Wilson, Tom Burke

The Good Die Young (1954)
Watched: 06/23/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Amoral cad convinces down-and-outs to take part in high-stakes robbery.
6-word review:  Cracking British noir, extremely good performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring in all-star ensemble

Hoodlum Empire (1952)
Watched: 06/22/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Ex-gangster tries going legit after army; old cronies cause trouble.
6-word review:  Boring crime story. Familiar Americana sermonizing.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring John Russell, Claire Trevor

Anne Murray: Full Circle (2021)
Watched: 06/20/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Documentary of trail-blazing, true-to-herself, one-of-a-kind, not-to-be-pigeonholed, barrier-breaking, iconic Canadian singer.
6-word review:  She made what wasn't, look effortless.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Anne Murray, featuring interviews with many involved in her career

Madame X (1966)
Watched: 06/17/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Diplomat's wife accidentally kills lover; life spirals downhill from there.
6-word review:  Turner's terrific in quintessential tragic melodrama.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Lana Turner

Portrait in Black (1960)
Watched: 06/19/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Shipping tycoon's younger adulteress wife murders him; blackmail causes unraveling.
6-word review:  Slick, melodramatic; over-the-top emoting by everyone.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Lana Turner, Anthony Quinn

Alice, Sweet Alice [a.k.a. Communion] (1976)
Watched: 06/18/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Young girl prime suspect in brutal murder of her sister.
6-word review:  Stylish slasher examines Catholic attitudes, guilt.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Featuring 11-year old Brook Shields in her film debut.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Watched: 06/17/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  War hero with power-hungry mother brainwashed to be political assassin.
6-word review:  Confusing first half, exceptional second half.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Frank Sinatra, Laurence Harvey, Angela Lansbury

He Ran All the Way (1951)
Watched: 06/17/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  After botched robbery, nervous dim-witted thug holds frightened family hostage.
6-word review:  Great acting; tense, with surprise ending.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring John Garfield, Shelley Winters

The Conversation (1974)
Watched: 06/17/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Surveillance expert unknowingly records adulterous conversation planning a high-profile murder.
6-word review:  Slow, meticulous, paranoiac. Long 113 minutes.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Gene Hackman

Deep Cover (2025)
Watched: 06/15/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Three improv actors accidentally go undercover infiltrating dangerous drug syndicate.
6-word review:  Great comic performances. Totally fun movie.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed

Girl in the Video (2024)
Watched: 06/14/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Teenage girl kidnapped, abused on camera for paying internet customers.
6-word review:  Tame treatment of horrendous situation. Predictable.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Cush Jumbo

A Fire in the Cold Season (2019)
Watched: 06/12/25     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Nice guy finds dead body, becomes dangerous drug dealer's target.
6-word review:  Stark, deliberate, uneasy. Unexpectedly anguished finale.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Stephen Oates

A Small Fortune (2021)
Watched: 06/11/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Nice guy finds bag of money, makes really bad decisions.
6-word review:  Beautifully bleak scenery, serenely bizarre situations.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring a Canadian cast

Devil's Knot (2013)
Watched: 06/10/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Three eight-year-old boys murdered, three possibly innocent teenage boys convicted.
6-word review:  Redneck stereotypes, straightforward storytelling, appropriately downbeat.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

ExTerminators (2009)
Watched: 06/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Meeting in women's therapy group, trio undertakes killing abusive men.
6-word review:  Cute black comedy. Coolidge uncharacteristically subdued.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jennifer Coolidge, Heather Graham

Spinning Man (2018)
Watched: 06/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  College philosophy professor is prime suspect in teenage girl's disappearance.
6-word review:  Good performances in surprisingly low-key thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Guy Pearce, Pierce Bronsan

Condemned! (1929)
Watched: 06/08/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Wife of cruel warden falls for prisoner assigned as houseboy.
6-word review:  Excellent pre-code romantic melodrama. Great performances.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Ronald Colman, Ann Harding

The Mick and the Trick (2024)
Watched: 06/08/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Retiring hitman, aided by trans sex worker, evades murdering mobsters.
6-word review:  Colorful mix of action and humor.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Peter Greene, Jazz Vilá

Evidence of Blood (1998)
Watched: 06/07/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Writer investigates hometown murder; long-hidden secrets exposed, questions finally answered.
6-word review:  Methodically unraveled, great acting, starkly unsensationalized.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  TV moving starring David Strathairn, Mary McDonnell

Abigail (2024)
Watched: 06/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rag-tag criminals kidnap wealthy child who — unbeknownst — is a vampire.
6-word review:  Great first half, then just tiresome.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Dan Stevens

Johnny Cool (1963)
Watched: 06/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hit man — dispatching crime boss's enemies — falls for thrill-seeking socialite.
6-word review:  Slow start; action, murders quickly accelerate.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Henry Silva, Elizabeth Montgomery

May 2025     |     Back to top

Dark Horse (2011)
Watched: 05/27/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Self-centered lazy underachiever has things go wrong, then he dies.
6-word review:  Absurdist comedy, little irony or humor.
Rating: ★
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

Abandoned (1949)
Watched: 05/26/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Seeking dead sister's stolen baby, woman discovers criminal baby brokers.
6-word review:  Unusual twist on noir; exciting finale.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Raymond Burr, Gale Storm

