Songwriter Forum

Greetings, all! What movies have you watched recently? I very recently watched Gone Girl from 2014. It was outstanding. I'm not sure how I missed that one because I usually enjoy suspense thrillers. The lead performance by Rosamund Pike was great! I rate the movie 8 out of 10 stars.

I often draw a lot of ideas and songwriting inspiration from watching emotions unfold in various movies. The performance of Rosamund Pike as Amy in Gone Girl and seeing the trials she endured, gave me some ideas for a new song. :D

I also watched The Substance from 2024 yesterday. I'm not really a fan of Demi Moore, although I have enjoyed some of her movies over the years. The first three fourths of the movie was good, but the final fourth missed the mark. I'll stop there to avoid spoilers in case you haven't seen it and would like to. The premise and idea behind the movie deserve 10 out of 10 stars, but the film itself fell short of its vision for me. I rate it 5 out of 10 stars.


Cheers,
Joseph

Hi, @icystorm Not seen Gone Girl but Saturday nights are usually movie night. We get the projector out and home theatre speakers so we might give that a go tomorrow,

We watched the new Nosferatu film last week. It looked amazing but I feel it was more style over substance. Worth a watch but not as good as the critics are making out.

Quote from: Nick Ryder on Jan 31, 2025, 02:54 PMHi, @icystorm Not seen Gone Girl but Saturday nights are usually movie night. We get the projector out and home theatre speakers so we might give that a go tomorrow,

We watched the new Nosferatu film last week. It looked amazing but I feel it was more style over substance. Worth a watch but not as good as the critics are making out.

@Nick Ryder -- Hi, Nick. Your presence was missed here, and I hope you're well. Yes, I think you will enjoy Gone Girl and hope you do! I have not seen the new Nosferatu yet, but I will now that you reminded me of it. I have an affinity for the classic 1922 silent-film original version. I've always perceived the old, grainy, black-and-white films as scarier than modern horror movies. The image of the abominable Dracula lurching slowly down the corridor in black-and-white was particularly scary when I first viewed Nosferatu as a child. ;D

Likewise, recall the 1968 horror film Night of the Living Dead, which was also filmed in black-and-white. The graveyard scene in the dismal winter daytime, with a gray ('grey' for those of you on the other side of the pond ;D ) overcast juxtaposed against the lifeless landscape, is particularly creepy and eerie, especially when the first zombie in the flick strode across the cemetery ground. Modern movies in color (colour) can never capture the essence of black-and-white. I sometimes wish that someone would use the same recording equipment employed for the 1931 original Dracula with Bela Legosi to make a new horror movie in vintage style.  ;D

Cheers,
Joseph

Thank you @icystorm Joseph.

I think one of the defining horror elements was the look of Nosferatu. Such a creepy image that made the original so scary. I'll not spoil it for you but I would be interested to hear what you think to the new look of him.

One of my favourite films is Sin City which is in black and white and I honestly can't imagine it working if it was in colour.

Have a great weekend,



Nick.

Hi, @icystorm Joseph.

We watched Gone Girl last night on your recommendation. Yeah, a really good film with lots of twists. As you say, a great performance from Rosamund and all the cast in general.

Thanks for that!!

@Nick Ryder -- I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed Gone Girl, Nick. If you enjoyed that, you may also enjoy Borderline starring Gina Gershon from 2002. It's also a psychological thriller. I rate it 7 of 10 stars. I enjoy movies like that because unexpected things happen and you never quite know where things are heading until the end. One more is The Rich Man's Wife from 1996. I'm not a fan of Halle Berry, but I thought her performance was good in the movie. I rate it a strong 6 of 10 stars.

I'm trying to find very recent movies worth watching, but I'm coming up short. I will definitely watch the new Nosferatu and also Sin City from 2005, which you mentioned. There are usually some great hidden gems among indie films, which do not receive a lot of fanfare from critics or the media. I'm always on the lookout for those! :D

Cheers,
Joseph

Hi, @icystorm Joseph

We watched the new Cameron Diaz film 'Back in Action' last night on Netflix.

