‘The Executioner’s Song’ (1982): ‘Director’s Cut’ of chilly ‘true life’ novel still a terrifying tale

I made the mistake of going to the movies this week. A new movie. In an actual theater. That I had to pay for. Without thinking, I bought a ticket for Terrifier 3, for no other reason than I wanted to see if I could recreate the feeling I used to have back in the… Read More ‘The Executioner’s Song’ (1982): ‘Director’s Cut’ of chilly ‘true life’ novel still a terrifying tale

‘The Norliss Tapes’ (1972): NBC tries to recapture thrill of ‘The Night Stalker’

Fall’s here! Fall begins with the letter “f,” kids! There are lots and lots of other words that begin with the letter “f,” now that fall is here! Can you think of any? I know can! Like…”f******” leaves to rake! “F******” snow tires to drag out of the garage! “F******” heating bills I can’t afford!… Read More ‘The Norliss Tapes’ (1972): NBC tries to recapture thrill of ‘The Night Stalker’

‘Virgin Witch’ (1972): UK horror flick is amusing & sexy the second time around

Now…according to the general consensus of new “film reviewers” (blech), those soy-drinking, pajama-clad, lip balm-wearing, unisex bathroom-using beta, um…males (I would assume), those vicious, fey dictators of what is acceptable, both morally and socially, when it comes to cinema, a movie like Virgin Witch is to be, at the very least, pilloried, mostly because it… Read More ‘Virgin Witch’ (1972): UK horror flick is amusing & sexy the second time around

‘Bobby Deerfield’ (1977): Pollack & Pacino stall at the starting line

Another summer of fun, right? Hot dogs, baseball games, grandma’s old-fashioned cracker crumb cake, lazing on the front porch at dusk, watching the fireflies, waiting for the next government-sanctioned assassination attempt…it’s been a real scorcher. I’ll tell you what’s not hot—Al Pacino’s Bobby Deerfield, the ludicrous 1977 Sydney Pollack attempt to marry Formula One racing with… Read More ‘Bobby Deerfield’ (1977): Pollack & Pacino stall at the starting line

‘Beach Party’ (1963): Sun, music & surf for your summer blues

Considering it’s now official that we live in a Third World banana republic (when the illegitimate ruling junta doesn’t even bother to cover its tracks when trying to zap its chief political opponent, the “golden days” of the American republic are well and truly over), can you blame anyone who’s looking for a little escapism?… Read More ‘Beach Party’ (1963): Sun, music & surf for your summer blues