Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part se7enteen: Movies 315-341

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to, here is part se7enteen of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

315
Odd Thomas (2013) ★ ★ ★
stars: Anton Yelchin, Addison Timlin, Willem Dafoe
director: Stephen Sommers

A short-order cook is able to see demons that walk among us. He is our only chance for survival against an attack from Hell.

The script is overly chatty. Heavily narrated, it feels like the CW show iZombie in the way it often recaps what has happened and what is going to happen and what is happening. Normally that would be a problem, but the movie is breezy and fun.

double feature pairing: Men in Black

316
The African Queen (1951) ★ ★.5
stars: Humphrey Bogart, Katherine Hepburn
director: John Huston

At the dawn of World War One, a drunk riverboat captain and a missionary decide to attack a German warship.

I can see how this movie was influential in the romance/adventure genre. Maybe I prefer the more contemporary takes, because I couldn’t find a care for this.

watch Romancing the Stone instead

317
What’s Up, Doc? (1972) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Barbara Streisand, Ryan O’Neal, Madeline Kahn
director: Peter Bogdanovich

Four identical suitcases usher in a wacky screwball comedy. Yes, pies are thrown.

There’s some really funny stuff here. The dialogue has a great rhythm.

double feature pairing: Foul Play

318
Sugar (2008) ★ ★ ★.5
Algenis Perez Soto, André Holland, Michael Gaston
directors: Anna Boden, Ryan Flack

The American Dream is within reach for a Dominican baseball player called to the States to play professionally.

It's the kind of sports story you don’t hear about. How a person adapts to culture differences and language barriers is just as important as his talent.

double feature pairing: El Norte

319
Warcraft (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster
director: Duncan Jones

A war between ogres and humans, overloaded with CGI, couldn’t be as bad as the reviews say, could it?

It’s a good story that ends with a shrug. There is no true resolution because the arrogance of Franchise Hollywood expects sequels. Threads are dangled for the next movie(s) to pick up, but I’m not sure it did well enough to allow another one to be made.

I can think of only one example where movie arrogance was correct in expecting more and yet the potential franchise was left to wallow in the one-off bin…

watch Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins instead

320
Oasis: Supersonic (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Noel Gallagher, Liam Gallagher
director: Mat Whitecross

Within three years Oasis went from playing to nearly no one to selling out a field that held a quarter of a million people. The documentary is jammed with old footage and stories of debauchery, sibling rivalry, and rock & roll.

double feature pairing: Warrior

321
Fish Tank (2009) ★ ★ ★
stars: Katie Jarvis, Michael Fassbender, Kierston Wareing
writer/director: Andrea Arnold

At fifteen, Mia’s life isn’t the greatest. She has a plan. Her mom has a new boyfriend.

The “wrong side of the tracks” setting is brutal in its routine of mischief and rage. The pacing and runtime is a little brutal, too. And yet, I don’t think the last third would have the same impact if that time wasn’t spent.

double feature pairing: Fresh

322
Yoga Hosers (2016) ★.5
stars: Lily-Rose Depp, Harley Quinn Smith, Johnny Depp
writer/director: Kevin Smith

Two Canadian convenience store clerks stumble onto a dormant evil, eh.

Look, I knew this wasn’t going to be good. I still have a soft spot for Kevin Smith. He wanted to make a movie with his daughter. He was able to do that. So he did. I chuckled a few times and was amused by a subtly absurd visual gag. But even on the sliding scale of Kevin Smith movies, this is shockingly bad.

watch Strange Brew instead

323
The Jungle Book (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Neel Sethi, Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray
director: Jon Favreau

It’s like the original Disney cartoon, except it’s drawn much better and there’s a real boy running around.

I liked it a lot. It felt more dangerous and threatening than the story I’m used to. The songs are gone except for “The Bare Necessities,” which was incorporated very well into the story, and “I Wanna Be Like You,” which was not. “Trust in Me” was dispatched to play over the end credits. And… there aren’t any other songs, are there? Well, never mind, then. The songs are still there, except for “Trust in Me,” which was played over the end credits.

double feature pairing: Gorillas in the Mist

324
Frida (2002) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Salma Hayek, Alfred Molina, Mía Maestro
director: Julie Taymor

The life and pain and art of Frida Kahlo is incredibly presented Julie Taymor and Salma Hayek.

double feature pairing: All That Jazz

325
Miss Stevens (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Lily Rabe, Timothée Chalamet, Lili Reinhart
director: Julia Hart

Miss. Stevens takes three of her students on the road to a drama competition.

Let’s not argue about the reality of a drama competition. For this purpose, it exists. What works here are the relationships between the teacher and her students, one of whom is a little too in to her.

double feature pairing: Summer School

326
Mistress America (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Greta Gerwig, Lola Kirke, Matthew Shear
director: Noah Baumbach

When Tracy contacts her stepsister-to-be, she quickly falls into the slipstream of her personality and energy.

It’s always a treat to watch Greta Gerwig. It sorta settles into a stage play for a while. I found that interesting.

double feature pairing: The End of the Tour

327
Lights Out (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Maria Bello
director: David F. Sandberg

The monster comes out when the lights go out.

It’s a pretty good horror trip, despite the plentiful jump scares. It’s also an effective story of depression. So much so that some took issue with the resolution. The A.V. Club spoke to the director about the ending. It’s an interesting look into how test audiences can factor into a movie’s final cut. Read the article HERE. Obviously, spoilers.

double feature pairing: 30 Days of Night

328
The Best Offer (2013) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks
writer/director: Giuseppe Tornatore

An auctioneer is hired to appraise the estate of an heiress who refuses to be physically seen.

It’s a pretty good mystery that’s fueled by obsession and desire.

double feature pairing: Trance

329
Always Shine (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Mackenzie Davis, Caitlin Fitzgerald
director: Sophia Takal

Two friends take a weekend away from the grind of Hollywood. Beth is on the verge of stardom as Anna struggles with perceptions and expectations of an actress that reach beyond the set into everyday living.

The direction and script expertly toy with reality and identity without resorting to a cheap trick.

double feature pairing: 9 to 5

330
The Place Beyond the Pines (2012) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendes
director: Derek Cianfrance

A carney takes to robbing banks to provide for his new child.

There is a compelling crime story here, but the movie’s power lies with its portrayal of father and son relationships.

double feature pairing: Synecdoche, New York

331
Stories We Tell (2012) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: The Polley Family
director: Sarah Polley

Sarah Polley’s mom died with a secret.

An incredible documentary of a family trying to re-frame their history. Sarah Polley does an amazing job visualizing perception.

double feature pairing: Ghost Story

332
Uncle Nick (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Brian Poeshn, Paget Brewster, Melia Renee
director: Chris Kasick

It’s Christmas time! Look out, kids! Outrageous Uncle Nick is coming for dinner!

Or at least that’s the crude comedy that the marketing team wants you to think it is. It isn’t without adult situations and crude humor, but it’s no Bad Santa. There’s more character.

The disastrous Christmas dinner unfolds in tandem with Uncle Nick’s recounting dime-a-beer night, a misguided attempt by the Cleveland Indians to boost game attendance. It’s a questionable narrative device with a lovely payoff.

double feature pairing: Major League

333
Blue Jay (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Mark Duplass, Sarah Paulson
director: Alex Lehmann

Two high school ex-sweethearts coincidentally bump into each other as they visit their hometown 20 years later.

If you’ve seen a Duplass Brothers production, you know what you are getting: an outline of a story with largely improvised dialogue. It’s a formula that isn’t always paydirt. This effort has some rough patches to get through. There are some sweet moments too.

double feature pairing: Diner

334
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016) ★.5
stars: Zac Efron, Adam Devine, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza
director: Jake Szymanski

Two bros need respectable dates for their sister’s wedding. They think they found a couple to suit their need. What are female bros called?

I don’t know. The movie is pretty bad. I wonder how much of the script read: [actors riff].

watch Wedding Crashers instead

335
The Eyes of My Mother (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Kika Magalhes, Diana Agostini, Olivia Bond
writer/director: Nicolas Pesce

My mom said Cujo was scary because it was something that could really happen. That’s how I feel about this. It is horrific.

double feature pairing: Prisoners

336
Frank & Lola (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Michael Shannon, Imogen Poots, Justin Long
writer/director: Matthew Ross

Frank and Lola meet. Frank and Lola begin an intense relationship. Frank gets weird.

For a movie called Frank & Lola, there’s not much focus on Lola’s perspective. It’s very much the story of Frank’s jealously and obsession. Only the beautiful final shot hints there was another story to be told.