It was great fun. Kind of like James Bong=d but with lots of laugh out loud moments thrown in and Glenn Close was great as Diaz's mother.

I think every now and then I'm in the mood for films like this which are well made, have lots of action and are easy to watch.

I've always liked Diaz. I think as an acres she's got great comic timing :)

@Nick Ryder -- Hi, Nick. I watched the 2024 release of Nosferatu recently, after you mentioned it earlier in this thread. You had written, "...I feel it was more style over substance. Worth a watch but not as good as the critics are making out." I believe that's an accurate assessment. I drew the same conclusion. I would rate it 4 out of 10 stars. Thanks for the tip on the new film Back in Action. I'll check it out soon! :D

I previewed new and upcoming movies recently. The only one that caught my attention is Locked, starring Anthony Hopkins. It's out next month (March 2025). I watched the film's trailer. Without disclosing any spoilers, there have been at least two other movies that used the same concept/trope. Hopefully it's worth the while to see.

Aside from that, I'm keeping a lookout for indie films, which often have no fanfare. Some are excellent, and they sometimes show up suddenly without attention or advanced notice.

Cheers,
Joseph

I'm looking forward to seeing the psycho-thriller Locked with Anthony Hopkins soon. I'm also eager to see The Age of Disclosure forthcoming documentary about UFOs!

Cheers,
Joseph

I finally watched the psycho-thriller Locked with Anthony Hopkins over the past weekend. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre movie. I give it 4 of 10 stars. And after the initial hype months ago over The Age of Disclosure documentary about UFOs, there's been nothing but crickets surrounding it and no news of a release date.

Cheers,
Joseph

From my perspective, the recent movie landscape seems dull and uninteresting, but 28 Years Later has drawn my attention as possibly something worth watching. The trailer makes it seem like it may be similar to A Quiet Place and A Quite Place Part II. Maybe I'll wait to watch it around Halloween. ;D

28 Years Later

Despite the big fanfare and publicity early in the year, the UFO documentary The Age of Disclosure still has not been released and virtually no one is talking about it or asking about it now. Strange! :o Just SMH...

Tonight, I plan to watch The Ritual. 😨😱

Synopsis: Based on true events, The Ritual follows two priests -- one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino) -- who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms. The film is an authentic portrayal of Emma Schmidt, an American woman whose demonic possession culminated in harrowing exorcisms. Her case remains the most thoroughly documented exorcism in American history.

I watched The Ritual (2025) last night. Without giving away any spoilers, I have to say I was not impressed. For me, it was a weak and boring movie, earning just 3 out of 10 stars. It's not necessarily bad—it just dragged on, especially in the second half, which made it hard to stay engaged. The pacing felt off, and I found myself checking the remaining time more than once. 😒

In comparison, a similar movie, The Exorcist (1973), is an example of a well-crafted horror film, and I'd rate it 8 out of 10 stars. The difference in tension and atmosphere between the two films is like night and day. 😒

I'm still waiting to see 28 Years Later. Hopefully it will be available online soon. ;D

Has anyone seen Jurassic World: Rebirth? I'm debating whether to see it. The last few films in the Jurassic franchise were not very good. Based on the trailers, I think I'll pass. Good movies are increasingly hard to come by these days. 🤨🤔

I finally watched 28 Years Later last night. Without giving away any spoilers, I can say I was disappointed in it. I gave it 4 out of 10 stars. It ranges from wild, to weird, to boring. The movie's concept is excellent, but the director simply didn't manage to capture the story in a compelling, attention-grabbing way.

In 2012, a cool sci-fi movie titled Chronicle was released. I gave it a strong 7 of 10 stars. For years, a sequel was discussed, but it seems unlikely to happen now. Hopefully, that changes.

