B-Movie Gazette: DAVID HYDE PIERCE IS "THE PERFECT HOST" (2010) - WELL, MAYBE NOT! - QUIRKY AND UNIQUE BLEND OF BLACK COMEDY AND HORROR IS A WINNER

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

Sunday, July 9, 2023

DAVID HYDE PIERCE IS "THE PERFECT HOST" (2010) - WELL, MAYBE NOT! - QUIRKY AND UNIQUE BLEND OF BLACK COMEDY AND HORROR IS A WINNER

Hats off to Nicolas Tomnay who wrote and directed this full-length version of his original short film The Host from 2001. A unique blend of black comedy and psychological horror that instantly claims it's own territory in the cinematic universe. I was dazzled and impressed with this one and have already watched it several times.

Clayne Crawford plays "John," a bank robber on the run from a recent score. He winds up in the Hollywood Hills, North Vermont Ave section up by Greek Theater and cons his way into a house owned by "Warick" (David Hyde Pierce) just about to give a dinner party. Pretending to be an old friend of a friend, John cons Warick into staying for the dinner party but then turns a knife on him and says he's taking over the house for the night as a hide-out and if Warick complies he won't get killed.

I won't give away the rest but let's just say our perfect host turns the tables on John and exacts a fun evening of revenge. And there's much more including Helen Reddy (yes, I Am Woman Helen Reddy) playing Warick's next door neighbor, hardly recognizable from her chart topping days.

Filmed in LA, thumbs way up on this one. Streams on Tubi and many other free platforms.

3.25 stars/5