Body Heat (1981)

 

In the midst of a searing Florida heat wave, a woman persuades her lover, a small-town lawyer, to murder her rich husband.

From memory: Steamy neo-noir thriller is heavily indebted and is probably meant as homage to Double Indemnity, so the plot itself is quite conventional, but it does convince with some highly energized erotic scenes and a spectacular debut by Kathleen Turner as the femme fatale.

Halliwell**: "Oversexed and superfluous, not to mention uncredited, revamp of Double Indemnity. Some evidence of flair does not relieve that 'I have been here before' feeling."

Maltin***: "Over-derivative of 1940s melodramas at first, then goes off on its own path and scores." 

 

Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

During an adventure into the criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future co-pilot Chewbacca and encounters Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebellion.

Solid Star Wars spin-off with the usual good effects and effective action and a competent cast for the task; Alden Ehrenreich, especially, does an excellent job emulating the young Han Solo.

The Bodyguard (1992)

A former Secret Service agent takes on the job of bodyguard to a pop singer, whose lifestyle is most unlike a President's.

Pure schlock solely construed as a showcase for its two stars, who are indeed the only ingredient that makes this movie watchable.

Halliwell (no star): "Predictable mix of song, romance and action  that found surprising favour at the box-office."

Maltin**1/2: "Overblown dual-star vehicle makes no sense, but has many crowd-pleasing ingredients - as well as moments of high kitsch. Solid debut for Houston..."

Return of the Jedi (1983)

After a daring mission to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt, the rebels dispatch to Endor to destroy a more powerful Death Star. Meanwhile, Luke struggles to help Vader back from the dark side without falling into the Emperor's trap.

Entertaining conclusion of the Star Wars trilogy is more of the same (exciting action, some humour, great special effects, simple story).

Halliwell*: "More expensive fantasy for the world's children of all ages, especially the undemanding ones."

Maltin***1/2: "Third installment in the STARS WARS saga is a sheer delight...Some routine performances are compensated for by ingenious new characters and Oscar-winning special effects. More sentimental and episodic than its predecessors, but carried out in the best tradition of Saturday matinee serials, from which it draws its inspiration."

The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

After the rebels are brutally overpowered by the Empire on the ice planet Hoth, Luke Skywalker begins Jedi training with Yoda, while his friends are pursued by Darth Vader.

Second installation of the series has all the production quality one expects, but despite all innovative specials effects this remains an old-fashioned sci-fi swashbuckler, still as dated as on the day it was released.

On rewatching:  maybe a bit more entertaining than the first part, since it has more hrills - and humour.

Halliwell***: "More exhilarating interplanetary adventures, as mindless as Star Wars but just as enjoyable for aficionados."

Maltin***: "Smashing sequel to STAR WARS manages to top the original in its embellishment of leading characters' personalities, truly dazzling special effects...and nonstop spirit of adventure and excitement."

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones is hired by the US government to find the Ark of the Covenant before the Nazis.

Highly successful homage and rejuvenation of the old-fashioned adventure movie genre, complete with all its antics (and a silly story), but upping the ante concerning speed, wit, and professional handling in all departments.

Halliwell***: "Commercially very successful, this attempted wrap-up of the Saturday morning serials of two generations ago spends a great deal of money and expertise on frightening rather than exciting us. Second time round, one can better enjoy the ingenious detail of the hero's exploits; still, there are boring bits in between, and the story doesn't make a lot of sense."

Maltin****: "A roller-coaster ride of a movie, rekindling the spirit of  Saturday matinee serials but outdoing them for genuine thrills and chills...Perhaps a bit too much at times, but why carp?"

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises as the First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Successful rejuvenation of the Star Wars saga marrying its original antics with a modern view and a great, likable cast of new young heroes.