Michael Shannon is great, as usual. I think this is the third movie that featured Imogen Poots this year. The kid's on a good run.

double feature pairing: Punch-Drunk Love

337
Christine (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Rebecca Hall, Michael C. Hall, Tracy Letts
director: Antonio Campos

Based on the true story of a local TV reporter’s struggle with depression and the troubling direction of rewarding sensationalist news reporting.

Rebecca Hall is amazing. The story is gut-wrenching.

double feature pairing: Broadcast News

338
Nocturnal Animals (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon
director: Tom Ford

An art dealer receives a copy of her ex-husband’s new novel, the contents of which cause her to reexamine their relationship.

Talk about a tale of two movies. The real world of the art dealer is so goddamned boring. Lot of style and very mopey. The fictional world of the novel is so fucking good. Vibrant and one of the best revenge flicks out there. Every time the movie snapped back to the real world, I was sad. As the movie rolls on, lines between the two are blurred and the ending made the boring bits worth it.

double feature pairing: Stay

339
For the Love of Spock (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: folks talkin’ ‘bout Leonard Spock
director: Adam Nimoy

A documentary about Mr. Spock began production to commemorate Star Trek’s television premiere 50 years ago. Leonard Nimoy died before it was finished, so they added more about the man who wore the ears.

It’s a total shine. Nowhere is it mentioned that Leonard Nimoy hated being called Spock for a time. There are veiled mentions that he and his son, the movie’s director, didn’t get along for years. His alcoholism didn’t seem much of a problem to kick. There seemed to have been a divorce at some point. AND not even a passing mention of his work on Fringe! So, if it wasn’t related to Star Trek or a glowing sentiment, mum’s the word.

Still, it’s nice. Some good stories.

double feature pairing: Galaxy Quest

340
Office Christmas Party (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Jason Bateman, Olivia Munn, T.J. Miller
directors: Josh Gordon, Will Speck

What better way to woo a company-saving client than to invite him to the most insane Christmas party ever?!

A lot of funny people. Not a lot of funny jokes.

watch Christmas Vacation instead

341
The Good Neighbor (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: James Caan, Logan Miller, Keir Gilchrist
director: Kasra Farahani

Two teens decide to make their elderly neighbor think his house is haunted and film his reaction. The outcome is not what they expected.

I didn’t know what to expect. I’m not a fan of movies shot like “found footage,” but the movie moves between a “found footage” and conventional style. It's works. It’s an interesting story, and I’ll leave it at that.

double feature pairing: The ‘Burbs

Counters:
341/366 movies (13 movies off pace)
51/52 movies directed by women

TOP THREE

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part sixteen, Movies 288-314

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to: Here is part thirteen of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

288
Hateship Loveship (2013) ★ ★ ★
stars: Kristen Wiig, Guy Pearce, Haliee Steinfeld
director: Liza Johnson

Sabitha plays the part of evil Cyrano de Bergerac between her addict father and new housekeeper.

This has to be the most awkward love story I’ve ever seen. It’s sweet in its way. A fairy tale for misfits.

Wear your patient pants. The movie is in no hurry.

double feature pairing: You Can Count on Me

289
The Blob (1988) ★ ★ ★
stars: Shawnee Smith, Kevin Dillon, Donovan Leitch Jr
director: Chuck Russell

A blob of stuff eats its way through a small town.

*sigh* hooray. the government is here. we are saved.

Some impressive special effects mix with ones that remind you of the original.

double feature pairing: The Absent Minded Professor

290
Slums of Beverly Hills (1998) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Natasha Lyonne, Alan Arkin, Marisa Tomei
writer/director: Tamara Jenkins

Vivian is in desperate need of a mother figure. Thanks to her scheming father, her older cousin comes to live with them and her two brothers.

I liked it a lot.

double feature pairing: Little Miss Sunshine

291
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Lin Shaye, Stefanie Scott, Dermot Mulroney
director: Leigh Whannell

It’s the story we all wanted! How did that amazing ghost busting team from Insidious 1 come together?

[LOUD NOISE]

This is a pretty typical demon possession tale. [LOUD NOISE] Insidious has learned a lesson from The Conjuring. The victim isn’t the series thread; it’s the medium. The next movie can be about anyone anywhere. As long as you get Lin Shaye and the other two, Insidious can go forever.

Anyway, the movie is fine. Much better then the second one. But it relies too much on jump scares instead of creating actual horror or suspense.

double feature pairing: Rear Window

[LOUD NOISE]

292
Night Owls (2015) ★ ★.5
stars: Rosa Salazar, Adam Pally, Rob Huebel
director: Charles Hood

A one-night stand becomes an all-night nightmare for Kevin when he learns that the girl is his boss’s jilted mistress.

The power dynamic shifts in interesting ways. The leads are really good. …uh, I rated this when I saw it. Now that I’m writing about it weeks later I can’t remember why I edged it just under a recommendation.

[LOUD NOISE]

Maybe it was for one too many contrivances. Maybe because I thought it was fine but not good enough. Well, I’m sure it was for a reason.

watch The Apartment instead

293
Submarine (2010) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Craig Roberts, Yasmin Paige, Paddy Considine
director: Richard Ayoade

Oliver navigates his first romantic relationship as his parents’ marriage is threatened.

Humorous and highly enjoyable. The original songs were written by Alex Turner, lead singer of Arctic Monkeys.

double feature paring: Magnolia

294
Wild Bill (1995) ★ ★ ★
stars: Jeff Bridges, Ellen Barkin, David Arquette
director: Walter Hill

After a life of legend, Wild Bill Hickok settles in Deadwood.

The movie is bookended by one of my most hated narrative devices: folks ‘memberin’ things by a grave. To make it even worse, it sets up an unsure color pattern. The current scenes are in black and white. When folks get to spinnin’ a yarn, you’d think color’s a’comin’. Nope. Still black and white. It’s only when it flash forwards from the flashback, but not so far as to return to the grave site, does it become color. Take out the unnecessary bookends and there isn’t a problem.

One of the source materials was Thomas Babe’s play Fathers and Sons. The last third feels like a play. It’s unique for the genre.

double feature paring: Drugstore Cowboy

295
The Take (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Idris Elba, Richard Madden, Charlotte Le Bon
director: James Watkins

A CIA agent teams up with a pickpocket to thwart a terrorist attack in France.

A very familiar action thriller that doesn’t ask much from itself or the viewer.

watch Die Hard with a Vengeance instead

296
The Meddler (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Susan Sarandon, Rose Byrne, J.K. Simmons
director: Lorene Scafaria

Marnie moves to L.A. after her husband dies to be closer to her daughter. A little too close for her daughter’s taste.

Grieving takes many forms. Some busy themselves with others. Some need time to breathe on their own.

There is a conversation that hilariously takes a shot at my biggest pet peeve in the movie world: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, the needless title change to make all the Indiana Jones movies, I don’t know, start with “Indiana Jones”? True, the title remains the same within the movie — only the video cases were changed from Raiders of the Lost Ark to a title that incorrectly separates Indy from the other raiders — but it still burns my bacon when I see it. (and I’ve gotten over the Star Wars prequels.)

double feature pairing: Mother

297
Trumbo (2015) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Bryan Cranston, Diane Lane, Helen Mirren
director: Jay Roach

Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo is arrested for being a Communist then blacklisted from working for 10 years.

I originally stayed away from this because of the trailer. A movie about the movies in time for Oscar consideration with Bryan Cranston affecting a distracting accent? Pass. I was wrong. It’s well done despite too many speeches belaboring the point in the end. And that accent? Well, every other person is talking funny so it isn’t that distracting.

double feature pairing: Matinee

298
Rio Bravo (1959) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson
director: Howard Hawks

Bad guys aim to break their fellow bad guy out of jail. The sheriff is set against it. Luckily a drunk, an old man and a teen idol have his back.

Angie Dickinson, once again, plays “the girl” with very little consequence to the story. It’s a classic western in that respect and many others.

double feature paring: Assault on Precinct 13

299
Drillbit Taylor (2008) ★ ★ ★
stars: Owen Wilson, Nate Hartly, Troy Gentile
director: Steven Brill

Three high school freshmen post an add for a bodyguard to protect them from bullies.

It’s a comfortable formulaic comedy, perfect for those days when you need something light and undemanding.  There’s a nice My Bodyguard reference, and I wonder how many people got it.

double feature pairing: The Professional

300
The American Friend (1977) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Bruno Ganz, Dennis Hopper, Lisa Kreuzer
director: Wim Wenders

An American dealer of forged art ropes a German frame maker into the world of contract killing.

This isn’t the non-stop pulse pounder the American remake would have been. It’s much more delicate but not without tension.