Cooties (2014)
Watched: 05/22/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Tainted "McNuggets" turn children into flesh-eating zombies; schoolteachers fight back.
6-word review:  Chasing, screaming silliness. Some clever wordplay.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

In a Lonely Place (1950)
Watched: 05/21/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Would-be actress falls for volatile has-been screenwriter; bad for all.
6-word review:  Grahame great. Bogart surly. Multifaceted noir.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Grahame

Swamp Fire (1946)
Watched: 05/19/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Nervous Coast Guard hero returns piloting boats on boggy Mississippi.
6-word review:  Weissmuller's non-jungle solo. Stick with apes.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Johnny Weissmuller

Gladiator II (2024)
Watched: 05/18/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Pissed off, enslaved gladiator fights everyone to restore Rome's glory.
6-word review:  Too much gladiatoring, not enough story!
Rating: Abandoned
Note:  Starring Cast of thousands

The Gamma People (1956)
Watched: 05/18/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Scientist uses experimental rays on villagers; geniuses expected, idiots result.
6-word review:  Comedy? Thriller? Sci-Fi? Mystery? Inconsistent throughout.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Paul Douglas, Eva Bartok

Spin a Dark Web [a.k.a. SoHo Incident] (1956)
Watched: 05/16/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Canadian ex-GI gets involved with English criminals and sultry dame.
6-word review:  Inconsistent pacing but ultimately satisfying noir.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Faith Domergue, Lee Patterson

Listen, Let's Make Love (1968)
Watched: 05/17/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Upon father's death, youth inherits nothing, decides to become gigolo.
6-word review:  Tame satire of class, gender, wealth.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Pierre Clémenti

The Family Fang (2015)
Watched: 05/16/25     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Exploited children — now adults — of self-important performance artists confront parents.
6-word review:  Talented stars wasted in offbeat story.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Nicole Kidman, Jason Bateman

In the Money (1933)
Watched: 05/15/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Formerly "idle wealthy" family, now penniless, must learn to survive.
6-word review:  Some funny moments; mostly simple, silly.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Lois Wilson

Where Danger Lives (1950)
Watched: 05/15/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Doctor possibly killed crazy girlfriend's husband; they flee to Mexico.
6-word review:  Tremendous noir with truly evil dame.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Robert Mitchum, Faith Domergue

Limbo (2023)
Watched: 05/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  World-weary cop investigating 20-year-old murder connects with remote town's inhabitants.
6-word review:  Beautifully bleak, subtle with ambiguity throughout.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Simon Baker

Swinging Safari (2018)
Watched: 05/11/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Adventures of three cul-de-sac families — including swinger parents, unruly children.
6-word review:  Nice 1970s details, unbelievably silly ending.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring an Australian ensemble cast

Doomwatch [a.k.a. Island of the Ghouls] (1972)
Watched: 05/11/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Chemical pollution turns fishing villagers into deformed monsters; scientist investigates.
6-word review:  Plodding environmental thriller without many thrills.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Ian Bannen, Judy Geeson

Hurricane Bianca (2016)
Watched: 05/11/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Fired gay teacher — rehired in drag — positively impacts students' lives.
6-word review:  Idealistic message, over-the-top performances, predictable outcome.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Roy Haylock (better known as Bianca Del Rio)

A is for Acid (2002)
Watched: 05/07/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Man kills nine people, dissolves bodies in acid; finally caught.
6-word review:  Subdued Clunes good. Unsensationalized true story.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  British TV movie starring Martin Clunes

April 2025     |     Back to top

Drum (1976)
Watched: 04/29/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Extreme cruelty of plantation owner leads to violent slave uprising.
6-word review:  Sleazy, exploitative, overdone guilty pleasure entertainment.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Ken Norton

Young Widow (1946)
Watched: 04/29/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Whining about dead husband most of movie, woman rediscovers romance.
6-word review:  Jane looks good. Nice supporting cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jane Russell

Shivers (1975)
Watched: 04/23/25     Provider: Xumo
10-word summary:  Bloodthirsty medically developed parasites turn victims into erotically obsessed maniacs.
6-word review:  Killings become monotonous. Lacks any eroticism.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Paul Hampton

Invasion of the Bee Girls (1973)
Watched: 04/20/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Brilliant mad-scientist creates killing-with-sex female army using radiation-altered bee serum.
6-word review:  Ironically — anti-misogyny message with lotsa boobies.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring William Smith, Anitra Ford

Black Mama White Mama (1973)
Watched: 04/20/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Chained-together prison escapees pursued by police, criminals, and drug dealers.
6-word review:  Scantily clad cast tries; cartoonish violence.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Pam Grier

Carnival Lady (1933)
Watched: 04/20/25     Provider: Pre-code Hollywood
10-word summary:  Society man loses his money, joins a carnival, finds love.
6-word review:  Dated, corny with nice twist ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Boots Mallory, Allen Vincent

Plainsong (2004)
Watched: 04/18/25     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  Townsfolk have troubles — pregnancy, bullying, depression; they help each other.
6-word review:  Good cast, multiple stories ultimately gel.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  TV movie starring Aiden Quinn, America Ferrera

It's a Disaster (2012)
Watched: 04/17/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  World's end comes during friends' brunch; very different coping styles.
6-word review:  Subtle black comedy, insightful wry humor.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring America Ferrera and an ensemble cast

Dementia 13 (1963)
Watched: 04/15/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Axe murderer is loose among dysfunctional family in Irish castle.
6-word review:  Creepy, intense. Large dose of camp.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring William Campbell, Luana Anders

Kill Her Gently (1957)
Watched: 04/14/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Encountering escaped prisoners, man convinces them to murder his wife.
6-word review:  Tense, brutal, rapid pace. Great villains.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Marc Lawrence, Griffith Jones

Pete Smalls is Dead (2010)
Watched: 04/13/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Friends claim rights to last film of recently deceased director.
6-word review:  The acting's great; the movie, not-so-much.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Peter Dinklage and an ensemble cast

North Country (2005)
Watched: 04/12/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Abused and harassed coal-mine-working women file first U.S. class-action lawsuit.
6-word review:  Powerful, moving film of landmark case.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring an all-star cast.

