Film Retrospective Part IV: Thoughts on 10 Films (pre-2000)

1. Robin Hood: Men in Tights - [blind spot] I *might* have seen this as a kid, but I have no recollection of it at all, so I'm counting it as a blind spot. I definitely didn't watch it as an adult, because I assumed it was dumb, but I didn't realize it was a Mel Brooks movie until recently. And it is stupid, but it's also very funny. I laughed out loud quite a few times (the circumcision description, the line "I'm not supposed to lose! Let me see the script!"). A lot of jokes are specifically very 90s era jokes, so I don't think modern audiences will find it as funny (like the Arsenio Hall hooting, etc.). The rap in the beginning is quite something...and Dave Chappelle is in this?! WHAT?! That's hilarious in and of itself. HAHAHA! Overall, I enjoyed this! Probably not as good as other Mel Brooks movies, but it's very entertaining. 

2. Dog Day Afternoon - [rewatch] A very rare 5 star movie. It's perfect. I haven't seen it in a while though (probably a decade or so). I thought that maybe it wouldn't be as good as I remember, but then the opening shots happen with "Amoreena" playing in the background and I was like "nope, it's a masterpiece just like I remembered!". And I think this is the best that Al Pacino has ever been. He sort of became a caricature of himself, but he used to be a terrific actor. It's shocking that he didn't win the Oscar for this. I would argue that Cazale deserved a supporting nod too (what a career - did both The Godfather movies, The Deer Hunter, and this, before dying of Cancer. Imagine what could have been?). What I think makes this film so special though is that it is lightyears ahead of its time - not only with the trans stuff, but with the racism/police stuff. Or, maybe the fact is that none of the issues we are seeing shoved in our face every second of every day is *new*, we're just seeing it more? So, I take that back, the film was *of* it's time, but still very meaningful today. 

3. Clue - [rewatch] This is another one that I don't really have a strong recollection of, but I *know* I watched this as a kid. And multiple times. I used to love this and Once Upon a Crime (definitely more of a fan of the latter) as a kid and would watch them over and over again. But for some reason, this dropped from my memory. I watched this about a week before Tim Curry died too, so that was weird timing. This has an amazing cast, but Curry is obviously the stand-out. It's weird seeing Christopher Lloyd *not* look 100 years old. I was actually a little disappointed with this rewatch though - aside from a few funny moments, it's a little boring? And the ending....just never fucking ends! No wonder I couldn't remember who the actual killer was?! LOL. 

4. A Night to Remember - [blind spot] I don't care how cliched it is, Titanic is one of the best films ever made and it will always be in my Top 10 favorite films. I do think part of this is my age - I was 16/17 when it was released and it was the biggest movie EVER. I saw it in the theaters 12 times, bought a bootleg copy of the VHS on Canal St in NYC, "My Heart Will Go On" was our prom song, and everything was Titanic themed, Leo DiCaprio posters were plastered on my walls (to be fair, I was obsessed with him since Growing Pains (Jesus, I had really declared my type of guy at 11 year old didn't I??? He was the beta test for Ryan Atwood on The O.C. if you really think about it). Anyway, it's weird that I never watched this, considering how obsessed I was with Titanic. And guess what?! It's the SAME movie minus the love story (obvi the love story is what makes Titanic so great). I get that it's all based on true accounts of what happened, but I was not expecting the dialogue to be so similar! And there are little love stories sprinkled throughout, so it's an enjoyable watch. And the actress who plays Molly Brown has *perfect* line delivery. NO NOTES. Hahaha! They obviously get the sinking of the ship wrong (it does not show the ship splitting in half - even though several survivors witnessed it doing so). But otherwise, I loved this! 