I never noticed how alike Dennis Hopper and Owen Wilson could be. Maybe because I watched Drillbit Taylor before this. Hopper’s cowboy hat and his existentially somber mood reminded me of Wilson in The Royal Tennenbaums.

double feature paring: The Matador

301
Clifford (1994) ★ ★
stars: Martin Short, Charles Grodin, Mary Steenburgen
director: Paul Flaherty

A 10 year-old problem child is dumped on his uncle to handle.

Martin Short makes me laugh. So does Charles Grodin. Short’s kid schtick is wasted on a bad script. And Grodin is phoning in a terrible Charles Grodin impression. All the yelling…

watch Cabin Boy instead

302
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell
director: David Yates

Magic, magic everywhere! oh, and the wonder!

I liked it more than any of the Harry Potter movies*.

*not a big fan of the Harry Potter movies.

double feature paring: The Manchurian Candidate

303
Monster (2003) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci, Bruce Dern
writer/director: Patty Jenkins

The dramatization of Aileen Wuornos’ murder spree is handled with compassion and understanding without excusing her murderous actions.

double feature pairing: Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer

304
The Counterfeiters (2007) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Karl Markovics, August Diehl, Devid Striesow
director: Stefan Ruzowitzky

Imprisoned in a German concentration camp, a Jewish forger is enlisted for Operation: Bernhard, which became the largest money counterfeiting operation in history.

An incredible story that explores the line between resistance and survival.

double feature pairing: To Live and Die in L.A.

305
War Dogs (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Miles Teller, Jonah Hill, Bradley Cooper
director: Todd Phillips

A couple of bros become gun brokers for the U.S. government.

The trailer leans heavy on the humor element. The overall tone is much more dramatic. The narration and editing is under the influence of Goodfellas.

double feature pairing: The Wolf of Wall Street

306
Ratcatcher (1999) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: William Eadie, Mandy Matthews, Tommy Flanagan
writer/director: Lynne Ramsay

A slice-of-life tale during Glasgow’s garbage strike in 1973. James tries to make the best of his diseased environment and dreams of something better.

Absolutely heartbreaking.

double feature pairing: Mousehunt

307
Sour Grapes (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: wine snobs, con men, federal agents
directors: Reuben Atlas, Jerry Rothwell

A bunch of snooty ascots are swindled by a con man selling fake wine.

Wine snobs are the most insufferable people. Maybe I mock what I don’t care about. But, good god, they are the worst.

The movie does a good job of showing how con man Rudy Kurniawan charmed people and the system into accepting his forgeries. However, it doesn’t seem to have a strong grasp on how his operation worked. Connections are made, but the presentation isn’t confident.

watch My Kid Could Paint That instead

308
The Frontier (2015) ★ ★.5
stars: Jocelin Donahue, Jim Beaver, Kelly Lynch
director: Oren Shai

Stop me if you’ve heard this one: two crime noir stories walk into a diner…

Both are played effectively suspenseful in the beginning. Then there are questionable events. Then the contrivances become too much to overlook. Still, it was almost great.

watch Blood Simple instead

309
Evolution (2015) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Max Brebant, Roxane Duran, Julie-Marie Parmentier
director: Lucile Hadzihalilovic

There is an island of women and preteen boys.

I have no other way of describing the plot that wouldn’t ruin your discovery of a story that could be categorized as science fiction, maybe even biological horror. It’s largely absent of dialogue, an incredible display of visual storytelling. If there was a loop of the first several minutes, I don’t think I’d have another anxious day in my life.

double feature pairing: Under the Skin

310
Central Intelligence (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Amy Ryan
director: Rawson Marshall Thurber

Old schoolmates reunite for some secret agent shenanigans.

Funny is as The Rock and Kevin Hart does.

double feature pairing: The Nude Bomb

311
After the Wedding (2006) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Mads Mikkelsen, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Rolf Lassgård
director: Susanne Bier

Jacob manages a struggling orphanage in India. He travels to Denmark to meet a potential investor. He couldn’t imagine how his life is about to change.

Wonderfully acted. Emotionally complex.

double feature pairing: The Deer Hunter

312
The Fan (1981) ★ ★.5
stars: Lauren Bacall, Michael Biehn, James Garner
director: Ed Bianchi

There’s a guy who likes a Broadway actress a little too much. Muderously too much.

Good for its day. But what captured my attention was the deranged fan’s letter writing campaign. He’d write letters. Her secretary would respond in kind, until she ignores them. The more agitated he became, the more his understanding of how the post office works would slip away. One letter said that if he didn’t receive a response by tomorrow… Tomorrow? So he mails it that day. And let’s say the letter is received the next day, aka: tomorrow. The best scenario is that the secretary isn’t swamped and could immediately respond. If she gets that letter posted in time, and the New York City postal service can get a regular letter delivered next day… we’re talking the day after tomorrow, at best! Sometimes when you go crazy, reason goes with you.

watch Play Misty for Me instead

313
Allied (2016) ★ ★
stars: Brad Pitt, Marion Cotillard, Jared Harris
director: Robert Zemeckis

Two spies fall in love during World War Two. One spy might be a spy.

If you’ve seen the trailer, or read those two lines, there is nothing in this movie to see but the resolution. And even that isn’t interesting.

watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith instead

314
The Edge of Seventeen (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Haliee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner
writer/director: Kelly Fremon Craig

A socially awkward teen spins a little more out of control when her only friend starts dating her bother.

It’s great.

double feature pairing: Wonder Boys

Counters:
314/366 movies (21 movies off pace)
46/52 movies directed by women

TOP THREE

[LOUD NOISE]

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part fifteen: Movies 256-287

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to: Here is part fifteen of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

256
The Wailing (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Do Won Kwak, Jung-min Hwang, Jun Kunimura
writer/director: Hong-jin Na

A police officer investigates an outbreak of a suspicious disease that coincides with sightings of a mysterious man living in the woods.

Eerie with an incredibly nerve-wracking ceremony. If you are looking for horror with gore, guts and a quick pace, looks elsewhere.

double feature pairing: The Exorcist

257
Child’s Play (1988) ★ ★ ★
stars: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Alex Vincent
director: Tom Holland

A criminal — and apparent sorcerer — projects his spirit into a doll just before the cops gun him down. Pity the mother who gives the doll to her son. Save the son because he is in some serious shit.

Hilariously dated but still a lot of fun.

double feature pairing: Dead Silence

258
Man vs Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Nibbler (2015) ★ ★ ★
stars: Tim McVey, Dwayne Richard, Enrico Zanetti
directors: Tim Kinzy, Andrew Seklir

Nibbler is an arcade game that has a top score of one billion points. It takes about 40 hours of gameplay to reach that number. It’s weird to call these men athletes, yet there is a physical and mental toll that impresses as well as causes wonder about how smelly that room is.

There is some interesting drama about two-thirds in. The documentary is so focused on glorifying Tim McVey that it ignores someone who did even better. Maybe that guy didn’t want to be interviewed. Can’t imagine why not.

double feature pairing: The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters

259
The Other (1972) ★ ★.5
stars: Uta Hagen, Chris Udvarnoky, Martin Udvarnoky
director: Robert Mulligan

Twin farm boys possess a power and a secret.

This story of a supernatural Goofus and Gallant doesn’t fare well after 44 years. The slow pace might have worked in its favor then. Now, it telegraphs a reveal we are all too familiar with. The ending is worthwhile, even though it takes a little too long to get there.

watch The Good Son instead

260
Terror Train (1980) ★.5
stars: Ben Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Hart Bochner
director: Roger Spottiswoode

Choo! Choo! All aboard the terror train! Don’t let the name fool you. It’s really a murder train.

I’ve got a feeling this movie was old hat in 1980. It was somewhat enjoyable in is awfulness, the bizarre acting of David Copperfield, and for the few minutes it made me think about The War of the Roses.

When an fire extinguisher is used in any movie I’m reminded of the part in The War of the Roses when the family Christmas tree is on fire and Michael Douglas is frantically reading the fire extinguisher instructions. Funny stuff. I’m smiling about it now.

watch The War of the Roses instead

261
Fort Tilden (2014) ★ ★ ★
stars: Bridey Elliott, Clare McNulty
director: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers

Harper and Allie are going to the beach to meet a couple guys. Distractions within and beyond their control make it a trip more difficult than it should be.

Early segments reminded me of situations that could pop up in Broad City. The movie suffered for a bit because of those connected dots. Fort Tilden came into its own and resolved quite nicely.

tv pairing: Broad City

262
Pontypool (2008) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Stephen McHattie, Lisa Houle, Georgina Reilly
director: Bruce McDonald

There’s a… well, I’ll call it a zombie outbreak for the ease of illustration, even though the outbreak doesn’t technically fall into that arena. Like how people are wrong in calling 28 Days Later a zombie movie. It isn’t, but it’s lumped into that category anyway…

The people of Pontypool are consumed by an infection that is spread in an unknown way. An early morning radio team tries to make sense of it all.