My Favorite Wife (1940)
Watched: 04/12/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Shipwrecked long ago, wife returns finding husband remarried, complicating situation.
6-word review:  Outstanding first half, then comedy wanes.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Irene Dunne, Cary Grant

Zombeavers (2014)
Watched: 04/11/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  College kids' weekend getaway is interrupted by toxic-waste-fueled killer beavers.
6-word review:  Terrible, but funny. Better than many.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast of unknowns

Time Table (1956)
Watched: 04/10/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Train robbed of $500,000. Insurance agent halfheartedly leads investigation. Hmm.
6-word review:  Dark and humorless with clever twist.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Produced, directed, & starring Mark Stevens

G20 (2025)
Watched: 04/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  President uses her combat background to bring down international terrorists.
6-word review:  Davis is fantastic in edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Viola Davis

Manhunter (1986)
Watched: 04/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Brilliant retired agent enlisted to stop one more serial killer.
6-word review:  Compelling film, but Petersen's reason enough.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring William Petersen

Nothing But the Night (1973)
Watched: 04/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Trustees of posh orphanage being murdered. Powerful occult forces suspected.
6-word review:  Verbose; plods along until campy ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing

Hunt the Man Down (1950)
Watched: 04/09/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Man stands trial for 12-year-old murder, surprising new evidence discovered.
6-word review:  Moves quickly, quirky characters, great finale.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Gig Young

Frances Ferguson (2019)
Watched: 04/08/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Trapped in loveless marriage, teacher seduces hunky student; suffers consequences.
6-word review:  Lethargic pacing and sardonic performances. Yawn.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Best part is deadpan narration by Nick Offerman

The Seven-Ups (1973)
Watched: 04/08/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Tough undercover cops track down ruthless kidnappers of mobster bosses.
6-word review:  Starts slow, fantastic chase scene redeems.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Roy Scheider

Extravagance (1930)
Watched: 04/07/25     Provider: Pre-code Hollywood
10-word summary:  Spoiled socialite marries dreamboat, gets bored, wanders, shops too much.
6-word review:  Saucy well-acted tale of marital discord.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring June Collyer, Lloyd Hughes

Held for Ransom (1938)
Watched: 04/07/25     Provider: Digital Drive-In
10-word summary:  Female FBI agent rescues kidnapped businessman, recovers ransom, finds love.
6-word review:  Strong, smart female lead; unnecessary romance.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Blanche Mehaffey

Three Secrets (1950)
Watched: 04/06/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Adopted-5-year-old lone plane crash survivor has three possible biological mothers.
6-word review:  Stellar performances in effective, suspenseful melodrama.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Eleanor Parker, Patricia Neal, Ruth Roman

Hammerhead (1968)
Watched: 04/06/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  American agent must stop international criminal mastermind stealing nuclear secrets.
6-word review:  Slick action caper with comedic danger.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Vince Edwards, Judy Geeson

Party Girl (1995)
Watched: 04/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Irresponsible girl reluctantly takes library job; changes her pointless life.
6-word review:  Exaggerated characters. Obvious message. Lighthearted appeal.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Parker Posey

The Assassination Bureau (1969)
Watched: 04/05/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Elite killer association accepts contract to eliminate its own chairman.
6-word review:  Amusing black comedy. Reed, Rigg great.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Oliver Reed, Diana Rigg

Space Master X-7 (1958)
Watched: 04/03/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Scientists must track down woman carrying deadly outer space fungus.
6-word review:  Nifty low-budget thriller. Oozing blob's scary.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Bill Williams

The Secret of the Purple Reef (1960)
Watched: 04/02/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Brothers seek answers why other brother's ship was mysteriously lost.
6-word review:  Nice scenery. Calypso music covers dullness.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Richard Chamberlain's film debut (R.I.P. 03/31/1934 - 03/29/2025)

Addicted to Fresno (2015)
Watched: 04/01/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sisters — working as hotel maids — accidentally kill sleaze-bag, hide body.
6-word review:  Great cast wasted in contrived comedy.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Natasha Lyonne, Judy Greer, an ensemble of comedians

Smash-Up on Interstate 5 (1976)
Watched: 04/01/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Backstories of drivers involved in a 39-car California highway disaster.
6-word review:  Clichéd characters, silly situations, exciting crash.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie with an ensemble of TV stars

March 2025     |     Back to top

Holland (2025)
Watched: 03/29/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman with perfect life suspects husband's cheating—discovers much worse.
6-word review:  Over-plotted, confusing, humorous. Outstanding Kidman performance.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nicole Kidman