5. The Talented Mr. Ripley - [rewatch] Another PERFECT MOVIE! I only have 19 films rated 5 stars on LB, and that's because I only rate films that I've watched since I started an LB account (about 6 years ago - I was that bored during Covid). So there are obviously more than 19 5 star films, but probably not many. I've always been a big fan of this film and would list it among my favorites, but this rewatch definitely confirmed its 5 star status. I think reading the book a few years back definitely helps give a new perspective on Ripley, and some added depth, but it's all there in the film as well in a lot of subtle but brilliant ways. Matt Damon should have won an Oscar for this, and I don't even think he was nominated??? HOW RUDE. Jude Law was nominated though, and he probably should have won too. And when those social media prompts go around about "the hottest someone has looked in a film", I always instantly think of Jude in this film (and Salma Hayek in From Dusk Till Dawn. And Isabella Rossellini in Death Becomes Her. I could go on forever. I love hot people in films!). Even Gwyneth is great in this! And I don't really rate her as a good actress (although she's in some of my favorite movies). Just a great cast overall, it's gorgeous, and I love the build-up of suspense. I also think you root for Ripley because of how well it's written and Damon's natural charisma, and that is hard to pull off considering he's...a murderer. 

6. Cape Fear (1991) - [rewatch] Ok, so I finally realized that I've been confusing this movie with Dead Calm. Because when I think about Cape Fear (1991), I think about Nicole Kidman on a boat trying to get away from Robert DeNiro. But obviously I am mixing the two together. I have no idea why my brain combined the movies, but brains are weird! Anyway, this is great! Just as good as the original, and actually a bit more suspenseful due to DeNiro's unhinged performance. He's genuinely terrifying. And Scorsese really pulled out all the stops with the technical shots for this film (the triple mirror shot, the fade to negative shot, the angles of the car scene??? It's all brilliant!). It feels far more Hitchcockian than any of his previous films. Jessica Lange gives an award worthy performance, so it's weird that Juliette Lewis was nominated for an Oscar (she's actually kind of terrible in this??? Something is off). They also add a whole mistress aspect and a brutal rape scene, which feels very 90s (the brutality of it isn't seen as often in modern American films, but I think the 90s were ripe for these scenes with all those serial killer psychological thrillers). 

7. The Faculty - [rewatch] I was all about the 90s teen horror films that came out around this time. I loved them all (Scream was obviously the best one, but I loved I Know What You Did Last Summer, Disturbing Behavior, Final Destination, Urban Legend, etc.). I definitely get this and Disturbing Behavior mixed up, while I know which cast is which, the plot details are mixed for me and the music! Because I definitely thought that the Harvey Danger song was from this one, but it's not! I definitely listened to both soundtracks regularly. Anyway, I'm under the impression that this is the better one (it's directed by Robert Rodriguez and has a better cast!). It's basically Invasion of the Body Snatchers set in high school (genius!). And has Josh Hartnett with his bed head, Elijah Wood, Shawn Hatosy (who is finally getting acclaim for The Pitt, but he was better in SouthLAnd), Salma Hayek, Clea DuVall...should I keep going?? Ok...Famke Janssen, Robert Patrick, Jon Stewart, Bebe Neuwirth and the adorably innocent (lol) Laura Harris. Oh and Usher (who I used to be a big fan of, but is currently touring with Chris Brown, so FUCK USHER). Just an insane cast for a teen horror film. And it has some really, really strong scenes too - like the scene in which Hatosy pours the drugs out while staring down Clea (perfect!). It's surprisingly better than I thought it was going to be (while I think a rewatch of other 90s films like I Know What You Did Last Summer might have the opposite response?). 

8. Contempt - [rewatch] I remember watching this in a film history class (during the French New Wave portion of film history - we watched this and Breathless), and I didn't really think much of it (I KNOW!). But I was interested in how I would respond to it now - 20 years later! I love a lot about it - Fritz Lang playing himself as a director trying to adapt The Odyssey. And opening a film with one of the most beautiful women in the world (Bridget Bardot), asking if her body parts are pretty, is certainly a way to capture an audience's attention. The primary color scheme in certain scenes and the blocking are *chef's kiss*. But it's a film I *should* LOVE (as a film fan, as a Greek literature fan, as a Bridget Bardot naked fan, etc.), and I just *don't*. It's dull and hard to connect to. And the score is so annoying - the same notes over and over again made me want to blow my brains out. Don't worry, I still rated it 3.5 stars. It's obviously an above average film. I just don't enjoy it and has an important place in film history. 

