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Leviathan (1989)
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There are many “ripoffs” of Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979), but this is one of the worse ones, even though the “trapped with a mutating monster” story steals shamelessly in so many ways from Scott’s classic movie. You will also recognize elements of John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982), so at least the filmmakers cribbed from two of the best examples of the sci-fi/horror genre. I am somewhat surprised because Leviathan is credited to two screenwriters who separately have done good to great work elsewhere. It is generally dumb and witless, horribly paced, and lacking in style and scares. It feels like half of the movie ended up on the cutting room floor. SKIP IT
The Crow (1994)
I wonder if they ever make goth movies anymore, of which this is a prime example. It is a real loss to cinema that Brandon Lee lost his life so early, but we are lucky for this iconic and unforgettable performance to remember him by. This movie also gave Ernie Hudson a chance to shine (Hudson was badly used in another movie I saw recently, so this was also a welcome antidote). The film has a dark and seedy look strongly influenced by German expressionism, and arty European horror movies, with a touch of Poe, and the performances are engaging and committed. RECOMMENDEDThe Boys in the Band (1970)
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The Boys in the Band (2020)
I used to think this late-sixties-era film was horribly dated and unflattering to gay men, but over the years I have not only come to enjoy it (the dialog is funny as hell), I also developed an abiding respect for its unsparing examination of the self-loathing gay male, a type that has not gone extinct by any means. The 1970 version was directed by the great William Friedkin, whose work I am a big fan of, and features a great cast and a truly memorable performance by Leonard Frey as the “Jew fairy” former ice skating star. The more recent version (50 years later) also features strong performances and adds some flashbacks and an epilogue. RECOMMENDED, for drama queens and Broadway queens and those experiencing or having experienced an existential crisis, which doesn’t leave many people out
Columbo (TV Series, 1971-1978)
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This is real comfort food, like your favorite (vegan) meatloaf and mashed potatoes. There are many reasons to enjoy these “not whodunnits,” which always start with the murderer plotting and killing his victim, and then the deceptively schlumpy L.A. murder detective Columbo gets the call and proceeds to expose their elaborate ruses. Hubris is always big factor in the perp’s undoing — a trait that has long endured from the ancient Greeks to today’s big-headed politicians. The murderer is usually a rich, vain, entitled, egotistical S.O.B., whose hubris is his (or her) undoing. Peter Falk is a hoot as the dogged, always underestimated detective. Also enjoyable is the guest stars list, which is a Who’s Who of Hollywood B-listers with the occasional former A-lister thrown in for good measure. But my favorite thing to watch is what passes for the glamorous life in 1970s Los Angeles, with its stodgy wood-paneled mansions and swinging bachelor pads and high-rise office buildings and enormous Lincoln Continentals the size of tanks, etc. Fun! RECOMMENDED
Le Samouraï (1967)
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A momentous day like today called for a momentous movie like this one. That this is not my favorite but rather my second-favorite film by Jean-Pierre Melville only means it is still better than about 99% of all other films, it’s that good. The title of the film likens its protagonist, a French hitman (murder for hire), to a Japanese warrior but could have easily been “The Criminal Returns to the Scene of the Crime.” It is no exaggeration to call Alain Delon’s performance “iconic”; he is perfect in the role. The on-location shooting is astounding as is the film’s other technical merits including the highly evocative cinematography. The new 4k version preserves what the film must have looked like in movie theaters when it was new. HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION
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