ELVIS (2022) IS NOT THE ELVIS I KNEW AND I DON'T THINK ELVIS WOULD HAVE APPROVED OF THIS SLOP

 

Elvis (2022) begins with a statement narrated by Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks) that there would have been no Elvis without him. Which is not only total BS but immediately establishes this is a movie about Parker and Elvis, perhaps an "Elvis & Colonel Tom" type of title would have been more appropriate. Someone like Elvis was bound to be discovered just like Marilyn Monroe or John C Holmes, the fact of the matter is Elvis and the Colonel were a couple of losers, each with their own addictions and weakness that inevitably lead to bad choices. Elvis was a schmuck for signing the deal he did. 

As a movie about the two men's business relationship it's downright shallow and a bit creepy. As a biopic it totally fails. Examples - pathetic as it was, Elvis' movie career in the '60's is almost entirely skipped over. Way too much time is spent on the '68 Comeback Special segment while failing to recreate the great vibe of that show. An Elvis meltdown while onstage in the early '70's during his karate phase sounds nothing like the actual ones heard on many bootlegs from the era. The end of his life is typical Hollywood schlock. 

As far as Hanks is concerned, I don't think it's necessarily so much a bad performance as the biggest miscast in cinematic history. One can't help but wonder had Hanks actually read for the part would they have noticed that. Musically, Austin Butler's voice matches well if not a bit throaty for the King. His face looks nothing like Elvis to me, certainly not like Kurt Russell or Val Kilmer in their turns. Is this what Elvis is supposed to look like to the new younger generations? Maybe so, but it looks nothing like the Elvis I've known for sixty years and I seriously doubt the King would have approved of this slop.  1.5 stars/5

TIM ROBBINS, MICHAEL PENA & RACHEL ADAMS ARE THREE SOLDIERS WHO MEET AT JFK AND TAKE A SPONTANIOUS ROAD TRIP IN "THE LUCKY ONES" (2007)

An interesting post-war character-driven dramedy from Neil Burger, the guy who brought us The Illusionist. The various issues and situations soldiers have to deal with when coming back after an extended leave is woven into the plot and dialog but don't expect any huge revelations or statements on war or the soldier's role. When said and done The Lucky Ones is at best an entertaining road trip movie driven by the nice diversity of the three main characters and of course a triplet of acting stalwarts. 

Despite this none of these three performances are particularly noteworthy or above-level although Adams does shine the best of the three, face it, she's great to look at and has a bubbly charisma that's hard to resist. Robbins is a master of the craft and even though he kicks it way back here (even more than usual) in his assumption of the role, the gentle giant vibe of who he is will always show through. 

As a road trip movie it checks off a lot of appeasable boxes including locations and photography but falters with pacing, one of the movie's other big problems. I still recommend The Lucky Ones and strangely enough it would probably be a good choice for a family or friends gathering. We must always remember the ones who serve our country have the same problems as those who don't, they make mistakes just like everybody else. 

The Lucky Ones is currently streaming on Tubi, Pluto or VOD.  3.0 stars/5

TOM BERENGER IS A CRUSTY OLD VET HUNTING IN THE WOODS WHO FINDS A DEAD BODY AND SACK OF MONEY IN "BLOOD AND MONEY" (2020)

 

Good Ole Tom Berenger, looking quite the silver fox these days, stars in this Maine woods thriller by first-time director John Barr. An under-appreciated actor who never quite got enough exposure or proper dues for that matter, Berenger does a more than serviceable turn as the protagonist trying to stay sober after a year in AA. He finds a dead body and a bag on money, of course this has been done in a million formats land air or sea, but there's still more than enough here to keep the movie lover entertained. The photography and Berenger are high points.

Released in May 2020 to both theaters and VOD at the same time, Blood And Money was privy to several different DVD cover renderings (see below.) It's a worthy entry in the crowded woodsy thrillers genre, most professional reviews gave it two to two and a half stars. I think it's deserving of just a bit more, going to go 2.75 out of 5 on this. Currently streams on Tubi and just about every free outlet including Vudu and Crackle. 

