Schultze Gets the Blues

Schultze Gets the Blues

Studio Unknown

23 October 2003

Dramedy

DVD
D+

Uneventful.  Michael Schorr wrote and directed.

Scenes of a Sexual Nature

Scenes of a Sexual Nature

Tin Pan Films etc.

3 November 2006

Dramedy
DVD
D+

Unappealing (personality, not appearance) people, thankfully not having sex.  Ed Blum directed.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Lionsgate etc.

August 9, 2019

Mystery

DVD
C-

I appreciate that this is more "boo" than gory, but I thought the setting was more interesting than the characters.  This is based on the children's book series by Alvin Schwartz, although this movie seems aimed more at teens.  Guillermo del Toro co-wrote but André Øvredal directed.

Scarface (1932)

Scarface (1932)

United Artists

April 9, 1932

Crime Drama

DVD
C-

Not my kind of movie of course, but I did like the composition of some of the shots, like the murder in silhouette.  This is based on the book by Armitage Trail, and co-directed by Howard Hawks and Richard Rosson.

Saw

Saw

Lionsgate etc.

October 29, 2004

Horror

DVD
D-

Saved from an F+ by the "puzzle-solving" aspect.  Director James Wan, who later did Insidious, co-wrote with Leigh Whannell, who plays one of the two leads.  (I tuned out when there were still only two characters.)

Saving Sloane

Saving Sloane

Lionsgate

October 26, 2021

Children's, Drama

DVD
C-

This is cliched but better than I expected.  Steve Franke wrote and directed.

Saving Silverman

Saving Silverman

Sony Pictures Rising etc.

February 9, 2001

Comedy
DVD
C-

I saw this in the theater and found it funny, although I remember the critics bashing it.  Even now, there are more painful comedies I've tried for this project, and the cast helps.  But I didn't feel like watching it all the way through again.  Dennis Dugan directed, one of five of his comedies I've rejected so far on this project.

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Disney etc.

December 20, 2013

Historical Drama

DVD
C

I saw this in the theater and disliked the basic concept, although there were moments I liked.  The truth is, the "Mr. Banks" aspect of Mary Poppins mars that movie, so getting the backstory to it feels pointless to me.  John Lee Hancock directed, before The Founder (which I gave a B-) and The Little Things (which I gave a D).

Save Yourselves!

Save Yourselves!

Bleecker Street etc.

October 2, 2020

Comedy

DVD

C-

This felt like a not particularly funny satire of many acquaintances I knew in Seattle in the 2000s (although the couple is from Brooklyn and this is recent).  And I guess it becomes sci-fi comedy sometime after the first quarter hour.  Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson co-directed and co-wrote.

Santa Clause

Santa Clause

Disney etc.

November 11, 1994

Comedy, Fantasy, Children's

DVD
C-

Tim Allen's character is a jerk but the movie is almost funny.  John Pasquin directed, and this was actually released the same day as his Miss Congeniality 2.

Sanjuro

Sanjuro

Toho

1 January 1962

Historical Drama

DVD

D+

I like the music.  This is based on the novel Hibi Heian, by Shûgorô Yamamoto, and directed by Akira Kurosawa.

The Sandlot

The Sandlot

20th Century Fox

April 7, 1993

Sports Drama, Sports Comedy, Historical Drama, Historical Comedy, Children's

DVD

D+

Not my kind of movie, although I couldn't help seeing it going in a dark-comedy direction with Leary cast as the stepfather.  David Mickey Evans directed, a decade before National Lampoon's Barely Legal.

San Quentin

San Quentin

Warner Bros.

August 7, 1937

Crime Drama

DVD
C-

Of course I cared more about the whole soap-opera subplot (warden falls for singer with criminal brother) than, you know, the actual prison stuff.  Lloyd Bacon directed, after 42nd Street and before Action in the North Atlantic, with Bogie.

Samurai X: The Motion Picture

Samurai X: The Motion Picture

Gallop etc.

20 December 1997

Anime, Historical Drama, Action

DVD
D+

I've seen some of the Rurouni Kenshin TV series, but I didn't feel drawn into this, no pun intended.  Tsuji Hatsuki directed.

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto

Samurai I: Musashi Miyamoto

Toho

26 September 1954

Historical Drama, War Drama

DVD
D+

Although I'm not into these genres, the bond between the best friends bumps this up a notch or two.  Hiroshi Inagaki directed and co-wrote.