The Delinquents (1957)
Watched: 03/28/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Sleazy ruffians bully nice guy; they are taught a lesson.
6-word review:  Fast-paced, simple story gets too preachy.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  First film written, produced, and directed by Robert Altman

Trap (2024)
Watched: 03/20/25     Provider: Southwest Airlines
10-word summary:  Father, daughter attending concert learn it's a serial killer trap.
6-word review:  Clever thriller with slick, attractive villain.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Josh Hartnett, Hayley Mills

Horror Express (1972)
Watched: 03/18/25     Provider: Classic Movies & TV
10-word summary:  Frozen prehistoric man thaws on a train, causes big trouble.
6-word review:  Fun, fast ride of train-based mayhem.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Christopher Lee

Poor Things (2023)
Watched: 03/18/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Woman with infant's brain journeys to achieve knowledge, maturity, independence.
6-word review:  Bizarre. Visually captivating. Entire cast excellent.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo

Red Riding: The Year of our Lord 1980 (2009)
Watched: 03/12/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Reviewing serial killer case, special investigator uncovers extensive police corruption.
6-word review:  Good procedural drama full of twists.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  British TV movie starring Paddy Considine

Federal Fugitives (1941)
Watched: 03/12/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Government agent goes undercover to catch spies stealing aircraft plans.
6-word review:  Low-budget espionage caper. Okay time filler.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Neil Hamilton and (the other) Doris Day

The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)
Watched: 03/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Couple inadvertently involved in international assassination plot, their child kidnapped.
6-word review:  Very slow first hour. Good finish.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Alfred Hitchcock's 20^th of 57 directed movies. He remade this — much better — starring Doris Day in 1956

Esteros (2016)
Watched: 03/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Childhood best friends reconnect as adults, explore their long-repressed feelings.
6-word review:  Simple, complex story. Beautifully filmed, acted.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring international cast

Back Page (1933)
Watched: 03/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Using her small-town newspaper, rookie woman editor exposes big-time corruption.
6-word review:  Early feminist slant in underdog story.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Peggy Shannon; a favorite quote: "You're too pretty to be smart."

Good Morning Miss Dove (1955)
Watched: 03/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hospitalized, beloved teacher reflects on her life and former students.
6-word review:  Sentimental with drama-filled charm and insight.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Jennifer Jones

Passed Away (1992)
Watched: 03/09/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Eccentric, dysfunctional family brought together by death of their father.
6-word review:  Uninspired. Tries hard to be funny.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

Raw Nerve (1999)
Watched: 03/06/25     Provider: The Archive
10-word summary:  Increasingly unhinged cop entangles friend and girlfriend in dangerous crimes.
6-word review:  Action-packed contest of wills. Tense, erotic.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Mario Van Peebles

Our Sons (1991)
Watched: 03/06/25     Provider: The Archive
10-word summary:  Very different mothers bond as one's son dies of AIDs.
6-word review:  Okay talky presentation of significant issues.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring Julie Andrews, Ann-Margret

Caged Hearts (1995)
Watched: 03/05/25     Provider: The Archive
10-word summary:  Framed innocents, in half-clothed women's prison, expose politician's prostitution organization.
6-word review:  Boobies galore. Bad on every level.
Rating: ½★
Note:  Starring actors taking any job

Day of the Animals (1977)
Watched: 03/04/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Crazed, due to aerosol-damaged ozone, high-altitude animals viciously attack hikers.
6-word review:  Silly, suspenseful, scenic. Fun 70s cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast of hams

The Quatermass Xperiment [a.k.a. The Creeping Unknown] (1955)
Watched: 03/02/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Astronaut returns to Earth and transforms into murderous oozing creature.
6-word review:  Great special effects, makeup. Intelligent script.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Brian Donlevy

Panic in the Streets (1950)
Watched: 03/02/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Health Department doctor tracks down carriers of plague, preventing epidemic.
6-word review:  Suspenseful thriller with nice human touches.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Richard Widmark, Paul Douglas

The Panic in Needle Park (1971)
Watched: 03/02/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Volatile love story of two unlikable New York heroin addicts.
6-word review:  Kept my attention; predictable ambiguous ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Al Pacino, Kitty Winn

February 2025     |     Back to top

The Bride Walks Out (1936)
Watched: 02/28/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Career woman marries sexist jerk who disallows her to work.
6-word review:  Embarrassingly dated fluff. Feisty Stanwyck tries.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Featuring Hattie McDaniel; starring Barbara Stanwyck

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)
Watched: 02/27/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Police, convicts together, fight against killer gang in deserted precinct.
6-word review:  Great character-driven film. Unrelenting and unforgettable.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Austin Stoker, Darwin Joston; observation: despite the film's title, opening scene dialogue refers to "Precinct 9, Division 13" — a result of a post-production title change

Truck Turner (1974)
Watched: 02/26/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Bounty hunter chasing and chased by dangerous pimps and criminals.
6-word review:  Fast-paced action film. Departure for Nichols.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Isaac Hayes, Nichelle Nichols

The Devil-Doll (1936)
Watched: 02/25/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Prison escapee miniaturizes people to exact revenge on former associates.
6-word review:  Clever, creepy, special effects; schmaltzy ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Lionel Barrymore