The movie take place almost entirely in the radio station. It’s a unique and intense way of bringing some life into a familiar genre.

double feature pairing: Talk Radio

263
The Whole Truth (2016) ★ ★
stars: Keanu Reeves, Renée Zellweger, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
director: Courtney Hunt

A son is on trial for killing his dad. It’s not a question of did he do it, but what is he hiding?

To those who have never seen a cinematic murder trial, you will be blown away! To everyone else, you can figure what he’s hiding almost immediately. Even though your first guess is probably wrong, because the movie wants you to think you’ve figured it out, your second suspicion isn’t.

watch …and justice for all. instead

264
Re-Animator (1985) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, Barbara Crampton
director: Stuart Gordon

A scientist brings back the dead in hilariously gory and just plain funny ways.

double feature pairing: Evil Dead 2

265
The Girl on the Train (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson
director: Tate Taylor

The trailer wants you to think this is a crime thriller about a missing woman. It’s that on some level. It’s also something more. The who-done-it is predictable. The performances, particularly Emily Blunt’s, are reasons enough to watch.

double feature pairing: Source Code

266
Onionhead (1958) ★.5
stars: Andy Griffith, Felicia Farr, Walter Mathau
director: Norman Taurog

Some asshole decides to join the Coast Guard after his crush rejects him. He eventually learns one lesson but never gets comeuppance for his actions and gets the girl at the end anyway because the ‘50s.

watch A Face in the Crowd instead

267
The Adventure of Shelock Holmes’ Smarter Brother (1975) ★ ★
stars: Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, Marty Feldman
writer/director: Gene Wilder

Sigerson Holmes works a case and sing songs.

I got a couple big laughs from this. I was mostly keeping an eye on the time. Fans of Mel Brooks’ movies should check this out.

watch Zero Effect instead

268
Norman Lear: Just Another You (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Norman Lear
directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady

Norman Lear evolved network television (back then it was simply called television) into a place where important social and civil issues could be discussed.

I think the documentary could have eased up on the extensive set pieces which featured a child actor standing in for Lear (He’s a kid at heart!). Listening to Lear as he recorded his audiobook isn’t as interesting as hearing stories in an interview. And I don’t need to watch people watching clips of his shows. Still, he’s an important person in television history. If this is the only documentary we get, it’s good enough.

double feature pairing: The TV Set

269
Carnage Park (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Ashley Bell, Pat Healy, James Landry Hébert
writer/director: Mickey Keating

A couple bank robbers and their hostage find themselves trapped in the desert playground of killer.

The first half has the pace and feel of a Tarantino knock-off. The second half grinds to the crawl of a home invasion movie. Each part was fine.

watch Breakdown instead

270
Doomed: The Untold Story of Roger Corman’s The Fantastic Four (2015) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Mark Sikes, Oley Sassone, Alex Hyde-White
director: Mark Langford

The Fantastic Four is the only movie Roger Corman made that was never released. Pretty amazing considering all the low budget hash he has slung.

It’s an interesting story. The documentary’s structure and presentation of the ultimate reason why the movie will never get a legitimate release is muddy.

double feature pairing: Lost in La Mancha

271
The Intervention (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Melaine Lynskey, Cobie Smulders, Jason Ritter
writer/director: Clea DuVall

A group of friends come together for a weekend to suggest that two of them should get a divorce.

Excellent performances and a bow-less resolution keep a few contrivances from mattering.

double feature pairing: The Big Chill

272
Finding Dory (2016) ★ ★
stars: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill
directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane

Everyone’s favorite forgetful fish has remembered she has parents.

I understand Finding Dory is an obvious title to a Finding Nemo sequel, but I’m calling the bad title police. No one is looking for Dory.

Anyway, one good thing about a main character who suffers from short term memory loss is that you don’t have to pay close attention to the movie. They will repeat any important plot points.

watch Blackfish instead

273
A Bigger Splash (2015) ★ ★.5
stars: Tilda Swinton, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ralph Fiennes
director: Luca Guadagnino

A famous rock star rests her voice in Italy with her boyfriend when her former producer and lover crash their solitary.

Good performances and character stories. I lost interest after a while.

watch Sexy Beast instead

274
Doctor Strange (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton
director: Scott Derrickson

A neurosurgeon survives a car crash that irrevocably damages his hands. Looking for a miracle, he finds salvation in magic.

The Marvel movie universe has gone cosmic, and it works. I am burned out on origin stories, but in this case, it’s necessary and comes off rather well. It even takes a fresh approach on the third-act spectacle of dudes fighting as a city crumbles.

double feature pairing: Edge of Tomorrow

275
Gimme Danger (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Iggy Pop, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton
director: Jim Jarmusch

The story of The Stooges. It is so much the story of The Stooges that it’s barely acknowledged that Iggy Pop has a solo career.

It’s a must see for fans of The Stooges.

watch Filmage: The Story of Descendents/ALL instead

276
Morris from America (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Markees Christmas, Craig Robinson, Lina Keller
writer/director: Chad Hartigan

Morris and his dad are Americans living in Germany. He has a hard time fitting in with kids his age. When he meets Katrin, he tries a little harder.

One of the better coming-of-age stories. The father and son scenes are great. I prefer Craig Robinson as a dramatic actor.

double feature pairing: In Bruges

277
Ordinary World (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Billie Joe Armstrong, Selma Blair, Judy Greer
writer/director: Lee Kirk

Perry gave up his band to have a family. He’s wondering if he chose wisely as he turns 40.

All the comforts and forced situations of a formulaic romantic comedy. I actually enjoyed it. Billie Joe “Green Day” Armstrong turned in a decent performance.

double feature pairing: The Family Man

278
Wild Oats (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Shirley MacLaine, Jessica Lange, Howard Hesseman
director: Andy Tennant

Eva doesn’t know what to do when a $50,000 life insurance check arrives in the amount of $5,000,000. Her friend Maddie says, “Fuck it. Let’s travel.” Eva agrees.

A fun romp with funny people. It’s ends like you might expect, but the way there isn’t as expected. Also, you don’t see too many movie championing the career of a teacher.

double feature pairing: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

279
A Band Called Death (2012) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Bobby Hackney, David Hackney, Dannis Hackney
directors: Mark Christopher Covino, Jeff Howlett

Two years before the Ramones, there was Death. Now called the first punk band, Death was formed by three brothers from Detroit. David’s unwavering defiance to keep that name kept them from an audience. 35 years later, the audience found the music.

It’s amazing the power music can have.

double feature pairing: The Punk Singer

280
Our Kind of Traitor (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Ewan McGregor, Naomie Harris, Stellan Skarsgård
director: Susanna White

Some regular folks on a vacation decide to assist a Russian bookkeeper in defecting to England.

A very traditional spy thriller. If you’ve never seen one, you’re gonna love it!

watch Moscow on the Hudson instead

281
Dog Eat Dog (2016) ★ ★.5
stars: Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe, Christopher Matthew Cook
director: Paul Schrader

The trio of criminals decide to up their game by kidnapping the baby of a debtor.

This movie is 20 years too late to be anything interesting. It’s always good to see Willem Dafoe in the mix.

watch Three Men and a Baby instead

282
Army of One (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Nicolas Cage, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Russell Brand
director: Larry Charles

Based on the true story of the guy who went to Afghanistan to find Osama bin Laden by himself.

You know what I miss? Nicholas Cage, the comedian. And to some extent the “out there” Nicholas Cage. This one displays them both wonderfully. If you do not feel the same way about Nicolas Cage, there is nothing here for you. It is as absurd as the story it’s based on. So much fun.

double feature pairing: Zero Dark Thirty

283
Nerve (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Emma Roberts, Dave Franco, Emily Meade
directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

Vee decides to break out of her comfort zone by signing up for a dare-based game funded and run by those watching online.

oh, these goddamn millennials and their internet games. Don’t bring your logic, just the edge of your seat*.

*an exaggeration. It’s a better movie than I thought it would be.

double feature pairing: The Game

284
Moonlight (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Travante Rhodes
director: Barry Jenkins

The three actors listed above play the same character at different points in his life. The casting director should get a major award for finding three individuals who could make their respective performances imprint and/or reflect on each other, building a character to a point where you can see the hurting child in the eyes of the grown man.

double feature pairing: Half Nelson

285
Hacksaw Ridge (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Andrew Garfield
director: Mel Gibson

There was a man so steadfast in his faith and country that he served in WWII as medic and refused to kill or carry a weapon.

