Summer movie preview 2021: Calendar of releases, plus 10 films in spotlight
Summer movie preview: Last summer didn’t have much of a movie season, but signs point to 2021 being a notch closer to normalcy.
Movies
Barker’s ‘Hellraiser’ (1987) is artistic gore-horror
Frightening Friday (Movie review): While I wouldn’t categorize myself as a gore-hound after watching “Hellraiser,” I do admire Barker’s film as art.
Murray at his most curmudgeonly in lovable ‘St. Vincent’ (2014)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This under-the-radar gem has a standout cast as it tells of a bitter old man warming up to his decent neighbors.
Nostalgic ‘Broadway Danny Rose’ (1984) doesn’t tug at heartstrings
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): “Broadway Danny Rose” is Woody Allen’s love letter to his standup comedy days. But the film didn’t totally connect with me.
‘Slither’ (2006) a fun small-town infestation romp
Frightening Friday (Movie review): “Slither” isn’t scary, but it is disgusting. Yet the gross-out imagery is so cartoonish that it’s more funny than gross.
Murray, Dreyfuss trade great turns in ‘What About Bob?’ (1991)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Murray is not too showy as the titular neurotic, while Dreyfuss is delightfully over the top as his annoyed psychiatrist.
‘Stardust Memories’ (1980) shows absurdities of fame
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): Allen’s film takes a crack at Hollywood absurdities, fan behavior and love triangles.
‘Leatherface’ (2017) recaptures ‘Chain Saw’s’ grotesquery
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Featuring nasty people embarking on creative bouts of violence, this is a surprisingly good prequel.
‘Stripes’ (1981), like the Army, is not for everyone
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Despite featuring the future “Ghostbusters” team, this overlong comedy is tough to sit through.
‘Sleeper’ (1973) a sleep-inducing sci-fi parody
Woody Wednesday (Movie review): The science fiction parody “Sleeper” has its moments, but they are too spread out.