Pacific Heights (1990)

A couple buys a multi-family home, renovates it, and finds some renters for the other units. But they've been targeted by Carter Hayes, a professional squatter, whose plan it is to provoke them until they violate his rights, which will give him grounds to sue.

It's an interesting story and is generally well-done, but I had big issues with the male half of the couple, played by Matthew Modine. He was written as a bit of a trusting idiot with a hair-trigger temper, determined to screw things up and bring his girlfriend down with him.

C+

Working Girl (1988)

Tess (Melanie Griffith) is doing everything right to climb the corporate ladder, but she's got a lot working against her. She's from the wrong side of the tracks, she got her degree in night school, and she's a woman. But she's savvy, hungry and keeps herself abreast of everything that might give her a leg up. When Tess's new boss tries to steal her big idea, Tess decides to take matters into her own hands even though she has to bend the rules to do so.

It's a time capsule of what it was like to be a woman in the 1980s corporate world -- kind of in the same way that Mad Men is a time capsule of 1960s business -- and it's sobering. But this is also, first and foremost, a romantic comedy and it really delivers on that. Harrison Ford is charming and so is Griffith (I'm not sure why I was so annoyed with her when I first saw this).

B

Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

The opening scene -- Deadpool fighting an army of time-traveling soldiers "with" Wolverine -- is the best in the film, but that doesn't mean that the rest of the movie is a disappointment: the villain is truly menacing and the cameos are great fun. But the story's getting a little long in the tooth and attempts to mitigate this lean toward complexity (multiverses and a type of superhero purgatory), which makes what should be a fun romp a little hard to follow.

Still. I'll probably go see the next one.

B-

Haunted Mansion (2023)

A widow and her son buy a mansion sight-unseen off of Zillow and -- wouldn'tcha know it -- it's super haunted. Everyone who tries to leave is pulled back there, which eventually results in a makeshift family of the owners, a priest, a scientist-turned-tour guide, a medium, and a historian stuck there trying to figure out how to satisfy the ghosts so they can go home.

It's convoluted, silly, and only sorta scary, which is in line with the actual ride at Disney. There were several in-jokes and sight gags for those of us who know the actual ride, which made this a sentimental treat. While I was pleasantly surprised by these tidbits, the movie itself doesn't work quite as well as it should -- which might be down to the fact that the kid (he wears a bowtie, for cripes' sake) is pretty far from relatable.

C+

Hot Millions (1968)

Ustinov is such a joy in the role of an embezzler who, upon release from prison, immediately starts plotting his next job. He's a hard worker and extremely clever and has no problem performing the duties of his job while also running around Europe executing his subterfuge. That he doesn't simply just enjoy his (certainly ample) paycheck seems to be a matter of habit for him. Maggie Smith is his match as a neighbor who can't seem to stay gainfully employed herself, but still manages to win his heart.

Such a fun combination of silly and smart.

B

Wish (2023)

The story: there's a land created by a powerful wizard. When residents turn 18, they "give" their greatest wish to the king (forgetting what it was in the process, which makes them a little less "them"). Then, periodically, he gathers everyone together and grants one of the wishes in a kind of wish lottery -- only there's no chance about it as he's deciding which are safe to grant, i.e. which have no possibility of challenging his authority. Asha, the resident spunky not-yet-18 girl, wishes on a star and the star comes out of the sky to help, which pisses off the wizard because he's got a monopoly on magic. There's way more story and it only gets more convoluted. What child could understand the plot? What non-child would want to watch this? Who the hell is this movie for?

Generally, the songs would be the saving grace in this type of head-scratching animated movie but that's not the case here. They're unnecessarily complex and Dubose makes sure the phrasing isn't easy to sing along with (even if the lyrics were more easily accessible). It's just such a messy bore.

D

Burn After Reading (2008)

Though we saw this in its initial run, I left the theater somewhat disappointed and I can still see why. There are a lot of characters introduced early and we don't know why we should care nor who the hero(es) and/or villain(s) might be. But, despite the slow start, the story does come together -- basically in the character of JK Simmons -- who doesn't even show up until at least halfway through the story. His responses to what's happening distill the story into the hilarious clusterfuck of banality it is. Also: Clooney's never been funnier.