FALL (2022) - SCOTT MANN'S SURVIVAL THRILLER EFFECTIVE, ENTERTAINING, ENTHRALLING - THUMBS WAY UP

Scott Mann's "Fall" is probably one of the new release films I've enjoyed the most recently. A brisk and forward-moving tale of two best friends who climb a radio tower that if you measure by feet according to the story is twice the height of the Chrysler Building. Of course they get stuck at the top but's there's lots of interesting developments along the way. I loved the use of the drone they employ to try and get rescued, for me that was what elevated this to another level. 

Sure, there's a few things that are a little far out there on the believable scale but as far as survivalist flicks go, this is a good one that brings new and interesting innovations to the genre. The special effects totally work, don't watch this if you have vertigo ha ha. Thumbs up on this one, on sale this weekend for only 9.99.     3.25 stars/5

"THE MUSIC OF CHANCE" (1993) - ONE OF THE GREATEST INDIES OF THE ENTIRE '90'S JUST HIT THE STREAMING WORLD FINALLY AFTER DECADES OF NO RELEASE

Completely skipping over the DVD era and still an out-of-print and hard to find VHS, Phillip Haas' The Music Of Chance has finally seen the light of day with a streaming release on Tubi. Well, sort of - I'll tell you right now the VHS transfer is pretty mediocre with not only the fairly common video dropouts on the lower edge but this one unfortunately also has dropouts through the middle here and there. It's still great to see it accessible to the whole world now and if you want to know more about it, you can read my review below....enjoy, this is one of James Spader's best performances and Mandy Patinkin is awesome plus one of the most prominent appearances ever by M Emmet Walsh (worth seeing just for this reason) - don't pass go, don't collect $200, just put it on your list and get ready to enjoy one of the greatest indies of the '90's.

4.0 stars/5

THE MUSIC OF CHANCE (1993) - OBSCURE INDIE STARRING JAMES SPADER & MANDY PATINKIN AS CARD PLAYERS WHO LOSE AT POKER AND ARE FORCED TO BUILD A WALL WITH 10,000 STONES!

James Spader in one of the best performances of his career. 1993 was a stellar year for movies with now considered classics adorning our shelves like The Fugitive, Falling Down, Tombstone, and The Firm to name just a few.

Music of Chance (1993)

A thrill-seeker funds a gambler in a poker game against two crafty millionaires. When the gambler loses big, there are bizarre consequences for both.

BULLET TRAIN (2022) - A GREAT CARTOON DRESSED UP AS AN ACTION-ADVENTURE

 

When God was handing out that part of the brain that enjoys multiple plot twists, well, I just wasn't in line, ya dig? But even ole fashioned me found some fun and enjoyment in Bullet Train and therein lies the riddle as they say. The fact that there is no real train and all the exteriors make no bones about being CGI, this relegates it in my opinion to one big live-action cartoon. But it's a great cartoon and boy, talk about a movie that screams TV series, Bullet Train would be welcome aboard. 

As you probably already know, Pitt is Ladybug (every character has one code name) and he's assigned to find a briefcase on a train and simply get it off the train but lands up running into an array of endless different characters he conflicts with. Everything links together in some way of course, if you're like me and want things simple, then I will say this without spoiling things - every character has been placed there on purpose by the character known as White Death who comes in near the end of the movie played by none other than Michael Shannon. 

It's not one of Shannon's best and it certainly doesn't play to his strengths but it's the same with all the A-listers in this, it doesn't really matter. And I'm certainly not disgruntled with Pitt for doing this kind of flick, he looks great, is having fun and this is an actor who can play any kind of role, I know he'll be back with something far deeper and meaningful down the line. In the meantime, climb aboard the Bullet Train for some nice animated diversion.   2.5 stars/5

WILLIAM FORSYTHE IS RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE FROM JAMES LeGROS WHO IS THE "HIGHWAY HITCHER" (1998) IN THIS WELL-ACTED BUT PALTRY THRILLER

 

Also known as The Pass, Highway Hitcher is a fairly obscure if not unnecessary nineties thriller that contains all the classic hallmark cliches associated with the genre especially the multiple "is the bad guy really dead" twist endings. Unfortunately, with such a great cast, it offers absolutely nothing newly artistic to that canvas. Had it been edited down to a half-hour entry for some sort of anthology series, I'm not so sure much would be different. 

