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

Friday, January 6, 2023

JULES WILLOX FINDS HERSELF "ALONE" (2020) ON THE ROAD IN THE WOODS WITH A PSYCHOPATH IN THIS WELL DONE SURVIVALIST THRILLER

 

Deep in the Pacific Northwest, recently widowed lady Jessica (Jules Willcox) is trying to flee the city. It's a decision she'll soon regret when her little road trip gets caught in the crosshairs of "the man" also known as just Sam (Marc Menchaca.) Sam's trying to perfect the art of creepy stalking and first torments Jessica on the road before eventually capturing her for some fun in the basement. She eventually escapes to the woods for a nicely done third act. Will she ultimately evade her pesky tormentor or will Sam the man win? It's worth finding out in this taught and tidy thriller that wastes no time with mindless subplots. 

Unlucky to have come out during a time when nobody was going to the movies, it's a bit of a dirty shame. Had this been released during a more traditional movie buying phase I'm sure it would have done much better financially. This is validated by it's streaming record, most rented on Google Play and others. Currently streams on Hulu and all the VOD outlets. The genre may be overplayed to hell and back but when it's done right like this flick it just proves people still love a good survival story.  3.0 stars/5

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