B+

The Devil All the Time (2020)

This is, I'm guessing, just all the worst things the author could think of shoved into one script whether they fit together or not. So, basically, "ICK: The Movie." There's a bunch of terrible stuff done in the name of religion: handling poisonous spiders, killing (a dog, a wife, oneself), rape, shaming of the poor, and probably more that I've blocked out. Then there's just the generic bad things like torture, murder, corruption, and abuse of power.

I was not entertained. No faults to be found with the acting, though.

C-

The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)

A documentary about the logistical feat of getting "We Are the World" recorded in a single night. Though fascinating to see all of these people assembled, it plays more like a home movie than a well-put-together story. That one of the talking heads with a whole lot of screen time was a lighting technician was kind of bananas. You couldn't get Dan Aykroyd in for a chat? What about David Byrne?

For me, the draw was in the small moments: Bob Dylan's charming nervousness, Huey Lewis's intimidation at having to come up with harmonies on the spot in front of so many legends, Bruce Springsteen's low-key leadership and genuine "good guy" vibes.

B

Sibyl (2019)

Sibyl is a therapist is in the process of dropping her clients to pursue writing. But when a young actress reaches out to her for help, she is compelled to take her on as a client. The actress is soon depending on Sibyl for guidance while Sybil finds herself using their sessions as inspiration for her novel.

While I was completely under its spell while watching, afterward I realized that the story was basically a circle. No progress or real change was achieved, which made the film itself feel rather insignificant. But Sandra Huller: wow. That woman can act.

B-

F/X (1986)

The feds have gangster DeFranco willing to testify but, in order to keep him alive 'til trial, they decide to fake his murder. Roland is well-known for handling movie special effects, so he's hired by the FBI to work his magic & soon finds out he wasn't told the entire plan.

Though it's a fun enough plot, there are a couple of major flaws. 1) Roland becomes a killing machine -- which is quite the lifestyle change -- in no time flat and 2) his assistant Andy might be the worst actor I've ever seen,  and I'm including the casts of my kids' elementary school Christmas plays in that assessment.

C+

The Handmaiden (2016)

Hideko, a sheltered heiress, is targeted in a convoluted scheme to seduce and secretly marry her for her fortune. Key to the plan is Sook-Hee, a young pickpocket employed to be Hideko's handmaiden, but whose role is to convince her to fall for "The Count," a persistent suitor.

Very early on, I realized that I knew this story as I'd seen the British miniseries Fingersmith. Once I had that comparison in my mind, this one just couldn't measure up. The sordid side plots of Hideko being trained in the art of softcore reading sessions and as an eventual mate for her elderly uncle were especially nasty. But, for all that, it is still a visual feast & extremely well-acted.

B-

Matilda: The Musical (2022)

Matilda, a top-notch brain born to parents who simply don't see the point of her, is enrolled in a school run by a headmistress who doesn't see the point of children in general. It's a grey place with punishment around almost every corner, with the exception of Miss Honey, Matilda's sweet-natured teacher.

Truth be told, I've never read Matilda nor have I seen the earlier film, so I have no idea if there's a huge departure from the material. But I can say that the choreography is manic, the songs are unmemorable, and the caricatures of evil adults are so far over the top that there's barely any humanity there. I had a hard time seeing why this is an enduring story.

D+

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Jackie shows up in the gym Lou runs and Lou takes immediate notice. They're soon an item and planning to get Jackie to a bodybuilding competition in Vegas. But when Lou's sister winds up in the hospital at the hands of her husband, Jackie decides to do what she can to set things right for Lou.

I knew nothing about this film going in, but boy was it a banger. It's weird, sexy, violent and surprising.

B+

The Big Clock (1948)

George Stroud is an overworked magazine editor for Earl Janoth, a tyrant of a publisher. When Janoth kills his mistress in a fit of rage, he works hard to pin it on the guy who'd spent the evening around town with her and who Janoth is sure witnessed him entering her apartment. Stroud -- well-known for being able to find people who don't want to be found -- is enlisted to locate the guy whom only Stroud knows is actually himself.

There's too much exposition in the first 20 minutes or so, but after that point it's fast-paced and smart. I especially enjoyed the comic relief provided by Elsa Lancaster's opportunistic artist.

B+