Forsythe plays a man down on his luck and recently left by his wife he hits the road for Reno to clear his head and start a new life. Along the way as luck would have it he crosses paths with the psychotic LeGros who pretends to be a stranded motorist. Any of this sound familiar? 

Highway Hitcher is currently streaming free on Tubi and most the other free outlets but don't rush to put this on your list. I would give it my famous "worth one watch for cinephiles" stamp. 

1.75 stars/2.75

PSSSST....DID YOU KNOW? 

B-MOVIE GAZETTE has a sister blog called TOMMY'S HOUSE OF HORRORS a rock music blog with tons of rare and interesting stuff to listen to. Check it out, enjoy!

MICHAEL SHANNON IS A MONEY-GRUBBING REAL ESTATE AGENT EVICTING FORECLOSED TENANTS , SIMPLY PUT - HE'S A MAN WHO OWNS "99 HOMES" (2014)

 

The more movies I land up seeing with Michael Shannon the more I have come to appreciate the man's art. Always great at playing the heavy but in tandem with the soulful and at times hilarious especially when chastising another character. 

Andrew Garfield plays "Nash," a carpenter who lives with his mom (Laura Dern, kind of on auto pilot here) and son. His home is foreclosed on and they're kicked out by the sheriff in a riveting opening scene that sets the tone and stays there for the whole picture. Shannon's "Rick Carver" is having just another day and while cold and stern he eventually comes to appreciate Nash for his construction skills and gives him a job. 

How far up Carver's little empire will Nash climb? Will he try and get his original home back? How deep is Carver's corruption and how long will Nash stay loyal before he turns the tables on him? These are all good questions and can be answered by checking out this excellent drama thriller. Currently streaming on Tubi and just about every other free streaming platform out there so you've got no excuse not to check it out, it's a winner.   3.5 stars/5

CHARLTON HESTON IS AN OVER-THE-HILL BURNED-OUT QUARTERBACK FOR THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS IN "NUMBER ONE" (1969)

 
"Hup, hup, I should have stayed on the set of Beneath The Planet Of The Apes!" 

Number One had all the makings of a character-study classic but unfortunately came out as a misfire from start to finish. It's a film that really if you were to remove the backdrop has very little to do with the game of football. It's misguided, at times aimless and suffers from a lackluster supporting cast that leaves Heston to fend for himself and help us connect the dots with his character flaws. His being an alcoholic and womanizer should normally be interesting stuff in contrast to a sports hero but all that stuff just doesn't connect here. 

The movie's one saving grace is the fact that the real New Orleans Saints at the time gave their full blessing and the players and the facilities are used nicely throughout. Still, given the year, subject matter and a superstar leading man, this is a huge disappointment. Had all those things gone the other way it really could have been an Easy Rider of football. Not only does it not work as a character study, there's no action either. Heston once said that Call Of The Wild was the one film he should never had made and knowing the story behind that West German atrocity I can dig it but he should have added this to the list as well. 

Currently streaming free on Tubi.  1.75 stars/5

ANTHONY MICHAEL HALL IS AN IOWA FARMBOY WHO FINDS HIMSELF ON THE RUN IN THE LOS ANGELES UNDERGROUND NEW WAVE MUSIC SCENE, HE'S WAY "OUT OF BOUNDS" (1986)

 
 

No longer the geeky and frail looking Breakfast Club boy, Anthony Michael Hall must have found himself in a sort of no-man's land for actors in 1986. No longer able to be cast as a leading teen but not yet having found his footing for adult roles. Enter the action thriller vehicle "Out Of Bounds," a misfire of sorts but in the same way 1988's Bright Lights, Big City was for Michael J Fox, there's good and bad here. Fox, however, has always been capable of carrying a whole picture by himself - Hall, I'm not so sure.

The bad - a overly familiar eighties story about a misplaced bag at LAX, the good guys spend the rest of the film running from the bad guys who want their drugs, jewelry, whatever, back. Hall just doesn't have that appeal factor in this and there's a palatable disconnect between him and the other actors as well as crew. So the story goes he was such a dick on set that the crew nicknamed him "the brat."