Salvation (2014)

Salvation (2014)

Nordisk etc.

Western

22 May 2014

DVD
D-

Very manipulative but I appreciated that the family at least tried to fight back on the stagecoach.  Kristian Levring directed and co-wrote.

Saltwater

Saltwater

Kerrdog Productions etc.

July 15, 2012

Romance

DVD
C-

I guess it's not a romcom if the two men argue about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" on their first date.  Charlie Vaughn directed.

The Salt of Life AKA Gianni e le donne

The Salt of Life AKA Gianni e le donne

Zeitgeist Films

11 February 2011

Dramedy?

DVD
D+

My mind wandered even more than the main character's eyes.  Gianni Di Gregorio directed, co-wrote, and stars.

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

BBC Films etc.

10 September 2011

Dramedy

DVD
C-

I can see why people like this, although the characters and story didn't catch my interest.  This is based on the novel by Paul Torday and directed by Lasse Hallström, who did Chocolat, as well as a bunch of movies I've rejected for this project.

The Saint (1997)

The Saint (1997)

Paramount etc.

April 4, 1997

Action

DVD

D-

Cheesy and not in a good way.  Phillip Noyce directed, after Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger.

Sail a Crooked Ship

Sail a Crooked Ship

Columbia Pictures

December 1961

Comedy
DVD
C-

Bumped up a notch for the intriguing cast, although I didn't feel they were given anything funny to work with.  This is based on the Nathaniel Benchley novel, and directed by Irving Brecher.

Saikaku Ichidai Onna

The Life of Oharu AKA Saikaku Ichidai Onna

Shintoho

17 April 1952

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Not really a story I was interested in, but an occasional interesting line.  Director Kenji Mizoguchi helped adapt the 17th-century book The Life of an Amorous Woman by Ihara Saikaku.

Safety Not Guaranteed

Safety Not Guaranteed

Big Beach, etc.

January 22, 2012

Comedy, Sci-Fi

DVD
B-

I enjoyed this movie at the time, but I honestly haven't thought about it in a decade, so it was interesting to watch it today and not know how it would end.  It does hold up to a second viewing, although I can definitely see some loose plot threads.  I'd say, watch it for the lovely Washington State scenery and for the wary sweetness of its story and its protagonist.  Colin Trevorrow directed.

Safe House (2012)

Safe House (2012)

Universal etc.

February 10, 2012

Action

DVD
D-

Boring, violent, maybe racist.  Daniel Espinosa directed, five years before Life.

Saboteur

Saboteur

Universal Pictures etc.

April 24, 1942

Mystery

DVD
C-

This is so early in Bob Cummings's career, his 25-year-old character is referred to as a kid.  Hitchcock directed and co-wrote, including with Dorothy Parker.

Rust Creek

Rust Creek

IFC Films etc.

May 3, 2018

Horror

DVD
D+

I appreciate that the heroine isn't a total idiot.  Jen McGowan directed.

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming

The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming

United Artists

May 25, 1966

Comedy
DVD
D+

I'd heard of this movie for years, but the first quarter hour is kind of flat.  This is based on Nathaniel Benchley's novel The Off-Islanders, and directed by Norman Jewison.

Rushmore

Rushmore

Touchstone etc.

October 9, 1998

Dramedy

DVD
D+

I could kind of see what they were going for, but I didn't find it either funny or insightful.  Also, Wes Anderson's style appeals to me less over time, and he directed this, as well as co-wrote it with Owen Wilson.

The Runaways (2019)

The Runaways (2019)

Slackjaw Film

4 March 2019

Drama

DVD

B-

I'm not sure how well this film all hangs together, but the Northern English scenery is gorgeous and the acting for the trio of young siblings is believable.  Richard Heap wrote and directed.

Runaway Jury

Runaway Jury

Regency etc.

October 17, 2003

Crime Drama

DVD
D

Even if I were interested in the story, the narrative fragmenting is annoying.  This is based on the Grisham novel and directed by Gary Fleder, after Don't Say a Word and before The Express.

Runaway Bride

Runaway Bride

Paramount etc.

July 30, 1999

Romcom

DVD
D

Gere plays such a misogynist that he even sneers at a set of adorable baby girl triplets.  Garry Marshall directed, because of course he did.