9. Tremors - [blind spot] Not sure how I haven't seen this??? It's one of those films that I assumed I watched as a kid, but then I read the cast and the description and...nope?! It's really good! The monster design is great, the suspense is perfect, and I love that they are smart and actually come up with really good ways to survive. Kevin Bacon is a perfect leading man in this - has that rebellious working man vibe. Plus, REBA! I'm not even a country music fan and I love Reba! And one of her songs plays at the end! Oh and also the girl from Jurassic Park!! I don't know if I've ever seen her in anything else before? But it's a shame because she was an incredible young actress (and I don't say that about child/teen actors very often). Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this, but then I looked up the sequels and there is just no way in Hell I'm watching any of those - haha! They all look like made-for-tv garbage. Total shame because I would definitely watch a legit sequel! 

10. Mermaids - [rewatch] One of my favorite films as a kid. I think I connected to it a little bit, with being raised by a single mom who was a bit unconventional ("sometimes I feel like you're the child and I'm the grown-up" was a common feeling. And it still is! I constantly feel like I'm my mom's mother instead of her daughter). And I thought Winona Ryder in this movie was the COOLEST. Just the epitome of teen angst and horniness. I remembered way more about this than I expected to - I vividly remember the dancing scene at the end (although I thought *for sure* that the song used was "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" but it's "If You Want to Be Happy"???? That's WILD! Memories are so weird because I would have BET MONEY on being correct). But there's a lot that I didn't remember, that I still connected with - like how they learn about JFK's assassination during school (I know a lot of people my age learned about 9/11 during class. I was in college and actually heard on the radio that a plane crashed into the WTC, because I was late for class. But I thought it was, like, a private plane that clipped the top of it or something. It was weird that they stopped the broadcast to make the announcement, but I just didn't naturally think that it was an actual plane and that it was a terrorist attack. So I went to class like normal. We were watching a movie - just like Winona in this movie- and then I started to see people around me checking their phones and another professor came into our room and started whispering stuff to our professor and I felt my whole body sink into my chair). There is something inherently comforting when people come together after a national tragedy (I don't think "comforting" is the right word, but I can't think of the word I'm looking for and I'm already on my next thought). I also didn't remember all of the religious stuff, but it's done really well. And it's funny - Cher's line delivery is perfect ("Charlotte, we're Jewish" lol). The burn at the end is unforgettable though - "what's your major? Town tramp?", "no mom, the town already has one" BURN! It's so good. Honestly, this is close to a perfect movie for me. Just such a good coming-of-age story that has something to say, feels genuine, has great actors and dialogue, and has heartwarming moments that don't feel forced or cliched. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. Toy Story 5 - This post is going to be short & sweet because, honestly, none of these 5 films are very interesting - even though some of them are 3 stars. As with all the other Toy Story movies, this is fine. A solid 3 star movie. I don't have anything necessarily bad to say about it. But also, once again, I just don't see why everyone loves these movies SO much. I think this one was the worst reviewed one, but it still has a very high RT score (92%) and 3.6 stars on Letterboxd. And the only reason this even got any negative reviews is because the story focuses on Jessie, and the movie bros who live in their mom's basement didn't like that very much. BUT GUESS WHAT?! I didn't either! Because Jessie is incredibly annoying and whiny, and she has been from her introduction in the second film. But I do like that they make this one very relevant to today's children with the introduction of iPads, tablets, phones, etc. It's obviously been a thing for a while now, but I think it's really getting out of hand now with how addicted kids are to these devices and how parents aren't doing anything to control it. And I totally understand how difficult it is for parents because if all the other kids have access to these devices and are on social media it seems cruel to not let your own child have these things. So I like that they incorporate this into the movie - I like that it shows it's okay for kids to want to play with toys and use their imagination instead of doomscrolling. And some of it is funny (when Lily calls Jessie "Jessica" and they all gasp...LOL). But it's mostly...fine. And I'm sorry, I'm not a Taylor Swift hater (I enjoy *one* of her songs and I think she seems like a sweet woman), but she definitely made a song for this movie *just* to get an Oscar nomination and I find that embarrassing (and I find a lot of stuff I see about her embarrassing - like those concert videos of her dancing?! Please God make it stop). She will likely get the nomination and maybe even the win. Good for her, I guess. 