The good - some awesome LA locations, lots of em from downtown to Silverlake to Hollywood and more. A good deal of the chase takes place in the underground new wave scene at the time and a cameo by the now legendary Siouxsie & The Banshees band totally makes the backdrop of this film one of the big pluses. Not a bad one, worth at least one watch, Out Of Bounds just entered the streaming world and is on Tubi currently.  2.75 stars/2.75

'60's WAR EPICS, YOU GOTTA LOVE 'EM - TWO STREAMING FREE ON YOU TUBE "THE GUNS OF NAVARONE" (1961) & STEVE MCQUEEN IN "THE SAND PEBBLES" (1966)

 

Going out for a night at the movies back in the sixties meant something just a little different than it does these days. As Jack Black would say in School Of Rock, "the man" destroyed that too. In a lot of ways the 60's "epics" were their own artform and a lot like going to a play. You had a classy presentation with an intermission where you could break and grab a snack and a typical running time of three hours. Some were great (Its A Mad Mad Mad World) and some were chock full of filler (55 Days At Peking.) And of course, war films contributed heavily to the epic art form. 

This month You Tube has two great ones streaming free. The Guns Of Navarone is probably Gregory Peck's next best outing to To Kill A Mockingbird. Here he plays a commander in charge of leading a dangerous charge on a Greek island and to specifically take out a pair of large nuclear canons. Supported by a nice cast including David Niven, Niven's role here is unusual for him. He says very little until the very end when he goes off on a tirade ringing in his money shot. The movie's pace is nice and steady and while the effects in both of these movies are dated, the adventure element is not compromised. Great war film, one of the best.  4.0 stars/5

An unusual Steve McQueen flick to say the least, The Sand Pebbles finds him playing a rebellious Navy machinist aboard a river gunboat in 1920's China. He eventually defies orders and saves a missionary group amid conflicts with local warlords, communism, and his superiors. The film was a big success at the box office and nominated for eight Oscars. While I like the film, I don't consider it McQueen's best by a longshot and there is a good amount of fluff/filler in this one.  3.5 stars/5

Guns Of Navarone Full Movie

The Sand Pebbles Full Movie

THE BLACK PHONE (2022) - BEWARE THE GRABBER AND HIS DINGY BASEMENT IN NEW STEPHEN KING FLICK FROM MAKERS OF DOCTOR SLEEP

 

It's here, it's hot and it's a pretty darn good horror flick. I don't like it as much as Nightmare Alley or Last Night In SoHo, two recent favorites, but Black Phone does deliver the goods and to it's credit doesn't take any needless detours with subplots. A boy is kidnapped by the Grabber (Ethan Hawke) and the phone on the wall begins to ring with calls from children the Grabber previously murdered. They give him various clues on how to get the f out of there before Grabber gets to play his favorite game called "Naughty Boy."

A good movie starts with a good story and nothing's changed about that. King just keeps handing the cinematic world one gem after another and his diversity in using directors usually keeps things interesting. The acting here is all good, Mason Thames who plays the boy is quite good for his first outing. Again to it's credit the film's ending is neat, compact, horrific but not bogged down with twists. Black Phone isn't an horror classic but it is a fun and worthy entry in a genre so overplayed. Still out there in the theaters as well as Peacock on an exclusive and VOD only to buy right now.  3.0 stars/5

PETER FONDA AND WARREN OATES GO ON A MOTORHOME OUTING WITH THEIR GIRLFRIENDS ONLY TO WIND UP IN A "RACE WITH THE DEVIL" (1975)

 

Peter Fonda and Warren Oates play a couple of motorcycle-loving pals who take their two girlfriends (Loretta Swit of Mash fame and Lara Parker from Save The Tiger) on a vacation in their 1975 state of the art motorhome. On their first night camping out the two boys witness a satanic cult across the river conducting a ritual where a young woman is murdered. Their cover is accidently blown and the chase is on between the cult leaders and the motorhome party. Every time the young couples escape the cult's horrific grasp and actions, the cult just keeps coming back with more vengeance. 

