B-MOVIE OF THE MONTH - THE DEATH OF RITCHIE (TV 1977)

Looks like a lot of fun to me, I don't know. Seriously and for those that don't know, The Death Of Ritchie is one of the most iconic TV movies of the entire '70's decade. I was roughly 15 when it aired and i can tell you that both Robby Benson and teens taking drugs were very hot topics at the time. The film is based on a true story where a father who couldn't control his teen's behavior from drug abuse was forced to take the law into his own hands. The father here is good ole Ben Gazzara and he is at his Gazzara best with a ferocious intensity, his scenes with Benson as father and son a perfect chemistry. At the time more emphasis was on Benson as a model but his performance here is really amazing. Streams free on Tubi, Freevee, Roku and Plex, if this was being rated on the standard scale I would give it five stars, 'nuff said. 2.75 stars/2.75

Thursday, June 9, 2022

TOMMY'S 11th ANNUAL PICK-FIVE GREAT SUMMER MOVIES #4 - HELEN HUNT WRITES, DIRECTS AND STARS IN "RIDE" (2014) - AND SHE SURFS!

 
 

Making it's debut on the list, a choice that may surprise but I really dig Helen Hunt's second film behind the camera. Looking as great as she still does with surfing scenes and even smoking weed? What's not to like! 

A simple comedy-drama, she plays a over-protective mom who follows her son out to California and learns how to surf while trying to figure out a mend for their relationship. At the same time she hangs out with her towncar driver (David Zayas who totally shines here) and falls for her surfing instructor (Luke Wilson, Owen's brother, also really good.)

Hunt's scenes first learning how to surf and fall off the board are quite funny. Even though we already know the moral lesson that both mom and son will learn in the end, it's a lotta fun getting there and love the LA and NY locations. Streams free on Tubi, Vudu, YT and others, give it a shot.  3.0 stars/5

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