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