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.

Dracula (1979)

In 1913, the charming, seductive and sinister vampire Count Dracula travels to England in search of an immortal bride.

From memory: Stylish adaptation with more emphasis on romance than horror; in itself an above-average movie, but quite harmless.

Halliwell*: "A lush, expensive and romantic version which presents the count as a matinee idol and spends too much time on the romantic scenes to distract attention from an old old story."

Maltin*1/2: "Murky retelling of Bram Stoker classic, with Langella's acclaimed Broadway characterization lost amid trendy horror gimmicks and ill-conceived changes in original story."

Grace of Monaco (2014)

The story of former Hollywood star Grace Kelly's crisis of marriage and identity, during a political dispute between Monaco's Prince Rainier III and France's Charles De Gaulle, and a looming French invasion of Monaco in the early 1960s.

A quite pedestrian depiction of an episode of Monegasque history and Grace Kelly's part in it; Nicole Kidman's fits into the title role effortlessly.

Masters of the Universe (1987)

The heroic warrior He-Man battles against lord Skeletor and his armies of darkness for control of Castle Grayskull.

Risibly silly live action version of a TV cartoon series is fun to watch how bad it is.

Halliwell (no star): "Live action version of the TV cartoons of the toys of the comic strip. Pretty weak stuff, even for five-year-olds."

Maltin**: "Elaborate comic book nonsense (which has had another life in kiddie animation) is dumb but inoffensive."

Michael Weldon/Psychotronic: "Conan meets Star Wars. This whole movie is based on a line of Mattel toys. Despite that fact, it's not bad as mindless, PG-rated entertainment...A big laser battle in a used-record store is my favorite scene."

Captain Fantastic (2016)

In the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a father devoted to raising his six kids with a rigorous physical and intellectual education is forced to leave his paradise and enter the world, challenging his idea of what it means to be a parent.

Entertaining as well as thoughtful confrontation of live concepts works very well thanks to good direction and a lively ensemble; however, despite Mortensen's competent performance, the father's ideological metamorphosis is not quite comprehensible.

All Good Things (2010)

Mr. David Marks was suspected but never tried for killing his wife Katie who disappeared in 1982, but the truth is eventually revealed.

A fascinating true story is muddled by indecisive direction and a incoherent plot, although the cast does try to give the movie some substance.

Maltin**. "Well made and well acted, but it's impossible to care much about the central character, an enigma from start to finish who perpetrates some truly nasty deeds."

Robot & Frank (2012)

An ex-jewel thief receives a gift from his son: a robot butler programmed to look after him. But soon the two companions try their luck as a heist team.

Amiable sci-fi tale, very touchingly told with subdued humour.

Maltin***: "Quirky, low-key social satire with a sci-fi touch..."