This drive-in gem had a lot of great talent attached to it. The lead actresses were perfectly cast and as a foursome the lot may be one of my favorite in horror movies. On the other side of the camera, Wes Bishop, a cinematic talent never given enough credit writes and produces here. The pace of the film once the chase is on does not let up till credits roll. Truly a drive-in horror 70's masterpiece, Race With The Devil is available on all the major outlets.  2.75 stars/2.75

A MOVIE-BUFF IS TRANSFORMING HIMSELF INTO CLASSIC MOVIE CHARACTERS AND ON A KILLING SPREE IN "FADE TO BLACK" (1980)

 

Dennis Christopher kills it as a disgruntled film services worker who lives in Venice and is a super movie geek. Problems getting along at work and rejection from a Marilyn Monroe lookalike sends him on a killing spree where he impersonates classic characters like The Mummy, Dracula, etc. The film features killer Los Angeles locations (love those old Victorians!) and a very early performance by Micky Roarke who looks like he just walked off the set of Body Heat, another film he was in that year. The script is excellent, very clever how they tie in Marilyn Monroe and the classics and Christopher completely goes to town relishing in his role. A total B-movie horror classic, Fade To Black is available on Shudder, AMC+ and VOD outlets. 2.75 stars/2.75

REST IN PEACE, ANNE HECHE - HERE'S ONE OF HER LESSER KNOWN PERFORMANCES AS A CONVICT'S PEN-PAL IN "AUGGIE ROSE" (2000) AKA BEYOND SUSPICION

 

Oh man, such a sad story and turn of events. I literally have not been myself since last Friday but am glad she is in peace now and didn't have to spend the rest of her life with those burns. I hope she rests in peace.

As has become kind of a tradition here at the B-Movie Gazette, we are showcasing a lesser-known performance by the artist that is worthy of attention from those who haven't seen it or those who may have forgot about the film and want to revisit it. And this one is a doosie, funny enough I had just watched this the same week she had her accident. 

Jeff Goldblum plays John Nolan, a married insurance salesman. He stops at a liquor store on the way home one night and witnesses a robbery and killing of a stock boy named Augie Rose. Rose dies on the way to the hospital and Nolan can't figure out why no one is coming forward to claim the body. Turns out Rose is a ex-con who has a pen-pal (Anne Heche) who is arriving on a bus to meet him for the first time the next week. Nolan steps in and takes the ex-con's place, the rest I won't give away. Trust me, it's a great drama or sleeper thriller if you will and both leading performances are awesome. Goldblum stepped in just two weeks prior to principal after William H Macy the original star had to bow out. 

Beyond Suspicion has unfortunately not entered the streaming world as of yet. DVD is the main route.  3.0 stars/5

WOODLANDS DARK AND DAYS BEWITCHED : A HISTORY OF FOLK HORROR (2021) - MEET THE NEW HOLY ENCYCLOPEDIA OF FOLK HORROR

 

Greetings All - Sorry for the delay in posting, crazy month. On sale right now for only seven dollars on Vudu is an epic documentary on the history of folk horror from it's beginning and it's ultimate impact on culture around the world. At over three hours in length and covering over 200 films, there simply has never been a documentary this thorough and comprehensive on the subject. Starting with the basic forerunners like Wicker Man and Witchfinder General the genre is tracked through the '70's (I loved the little segment on Psychomania, AKA Death Wheelers) and forward. The film is the brainchild of Kier-La Janisse and she is to be absolutely commended on a complete collection of folk horror movies she has included. I had to get a pen and pad out to jot down all the movies that caught my eye for whatever reason and I want to see. Which is pretty much what this blog is all about so I would recommend this documentary to any regular blog visitors here.   4.0 stars/5

LAWRENCE FISHBURNE IS AN EX-CON TRYING TO LIVE A CLEAN LIFE BUT IS "ALWAYS OUTNUMBERED, ALWAYS OUTGUNNED" (TV 1998)

 

Those in the over 50 crowd may remember these huge paperback ordeals called the VHS movie guides that were put out every year for a while. It was through one of these books that I first discovered this HBO made-for-cable gem. I remember the paragraph saying Fishburne commanded every shot and you wouldn't be able to take your eyes off him and they were right. Through the years I've turned many a movie lover onto this one, a film with a big heart and lots of dedication from the people that made it. Namely Fishburne, Walter Mosley and the legendary Bill Cobbs. Another one of the many big pluses is a stunning cameo from Isaiah Washington as a hood who chooses the wrong day to mess with Socrates Fortlow (Fishburne.)

