Mud (2013)

Though there are strong performances and an interesting set-up, the story just goes too far, stretching believability to the point that I found it hard to enjoy the last 20 minutes or so. Still, I root for the offbeat movies that take a chance.

B

Cousin Cousine (1976)

This is the type of movie I generally dislike greatly. Too many self-obsessed people doing annoying things in a series of vignettes. Though this falls very definitely into that category, it's saved by the central story of two people in separate loveless marriages (she’s married to a serial philanderer and he to a childish whiner) finding each other. Their first conversation is actually enjoyed when waiting for their respective spouses, who are screwing each other in the bushes.

Their growing friendship, which eventually blossoms into love, is one of the more believable romances I've seen on film.

B

The Mark (1961)

Man released after three years in prison for intent to molest a minor tries to make a go of it professionally and romantically.

This is a sensitive movie with just the right amount of nervousness and not too much psychobabble -- and, anyway, the self-help speak is mostly delivered by Rod Steiger in an Irish Brogue, which makes it easy to take. I was rooting for the ex-con at the center of this extremely well-done movie.

B+

The Heat (2013)

I watched this alone in my living room and it was obvious that this would’ve been about 800% more fun in a theater full of people laughing. I smiled a few times and did enjoy it, but it felt small and formulaic. But, hey -- they don’t make formulas for stuff that doesn’t work.

B-

Julius Caesar (1953)

Dry as dust filming of the Shakespeare play. If it hadn’t been for the fact that I’ve seen the HBO series “Rome,” I would’ve probably gotten confused about who was whom and what was going on.

C

She Done Him Wrong (1933)

It’s mildly amusing for a while as Mae West’s early dialogue is just a series of quips. But it boils down to West being irresistible to several men, most of whom would rather kill her than see her with anyone else and a “b” plot about a burglary ring that I didn’t understand until the very end of the thing -- I thought it was about white slavery or forced prostitution it was so seedy-sounding.

The story is rushed -- running barely over an hour -- which is probably a good thing as I don’t think I’d have wanted to watch it for much longer than that anyway.

C

Romance (1930)

Young man from a respectable family wants to marry an actress, much to the dismay of his mother. He defiantly implies that his grandfather, being a preacher, couldn't possibly understand...but he does, as the flashback making up the bulk of the story shows.

Way back when, Greta Garbo was a flirty opera singer with an unsavory past whom grandpa nearly married. That could've been sweet or even bittersweet, but it was instead just stagey and judgey and not much fun at all. It was less like romance and more like angst.

C-