Run Silent Run Deep

Run Silent Run Deep

United Artists

March 27, 1958

War Drama

DVD
D+

The personal element helped this be a little less boring.  This is based on Edward L. Beach's novel and directed by Robert Wise.

Run Lola Run AKA Lola rennt

Run Lola Run AKA Lola rennt

X-Filme Creative Pool etc.

20 August 1998

Action

DVD
C-

I didn't care about the plot, but the cinematography and music were impressive.  Tom Tykwer wrote and directed.

Rudy

Rudy

Tristar

October 22, 1993

Sports Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Yeah, no, but could be worse.  David Anspaugh directed, seven years after the more famous Hoosiers, which I also gave a D+.

A Royal Affair AKA En kongelig affære

A Royal Affair AKA En kongelig affære

Nordisk Film

29 March 2012

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I didn't really want to spend time with these people, but the sets and costumes were lovely of course.  Nikolaj Arcel directed and co-wrote, five years before The Dark Tower.

Cowboy and the Senorita [sic]

Cowboy and the Senorita [sic]

Republic Pictures

May 13, 1944

Western
DVD
D

The first Roy & Dale movie, but the last on this collection.  Joseph Kane directed.

Spoilers of the Plains

Spoilers of the Plains

Republic Pictures

February 2, 1951

Western

DVD
D

Some messed up stuff with a plain-Jane scientist (who only went into science to please her father) getting a makeover, but I did get a laugh out of the simultaneous oil-fight (Roy) and dogfight (Bullet).  William Witney directed again.

Susanna Pass

Susanna Pass

Republic Pictures

April 29, 1949

Western
DVD
C-

Bumped up a notch because of slightly creative use of the sets in framing shots, so that some things happen "offscreen," and another notch for Dale being a redheaded ichthyologist nicknamed Doc.  William Witney directed again.

Twilight in the Sierras

Twilight in the Sierras

Republic Pictures

June 1, 1950
Western
DVD
D

Of course even when Dale is a deputy, they have to make her incompetent at it.  William Witney directed again.

Along the Navajo Trail

Along the Navajo Trail

Republic Pictures

September 15, 1945

Western

DVD
D

Some thoughts:

• I'm getting tired of Gabby's "funny" misogyny.
• What's with all these "Mexican Gypsies"?
• I'm always confused when these movies are set, because it'll look like the Old West but then some people have cars, or the men back in the East and/or Big City are dressed like it's the '30s or '40s.
• I would've been intrigued by Roy's anti-gun stance in a better movie.

This is based on the William Colt MacDonald novel, and directed by Frank McDonald (different spellings).

In Old Amarillo

In Old Amarillo

Republic Pictures

May 15, 1951

Western

DVD

D

Who the hell would hire Pinky Lee as a bodyguard?  William Witney directed again.

South of Caliente

South of Caliente

Republic Pictures

October 15, 1951

Western

DVD
D+

Full of ethnic stereotypes (although Willie Best's role is relatively dignified for his career), and Pinky Lee is annoying, but both Dale and Roy are more sympathetic than in some movies, and Trigger falls in love.  William Witney directed.

Bells of Coronado

Bells of Coronado

Republic Pictures

January 8, 1950

Western

DVD
D

More irritating than boring, especially the gratuitous racism and sexism.  William Witney directed.

North of the Great Divide

North of the Great Divide

Republic Pictures

November 15, 1950

Western

DVD
C-

Boosted for the sympathetic although stereotypical view of "Indians."  William Witney directed.

Sunset in El Dorado

Sunset in El Dorado

Republic Pictures

September 29, 1945

Western

DVD
C+

I was into the modern-day stuff, especially with the one and only Margaret Dumont as Dale's aunt, but then it went into a quasi-flashback with Dale as her own grandmother, and Gabby grizzled as ever, and that was less interesting, although still watchable.  Frank McDonald directed.

Trail of Robin Hood

Trail of Robin Hood

Republic Pictures

December 15, 1950
Western

DVD
D+

Don't let the title fool you.  William Witney directed.

Rainbow Over Texas

Rainbow Over Texas

Republic Pictures

May 9, 1946

Western, Musical

DVD
C+

Another one where Dale is given more to do (including dress in male hobo drag), and Roy is almost charming here, but I barely remember the plot.  Frank McDonald directed.

The Man from Oklahoma

The Man from Oklahoma

Republic Pictures

July 1, 1945

Western

DVD
D+

Again, Dale helps, but not enough.  This time, Frank McDonald directed.