Galaxina (1980)

 

When an interstellar police cruiser is sent to recover a precious blue crystal in the 31st century, crew member and android Galaxina is left alone as the others are put into suspended animation as part of the mission.

Although this sci-fi film tries to be a genre parody, it is thoroughly ridiculous and pretty bad in all departments; and it's not funny at all.

Maltin*1/2: "Cheap STAR WARS/STAR TREK spoof reeks of low production values, boring scenario, and non-acting. Definitely not a vehicle for the late Ms. Stratten, though the film is of interest for her appearance as a robot." 

Blake Lively

The Wedding Party (1969)

 

Buddies try to talk a bridegroom out of it, after meeting the bride's stuffy parents.

Chatty, wildly meandering satire has its moments, but only occasionally shows much wit, and generally outstays its welcome.

Maltin*1/2: "Talky, corny, boring comic oddity...Self-consciously directed..." 

Anita Ekberg

The Dead Don't Die (2019)

 

The peaceful town of Centerville finds itself battling a zombie horde as the dead start rising from their graves. 

Zombie (and doomsday) comedy is meant as a satire to present-day U.S.A., which works only intermittently, but it entertains with a lot of wit, Murray's and Driver's deadpan and a lot of amusing cameos.

Histoires extraordinaires (1968)

Doctor Sleep (2019)

 

Years following the events of The Shining (1980), a now-adult Dan Torrance must protect a young girl with similar powers from a cult known as The True Knot, who prey on children with powers to remain immortal. 

Homage and expansion of the story told in Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is very well-made staged and entertaining, but - in contrast to the original - it goes more with Stephen King's concept and is a no-holds-barred supernatural outing. 

Kumokiri Nizaemon (1978)

Crimson Peak (2015)

 

In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider.

Sumptuously staged ghost story with a plot and atmosphere reminiscent of Rebecca with an accurate cast; watchable as a homage to the genre which offers nothing new.

On re-watching: A treat mainly for its great Goth visuals - plus its cast. 

 

 

Il rosso segno della follia (1970)

Logan's Run (1976)

 

An idyllic science fiction future has one major drawback: life must end at the age of thirty.

The Love Nest (1923)

Supergirl (1984)

 

After losing a powerful orb, Kara Zor-El, Superman's cousin, comes to Earth to retrieve it and instead finds herself up against a wicked witch. 

Of course, it's a silly comic strip adaptation, but made with lots of wit and irony, exciting sequences, and Dunaway has a field day as the bad bad witch.

Halliwell*: "Playful comic strip spectacular which entertains in Wizard of Oz style for most of its way but was savaged by the critics."

Maltin*1/2: "This comic-book movie is a super-drag: long, dull, heavy-handed. Slater is cute but bland in title role; Dunaway is a predictably campy villainess." 

Traci Lords

The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020)

 

The story of 7 people on trial stemming from various charges surrounding the uprising at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. 

This courtroom drama based on actual historic events is both revealing and entertaining and makes a strong case for justice and (American) constitutionality against a criminally adversary administration; a great ensemble film with Sacha Baron Cohen stealing the show.

Femina ridens (1969)

New acquisition: A Dog Called Money (2019)

 

Glenda Farrell

La peau blanche (2004)

 

Two roommates discover that the family of one of their girlfriends is populated with vampires. 

An interesting, but not completely successful variation on the vampire genre comes up god with atmosphere, its Montreal locations and a capable cast, but doesn't quite excite, and the surprising ending is not really satisfactory.

Greetings (1968)

 

3 friends in NYC discuss how to dodge the draft and Vietnam, JFK assassination, voyeurism, computer dating etc. 

Made with a good sense for cinematic images and sequences and with some wit (albeit not always in good taste), nicely photographed on location, this student film has a rather sprawling narrative and is mostly a hit-and-run affair.

Halliwell*: "Kaleidoscopic stringing together of fleeting satirical bits; talent undeniable but equally uncontrolled."

Maltin***: "Loose, informal, improvisational satire...Exudes a late '60s N.Y.C.-Greenwich Village ambience not to be found in any Hollywood feature." 

Vic Morrow

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vic_Morrow

New aquisition: A Personal Journey with Martin Scorsese Through American Movies (1995)

 

Eisenstein's Mexican Project (1958)

Son of a Lion (2007)

 

11 year old Niaz's father has been a Pashtun on jihad in Afghanistan. Back in Darra in NWFP of Pakistan, where guns and hashish are common, he wants Niaz to learn to shoot and work in his gun workshop, while Niaz wants to go to school.

Entirely cast with amateurs and filmed on location, this film has the feel of a documentary and sure-handedly gives a realistic and revealing portrait of the region and its people.

 

 

Ziyi Zhang

New acquisition: Il mio viaggio in Italia (1999)

 

Moon Zero Two (1969)

The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019)

 

Continuing the story of Max and his pet friends, following their secret lives after their owners leave them for work or school each day.

Lively, hilarious and entertaining animal animation comedy, just as good as the original; great family fare.

 

Jane Fonda

New acquisition: Zappa (2020)

 

Ronald Colman

Yesterday (2019)

 

A struggling musician realizes he's the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after waking up in an alternate timeline where they never existed. 

Generally amusing and entertaining parallel universe fantasy comedy vividly hops along the jokes you can imagine with its premise and the fun lasts as long as you don't ask any questions; and for crying out loud, Ed Sheeran, seriously?

The Bat (1959)

 

A crazed killer known as "The Bat" is on the loose in a mansion full of people. 

OK mystery drama obviously based on a stage play is neither very exciting nor scary, but well-made in an old-fashioned way.

Halliwell (no star): "Poor remake of a standard twenties stage thriller; everyone chews the scenery."

Maltin**1/2: "Faithful filming of the...play..." 

 

Adrienne Barbeau

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrienne_Barbeau

The White Tiger (2021)

 

An ambitious Indian driver uses his wit and cunning to escape from poverty and rise to the top.

Extremely well-made drama with an excellent cast adapts the novel into a fast-paced, complex narrative with and at times shocking and heart-wrenching scenes; the Indian local settings are depicted with accurate and beautiful detail.