There aren’t many people with that much conviction. Tough to believe, but there it is. The movie is a little corny and incredibly brutal. Vince Vaughn makes an excellent drill instructor.

double feature pairing: Letters from Iwo Jima

286
The Handmaiden (2016) ★ ★.5

stars: Min-hee Kim, Kim Tea-ri, Jung-woo Ha
director: Chan-wook Park

Two Korean con artists conspire against a Japanese heiress. Not everything is as it seems.

It’s beautifully shot. But if you are going to make me watch the first half of the movie again from a different perspective show me that it was necessary and not just to wake me up.

watch Groundhog Day instead

287
Arrival (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Forest Whitaker
director: Denis Villeneuve

The government enlists the aid of a linguist to decipher the noises coming from one of the twelve alien crafts that have appeared on Earth.

Really good, potentially great. I’m so used to movies taking cheap shortcuts that when the dismissed aspects of this story turned out to have weight to them, I realized that maybe the full appreciation of this movie wouldn’t come until a second viewing.

book pairing: Trees

Counters:
287/366 movies (31 movies off pace)
38/52 movies directed by women

TOP THREE

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part fourteen: Movies 222-255

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to: Here is part fourteen of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

222
Meek’s Cutoff (2010) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Michelle Williams, Bruce Greenwood, Will Patton
director: Kelly Reichardt

Go west, good people. Don’t take any wooden nickels, and be mindful of braggart guides who suggest a shortcut.

Kelly Reichardt is a master of the slow pace and low plot point count. At the very least, you will feel what it was like to have traveled cross-country in 1845. At most, you will be rewarded with a meditation on trust.

…and there’s a chance you’ll scream, “That’s it?! Bullshit!” when the end credits roll.

double feature pairing: No Country for Old Men

223
Just Desserts: The Making of Creepshow (2007) ★.5
stars: George A. Romero, Tom Savini
director: Michael Feisher

Instead of a new “loaded with hours of special features” bluray release of Creepshow, the behind-the-scenes segments have been compiled and strung together as a supposed documentary. That’s what this feels like, anyway.

There are a few interesting stories, most of which are related to Tom Savini and his special effects team. Steven King, co-creator with George Romero, is conspicuously absent. And I’d like to ask the director why he felt it necessary to include a crew member’s tale of sexual congress when talking about Hal Holbrook. See, this girl’s mother allowed her to go away with him for the wrap party, because he promised to bring back Hal’s autograph. Obviously, he didn’t get it, so he signed Hal’s name himself. A great story, right?

watch Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau instead

224
Bad Moms (2016) ★
stars: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell
writers/directors: Jon Lucas, Scott Moore

Moms are over-worked and under-appreciated. These moms aren’t going to take it anymore!

One of the worst movies I’ve ever seen. I suppose it’s a fantasy for a people I don’t know, but I’m also sure it’s a working mom’s fantasy through the eyes of two dudes who really don’t know the limits of a PTA leader’s power or desires beyond lessons learned from Mallrats: Girls like the Cheesecake Factory and just want to go shopping in the stores they want to shop in.

watch Bachelorette instead

225
De Palma (2015) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Brian De Palma
directors: Noah Baumbach, Jake Paltrow

Brian De Palma is a director who impresses and baffles me in equal parts. His camera work can be as elegant as it can be contrived.

This documentary is nothing but De Palma telling stories. They are all fascinating, even enlightening. I could have listened to two more hours.

double feature pairing: Listen to Me Marlon

226
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey
director: Travis Knight

There is magic aplenty in this tale of a boy on a quest to locate his father’s armor as a shadow from the past looms.

A great animated story from someplace other than Pixar.

double feature pairing: Coraline

227
The Finest Hours (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Chris Pine, Ben Foster, Casey Affleck
director: Craig Gillespie

Based on the true Coast Guard rescue of an oil tanker destroyed by a blizzard near Cape Cod in 1952.

I was wrong to dismiss this when it came out earlier this year. It’s a much better story than the trailer presented. If we aren’t careful Chris Pine is going to be one of the best character actors of our day.

double feature pairing: All Is Lost

228
The Last Picture Show (1971) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Timothy Bottoms, Jeff Bridges, Cybill Shepherd
director: Peter Bogdanovich

The story of a dying town and the people trying to break from its grasp.

Goddam. That’s a great movie.

double feature pairing: Doc Hollywood

229
The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: The Beatles
director: Ron Howard

You’ve heard the stories. You’ve seen the footage. The Beatles were a big deal when they came to the States. It’s only now, seeing this, that I truly understand how the world was not ready to facilitate such fandom.

double feature pairing: That Thing You Do!

230
Bicycle Thieves (1948) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Lamberto Maggiorani, Enzo Staiola, Lainella Carell
director: Vittorio De Sica

Struggling in post-WWII Italy, a man gets a job on account of his bicycle ownership. The bike is stolen. Let the hunt begin!

Sometimes the lowest stakes are the greatest.

double feature pairing: Pee Wee’s Big Adventure

231
The Conjuring 2 (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson,
director: James Wan

Everyone’s favorite ghost hunters are going to London!

I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time before this franchise makes its easy transformation to television. The room of articles from previous adventures are a perfectly hacky way to wrap up each episode.

Speaking of which, The Exorcist has been turned into a TV show. It’s great. Each episode so far has had some well-crafted horror beats and finds a way to surprise.

double feature pairing: The Amityville Horror

232
Sisters (1972) ★ ★ ★
stars: Margot Kidder, Jennifer Salt, Charles Durning
director: Brian De Palma

Either way this plot is summarized will ruin something about it. Why should I take from your confusion as to why you are watching a dating show at the beginning or alleviate your wonder as to where it is going?

If you know Brian De Palma’s movies, you probably have a guess. But the movie shifts again, finishing with a final shot that I couldn’t help but chuckle at, then wonder about for a couple days after.

Like is said, De Palma impresses and baffles me.

double feature pairing: Dead Ringers

233
The Program (2015) ★ ★
stars: Ben Foster, Chris O’Dowd, Jesse Plemons
director: Stephen Frears

Lance Armstrong says he didn’t take performance enhancing drugs, but he did, and now we know.

There is nothing in the script or direction that is a surprise.

watch Vision Quest instead

234
My Blind Brother (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Adam Scott
director: Sophie Goodhart

A brothers’ relationship is tested as the blind one trains for a charity swim while dating the seeing one’s one night stand.

It’s surprising how natural the love triangle pretzel comes together. Not so surprising is how tedious the open water metaphor is in the third act. However, the high likability of the cast makes it all worth it.

double feature pairing: Stuck on You

235
Kicks (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Jahking Guillory, Christopher Jordan Wallace, Christopher Meyer
director: Justin Tipping

A teen fulfills his dream of owning a pair of Air Jordans. When they are taken from him, he starts down a dangerous path to retrieve them.

It’s a well-crafted tale of the positive and destructive lessons of status and respect that are handed down through parenting and pop culture. The need for a heightened visual flourish (the astronaut) gets in the way at times.

double feature pairing: In Her Shoes

236
Night Train to Munich (1940) ★ ★ ★
stars: Margaret Lockwood, Rex Harrison, Paul Henreid
director: Carol Reed

Just before WWII breaks, the Germans hunt a scientist who developed a new kind of armor by using his daughter as bait. Eventually, they all take a train.

It’s good.

double feature pairing: Narrow Margin

237
Metropolis (1927) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Alfred Abel, Brigitte Helm, Gustav Fröhlich
director: Fritz Lang

The working class is ground into the gears of the works of a futuristic city as the elite blindly go about their pampered lives. Revolution is coming.

The Wexner Center for the Arts hosted a screening with a live performance of the score by Alloy Orchestra. It was amazing. I’m sure watching it at home without a live band will be great, too. [snicker]

Nearly 90 yeas later, the visuals are still incredible, and the last third is thrilling.

double feature pairing: Dredd

238
The Magnificent Seven (2016) ★ ★
stars: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke
director: Antoine Fuqua

Poor townsfolk hire gunfighters to rid their lives of a bad man.

“You say cliché, I say classic” — Eddie Spaghetti

I say…cliché. Flat writing. Flat action. I flat-out don’t understand how this was screwed up.

watch Silverado instead

239
Snowden (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo
director: Oliver Stone

Joseph Gordon-Levitt concludes his trilogy of distracting accents in this dramatization of Edward Snowden’s exposure of NSA practices.

