Flashdance

Flashdance

Paramount

April 15, 1983

Drama, Musical

DVD
C-

I of course remember this movie coming out (when I was 15), and the songs I heard in the first quarter hour were definitely familiar from their heavy play on the radio.  But watching it today, I don't feel like I missed much.  Adrian Lyne directed.

Devil in a Blue Dress

Devil in a Blue Dress
TriStar
September 29, 1995
Crime Drama
DVD
B-

This neo-noir mostly works well, with its blend of mystery and social commentary, although there were times I found it confusing, and others that I found it predictable.  (I knew the Beals character was "passing" as soon as I saw her.)  The look and sound of 1940s Los Angeles are especially well done.

Carl Franklin directed and wrote the screenplay based on the Walter Mosley novel.  Denzel's then 11-year-old son, John David Washington, appears very briefly at the end, as Boy with Toy Rifle, 23 years before he'd star in BlacKKKlansman.