Hackman’s ‘Hoosiers’ (1986) has the winning touch
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Sometimes cliches play well in a movie, as this loose telling of the 1954 Indiana state hoops champs proves.
Oscars
‘Fortune Cookie’ (1966) crumbles under its length, predictability
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): This supposed satire of dishonest lawyering misfires by running the ball right up the middle.
Disney creates cure for insomnia with ‘Tron: Legacy’ (2010)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This shallow legacy sequel makes a compelling case for being the Mouse House’s most cynical product.
‘Double Indemnity’ (1944) a deliberate classic of film noir
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Stiffer than Wilder’s later masterpieces, his adaptation of Cain’s novel helps stamp a genre into public consciousness.
‘Tron’ (1982) is groundbreaking, but a chore to watch
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): If you come for the early CGI effects, you might end up taking a nap during the story.
‘Ball of Fire’ (1941) a delightful early gem from Hawks, Wilder
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Enjoy the star power of Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, and as a bonus learn the slang of 1941.
‘Irma la Douce’ (1963) another sweet mix of comedy, chemistry
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): Although the film’s running time is strangely miscalibrated, Lemmon and MacLaine are cute and funny.
‘Anora’ (2024) runs a rom-com through the ‘Fargo’ filter
Movie review: You never know what genre – or plot swings — you’re gonna get in this Sean Baker film that spins “Pretty Woman” through a blender.
Pitch-dark satirical humor powers ‘RoboCop’ (1987)
‘RoboCop’ redux (Movie review): The first of two franchise-launching collaborations between Paul Verhoeven and Edward Neumeier is also an action classic.
‘Sabrina’ (1954) an all-time great breezy romance
Wilder Wednesday (Movie review): The delicately humorous screenplay and lead trio make this film easy to like, even by Wilder’s standards.