2. The Death of Robin Hood - This is fine. I love a lot about it - the score is very haunting and beautiful, some of the violence is brutal and unexpected, the cast is excellent (Jodie Comer is always THE BEST, Noah Jupe is an amazing young actor, and there is an unrecognizable Skarsgard in it - I think it's Bill?). But it's...so boring. I just kept waiting for him to die (it's in the title) and he just kept on living. I stopped paying attention for chunks at a time, and then I'd look up and be like, did this old guy die yet? NOPE. Still Going. I like the idea of taking a well-known character and continuing a story, while also making it darker. It kind of feels Logan-esque, and maybe that's why I just didn't connect with it. I feel like Hugh Jackman has already done this grizzled old man thing before, and better. The fact that I can barely fill a paragraph with my thoughts on this, tells you all you need to know! 

3. Unabomber - Ughhh...this movie flat out sucks. First of all, it's also soooo fucking boring (whhyyyy is everything so boring nowadays?? Is it me?). And, I'm sorry but it's WEIRD to add a female FBI agent who nobody listens to, into this story. It's fully believable that this happens, but it didn't happen in this story or with this case, so some writer thought "hey, what else does this story need?", and decided to add in extra misogyny...for fun? It's so disrespectful to the investigators who actually worked hard to catch Ted Kaczynski - who were men (and maybe not misogynists??). I also think the cast is very lacking - and I like all of these actors. I can't believe Jacob Tremblay is, like, an adult now! But he still looks like a child. And Shailene has done this role before (the one where she's trying to hunt the mass shooter guy? I can't remember the name of it, but it's literally the same character). She pretty much just pouts and whines about how nobody is listening to her. Annabelle Wallis is severely underutilized (I would have liked her in Shailene's role). I also just think they don't do anything very interesting with this story - so he became a murderer because he has a fragile ego and was made fun of, and possibly used for psychological experiments??? Also, I can't think of anyone more annoying than people who find debating people "fun". You have to be a psychopath if you find arguing with people a fun activity. I don't get it. Anyway, there's just nothing to this movie at all. I think it might actually make it into my Worst of 2026 list because it's boring, but more because of the made up sexism aspect. It's just stupid. 

4. The Conjuring: Last Rites - I'm not a big fan of these movies, but I watched them all so I figured I might as well watch this one too (I have not watched the Annabelle movies, though. I have to draw a line somewhere). As I probably mentioned in my reviews of the previous ones, I think the Warrens are grifters and I think it's weird that they portray them as basically heroes and a happily married couple, when there are multiple reports of domestic abuse. But anyway, I do like Ben Hardy (waiting for him to hit it big). And the beginning is actually really good and absolutely heartbreaking, and then shocking (I was not expecting the baby to start crying. The build-up to that is done really well). There's some creepy stuff (the wedding/mirror scene), but overall, I just don't find these films interesting. I rated the first one 3 stars, but the rest are 2.5 (including this one). It benefits from having terrific actors (Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson), but it's so repetitive and dull. I do hope that this is the last one? I'm sure there will still be spin-offs, because they are popular movies for some reason, but I would like for Vera to do actual good movies again. 

5. The Christophers - Again, I liked this movie. It's a 3 star movie. But is it something I enjoyed watching? No. Is it something I'll remember? Again, no. I'm shocked that this is directed by Steven Soderbergh??? Didn't he retire? He usually has more flare and style in his films, but I feel like this film could have been made by literally *anyone*. I do like Michaela Coel a LOT. She has such an interesting face and presence, and her voice is so soothing. She just has instant screen presence. And Ian McKellan is a legend, obviously. I was also happy to see Jessica Gunner (she was so good in Baby Reindeer, and was showered with awards, but I wasn't sure if that was going to translate to more roles), but then fucking James Corden appears. LOL. I don't know one single person who likes James Corden (there's a Letterboxd review that says "I would be angry too if James Corden was my son". Haha!). There's an interesting story here, and the dialogue is really good (heavy, but good), it just never really goes anywhere, unfortunately. It's really crazy how entitled people are about their inheritance, though. I know a few real life instances where families are torn apart by money after their parents die, and it blows my mind. My mom has a decent amount of money, but I don't expect anything from her when she dies. I hope she spends it all on herself and enjoys her life - she worked hard for it! On a side note: I really love this poster design! And the logline "Art can be copied. Artists cannot". Very relevant to the whole AI being used in art dialogue that is happening now. 