Pretty good. Nicholas Cage was a nice surprise.

double feature pairing: Enemy of the State

240
Cronos (1993) ★ ★ ★
stars: Federico Luppi, Ron Perlman, Claudio Brook
director: Guillermo del Toro

An antique dealer discovers a device that provides eternal life.

One of the more unique “vampire” stories.

double feature pairing: Ravenous

241
Under the Shadow (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi
writer/director: Babak Anvari

A mother and daughter are menaced by a ghost in 1980s Tehran.

Another in a recent line of horror movies that is a little more metaphor than practical story. Still very good.

a note:  I had to turn on the close captions because the on-demand version I rented did not have subtitles. About two-thirds through the captions were out of sync. They were about five seconds early. This made some conversations difficult to follow with the visuals. And a few potential scares were ruined by a premature “[loud bang]”. So maybe wait for the video release, which will have proper subtitles.

double feature pairing: The Babadook

242
Mascots (2016) ★ ★
stars: Parker Posey, Chris O’Dowd, Tom Bennett
director: Christopher Guest

A look behind the scenes of a mascot competition.

So much unfunny. Improvisation makes a sound now. It’s a low din of affirmation that gets louder as it’s performed more poorly.

watch Being John Malkovich instead

243
The Birth of a Nation (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Nate Barker, Armie Hammer, Aja Naomi King
writer/director: Nate Barker

The ballad of Nate Parker, leader of a slave uprising in 1831.

It’s tough to separate a movie about slavery from the baked-in award talk that usually surrounds it. Has there been one that wasn’t nominated for something? This movie is more “enough is enough” than the usual “slavery = bad.” It even co-opted footage of Black Lives Matter demonstrations into its TV ads.

There is some impressive imagery. The pacing isn’t as strong. Folks agree slavery was wrong. Now, more need to see how that wrong is still effecting policies, procedures and actions today.

double feature pairing: Glory

244
Shin Godzilla (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Hiroki Hasegawa, Yutaka Takenouchi, Satomi Ishihara
directors: Hideaki Anno, Shinji Higuchi

What happens when an unstoppable force (Godzilla) meets an immovable object (bureaucracy)?

Lots and lots of meetings (but in a good way), a few laughs and some badass Godzilla action.

double feature pairing: Alligator

245
Session 9 (2001) ★ ★
stars; Peter Mullan, David Caruso, Josh Lucas
director: Brad Anderson

A HAZMAT team clears out an abandoned mental hospital.

Bad acting and ham-fisted situations tie together for an ending that wasn’t worth the trouble.

watch Shutter Island instead

246
The Accountant (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Ben Affleck, Anna Kendrick, J.K. Simmons
director: Gavin O’Connor

Savant or autistic? Either way, this guy is really, really good at accounting. And killing.

An enjoyable thriller that takes its “I wouldn’t say autism because I don’t believe in labels, but, yeah, autism” flag waving one step too far into ridiculousness.

double feature pairing: Michael Clayton

247
USS Indianapolis: Men of Courage (2016) ★.5
stars: Nicolas Cage, Tom Sizemore, Thomas Jane
director: Mario Van Peebles

The USS Indianapolis is sunk on its way back to the US. Stranded for five days in the ocean, most of the crew were killed by shark attacks.

It’s a sad realization that a speech in Jaws about surviving this attack is more dramatic than anything in this movie. Maybe more focus on the scapegoat trail that occurred afterwards would have been a better way to go.

watch Jaws instead

248
Masterminds (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Zach Galifianakis, Kristen Wiig, Owen Wilson
director: Jared Hess

A comedy based on one of the biggest heists in American history.

The degree to which you will like this movie depends on your feeling of the cast and how silly you like your comedy.

Kate McKinnon, Jason Sudeikis and Leslie Jones are also in it. That’s a strong six, plus Ken Marino in a role that I suspect mostly lives on the editing room floor.

Bonus: it ends with a blooper reel!

double feature pairing: Bottle Rocket

249
Money Monster (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Jack O’Connell
director: Jodie Foster

Dude lost a lot of money in the stock market. Dude takes the show host responsible for the advice hostage on live TV.

Never mind the last third as it falls into the world of fairy tales. There’s some high grade performance and direction in the moments of the stand-off.

double feature pairing: Cadillac Man

250
Certain Women (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Laura Dern, Michelle Williams, Lily Gladstone, Kristen Stewart
director: Kelly Reichardt

Three, loosely tied stories of women living Montana.

I can’t see how to make it sound any flashier than that. Still, Kelly Reichardt has a way of making the slightest story interesting. She is able to find great actors. Lily Gladstone is terrific. There are two moments that show the passage of time in two most exquisite ways.

fun fact: Wexner Center for the Arts gave Kelly Reichardt a grant, which allowed her to perfect the sound mix and shoot the movie on film, something she didn’t have money for otherwise.

double feature pairing: Real Men

251
The Hill (1965) ★ ★ ★
stars: Sean Connery, Harry Andrews, Ossie Davis
director: Sidney Lumet

The guards of a WWII military prison in North Africa take discipline to an extreme.

It’s too bad Sean Connery didn’t get meatier roles. He’s pretty good in this and has one excellent scene. He excelled in other movie directed by Sidney Lumet called…

double feature pairing: The Offence

252
In a Valley of Violence (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Ethan Hawke, John Travolta, Taissa Farmiga
writer/director: Ti West

A drifter doesn’t mean to find trouble, but there it is.

I say…classic. This has everything I wanted from The Magnificent Seven: humor, interesting action, that great western feel. And it had even more! A great main theme/opening titles and animal tricks!

double feature pairing: The Road Warrior

253
The Laughing Policeman (1973) ★ ★
stars: Walter Matthau, Bruce Dern, Louis Gossett Jr.
director: Stuart Rossenberg

A police detective is gunned down in a massacre on a city bus. Why? The answer might bore you.

The Laughing Policemen was clearly chasing the tail of The French Connection. From the indulgent crime scene investigation to the “gritty” coroner scene, it wants you to know how authentic it’s being. Even the movie poster got in on the action. The tag line reads: This movie is so real it makes every other movie in the town look like a movie.

Walter Matthau’s stretch of playing something of a tough guy is a curiosity for me. It’s always great to see the piss and vinegar of Bruce Dern. Too bad the movie wasn’t interesting, or bothered to mention who the laughing policeman was.

watch The Singing Detective instead

254
The House of the Devil (2009) ★.5
stars: Jocelyn Donahue, Tom Noonan, Greta Gerwig
writer/director: Ti West

Desperate for money, a college student takes a babysitting job in a spooky house for a spooky couple.

A slow burn is all about building tension. It also relies on the ending to be worth the wait. The cast is really good. There is some effective chill. The ending needed to be more.

watch Coherence instead

255
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) ★
stars: Tom Cruise, Cobie Smulders, Danika Yarosh
director: Edward Zwick

The makers put little effort into making a good sequel to a really good movie. In turn, the marketing team didn’t give a shit either. So why should I bother?

watch The Presidio instead

Counters:
255/366 movies (50 movies off pace)
33/52 movies directed by women

TOP THREE

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part twelve: Movies 174-187

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to, here is part twelve of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

174
Body Double (1984) ★.5
stars: Craig Wasson, Melanie Griffith, Gregg Henry
co-writer/director: Brian De Palma

A struggling actor housesits for a new acquaintance and witnesses a murder across the way.

Yep, this is the De Palma I don’t like. Indulgent and boring.

watch Slam Dance instead

175
Village of the Damned (1995) ★ ★ ★
stars: Christopher Reeve, Kirstie Alley, Linda “Mrs. Crocodile Dundee” Kozlowski
director: John Carpenter

I think this maligned remake of a small town’s mysterious children problem plays better if you imagine it were made in the ‘50s. John Carpenter wasn’t looking to update the storytelling or acting style. He wanted, I’m guessing, to make a horror movie like those of his youth. If you go in with that mindset, you’ll be entertained. Christopher Reeve is good in it. Or you can watch the 1960 original. They are basically the same.

This John Carpenter? What other movies did he make?

Spank Bank's John Carpenter

double feature pairing: Tremors

176
When a Stranger Calls (1979) ★ ★ ★ 
stars: Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Tony Beckley
co-writer/director: Fred Walton

It’s the “the call is coming from inside the house” movie.

And that line comes waaaaaay sooner than I thought it was going to. After the first twenty minutes! Where is this movie going to go from here? Well, it becomes a manhunt and character drama, then it becomes its own sequel. Fascinating.

double feature pairing: Scream

177
When a Stranger Calls (2006) ★ ★ 
stars: Camilla Belle, Tommy Flanagan, the voice of Lance Henriksen
director: Simon West

Now this is what I expected the original to be like. The whole movie takes place over one evening. The first twenty minutes of the original were stretched out to ninety. It’s a good remake, despite ignoring how caller ID works. But, like most creep-around movies, I was done with it two-thirds in.

