The Lost Boys (1987)

★★★★☆

After moving to a new beachfront town, Michael quickly begins to fall for a young girl named Lucy. However, after meeting her “gang” and drinking a mysterious drink he begins to cringe at the light, have incredible strength and craves blood. Soon he realizes that he’s been initiated into a gang of vampires. Now, he and a two vampire-hunting brothers must find a way to turn him back before they have and Lucy for their next meal. With a stunning, synth-Goth score and a memorable performance by Kiefer Sutherland, this tale of bloodsucking vamps really exemplifies what the 80’s where about. The makeup is amazing and the humor is great. It’s what Return of the Living Dead was to the zombie genre.

Mulholland Falls (1996)

★★★1/2

Set in 1950’s Los Angeles, this neo noir crime drama follows Max Hoover and his special squad of LADP investigators that use “special” interrogational strategies. The team is sent to investigate the murder of a young woman who Max had an affair with on the side. As bad memories resurface, the investigation leads Max and his right hand man Elleroy to a world renowned General and scientist who helped with the A-bomb project. Max soon finds himself right in the middle of a conspiracy and secret cover-up of possible mistreatment of U.S. soldiers. This was a great film with a great yet raspy performance by Nick Nolte and Chazz Palminteri does a great job as well. Ultimately, it’s great but I wished they really expanded more on the rest of Nolte’s group since they all seem to show charisma that isn’t fully developed.

Life of Brian (1979)

★★★★☆

Brian was born on Christmas in the stable next door to the Almighty Christ and lives his entire life as an average momma’s boy. However, after joining a group that plots to rebel against the Romans and bizarre series of events, he is ultimately mistaken for the messiah. With a disappointing mother, hoards of one-track minded followers and the entire Roman army after him, what can Brian do to convince people that he isn’t the messiah let alone the fact that there is no true messiah? This film caters to a specific type of person that can understand Monty Python’s humor and I, fortunately, am one of them so this was a riot to watch. However, if you are new to The Python, some of the jokes may seem awkward or fall flat but this piece’s strength comes from its satirical jab at religion and how people blindly follow it. It’s raunchy, it’s over-the-top and it’s funny as Hell!

Carnival of Souls (1998)

★★1/2

Half experimental and half linear; this movie follows a young bartender who is still struggling with inner demons after seeing the brutal rape and murder of her mother by a circus performer. When the nightmares of the fateful night that she met him begin to resurface, so does the carnival and when the carnival comes back to town… so does her mother’s murderer. Now, caught in a web of dreams and hallucinations, the young girl must struggle to find peace and decipher what’s real and what isn’t. The story sounds great on paper but it is in fact a remake of a better film of the same name. This film has great production design and 1 or 2 creepy moments but it falls flat and becomes stale. I think it’s main problem is the lack of solid direction and a clear story.

The Jackal (1997)

★★★1/2

The FBI gets word that a notorious assassin named The Jackal, who is known for literally changing his appearance, has been hired by a terrorist group to assassinate somebody from the U.S. government. In a last minute effort to find him, they agree to release an IRA sniper from imprisonment to track him down. However, once The Jackal realizes that he has a tail, the situation spirals into a deadly game of cat and mouse. For an action movie it has its charms and it’s great to see Willis in disguises ranging from a fat Jewish accountant to a gay businessman. Richard Gere puts on a wonderful Irish accent but what I think this film lacks is solid suspense, but even without it there are great gunfights.

Sunset Boulevard (1950)

★★★★★

When hi scar breaks down in an unknown area of Sunset Blvd., a screenwriter stumbles upon the home of a former silent movie star and agrees to stay with her and help her develop a screenplay for her big comeback. Unfortunately, he soon becomes a prisoner and the actress’s severely depressed personality begins to surface as the screenwriter tries desperately to help her realize the reality of things. This disturbing, neurotic piece shimmers with the brilliant performances of William Holden and Gloria Swanson, who fully becomes the deranged and psychotic film star Norma Desmond. It’s a dark tale of what Hollywood can do to somebody and just how far somebody will go for that glitz and glamour. It’s a true masterpiece.

Planet 51 (2009)

★★★☆☆

Set on the fictional Planet 51 in 1950’s style suburbia, an American astronaut named Captain Chuck Baker lands his shuttle on the world thinking that he is the first one to discover and set foot on it. To his surprise, he realizes that there is an entire civilization living there. Now, wanted by their government, Chuck befriends a socially awkward alien and his energetic brother as they find a way to send him back home before the military decides to dissect him. I liked this movie and for a film that isn’t made my Disney/Pixar, it’s whimsical, funny and somewhat exciting. I love the mockery towards 50’s pop culture and the nods to great sci-fi flicks of the 50’s and 60’s. For a kids movie it’s pretty great but it lacks heart and warmth.