Fortlow is an ex-con who strives to live a better life but due to a lot of his circumstances is yep, always outnumbered, always outgunned. He's trying hard to graduate from his can-collecting life and get a real job in West LA but the supermarket manager there (Laurie Metcalf) keeps showing him the door. Meanwhile, he befriends a neglected neighborhood boy who's fallen in with the wrong crowd. His best friend (Bill Cobbs, just incredible) is dying and the movie's ending sequence where they go out for one last drink together is about as real as it gets. 

This is one of those films I will never tire of singing it's praises. Enjoy.  2.75 stars/2.75

REST IN PEACE THE GREAT DAVID WARNER - HERE'S ONE OF HIS LESSER KNOWN PERFORMANCES AS A CHARISMATIC PREACHER IN "THE BALLAD OF CABLE HOUGE" (1970)

 

A sad day for us movie lovers as the world loses the great David Warner. In tribute we present a lesser known but awesome performance as a feisty but loyal preacher and best friend to main character Cable Hogue. It's a neo-western from Sam Peckinpah before the term was even coined. Warner's part is big and he closes with a great monolouge in what is easily Peckinpah's most under-appreciated title. Available VOD on all the big outlets, currently on sale on Amazon and YT.  3.75 stars/5

KEVIN KLINE, DANNY GLOVER, MARY MCDONNELL & A HOST OF OTHERS ARE ALL HEADED TO THE "GRAND CANYON" (1991)

 

Some say hit, some say miss, Lawrence Kasdan's Grand Canyon movie certainly doesn't get as much love as his other multi-character flicks The Big Chill and The Accidental Tourist. Set in LA during the turbulent Rodney King era, the script's undertones of black vs white are exemplified in the two main characters, Danny Glover's "Simon" and Kevin Kline's "Mack." Many other characters and subplots all revolve around those two who meet by chance after Mack gets lost driving home from a Lakers game at the Forum. Steve Martin also excels here in a highly dramatic role demonstrating once again his amazing diversity of genuine talent. 

I happen to be of the opinion this is not only better than Big Chill or Accidental Tourist but in many ways Kasdan's masterpiece. Kline once again is incredible and Glover's performance is one of my favorites of his of all time. Their scenes together are to watch two masters at the top of their game and making it look easy. McDonnell's performance is literally Oscar-worthy, she shines in every scene. And look for a young Jeremy Sisto in his feature debut as Mack's teenage son who is coming of age. Grand Canyon also features a most unique and surreal dream sequence where both Mack and then his wife fly, yes fly, around Los Angeles. 

So, obviously, this movie lover sees it as a hit. One of the best films of 1991? Absolutely. 

Currently streaming only on Max Go or take the DVD route. 4.0 stars/5

UNDERRATED WOODY ALLEN - COLIN FARRELL & EWAN MCGREGOR ARE TWO BROTHERS FORCED TO COMMIT A MURDER IN "CASSANDRA'S DREAM" (2007)

 

Consider this the first in an open-ended continuing series I'll post every now and then. As far as Mr Allen's personal life is concerned I'm going to say this as plainly as I can - if you met half the entertainers you consider idols or inspirations you would recoil in horror when you see what their personal lives and real personalities are like. I've been following this man's art for decades and decades, he may have made a mistake back on the day in question and we'll probably never really know the truth of that day but a child molester he is not. 

Now, for those that haven't heard, it was just announced that he will start shooting his 50th film soon and it will be shot in France and be shot in French (wow,) a murder-mystery kind of thing along the lines of Match Point. He has also alluded that this will he his last film while leaving that proverbial door open just in case. The man is 86 after all but I like what I'm hearing so far. I think he may redeem himself and go out with a bang on this next one. 

So, while we're talking about Match Point I enthusiastically submit Cassandra's Dream, a wonderfully acted murder mystery thing. Like a lot of Allen's films it feels like you're watching a play and the meat is in the dialog not the action. But this is a good film that moves along at a nice brisk pace, it's also the only Allen film ever to be scored (Phillip Glass, excellent as always) instead of Woody using his album collection and McGregor is particularly good. On the other hand, Tom Wilkenson, if you know what the guys capable of then you know he phoned this one in big time. Cassandra's Dream is currently streaming free on Roku, Vudu, FreeVee and You Tube which I put below.  3.0 stars/5

BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE (2018) - CAPTIVATING NEO-NOIR MYSTERY THRILLER IN SERIOUS NEED OF A HAIRCUT

 

We love movies that wholly create their own world and this neo-noir gem does just that including an entire hotel created from scratch. One side resides on the California side and the other Nevada and the hotel comes complete with a secret chamber to spy on rooms. Coffee is one cent more a cup on the California side but you can't gamble there. 