Thoughts on 5 Films

1. The Whisper Man - There's nothing technically wrong with this movie - it's fine. It feels like those 90s/early 2000s psychological thriller about profiling serial killers (Along Came a Spider, The Bone Collector, etc.), and that's fine, but it just feels dated. Nothing about it is new or fresh - it's like it was written by AI and I think we are going to see a lot of that actually happening and the only way to stop it is by getting more interesting, innovative, and creative narratives made, instead of screenplays that follow all the rules so much so that they seem generic. Basically I'm saying writers need to STEP IT UP if they don't want to be replaced. There's a great cast, but they all seem to be phoning it in a little bit - especially De Niro. I had no idea Michael Keaton also had a small role in this - and I feel like he's in a different film compared to the rest of the cast because he actually acts during his scenes. I will always love Michelle Monaghan though. I was hoping The White Lotus would give her career that little push that it needs for her to break into A-list territory. It seems like she's always *just* on the brink of it, and then ends up in movies like this. I still don't like Owen Teague though so I took a deep sigh when he appeared. UGH. There's not much else to say about this - there is literally someone yelling "that's the Whisper Man!!!", just to give you an idea of how dumb this is. LOL. 

2. The Chronology of Water - As someone's first feature film, this is incredible. I'm definitely interested in Kristen Stewart as a director, and I'm excited by what she might do next. However, there's a lot of it that I don't like, and most of it is very personal. I wrote a TON of notes while watching it, and in the end, I always think that's a positive (even if I don't like a film - a response that leaves an effect is more important than generic garbage). So, where to start?? I guess, I'll give a little insight into the things that I connected to and have in common with this woman. The story is based on a memoir, so I assume that most of it is true (or her truth, at least). First, I had an abusive father. I'm luckier than this woman because my mom left him when I was very young, so I didn't have him in my life for very long. Second, swimming is the ultimate cathartic activity for me. I sometimes wonder how much different my life would be if I actually pursued it. I was asked to join the swim team when I was in middle school, but couldn't because there were no after-school buses to take me home (and my mom was a single working mom), and then in high school I felt like I wasn't good enough because I didn't have the experience that others had so I never tried out for the team. But, I was taught to swim at a very young age by professional swimmers (it ran in my family). And I LOVE it so much. If you ask me where I want to be at any give time of day, I would say either "sleeping" or "swimming in the middle of the ocean". Third, I too, was offered a "partial" scholarship that was laughed at by my parent (my mom). It was to the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. My mom would not pay for the rest of the tuition because she thought going to school for art was stupid. Fourth, I also turned to writing once I did go to college, and I think just writing down my thoughts has really helped clear my head, gather what is real vs. what I've misremembered, etc. And I also have these weird memory blips of my childhood that feel like a dream, and happen at the most random times. So, what does this all mean? It means that yes, I think this film felt very personal and real. It's very smartly written, because it's written by someone who has experienced all of these things firsthand. It is unapologetically FEMALE - the way it shows the effects of PTSD, the cycle of violence, the emotions and the sexual pleasures, and it is all really impactful. I also like that the nude scenes feel sensual instead of sexual (making it even more clear that it is directed by a woman...). I think every single shot is very purposeful and just overall very stunning. I wish that I could just stop here, but there's just also so much that doesn't work for me - first, the cast??? Imogen Poots is hit-or-miss for me, and I don't really have a problem with her performance here. But for a lot of the movie, she is supposed to be high school/college aged and she is very clearly a woman in her mid-30s. There are so many talented actresses in their 20s that could have easily done this role, so I think this was a big miss. The part that features her boyfriend in college is so weird because he looks so young compared to her (HE IS! He's 10 years younger than her!).  I also think that Jim Belushi showing up in a red beret completely took me out of the movie (lol). And HOLY SHIT! THAT'S THORA BIRCH?! That's crazy because she's MY AGE! And I don't feel like I'm that old! (I know, I know, I am. BUT STILL). Second, I hate when stories show abuse survivors, victims of trauma, women who have "daddy issues" falling victim to toxic relationships and having a predilection for BDSM. It's clearly "true" because SO MANY of these stories are the same, and this is someone's story, it just feels like such a cliche. And I just find myself in such an opposite direction - I have no time or care for drama/toxicity/mind-games in relationships. And not to get too personal - I might not *always* connect sex with love, but I will never get off by letting a man (or woman) hurt me physically - my brain just doesn't work that way at all. And I kind of hate how all of these stories about abuse end up the same way. Third, this film is FAR too long. I was starting to zone out a little bit, but thought "it should be over soon" only for there to be an entire hour left. NOPE. Edit it down. Period. Your movie will be better, I promise. Overall though, I think this is very good and I highly recommend it. 

