‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023) is Japan’s ‘Independence Day’
Movie review: Takashi Yamazaki’s character-driven prequel to 1954’s “Godzilla” illustrates the changing Japanese culture after WWII.
Family Drama
‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023) is Japan’s ‘Independence Day’
‘Throw Momma from the Train’ (1987) a decent throwaway comedy
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): In one of the more interesting Hitchcock riffs, DeVito and Crystal play out the “Strangers on a Train” premise.
Hitchcock’s protagonist gets beaten ‘Downhill’ (1927) by life
On a Hitchcock kick (Movie review): In a prototype for “I Confess,” Hitch asks how much societal BS one person can absorb before it’s too much.
‘Garden State’ (2004) makes melancholy feel so good
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): A great soundtrack, melodrama, quirky folks and a smoothly understated romance make this a coming-of-age gem.
Rowling’s stark ‘Casual Vacancy’ (2012) bridges Potter and Strike
Throwback Thursday (Book review): The “Harry Potter” scribe doesn’t have answers for folks in a non-magical world, but she does show observant compassion.
‘Ghostwatch’ (1992) a little-known but highly influential found footage horror film
Frightening Friday (Movie review): This Halloween 1992 BBC movie was a hugely controversial cultural phenomenon in Britain.
Utterly generic nature leaves ‘Night Swim’ all wet
Movie review: Although it features good actors, this horror film stays in the shallow end of the pool.
‘Trust Exercise’ (2019) a masterful triptych about broken adult-child trust
Book club book report: Via traumatized, reflective victims, Choi pens a sharp back-door analysis of how abusers maintain industry power.
‘What a Girl Wants’ (2003) gives viewers what they want: Firth and Bynes
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This cute culture-clash comedy stands as Bynes’ best film, as a teenager tracks down her absent father.
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ (2019) introduces young readers to the genre
Book club book report: Despite its basic nature, Holly Jackson’s debut novel is a page-turning whodunit for adults, too.