B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - DEAD END (2003)

Made for less than a million dollars, the slightly obscure Dead End is a chilling little indie you don't want to miss. It might just be the best Christmas horror movie no one ever heard of and every dollar is up there on the screen. It's quirky, weird, funny, bizarre, and scary all at once. Black comedy for sure but much more, this would make a nice double feature with The Perfect Host, another movie we're big on around here. So, grab some eggnog and a snack or two and check out the inimitable Ray Wise with legendary Lin Shaye as they take their family down a wrong turn, what's up with this road? Why doesn't it end? After all, they're just trying to make it to Christmas Eve dessert at Frank's mother's house. Tubi, Plex, Freevee, enjoy! 2.75 stars/2.75

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

THE RUM DIARY (2011) - BASED ON A HUNTER S THOMPSON BOOK SET IN PUERTO RICO IN THE 60'S JOHNNY DEPP IS A MISGUIDED NEWSPAPER REPORTER

 

Here we go again - a movie most people found convoluted and incoherent I land up liking. And surprisingly I've watched it a few times now and kind of dig it. Depp plays a reporter just starting off in San Juan and his first day doesn't go too well - his new boss (Richard Jenkins, excellent here) has already called him out as an alcoholic, the newspaper is on it's way down the chute and it's check-out time on his paid hotel room. At the same time a local wealthy property developer (Aaron Eckhart) offers Depp another opportunity writing copy for brochures. The developer's girlfriend (Amber Heard) lands up being Depp's downfall, imagine that. 

Michael Rispoli is outstanding as Depp's new roommate and coworker and the always incredible Giovanni Ribisi kills it as a moonshine-demented local, quite funny. The film's decked out in light torquise blues and lipstick pinks which makes for a really cool look. Sure, it's a simple dramedy trying to pose as a rom-com...but we like it. Currently streams free on Tubi and Pluto.  3.0 stars/5




No comments:

Post a Comment