3. Supergirl (2026) - Nope. Can't defend it. The nicest thing I'll say is that it's not among the worst films of the year - it pretty much sits right at the middle. But it's another disappointing entry into a recent line of female led superhero projects that basically suck. And that sucks. For the record, I've liked a few of them (Black Widow, She-Hulk). But when these films fail at the box office or get review bombed on IMDB, it just gives studios even more of a reason to not make female led projects so we have to figure out what works and why it works, and I do feel like this whole "angry" feminist slant is alienating for a lot of people (90% of men and 50% of women - statistics I just made up in my head, but I stand firm on it). The reason Wonder Woman works is because she's NICE and she CARES ABOUT PEOPLE. I just think there is a way to show emotional complexity/survivor's guilt/family trauma/etc. without also having Supergirl be an asshole (she literally gives the advice "you don't have to be nice"). I deeply believe that a lot of women who have "been through some shit" are the nicest women you know - because they KNOW the world is awful and being nasty just makes things worse. I also don't think normal every day men have an understanding that human trafficking is an actual threat (like my husband for example - I remember someone talking about human trafficking and he made a comment that it's "not something to worry about where we live" and I had to tell him that there are literally phone numbers and websites listed in women's bathrooms for women who are being trafficked IN NEW JERSEY. He was shocked. And now he's always like "be careful walking to your car - I don't want you to be trafficked" and I go "I'M FOURTY-FIVE. Nobody is looking to traffic a 45 year old woman".). ANYWAY, I think the threat or "villain" in the movie doesn't feel like a tangible thing. And it doesn't necessarily have to feel real, but I *think* that's the vibe that this movie is going for and it just doesn't work. I also think that the whole "you'll regret it if you kill him" thing is SO FUCKING STUPID. No, you won't regret it. He's not someone who can be rehabilitated. He killed your whole family! It might not make you feel better, but it's certainly not going to make you feel worse???!! Fucking kill him. The end. Also why does the bad guy look like Hellraiser?? And then he says "this one dies before the end of the day!", but...uhhh...just kill her now? It's such an awful bad guy trope in movies that never makes sense. The whole thing is just kind of stupid to be perfectly honest. 

4. Office Romance - Obviously I assumed this was going to be bad, but it also might be a cute romcom?? Those DO exist, and sometimes I'm in the mood for them! I also think it's hilarious that Brett Goldstein wrote himself into a romance with Jennifer Lopez (arguably one of the most beautiful women alive). I'm a big fan - I enjoyed his success with Ted Lasso, but I think Shrinking is one of the best written shows we've had in a long time. I did laugh a few times in the beginning of this (the date getting too drunk, anything that came out of Betty Gilpin's mouth), and they actually have very good chemistry together, but overall it's just very uninteresting. And very predictable - obviously the room service lady was going to be an important part of the story because it's a recognizable actor in the role (Amy Sedaris). If they wanted that to be a surprise then don't cast a name. DUH! On a side note, I would LOVE to learn how to fly a plane. My husband and I actually looked into lessons, but it's very expensive. Maybe one day, but we are focused on travelling now. Oh and the cover of "Fade into You" is very pretty. That's about all I have to say about this. It's the very definition of "Meh". 

