The Wolf Man

The Wolf Man

Universal

December 12, 1941

Romcom/ Horror

DVD
C-

A man returns to the family estate, spies on a young woman, and harasses her into a date.  George Waggner directed.

The Wiz

The Wiz

Motown Productions/ Universal

October 24, 1978

Musical

DVD
D+

Since the first dozen or so minutes barely resemble the L. Frank Baum book (this is based on the stage musical based on the book), watching the first quarter hour meant that this is the story of a spinster schoolteacher who hallucinates about graffiti.  Sidney Lumet directed.

Under the Volcano

Under the Volcano

Universal

June 13, 1984

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Almost interesting.  This is based on the Malcolm Lowry novel and directed by John Huston.

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird

Universal

December 25, 1962

Historical Drama

DVD

B-

I've seen this movie a few times over the years, including I think on the big screen in the past twenty years.  I gave the Harper Lee novel a B eleven years ago (https://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/2012/06/to-kill-mockingbird.html) and I thought I might give the film one as well.  But, while I think the adaptation, by Horton Foote, is still pretty good, I felt less drawn in this time.  It's a combination of how the central tragedy happens mostly offscreen and the way that other characters, including Dill and his aunt, are not as fully developed as they could be.  (They probably were more so in the book, but I don't recall.)  The two main performances, by Oscar-winning Gregory Peck and non-child-actress Mary Badham as his daughter, remain strong and the movie did mostly hold my interest throughout.  This time, even on a TV screen, I was really impressed by the sets.

Robert Mulligan directed.

Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here

Tell Them Willie Boy Is Here

Universal etc.

December 18, 1969

Western?

DVD
D-

Taken down a notch for the pathetic redface for Katharine Ross.  Director Abraham Polonsky adapted Harry Lawton's Willie Boy: A Desert Manhunt, a couple years before Romance of a Horsethief.

Tank

Tank

Lorimar/ Universal

March 16, 1984

Drama

DVD
D+

Not as boring as I expected.  Marvin J. Chomsky directed.

Talk Radio

Talk Radio

Universal

December 23, 1988

Drama

DVD
C-

Heavy-handed.  Director Oliver Stone co-adapted star Eric Bogosian's play, which in turn is loosely based on Stephen Singular's nonfiction book Talked to Death: The Life and Murder of Alan Berg, which I read years ago and found good if disturbing.

The Sting

The Sting

Universal

December 25, 1973

Crime Drama, Historical Drama

DVD
C-

I've watched this once or twice before, but, other than the very catchy "Entertainer" theme, it never stays with me.  George Roy Hill directed, four years after he directed Newman and Redford as Butch and Sundance.

The Snowman

The Snowman

Universal etc.

October 20, 2017

Crime Drama?  Sure, let's go with that.

DVD

D

The snow was pretty.  This is based on the novel by Jo Nesbø and directed by Tomas Alfredson.

Snow White and the Huntsman

Snow White and the Huntsman

Universal

June 1, 2012

Fantasy, Action
DVD
D+

I of course didn't care for this dark version of the fairytale, but the production values weren't bad.  I guess this is sort of based on a book, definitely directed by Rupert Sanders.

Skyscraper

Skyscraper

Universal etc.

July 13, 2018

Action
DVD
D+

Rawson Marshall Thurber wrote and directed this predictable movie, a couple years after Central Intelligence and fourteen years after Dodgeball, which were marginally worse.

The Skulls

The Skulls

Universal etc.

March 31, 2000

Drama

DVD
D+

A nice young man wants to join a shady secret society and seems to have no qualms about it.  Rob Cohen directed, seven years after Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story.

Sing (2016)

Sing (2016)

Illumination Entertainment/ Universal

December 21, 2016

Children's, Animation, Musical

DVD
C-

I tried to watch this once before, but none of the plot threads grabbed me either time, especially the whole typo-driven plot device.  Still, the music (all covers of older pop & rock) is pretty good.  Garth Jennings wrote and co-directed with Christophe Lourdelet, eleven years after The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

The Serpent and the Rainbow

The Serpent and the Rainbow

Universal

February 5, 1988

Horror

DVD
D

At least the scenery and jaguar were nice to look at.  This is based on the nonfiction book by Wade Davis and directed by Wes Craven.

Serenity (2005)

Serenity (2005)

Universal etc.

September 30, 2005

Sci-Fi

DVD
D-

Back when I socialized with pretentious Seattle people, invariably someone would sing the praises of Firefly.  Watching a quarter-hour of this today, and seeing how shockingly bad it is (especially the acting), I'm glad I didn't give in to peer pressure and sample the franchise then.  Joss Whedon wrote and 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.

The River (1984)

The River (1984)

Universal

December 19, 1984

Drama

DVD
C-

Bumped up a notch for Tennessee scenery.  Mark Rydell directed.

Queen & Slim

Queen & Slim

Universal etc.

November 27, 2019

Crime Drama?

DVD
C-

A very bad first date.  Melina Matsoukas directed.

Play Misty for Me

Play Misty for Me

Universal

November 12, 1971

Drama

DVD
C-

I've known of this movie for ages, but watching the first quarter hour I just tried to focus on the music and the gorgeous Carmel scenery.  Eastwood directed as well as starred.