Strangers in the Night (1944)
Watched: 02/25/25     Provider: Classic Movies & TV
10-word summary:  War veteran's search for nonexistent woman leads to deception, murder.
6-word review:  Fun B noir with great characters.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Virginia Grey, William Terry

Ruby's Bucket of Blood (2001)
Watched: 02/25/25     Provider: Roku Channel
10-word summary:  1961 Louisiana, white singer woos Black bar owner; tragedy follows.
6-word review:  Good performances, bad lip-syncing, implausible ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring Angela Bassett, Brian Stokes Mitchell

Betty and Coretta (2013)
Watched: 02/22/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Widows of assassinated civil rights leaders form bond, continue crusading.
6-word review:  Straightforward depiction of courageous women's friendship.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  TV movie starring Angela Bassett, Mary J. Blige

Zulu (1964)
Watched: 02/22/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Zulu nation attempts to drive out encroaching greedy British settlements.
6-word review:  Overlong battle epic; makes violence noble.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Featuring 1,240 Zulu extras

Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955)
Watched: 02/21/25     Provider: Classic Movie Vault
10-word summary:  Plotless variety film featuring prominent 1950s Black recording artists, comedians.
6-word review:  Wonderfully showcases performers at their peak.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, and many others

Strive (2019)
Watched: 02/20/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Bright Harlem teen struggles against family hardships to attend Yale.
6-word review:  Humorless, cliché-ridden, but hopeful urban melodrama.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Danny GLover

Trial by Fire (2018)
Watched: 02/19/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Convicted of burning children alive, innocent man fights for justice.
6-word review:  Blatantly condemns Texas's corrupt court system.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Laura Dern, Jack O'Connell

To Catch a Killer (2023)
Watched: 02/19/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Veteran FBI detective and troubled Baltimore cop track mass shooter.
6-word review:  Overlong, but well-done police procedural thriller.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Shailene Woodley, Ben Mendelsohn, Jovan Adepo; favorite quote: Eleanor: "How long have you been married?" Lammark: "Ever since we were allowed."

Smooth as Silk (1946)
Watched: 02/19/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Heartless actress manipulates three men, achieves stardom; jealousies, murder result.
6-word review:  Nifty noir, swell cast, sharp dialogue.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Featuring Theresa Harris; starring Virginia Grey

Out of the Past (1947)
Watched: 02/18/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Ex-detective pulled back into deadly situation by mobster's deceptive dame.
6-word review:  Classic complicated noir; colorful characters abound.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Featuring Theresa Harris; starring Robert Mitchum

Secret Obsession (2019)
Watched: 02/17/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Woman suffering from amnesia suspects perfect husband is hiding something.
6-word review:  Predictably suspenseful, but lacks any logic.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Dennis Haysbert

The Joe Louis Story (1953)
Watched: 02/17/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Life of popular boxer—heavyweight champion for record 12 years.
6-word review:  Sluggish, choppy, bad acting. Simms good.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Coley Wallace, Hilda Simms

The Baron (1977)
Watched: 02/16/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Actor borrows Mafia money for independent film; things turn dangerous.
6-word review:  Great later scenes balance early dragginess.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Calvin Lockhart

I Can Do Bad All by Myself (2009)
Watched: 02/15/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Alcoholic lounge singer reluctantly assumes custody of dead sister's kids.
6-word review:  Decent story derailed by Medea nonsense.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Taraji P. Henson

The Black Godfather (1974)
Watched: 02/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rising crime leader—consolidating his power—must eliminate ruthless pusher.
6-word review:  Lame story drags, surprisingly little action.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Rod Perry

Baadasssss! (2003)
Watched: 02/13/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Chronicles complicated production of 1971's influential Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song.
6-word review:  Excellent film—not a wasted frame.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring and directed by Mario Van Peebles as an homage to his father Melvin Van Peebles

A Fall from Grace (2020)
Watched: 02/12/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Rookie lawyer defends upstanding woman accused of murdering much-younger husband.
6-word review:  Makes little sense, some good moments.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Crystal R. Fox, Phylicia Rashad, Cicely Tyson

Dreamgirls (2006)
Watched: 02/11/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Soulful girl group's rise, international success, personal conflicts, musical legacy.
6-word review:  Energetic and familiar. Hudson steals film.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Jennifer Hudson, others

Queen & Slim (2019)
Watched: 02/11/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Traffic stop escalates, cop killed, fugitive couple becomes nationwide sensation.
6-word review:  Powerful meandering story of racial injustices.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jodie Turner-Smith, Daniel Kaluuya

Hoodlum (1997)
Watched: 02/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Black gangster systematically takes over Harlem's numbers, battles crime bosses.
6-word review:  Inconsistent but entertaining with good cast.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Vanessa Williams, Laurence Fishburne

Family Honeymoon (1948)
Watched: 02/10/25     Provider: Classic Film Time
10-word summary:  Newlyweds take wife's three brats on their Grand Canyon honeymoon.
6-word review:  Silly, often-harrowing hi-jinx. Entirely predictable comedy.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Featuring Hattie McDaniel

Nothing But a Man (1964)
Watched: 02/09/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Restless man fiercely desires respect for himself, his race, family.
6-word review:  Realistic with no easy resolutions presented.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln

Bright Road (1953)
Watched: 02/08/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Idealistic teacher tries helping student interested in nature, not school.
6-word review:  Mild message film of individualism. Sentimental.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Watched: 02/08/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Principled lawyer defends Black man accused of raping white woman.
6-word review:  Powerful film exploring racism and justice.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Brock Peters, Gregory Peck