5. Scary Movie (2026) - I'm not even sure how many of these movies have been made, but I know I definitely saw the first one. Not so sure about any after that. I love Anna Faris SO MUCH. She's HILARIOUS, and I hope she gets another sitcom soon (she was so good in Mom). I was nervous that I wasn't going to get most of the references in this because I'm old, but then I realized that this is made for millennials, so I'll be fine (lol). This starts off really strong with the Teyana Taylor scene (the "I'm black" and the woman taking off her pearls made me giggle). She's FUNNY! I hope she gets to show that more in films. There are a few other bits that made me smile - the Sinners gag, the "Ghostface from Wu-Tang?" line made me actually laugh out loud, the kids running Weapons-style and the one getting hit by a car, them singing the song from The Jeffersons. I also was not expecting the K-Pop scene. But obviously the best part is the "what are you waiting for" scene (iconic!). However, the film definitely wears out its welcome. I watched the extended cut on Paramount+, and it was still only 100 minutes, but it felt like 2 hours. It's a one star movie, but it's SUPPOSED to be a one star movie, so I rated it TWO STARS. Does that make sense? Like, it does what it sets out to do. Also, I screamed at the Carmen Electra cameo! Love her. 

Thoughts on 5 New Tv Shows

1. Cape Fear - I watched the 90s version in preparation for this series (I watched the original one last year) because I have a bad memory. It's a GREAT story for a film, but I don't see how they are going to stretch this out into a TEN (!) episode series. I love Amy Adams, Javier Bardem and Patrick Wilson, so obviously I am going to watch this, but I was very skeptical. I'm 1/2 way through the series, and Goddammit I was right! There's definitely a more layered story and character development and added characters, but it ALL feels unnecessary. And Amy Adams southern accent is WILD. Ditto for whatever Anna Baryshnikov is doing (I'll always love her for her role as Lavinia in Dickinson though!!). I think the biggest problem is that it's been 5 episodes and I haven't really found Bardem, as Max Cady - one of the most psychopathic characters ever put on film, that terrifying yet. It's just not working at all. They change the story to him being a murderer instead of a violent rapist and I think that's the first mistake. Not that rape is worse than murder, but the act is more of a terrifying threat because it's a form of torture. There are definitely things I like - the flipping of the defense lawyer to be the wife and the prosecutor is her husband (and they met and fell in love during the trial) adds a layer of complicated legal shenanigans. Showing the insane online world that teenagers have to navigate is really powerful too. But it's also a little stupid - the "you're stalking a little girl!" scene is ridiculous. She's like 25 at least (the internet says 21/22, but that means she's really 25 and lying about her age. I hate that actors/actresses can have their birthday removed from IMDB now. Really enforces the "women can't age" narrative). Anyway, it's just not very interesting or suspenseful. I had higher hopes for the talent involved (it's even produced by Scorsese and Spielberg!! OH WAIT that reminds me that Scorsese's daughter is in a small scene as a TikTok personality and it took me out! LOL). 

2. Widow's Bay - I watched the first 3 episodes of this about a week before The Emmys, and I was completely mystified by all of the awards. The show is...fine? I love Matthew Rhys (and have since Brothers and Sisters!!). The rest of the cast consists of some really great character actors. And I'm not exactly bored by it. I just don't think it's, like, the best! show! ever! And I think The Emmys just need to add a "Dramedy" category at this point, or keep the Comedy category to strict sitcom style comedy. Because to have this up against Abbott Elementary just isn't fair (I agree with Sheryl Lee Ralph, and it's so stupid that she had to apologize for saying that her series was the only "real comedy in the category", although I think Hacks also belongs there). Anyway, I assumed that it would get better. Like, A LOT better. But then I watched another 3 episodes and it's still...fine? There are things I like about it (the cast, the mystery), but overall it's just not going anywhere. I'm definitely more than a little bored now. And I haven't laughed once! It's amusing, sure. But FUNNY? A COMEDY? Get the fuck out of here. A series that has an episode like episode 6 is NOT a comedy. Period. Although I did enjoy the guest appearances by Betty Gilpin and Hamish Linklater (and both are excellent in this episode). Anyway, I just don't see what the fuss is about, but I do have 4 more episodes....?? 

