The Hunter (1980) — Steve McQueen as a bounty hunter, in his last movie before dying at 50. Better than reviews at the time suggest, but final proof that his purported “cool” had run its course. He cashed out at the right time legacy-wise, like James Dean, the Big Bopper, and Heather Roarke. Amazon.
Land of the Lost (2009) — I don’t like Will Farrell, I actively dislike Danny McBride, I never heard of Anna Friel, and it got dreadful reviews. But you know what . . . IT SUCKED! A failure on every level, blowing every opportunity to get laughs or lampoon its source material. Tubi.
Hex (2022) — Awesome skydiving footage + the mystery of a skydiver disappearing mid-fall should have been great. Sadly, two first-time directors do not stick the landing. Tubi.
Evil Dead Rise (2023) — Nonstop action and gore. No complaint, but it was all Act III with no Act I or II. Maybe the only film franchise without a clunker. Theater.
Orphan: First Kill (2022) — Now this is how you do a prequel, George Lucas. Highly recommended! Paramount+.
Jabberwocky (1977) — From Terry Gilliam comes a mash-up that feel like scenes appropriately edited from Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) and first drafts of scenes for Life of Brian (1979). Don’t come here looking for big laughs (the genresnaps mission statement, BTW), however, there are enough Pythons and it is visually interesting enough to be well worth a viewing. Criterion Channel.
Picard, Season 3 (2023) — Fanboys are digging this season because it is exponentially better than the first two dreadful seasons. Having not seen those two travesties, I got no such boost. Sadly, with the exception of interesting changes in Geordi and Worf, the TNG cast has had their day. It is time to move on, but execs can’t pull their heads out of their asses and create anything new. Paramount+.
The Three Stooges (2012) — Laugh out loud funny. Maybe because it was 2 am, but also because the actors playing the Stooges were perfect and hilarious — another egregious oversight by the Academy. I guess such a progressive and austere body would never think of rewarding that kind of violence . . . you know, like with a Best Actor Oscar . . . or standing ovation just a few minutes later. Tubi.
The Bedroom Window (1987) — Updating of classic Hitchcock themes except the wrong man is not the accused, it is the witness. Great stuff. Criterion Channel.
Hot Seat (2022) — The 2nd movie, after Lethal Weapon 2, wherein Mel Gibson tries to save a terrible actor who is literally sitting on a pressure-sensitive bomb. Instead of Danny Glover, this time we get Kevin Dillon as a hacker who must follow the orders of a mysterious-to-no-one caller. Really, more unnecessary than bad. Tubi.
Guns of Eden (2022) — My favorite trope (woman kills alllll the men), in a style reminiscent of those 1980’s Andy Sidaris movies like Hard Ticket to Hawaii or Savage Beach: Sharp colorful photography, beautiful locations, and great use of guns, trucks & aircraft. But utterly devoid of acting talent, natural dialogue, and plot. At least Sidaris had bikini babes. However, the basic trope and a lot of great kill shots make this watchable. Tubi.
Body (2015) — Yet another flick where people trying to cover up an accidental murder are surprised when the victim wakes up. Not original, but well-done and fun. Tubi.
In the Blood (2014) — Ignore the 37/38 at Rotten Tomatoes. A perfectly adequate woman kills alllll the men flick. Bonus points for starring Free Speech martyr Gina Carano. Tubi.
The Eliminators (2016) — I hope Scott Adkins gets some recognition for John Wick 4 (even in the fat suit). He has been making fun, action-packed, guy-movies for years, and should be much better known. Tubi.
Rabbit Hole, Season 1 (2023) — A lot of potential after 2 Episodes. I hoped it would veer into The Prisoner / Nowhere Man territory. Instead, Episode 3 was half flashbacks of Charles Dance who, if he ain’t flashing all the way back to House Lannister, is just annoying. Also, the producers continue to have an 11-year old boy’s understanding of the f-bomb. Paramount+. [UPDATE: Bailed after 4 episodes]
The Horserace
Netflix’s woke revisionist Cleopatra earned them another year on the bench with Hulu. I do miss having Arrested Development and 24 in permanent rotation, but maybe we needed some time apart.
After Picard TNG, I’m not sure Paramount+ is worth keeping even a couple of months more for Strange New Worlds 2.
Out of curiosity, I clicked the Art House category on Tubi. Holy smoke! Rather than pretentious Art House films, there are dozens of stone cold classics! Tubi rules! How long will it stay free?
If Peacock were not included in my HOA fees, it would be a goner. Also, the landscaper.
Sadly, Shudder has become difficult to justify even at $5 per month. Criterion Channel is still awesome. Hey, Bezos, Amazon Prime needs work.
Still no news from Brit Marling. Retreat continues on to its 425th week of production.