Bagdad Cafe (1987)
Watched: 02/07/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Caustic restaurateur, Bavarian magician, form unlikely bond at desolate cafe.
6-word review:  Unusual, heartwarming story of chosen family.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring CCH Pounder, Marianne Sägebrecht

Far From Heaven (2002)
Watched: 02/06/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Husband's double life, wife's taboo friendship, shatter seemingly perfect lives.
6-word review:  Beautiful and tragic. Moore is perfection.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Dennis Haysbert, Julianne Moore, Viola Davis

Black Music Legends in Forgotten Musicals (2018)
Watched: 02/05/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Musical scenes from 38 rare and obscure films from 1929-1955.
6-word review:  Wonderful clips but no descriptive narration.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Including the musical talents of Cab Calloway, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, Louis Jordan, and many others

Rustin (2023)
Watched: 02/05/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Gay Black activist Bayard Rustin plans 1963 March on Washington.
6-word review:  Inspirational true story with great cast.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Colman Domingo, and ensemble

Mr. & Mrs. Loving (1996)
Watched: 02/04/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Defending Virginia couple's interracial marriage leads to landmark SCOTUS decision.
6-word review:  Very low-key fictionalization of history-changing events.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  TV movie starring Lela Rochon, Timothy Hutton

Black Girl (1972)
Watched: 02/03/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Young girl has plans to better herself; downtrodden family discourages.
6-word review:  Inspiring story of determination and hope.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Peggy Pettit, Leslie Uggams

Lady Sings the Blues (1972)
Watched: 02/02/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Glossy treatment of tumultuous life of jazz icon Billie Holiday.
6-word review:  Diana's fabulous performance a must see.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Diana Ross

Way Down South (1939)
Watched: 02/02/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Orphan fights corrupt lawyer to prevent selling plantation's "happy" slaves.
6-word review:  Sugar-coated slavery depiction. Ultimately, sweet message.
Rating: ★★★

Hallelujah (1929)
Watched: 02/01/25     Provider: Fawesome TV
10-word summary:  Sharecropper falls for temptress, repents, preaches, sins again, finally saved.
6-word review:  Great story, talented cast. Historically significant.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Nina Mae McKinney, Daniel L. Haynes; historical significance: first Hollywood film with all-Black cast
Note:  Starring Clarence Muse, Bobby Breen

The Man from Earth: Holocene (2017)
Watched: 02/01/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  14,000-year-old enigmatic theology professor begins aging; annoying students become suspicious.
6-word review:  Good start, underdeveloped storylines, choppy sequences.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Vanessa Williams, David Lee Smith

A Century of Black Cinema (2003)
Watched: 02/01/25     Provider: The Archive
10-word summary:  Highlights varied Black films, stars, their impact on cinema history.
6-word review:  Interesting exploration of struggles and triumphs.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Featuring archival footage and interviews

An American Crime (2007)
Watched: 02/01/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Unstable single mother tortures, eventually kills, teen in her charge.
6-word review:  Brilliant acting. Brutal, hard to watch.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Catherine Keener, Ellen (now Elliott) Page; based on a true story

January 2025     |     Back to top

The Locked Door (1929)
Watched: 01/31/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Wife tries to avert impending scandal; husband's interference causes problems.
6-word review:  Stanwyck beautiful, intense. Other principals meh.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring 21-year-old Barbara Stanwyck in her first starring role, and featuring a very funny Zasu Pitts.

Widow Clicquot (2023)
Watched: 01/31/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Biopic of woman whose innovations, still used, revolutionized champagne making.
6-word review:  Compelling story. Great acting, cinematography, music.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Haley Bennett

Woman of the Hour (2023)
Watched: 01/30/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Serial killer appearing on The Dating Game eventually gets caught.
6-word review:  Well-done fact-based film with good performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Daniel Zovatto, Anna Kendrick

Too Hot to Handle [a.k.a. Playgirl After Dark] (1960)
Watched: 01/30/25     Provider: Classic Movies in Color
10-word summary:  Thugs put squeeze on striptease club owner for protection money.
6-word review:  Bad musical numbers interrupt competent noir.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Jayne Mansfield, Leo Genn; a favorite quote: "That's a nice dress you've almost got on."

Young and Innocent (1937)
Watched: 01/29/25     Provider: Classic Movies in Color
10-word summary:  Man falsely accused of murder gets help from policeman's daughter.
6-word review:  Sweet love story mixed with mystery.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nova Pilbeam, Derrick De Marney; directed by Alfred Hitchcock

I Love Trouble (1948)
Watched: 01/29/25     Provider: Classic Movies in Color
10-word summary:  Detective hired to follow politician's wife. Nobody can be trusted.
6-word review:  Too frivolous to be taken seriously.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Franchot Tone

Equinox (1970)
Watched: 01/29/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Picnickers discover ancient book, unleashing powerful grotesque demons of darkness.
6-word review:  Terrible acting, continuity issues, campy devils.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring hopefully retired actors.