Enter five characters that are all checking in - a singer, salesman, hippy girl (not the nice kind,) priest and bank robber. They all share deep dark secrets that will intersect on a certain night at the hotel. 

Pretty cool stuff but the movie does have a serious pacing problem and is way overlong at 2:22 which somehow I get the feeling with a movie like this is intentional. The cast is awesome although I feel Jeff Bridges as the priest is a bit of a miscast. The third act and ending is also a problem as it fails to deliver the ending it was building towards. The performances and awesome production design is what carries the film to a mostly satisfactory experience. Which would be nicer cut to about an hour and 45 minutes.  3.0 stars/5

CREATING WOODSTOCK (2019) - A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF THREE DAYS OF PEACE AND MUSIC THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN

I learned a lot of cool things about Woodstock that I never knew watching this but something more profound dawned on me - half a million people coming together like this for three days and coexisting in peace and music will never happen again. Sorry, to quote Easy Rider, "we blew it." The announcement made on the first evening that "the man next to you is your brother and you damn well better treat it that way" just seems to be part of some ancient world that doesn't exist anymore. 

Creating Woodstock uses a nice simple linear style to tell the whole story from conception and planning to all the performances to Jimi closing the festival (upon his insistence.) We hear of Ritchie Havens opening the festival and having to play six encores, literally exhausting his entire repertoire because no other acts could make it in. Rock music fans will love the plethora of trivial information on all the acts and what they experienced while performing, etc. A truthful, factual documentary that was way better than I expected it to be. Streams free on Tubi.  3.5 stars/5

Janis Joplin

DEEP INSIDE THE NYC SUBWAY SYSTEM : "STAND CLEAR OF THE CLOSING DOORS" (2013) & "DOWN IN SHADOWLAND" (2016)

A super low budget indie, Stand Clear Of The Closing Doors won Jury Special Prize at Deauville in 2013. In a nutshell the story is about an autistic boy who has a bad day at school and decides to wander the subway instead of go home. His mom is trying to find him. The film's got a lot going for it including heart, the way it's shot and the underground locations. However, we're never really given a clue to who the kid is, what's his character, what makes him tick. So halfway through the picture loses steam pretty quickly as it becomes just about finding some autistic kid, we lose interest in reason. Still worth one watch for fans of the NYC subways and micro budget indies. Streams free on Tubi.  1.5 stars/2.75

I was a little disappointed in this one especially being from legendary Tom Dicillo of Box Of Moonlight and Delirious brilliance. The film is basically a seven-year stretch of taking random clips of strange people and happenings while down in the subway using a small GoPro type camera. DiCillo has always had great taste in music when it comes to his soundtracks and that's present here to help lift the proceedings. The editing is also outstanding but one can only be entertained watching weird people down in the subway for so long and I struggled hard to make it through the last ten minutes of it's approximately eighty minute running time.  1.0 stars/2.75

THE UNBEARABLE WEIGHT OF MASSIVE TALENT (2022) - A FUN, QUIRKY & UNIQUE ADVENTURE COMEDY SLIGHTLY OVER-HYPED

Let me start by saying the new Nick Cage being Nick Cage film in a quirky CIA type adventure in Spain is a fun ride. Lots of very clever references to Cage's movies thru the years and overall the script is brilliant, possibly even nomination worthy. I didn't enjoy it as much given all the recent hype but I think more important than that this is a good film that will be remembered as the official rubber stamp that ole Nicolas is back on the map, and to stay. The hole that would have buried many others he dug himself out of and let's not forget there were at least a few gems in there like Joe, Pig and Mandy. 

Points straight across the board for everything but the script again is amazing. This would make an awesome novelization, watch out QT. Thumbs up!  3.5 stars/5