Spy (2015)

Although it was fun, I thought it ran out of steam way before it was over. Much of it felt like improvised riffing resulting in moderate chuckles when the film could've (should've) gone for much bigger laughs.

C+

Deadpool (2016)

The ultra-violent trailers that preceded the film made me really worry that I wouldn’t be able to take this one -- the panic was rising in my throat -- but I needn’t have worried. Fun trumped gore at every turn and I was laughing rather than squeezing my eyes shut.

A-

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

Gary wasn’t thrilled about the prospect of being dragged to this movie, but it was birthday week so he didn’t have a choice. At just about 5 minutes in, he was fully on board along with me and the rest of the audience, who reacted audibly throughout the film in sync with my own reactions.

I highly recommend this for almost any occasion and audience. Thrilling, scary, smart, and surprising without ever being gratuitous.

A

Weekend (2011)

Two British men hook-up one night and then spend the next two days getting to know each other and falling in love. But there’s no future for them as one’s leaving for America in just a couple of days. It’s low-key but with lots of information for those (like me) who really don’t know much about gay culture and what it’s like to live in a mostly-straight world.

B

Bulldog Drummond (1930)

Former military man Drummond is finding civilian life dreadfully boring, so he puts an advertisement in the newspaper requesting diversion -- preferably legit, but humorous crime also welcome as long as the prospect is exciting. When the answers pour in, he selects a plea from a woman who’s booked rooms under “John Smith” and wants to meet him at midnight… exciting already.

The case involves a rich American being held by an unscrupulous doctor in a lunatic asylum for the purposes of extortion, which is OK story-wise. The real draw, however, is the devil-may-care antics of Drummond and his droll buddy who follows him to the rendezvous.

Longer by 30 minutes or so than the story could breezily support, but it’s still pretty entertaining.

B

The Gay Deception (1935)

A prince, wanting to experience normal life, takes on bellboy work in New York. A new resident in the hotel is Mirabel who went from being a member of the typing pool to winning a lottery large enough for her to live the high life for a month or so. Neither knows how to blend in their new positions, but one thing they do know: it’s much more fun when the other’s around.

It’s charming and really fun.

B+

One Way Passage (1933)

While hiding out in Hong Kong, a wanted William Powell is tracked down by the cops and put on board a steamer headed back to the states. And, wouldn’t you know it, the gal he met cute right before being taken into custody is traveling aboard the same ship.

There’s a drunken thief and a con artist posing as a countess working together to make sure Powell has a chance to escape, and the cop who’s transporting him actually starts to like him. There’s quite a bit going on here, especially for a movie that runs just over an hour. The least effective bit is the love story, but it doesn’t really hurt anything to have it there and Powell is always worth watching.

B-