Sudden Fear (1952)
Watched: 01/28/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Heiress playwright marries struggling actor who then plots her murder.
6-word review:  Overwrought Joan at her most Crawford.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Joan Crawford, Jack Palance, Gloria Grahame

Demon Seed (1977)
Watched: 01/27/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Advanced computer impregnates its inventor's wife to achieve human form.
6-word review:  Outlandish futuristic silliness. Christie deserves better.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Julie Christie

Chicago Confidential (1957)
Watched: 01/25/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Union corruption, politicians, and murder. Sordid case cops must unravel.
6-word review:  Full of everything crime drama needs.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Brian Keith, Beverly Garland

One Million B.C. (1940)
Watched: 01/25/25     Provider: Classic Sci-Fi Channel
10-word summary:  Primitive man meets advanced tribe, battles assimilation and giant lizards.
6-word review:  Great special effects. Fun caveman languages.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Victor Mature, Carole Landis

Target Earth (1954)
Watched: 01/25/25     Provider: The Essential Sci-Fi Channel
10-word summary:  Robots from Venus invade Chicago; stranded group tries to survive.
6-word review:  More talk than action. Fun robots.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Richard Denning, Kathleen Crowley

Bank of Dave (2023)
Watched: 01/24/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Small-town businessman makes loans to locals, struggles establishing legitimate bank.
6-word review:  Nice feel-good movie, very likable characters.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Rory Kinnear, Joel Fry

Emilia Pérez (2024)
Watched: 01/24/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Powerful Mexican drug lord tries rebuilding life after gender-affirming surgery.
6-word review:  Possibly good story buried in flash.
Rating: Abandoned
Note:  Starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldana

Eraserhead (1977)
Watched: 01/23/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Numb-brained schmuck, angry girlfriend, are parents to grotesque mutant baby.
6-word review:  Nightmarish, disturbing visuals, open to interpretation.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jack Nance; first feature film of David Lynch (R.I.P. 01/20/1946 - 01/15/2025)

Tarzan and His Mate (1934)
Watched: 01/23/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Ivory hunters are back, disrupting Tarzan and Jane's jungle bliss.
6-word review:  Darker, more hectic retread of original.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan

Tarzan the Ape Man (1932)
Watched: 01/22/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Unscrupulous ivory hunters seek elephant's sacred valley of the dead.
6-word review:  Dated. Some nice scenes; many brutal.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Johnny Weissmuller, Maureen O'Sullivan

The Eyes of Laura Mars (1978)
Watched: 01/22/25     Provider: Own
10-word summary:  Controversial fashion photographer has visions of associates' murders, becomes distraught.
6-word review:  Hilariously excessive. Suspend logic, just enjoy.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Faye Dunaway, Tommy Lee Jones; fantastic theme song: Prisoner by Barbra Streisand

The Devil's Playground (1976)
Watched: 01/21/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  13-year-old Catholic boys' school student questions the church, faith, God.
6-word review:  Insightful coming-of-age story. Excellent script, acting.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Simon Burke

Orca (1977)
Watched: 01/21/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Unethical whale hunter kills orca's pregnant mate; orca gets revenge.
6-word review:  Cheesy with environmental message. Suspenseless thriller.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling

The Suspect (1944)
Watched: 01/20/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Middle-aged man, falling for young beauty, understandably kills shrewish wife.
6-word review:  Intriguing period noir. Tormented Laughton's great.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Charles Laughton, Ella Raines

The Bride Wore Black (1968)
Watched: 01/20/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Wedding-day groom murdered, his wife tracks down and kills killers.
6-word review:  After slow start, gets real good.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Jeanne Moreau

The Man Who Wouldn't Die (1942)
Watched: 01/19/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Posing as heiress's husband, wise-cracking detective solves blackmail, murder case.
6-word review:  Amusing screwballish mystery, nonsensical but enjoyable.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Lloyd Nolan, Marjorie Weaver

Macon County Line (1974)
Watched: 01/19/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  After wife's murder by drifters, vengeful sheriff's out for blood.
6-word review:  Stereotypical redneck characters; good twist ending.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Alan Vint, Max Baer (Jr.)

While the City Sleeps (1956)
Watched: 01/19/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Amid various romances, bickering media executives attempt finding serial killer.
6-word review:  Unfocused melodramatic corporate, soapy, implausible, psycho-noir.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring all-star cast

The Nevadan (1950)
Watched: 01/17/25     Provider: Tubi TV
10-word summary:  Marshal, outlaw, greedy rancher—all three search for stolen gold.
6-word review:  Builds nicely to well-done three-way shootout.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Randolph Scott, Forrest Tucker

Erin Brockovich (2000)
Watched: 01/16/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Brassy lawyer's assistant discovers corporate wrongdoing, initiating multimillion-dollar class-action lawsuit.
6-word review:  Entertaining and relevant. Julia is great.
Rating: ★★★★
Note:  Starring Julia Roberts, Albert Finney

The Big Chase (1954)
Watched: 01/14/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Rookie cop misses daughter's birth while nabbing armored car robbers.
6-word review:  Exciting extended chase; crooks are vicious.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Glenn Langan, Adele Jergens

The Other (1972)
Watched: 01/12/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Strange tragedies befall farming family. Are supernatural forces at play?
6-word review:  Idyllic setting. Horrifying events. Ambiguity throughout.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

The Captive City (1952)
Watched: 01/12/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Small-town newspaperman exposes intricate and far-reaching network of criminal corruption.
6-word review:  Earnest documentary-style drama with no-nonsense performances.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring John Forsythe