Product placement has changed over the years. In the original, Babysitter gets a Dilly Bar® from the freezer. I know this because I recognize the wrapper. It isn’t presented in any obvious way, so it hardly counts as placement, really. I guess it speaks more to how many Dilly Bars® I ate as a kid. In the remake, Babysitter gets a Dole Fruit Bar®. from the freezer. I know this because of the delayed shot of the second box of Dole Fruit Bars®.

watch the first twenty minutes of the 1979 version

178
Daddy’s Home (2015) ★.5
stars: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini
director: Sean Anders

I know I watched this. Can’t remember a damned thing about it that wasn’t in the trailer.

watch Max Duggan Returns instead

179
Girlfight (2000) ★ ★ ★ 
stars: Michelle Rodriguez, Jamie Tirelli, Santiago Douglas
writer/director: Karyn Kusama

Diana secretly trains as a boxer. Finds resistance.

Michelle Rodriguez is great. The pacing is a little too slack.

double feature pairing: Rocky

180
The House Bunny (2008) ★.5
stars: Anna Faris, Emma Stone, Kat Dennings
director: Fred Wolf

A Playboy Bunny is kicked out of the Playboy Mansion and becomes the house mom of a sorority of misfits. She learns some things from them. They learn some things from her. Anna Faris is funny. The movie isn’t.

Produced by Adam Sandler’s company. Totally feels like it.

watch Legally Blond instead

181
Swiss Army Man (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Paul Dano, Daniel Radcliffe, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
writers/directors: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert

A man deserted on an island discovers a dead body on the beach. It’s this farting corpse that just might be the thing to save him.

The greatest farting movie of all time. There were moments when I was wondering what I was watching. It’s very funny. Incredibly inventive. And not without a deeper, darker meaning. It’s unique.

double feature pairing: Be Kind Rewind

182
Ghostbusters (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon
director: Paul Feig

Fuck the haters. This is funny. It’s a decent remake/remodel/re-whatever. It nods to the original while making its own thing. Some of the most unfunny parts were the forced cameos. Bill Murray’s character was necessary for the story, but he didn’t seem to care. He let his hat do the work. The bust of Harold Ramis was a sweet touch.

double feature pairing: Evil Dead (2013)

183
The Killers (1946) ★ ★ ★
stars: Burt Lancaster, Ava Gardner, Edmond O’Brien
director: Robert Siodmak

A small town mechanic is killed by two hit men. Why? That’s a question for the insurance claims agent to answer.

Yep, the insurance company’s claims agent is hot on the case. No private eye, though the role is played like one, or homicide detective, which makes much more sense, could be torn away from their whiskey and donuts, respectively.

That aside, and ignored when the movie brings it up again, this is a nice little crime picture. The opening scene in the diner must make the Coen Brothers drool. The rhythm of the dialogue is amazing.

double feature pairing: Payback

184
The Killers (1964) ★ ★ ★ 
stars: Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, John Cassavetes
director: Don Siegel

Now this is how you remake a movie. Fix what didn’t work before. The investigators of the case this time are the hit men themselves. One of them recognizes the mark as part of a team that stole a great deal of money, so they look into who hired them in hopes of finding the cash.

Both versions are good. I’d give an edge to the original, as it’s a bit more cinematic. This version was originally made for TV but deemed too violent so it got a theatrical release.

This was Ronald Reagan’s final movie before entering politics.

double feature pairing: Payback: Straight Up (director’s cut)

185
Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Sam Neill, Julian Dennison, Rima Te Wiata
writer/director: Taika Waititi

Problem child Ricky is taken in by the loving Bella and problem adult Hec.

Funny and charming. The trailer does a nice job of projecting the tone without ruining plot points.

double feature pairing: Thelma & Louise

186
The Lady Vanishes (1938) ★ ★ ★ ★ 
stars: Margaret Lockwood, Michael Redgrave, Paul Lukas
director: Alfred Hitchcock

An elderly lady vanishes from a train, and only one person believes she ever existed at all.

Yep. It’s great.

double feature pairing: Silver Streak

187
Star Trek Beyond (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban
director: Justin Lin

You got the outer space and the people and the explosions and the humor and a city to smash things into during the finale.

I don’t think the movie is bad. The folks I saw it with confirmed that. There’s a lot of action and the story is fine. The pandering, by-the-book humor didn’t go over well. No one I was around laughed much. I was bored by it all. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood. Maybe I’ve reached that point in the summer when I tire of seeing things smash into other things. Happens every year.

double feature pairing: Big Night

Counters:
187/366 movies (23 movies off pace)
25/52 movies directed by women

THE TOP THREE

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Buggy Eyes and a Big Butt, part eleven: Movies 153-173

Pencilstorm contributor Rob Braithwaite is watching 366 movies this year, so you don't have to, here is part eleven of his continuing 2016 rundown......

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index

Ratings key:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ = I can’t see giving anything that I’ve seen once five stars
★ ★ ★ ★ = get to the theater / move it up in your queue
★ ★ ★ = “three stars is a recommendation” - The Empire [magazine] Podcast
★ ★ = if the remote is too far away, you could do worse
★ = if the remote is too far away, get someone to move it closer then throw it at the TV

153
Eddie the Eagle (2016) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman
director: Dexter Fletcher

The not-quite true depiction of the true story of Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper.

If there was a cinematic itch my mom had, it was the against-all-odds, adversity-defying, feel-good movie. This movie ticks all those boxes and nails the training montage. It even perfected the soundtrack of the ‘80s ski movie. Horrible to listen to but fits right in.

double feature pairing: Cool Runnings

154
Shout at the Devil (1976) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Lee Marvin, Roger Moore, Barbara Perkins
director: Peter Hunt

Zanzibar, 1913. A fruitful partnership begins when an American hustler cons a British aristocrat into transporting ivory through German controlled waters. The conflicts with the German governor become more extreme when World War One kicks off.

Descriptions of this movie make it seem it’s all about the true-life bombing of a broken down German ship. That is only about the last half hour or so. The lead in has more in common with The Dukes of Hazzard, The Yank and The Brit butting heads with The Kraut. There are swings in humor’s direction, and some surprising blows of gruesome violence.

Roger Moore’s role should have been cast younger. I forget he’s supposed to be a younger man until a reference is made about it. But, he was James Bond until he was 62, so what do I know.

double feature pairing: The Man Who Would Be King

155
Hush (2016) ★ ★
stars: Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr.
co-writer/director: Mike Flanagan

Here’s the latest attempt at giving the home invasion thriller a new twist. This time the home-alone woman is deaf and mute. She is working on her overdue second novel in her remote home in the woods when a killer darkens her front door…with blood!

There are some suspenseful moments. However, the degree to which the woman is aware of her surroundings varies upon the story's necessity. I was often distracted, trying to figure the logic of some situations. The biggest head scratcher was how she was close enough to another house to gain access to their wi-fi. Not very isolated. As I debated the perceived problems, the run time expired. Now that is how you get movies watched, people! [drops remote]

watch The Strangers instead

[picks up remote]

156
Night Moves (2013) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Jesse Eisenberg, Dakota Fanning, Peter Sarsgaard
co-writer/director: Kelly Reichardt

Three environmentalists make plans to blow up a dam.

Like her previous film Wendy and Lucy, Kelly Reichardt sets a relaxed pace. It’s odd that could lend itself to great tension.

double feature pairing: The East

157
Sam Whiskey (1969) ★ ★ ★
stars: Burt Reynolds, Ossie Davis, Clint Walker
director: Arnold Laven

A widow hires Sam Whiskey, a legend in the opening credit’s mind, to salvage the gold bars her husband stole then return them to the mint before their absence is detected. Piece of cake.

An enjoyable reverse heist flick that somehow doesn’t feel very thrilling. It ends with a sense of “So, want to get something to eat?”

Sam Whiskey was one of a few remnants from a Burt Reynolds bender I went on last year. I re-watched a few though mostly focused on movies I hadn’t seen from his heyday, movies I remembered seeing trailers for on HBO but had no interest in them because I was a kid and Burt wasn’t crashing cars or hanging out with Jerry Reed.

I took this bender so far as to purchase a VHS copy of Paternity for $10, because it was never released on DVD. Can’t tell why it didn't make the cut. It’s not bad. There is much worse that not only made the jump to DVD but also received a bluray release. Also, I’d forgotten the frustration that accompanied pan and scan. Grrrrr.

The other title on my list that didn’t get the DVD transfer was Rough Cut. VHS copies were going for fifty bucks on eBay. My bender wasn’t that important. Some things were not meant to be.

