B-Movie Gazette: 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

B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - WITHOUT WARNING (1980)

Greetings All - It would be cool to do a post one time called the ten most essential B-flicks, sort of a B-Movie 101 thing. If that ever happened I would have to include this sci-fi horror classic from Graydon Clark (Black Shampoo, Satan's Cheerleaders.) This one's a don't pass go and don't collect $200 folks, just see it, Or watch it again. I'm not even going to begin to explain the plot except you have these flying disc things that attach themselves to people, in this case campers on an outing and kill and feed on them. Eventually these discs are tied to an alien, a hungry alien. A forerunner to 1987's Predator sort to speak and with a flat-out goofy cast. Jack Palance and Martin Landau, say what? And looking drugged out I might add but the real surprise here is veteran character actor Larry Storch, from the '60's, a guy who knew 150 dialects and here he is in this as a boy scout leader lol. Also known as It Came Without Warning, this gem is streaming free now only on Plex. 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