Appointment with a Shadow (1957)
Watched: 01/12/25     Provider: YouTube
10-word summary:  Alcoholic reporter given exclusive scoop. Nobody believes truth he discovers.
6-word review:  Conscientious alcoholic character study meets noir.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring George Nader

The Driver (1978)
Watched: 01/11/25     Provider: Classico
10-word summary:  Targeted by cops and fellow criminals, getaway driver foils both.
6-word review:  Restrained performances and outstanding chase scenes.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Ryan O'Neal, Isabelle Adjani

Cry of the Werewolf (1944)
Watched: 01/11/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Gypsy queen protects werewolf identity from scientists at all costs.
6-word review:  Subdued film. Foch the main interest.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Nina Foch

The Night Porter (1974)
Watched: 01/10/25     Provider: Classic Movies +
10-word summary:  Years later, concentration camp survivor resumes sadomasochistic relationship with tormentor.
6-word review:  Downbeat, twisted, disturbing. Not for all.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Dirk Bogarde, Charlotte Rampling

Heartaches (1947)
Watched: 01/10/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Hollywood crooner receives death threats. Murders of associates rattle him.
6-word review:  Very watchable. Nice old Hollywood scenes.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Kenneth Farrell, Chill Wills

Pieces (1982)
Watched: 01/10/25     Provider: Classic Movies +
10-word summary:  Boston coeds are being murdered and dismembered; police frantically investigate.
6-word review:  Trashy slasher, comically gory, ludicrous ending.
Rating: ★½
Note:  Starring Christopher George, Linda Day George

Lonely Wives (1931)
Watched: 01/09/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Lookalike lawyer and comedian trade places; try seducing other's wife.
6-word review:  Fast frothy farce. Rapid racy rants.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Edward Everett Horton

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
Watched: 01/09/25     Provider: Classic Comedy Channel
10-word summary:  Widow falls for ghost of sea captain inhabiting seaside cottage.
6-word review:  Charming romantic fantasy. Music, scenery excellent.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Gene Tierney, Rex Harrison

It's Love I'm After (1937)
Watched: 01/08/25     Provider: Classic Comedy Channel
10-word summary:  Lovestruck fan pursues thespian who's in tempestuous relationship with costar.
6-word review:  Delightful comedic romp for dramatic actors.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Bette Davis, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland

Strangerland (2015)
Watched: 01/06/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Teenage siblings disappear from remote Australian town; parents desperately search.
6-word review:  Kidman's powerhouse performance anchors suspenseful film.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Nicole Kidman, Joseph Fiennes

The Estate (2022)
Watched: 01/06/25     Provider: Netflix
10-word summary:  Greedy cousins swarm bitchy aunt's deathbed hoping to inherit millions.
6-word review:  Talented cast outshines raunchy, bombastic script.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring an ensemble cast

Breaking the Ice (1938)
Watched: 01/06/25     Provider: Classic Movies & TV
10-word summary:  Accused of stealing, Mennonite boy skedaddles, becomes singing sensation, atones.
6-word review:  Charming episodic musical dramedy; talented cast.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Bobby Breen

Anatomy of a Psycho (1961)
Watched: 01/06/25     Provider: Classic Movies & TV
10-word summary:  Hoodlum becomes increasingly unhinged after murderer brother's electric chair execution.
6-word review:  Well-done, very low-budget drama. Fantastic finale.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring cast of little-known actors

Big Time or Bust (1933)
Watched: 01/05/25     Provider: Pre-code Hollywood
10-word summary:  Wife of carnival performer finds Broadway success; insecure husband's jealous.
6-word review:  Trite and predictable; cheesy macho ending.
Rating: ★★
Note:  Starring Gloria Shea, Regis Toomey

Naked Alibi (1954)
Watched: 01/04/25     Provider: Local Now
10-word summary:  Disgraced detective trails cop killer, falls for his sultry dame.
6-word review:  Top-notch thriller. Grahame steals the show.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Sterling Hayden, Gloria Grahame

Penny Serenade (1941)
Watched: 01/04/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Ecstatic with their long-awaited child, devoted parents face unthinkable tragedy.
6-word review:  Teary-eyed melodrama with many outstanding moments.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Cary Grant, Irene Dunne

Before and After (1996)
Watched: 01/03/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Idyllic family's son accidentally kills girlfriend; everyone's thrown into turmoil.
6-word review:  Terribly acted, unrealistic potboiler. Streep sleepwalks.
Rating: ★
Note:  Starring Meryl Streep, Liam Neeson

High School Big Shot (1959)
Watched: 01/03/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  To impress class minx, high school nerd plans big-stakes robbery.
6-word review:  Depressing, clichéd, melodramatic. I loved it.
Rating: ★★★
Note:  Starring Tom Pittman, who was killed in a car accident before the film's release

Diabolique (1955)
Watched: 01/02/25     Provider: Mometu
10-word summary:  Cruel man's mistress and his wife together plot his murder.
6-word review:  Tense, intricate thriller. Keeps one guessing.
Rating: ★★★½
Note:  Starring Simone Signoret, Véra Clouzot

Red Riding: The Year of our Lord 1974 (2009)
Watched: 01/01/25     Provider: Prime Video
10-word summary:  Young girls go missing; reporter uncovers complex network of corruption.
6-word review:  Stylish but very slow; implausible ending.
Rating: ★★½
Note:  Starring Andrew Garfield