As a result, here are my top ten Burt Reynolds movies, top to bottom: Smokey and the Bandit, Deliverance, The Longest Yard, Starting Over, Hooper, Breaking In, Semi-Tough, Switching Channels, Paternity, Stroker Ace.

double feature pairing: There Was a Crooked Man

158
My Man Godfrey (1936) ★ ★
stars: William Powell, Carole Lombard, Alice Brady
director: Gregory La Cava

A socialite hires a bum to be her butler after he agrees to belittle himself as her “forgotten man” item from a high society scavenger hunt.

Made me laugh a little. Tried to comment on class issues. Ends in a fairy tale.

watch Trading Places instead

159
Calvary (2014) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Brendan Gleeson, Kelly Reilly, Chris O’Dowd
writer/director: John Michael McDunagh

Father James, a well respected priest of a small Irish town, is told he will be killed in seven days.

Incredibly, this ends on an upbeat. Brendan Gleeson is amazing.

Holy shit! M. Emmet Walsh is still alive?!

double feature pairing: The Player

160
Weiner (2016) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Anthony Weiner, Huma Abedin
directors: Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg

[dick joke]

An amazing movie to watch for body language.

For an interview with directors, check out the On the Media episode “Trending Topics”

double feature pairing: The Contender

161
Jack’s Back (1988) ★ ★ ★
stars: James Spader, Cynthia Gibb, Robert Picardo
writer/director: Rowdy Herrington

A copycat recreates the Jack the Ripper murders a hundred years later, to the day.

There were a couple turns I wasn’t expecting because I think I was confusing this with another movie and the description on the DVD case uncharacteristically left something unspoiled. A must see for James Spader fans. A regular see for thriller fans.

double feature pairing: Time After Time

162
The Headless Woman (2008) ★ ★.5
stars: María Onetto, Claudia Cantero, Inés Efron
writer/director: Lucrecia Martel

A woman hit something she thinks is a dog and drives off, but as the days pass and word of a missing boy reaches her, she suspects she might have hit more.

A classic tale of people of high status working their way out of consequence. The story lallygagged its way to a fork in the road. It could have gotten there a bit sooner.

watch The Machinist instead

163
Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) ★
stars: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman
director: Roland Emmerich

Do I have to tell you about this one? One more moment wasted thinking about this will crush my soul.

watch Mars Attacks! instead

164
The Shallows (2016) ★ ★ ★
stars: Blake Lively, a shark, a seagull
director: Jaume Collet-serra

“Surfboard goes in the water. Girl goes in the water. Shark’s in the water. Our shark. [singing] Farewell and adieu to you, fair Spanish ladies. Farewell and adieu, you ladies of Spain. For we've received orders for to sail back to Boston. And so nevermore shall we see you again.”

Some nice underwater photography. It feels like a live-action Disney movie sometimes when she’s conversing with an injured seagull. Plausibility can be ignored when the performance and action are this engaging.

double feature pairing: A Perfect Getaway

165
The Fits (2015) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Royalty Hightower, Alexis Neblett, Inayah Rodgers
co-writer, director: Ann Rose Holmer

There isn’t much I should tell you beyond the trailer, except 1) it was filmed in Cincinnati and 2) the scene where she gets the routine down for the first time is one of the happiest scenes I’ve seen in a long time.

double feature pairing: Bring It On

166
Freebie and the Bean (1974) ★ ★
stars: Alan Arkin, James Caan, Jack Kruschen
director: Richard Rush

A couple cops try to keep a local kingpin alive from an assassin’s bullet while they await a warrant for his arrest.

Pretty good when Freebie and Bean are on the job, bickering with each other. Otherwise, this is pretty bad, especially the sub-plot about Bean’s Wife. That’s how Valerie Harper is credited, by the way, “as Bean’s Wife.” oh, and she and Alan Arkin are supposed to be Mexican. oof.

watch Lethal Weapon 2 instead

167
The Children’s Hour (1961) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner
director: William Wyler

Kids say the darndest things. Manipulative kids say the damnedest things.

People’s lives and a business are destroyed from the whisper of a girl mixing an ounce of truth with a lie that is peppered with words she doesn’t really understand. There are many horror movies with children as harbingers of evil. Like Cujo, this is scary because it could really happen. New kids are being made every day! Stop, before it’s too late!

(but seriously, this movie a gut punch and wonderfully performed, especially the trouble making girl. The daggers from her eyes are sharp.)

double feature pairing: The Hunt

168
Rough Cut (1980) ★ ★
stars: Burt Reynolds, Lesley-Anne Down, David Niven
director: Don Siegel

Watching Sam Whiskey reminded my to check on the availability of Rough Cut. VHS, still forty to fifty bucks. Laserdisc… Laserdisc?! Eight dollars with free shipping! I know someone who has a player. Does it still work? I’ll worry about that later. BUY.

A British inspector, in the twilight of his career, fixes his sights on the criminal mastermind who has eluded capture.

Burt Reynolds his is best when he is a wise-cracking scrapper. When he moves too far into tough guy territory, like in Sharky’s Machine, I can’t take him as a serious threat. Here, he tries to work in Cary Grant suave mode. That’s not really his thing either.

The movie’s attempts at humor fall flat. The actors move their bodies and speak words. The camera was in focus. The most interesting part was the heist, but that is completely ruined by the ending (one of four filmed). The inspector was in on it the whole time and stole the jewels before they even left London, which means they didn’t have to go through with the heist at all.

Rough Cut had three directors. The writer removed his name from the project.  And no one wanted to put this on DVD. Maybe I should have researched this more. eh, I’m glad I saw it.

watch The Great Muppet Caper instead

169
Marauders (2016) ★
stars: Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista, Bruce Willis
director: Steven C. Miller

Thieves steal delicate information from safety deposit boxes to expose a [cover-up, conspiracy, whatever, it doesn’t matter; this movie is garbage.]

In a movie with so many clichés, why do you think they decided to turn expectations by replacing a baguette sticking out from a grocery bag with a bag of doughnuts? Was it because a cop was carrying the bag? *sigh* The baguette in a paper grocery bag is one of my favorite clichés.

Also shot in Cincinnati.

watch Inside Man instead

170
Eye in the Sky (2015) ★ ★ ★ ★
stars: Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman, Aaron Paul
director: Gavin Hood

Clearance for an drone air strike has many levels and debates on what is legal, moral and militarily justified.

Good tension from what is mostly people acting in rooms. Alan Rickman’s final on-screen performance.

double feature pairing: In the Loop

171
Death Hunt (1981) ★ ★ ★
stars: Charles Bronson, Lee Marvin, Carl Weathers
director: Peter Hunt

Not much to this adaptation of a real-life manhunt in the 1932 Yukon — Recluse makes an enemy. Enemy misrepresents the conflict. Mounties and posse converge for shootouts and frozen mountain chases. Entertaining nonetheless. It’s odd Angie Dickinson is in it at all. She shows up to collect her dead husband’s effects, sleeps with Lee Marvin, wonders if they could ever be together (no), then leaves. Pointless to the point of why bother.

double feature pairing: First Blood

172
Raiders!: The Story of the Greatest Fan Film Ever Made (2015) ★ ★ ★.5
stars: Chris Strompolos, Eric Zala, Jayson Lamb
directors: Jeremy Coon, Tim Skousen

In 1981 a group of kids decide to remake Raiders of the Lost Ark, shot for shot. It takes them seven summers. They get it all except for one scene. Now, thirty years later, they are getting that final scene.

The one-scene-short version made it through the ranks of underground VHS traders to become legend. What these guys don't seem to realize is their project’s true appeal. They were kids, with great ingenuity and no parental supervision, who did a remarkable job recreating a movie they largely made from memory. It isn’t special to raise money to hire a cinematographer, a special effects crew and some guy to build a plane.

double feature pairing: American Movie

173
The Silent Partner (1978) ★ ★ ★
stars: Elliott Gould, Christopher Plumber, Susannah York
director: Daryl Duke

A bank teller catches wind of a robbery in time to skim money for himself. When the robber learns he’s to have stolen more than he has, he knows who to go after.

Not a bad little crime caper. Didn’t expect it to contain one of the more terrifying murders I’ve seen in a movie.

double feature pairing: A Fish Called Wanda

Counters:
173/366 movies (15 movies off pace)
24/52 movies directed by women

THE TOP THREE

Q&A Intro, 1-17, 18-36, 37-51, 52-66, 67-74, 75-87, 88-103, 104-120, 121-131, 132-152, 153-173, 174-187, 188-221, 222-255, 256-287, 288-314, 315-341, 342-366, Index