Cry-Baby (1990)

I realize that this is supposed to invoke memories of the teen films of the '50s & '60s, but it doesn't. Maybe it's because it can't quite capture the innocence that was part of the package back then -- that might not be it, but something is most definitely missing…perhaps it’s just the desire to see that kind of stuff!?

It does work really hard at making sure that nothing makes too much sense and stereotypes are firmly in place. No depth here! The songs are fun and Depp is wonderfully sincere. But, once you stop hoping that there'll be more to it, you start hoping it'll be over soon, and that ain't a good thing. Plus Kim McGuire (Hatchetface) is truly difficult to look at.

D+