Saturday, November 10, 2018
Friday, November 9, 2018
The Gambler (2014)
Literature professor and gambler Jim Bennett's debt causes him to borrow money from his mother and a loan shark. Further complicating his situation, is his relationship with one of his students. Will Bennett risk his life for a second chance?
Although this thriller is more conceived as a character study than it's interested in suspense, and it has a good cast and is professionally directed, the gambler himself is a most disagreeable narcissist for whom hardly anyone can root for.
Badge of Honor (2015)
Two narcotics detectives find themselves in an intense investigation lead by a determined Internal Affairs Detective after a child is wrongfully shot dead in a violent drug bust.
Solid thriller about police corruption, more interested in action and suspense than making a moral comment.
Thursday, November 8, 2018
Wednesday, November 7, 2018
First Lines: Lois McMaster Bujold - The Vor Game
"Ship duty!" chortled the ensign four ahead of Miles in line.
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
The Equalizer (2014)
A man believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and has dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her.
Violent vigilante thriller has style ans suspense, and Denzel Washington can really pull off his role as righteous avenger, but all that said, it's still a dubious genre.
Monday, November 5, 2018
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween while Linus waits for the Great Pumpkin.
Probably the best of the Peanuts TV specials and meanwhile a Halloween season classic; story, plot and animation perfectly handled.
On renewed viewing: still love to watch this one every Halloween.