3. The Westies - I think this series definitely wants to be like Peaky Blinders, but set in Hell's Kitchen NY in the 1980s. Some of it is very good, but a lot of it is very Obvious. Like, really in-your-face Obvious. The opening credits SCREAM this is about an IRISH GANG! Every episode I scream "we GET IT! They are IRISH!". And I would also argue that this show has already been done before - it was called The Black Donnellys and it was REALLY good (never made it past the first season, unfortunately). But I like the cast a lot - J.K. Simmons and Sarah Bolger, specifically. I think the subplot featuring Bolger about the IRA is actually more interesting than the main plot. There are a few other slightly interesting plot points and character reveals, but nothing seems to stick - they move on very quickly so nothing feels dramatic enough or high stakes enough. The main guy looks identical to Richard Madden (if you put a bad wig on him) and has about the same amount of talent and screen presence (i.e not a smidge. But he's hot!). I just think the whole thing is a little predictable and repetitive, but I'll also still watch a second season and hope for the best! 

4. Lucky - I actually hated this. I don't think I would have continued to watch it if my husband wasn't watching it with me - and he didn't hate it as much as I did. I just think that Lucky is *such* an unlikeable character that I wanted her to be caught immediately. Go straight to prison! You're a terrible person! And not because she's a grifter. Because she's a terrible human being. She lies *multiple* times about being a domestic abuse victim, and she puts a single mom and her child/children (I can't remember if there was more than one child? I feel like the woman had 2 daughters, but I might be wrong about that) WILLINGLY in danger. I don't know, maybe it's because I am a witness to domestic abuse, it's just hard to fathom that someone would lie about it (and "he pushed me out of the car" is really triggering for me because my dad actually pushed my mom out of a moving truck in the middle of the desert. I cried and asked if she was going to be ok and he told me "she's dead" and then I didn't see her for days. Then she just showed up! I still don't know what happened in those days and I'll never ask her). ANYWAY, I also think Anya is the weak link of the cast - I just don't really buy her as this tough bad-ass criminal. Overall, I also think the plot is really dumb and it only works if every single character is also dumb (the criminals, the dumb-as-fuck FBI lady, literally everyone is stupid). I finally know who Drew Starky is, though! I feel like I hear his name a lot as an up-and-comer, but I could not pick him out of a lineup. He doesn't have much to do in this for me to form an opinion. But Annette Benning and Timothy Olyphant act their asses off, so it's not all bad. The best part is definitely the opening credit song - sung by none other than the incomparable FIONA APPLE!!! I had no idea and as soon as I heard the first note, I was like OMG FIONA!!! I'm surprised she would agree to do an opening song for such a bland mediocre show because the last time she agreed to do an opening song for a tv show it was for The Affair, which definitely has more in common with Fiona's lyrics than this show does. 

5. Alley Cats - I usually like Ricky Gervais shows - I think he always has a really good balance of being funny and having really thoughtful commentary on simple human normalcies (whether it's something like the mundane office life, or grieving the loss of a loved one). I know a lot of people hate him now and some of his comedic schtick has gotten a little lame, but I don't think that effects his talent for writing tv shows. But this is straight up barely watchable. It's everything that the Ricky Haters have been saying for the past few years - that his whole thing is based around "offending" everyone that it's become unfunny. It's like he fell right into their trap. But, not only is it not funny (or offensive?), it's also much sadder than I was expecting. And not in the good way like After Life. Because After Life was about finding joy after tragedy - finding something or someone to live for, etc., which I think a lot of people can relate to. But this is just like "cats die", HAHAHA! My husband actually screamed at the cat getting hit by a car and was *very* upset by it, which kind of negates all of the jokes (and there haven't really been any good jokes, either. I think I laughed once at the cucumber scene and that's it). I think I watched 4 episodes in a row, waiting for it to find it's footing, and it just doesn't. I don't even want to watch any more, but I eventually will.