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, August 10, 2023

ANNA PAQUIN IS A SINGLE MOM CAUGHT UP IN THE '70's DRUG TRADE, SHE'S JUST TRYING TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR HER TWO GIRLS IN "FREE RIDE" (2013)

 

The one-and-only Anna Paquin looks incredible in this fairly simple druggy tale of a single mom in Florida. This is not necessarily a super challenging part for the women who won an Oscar at age 11. But she makes it hers and let's the presence of her character and charisma (not to mention costuming, which is great in this film) shine through. 

My biggest complaint with Free Ride would be the way it comes to an end. There's really not much to set it up, it's like boom, she's busted, okay. Music's good and the late '70's style is nicely represented throughout. I'd say it's worth a little higher rating than some of the reviews I read, going to go 2.75 out of 5 on this one. If you like drug movies, you should like this, streams on Tubi, Pluto, and Flex.  2.75 stars/5

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