While still waiting for the new UFO documentary The Age of Disclosure, I re-watched Fire in the Sky (1993). It's a disturbing film about UFOs and alien abduction, blending grounded drama with unnerving sci-fi horror. The abduction scene remains one of the most chilling ever put to film. Though the pacing drags at times, the emotional depth and unsettling imagery leave a lasting impression. A haunting exploration of trauma, skepticism, and the unknown. I rate it 7 out of 10 stars.

I just re-watched Borderline (2002). I really like this movie. It's one that I enjoy seeing again from time to time. Gina Gershon is an attractive actress who delivered an outstanding performance. She brought depth and intensity to her character in this made-for-TV thriller-mystery. The plot is creative, suspenseful, and unpredictable. I rate it a strong 7 of 10 stars! It's a very good movie and recommended. 8)

Although it's not a movie but a series, I'm considering watching Alien: Earth. Has anyone seen it yet? I like the original Alien franchise and most of the spin-offs — though there were a couple that didn't quite hit the mark for me.

I might binge watch the first four episodes tonight. :D Here's the trailer:

I noticed that a new movie based on the Stephen King horror novel The Long Walk is coming out soon. I plan to read the book and then watch the movie. It's scheduled for release next month.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, plays the sick villain in the movie. :o

I often assign stars to the movies I review. Here is my personal guide to the star-ratings I assign. 😂🤣

🎬 My Movie Rating Guide

10⭐ The best movie I have ever seen — nirvana! 🌟🎬 
  9⭐ One of the best movies I've ever seen — top-tier! 🏆✨ 
  8⭐ An outstanding movie I really enjoyed — loved it! 🎉👏 
  7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿😊 
  6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍 
  5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺 
  4⭐ A weak movie that didn't work for me overall — fell flat. 😕📉 
  3⭐ A bad movie with almost nothing redeeming — hard pass. 🚫👎 
  2⭐ A very bad movie I wouldn't recommend to anyone — skip it. 😩🚮
  1⭐ One of the worst movies I've ever seen — utter trash. 😤❌ 
  0⭐ The absolute worst movie I've ever watched — total dumpster fire! 🤮🔥

I'm considering rewatching Close Encounters of the Third Kind. I haven't watched it in about 25 years. :D

I rewatched Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It's a movie that didn't age well. There are much better UFO movies. I'll give it 4 stars.

4⭐ A weak movie that didn't work for me overall — fell flat. 😕📉

I also tried to watch Jurassic World: Rebirth. I only made it through the first 25 minutes and had to turn it off because it was so boring and uninteresting. I don't plan to watch the rest. I'll give it 2 stars.

2⭐ A very bad movie I wouldn't recommend to anyone — skip it. 😩🚮

As we approach Halloween in a couple of months, I will definitely be rewatching the original horror movie Dracula (1931), starring the late Bela Legosi. I last watched it about five years ago.

I rate it 8 stars!

8⭐ An outstanding movie I really enjoyed — loved it! 🎉👏 

Somehow, I missed the horror film Van Helsing (2004), but I plan to watch it after Dracula (1931) this October around Halloween. 🧛

I'm definitely looking forward to the next film in The Conjuring horror movie franchise. The Conjuring: Last Rites is set for release on September 5, 2025.

I watched The Beekeeper last night. The film is an enjoyable action movie. I rate it 6 stars.

6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍 

I recently rewatched The Good Son (1993) with Macaulay Culkin, Elijah Wood, and Wendy Crewson. I rate it 7 stars.

7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿😊

In the 1970s, Leonard Nimoy hosted a conjectural show about mysteries called In Search Of.... No facts, but fun, attention-grabbing hypotheses and eerie music. :D

I realize that Jaws (1975) was a blockbuster movie, but I was never impressed by it. I rate it 5 stars.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺 

@icystorm

How old were you when you first watched JAWS?

The true impact of this film, certainly in the UK, was watching it as a small child

Most parents allowed it because it wasn't "too" gory - but the tension and the genius John Williams score made it particularly terrifying for children!

Quote from: Boydie on Sep 12, 2025, 09:22 AM@icystorm

How old were you when you first watched JAWS?

The true impact of this film, certainly in the UK, was watching it as a small child

Most parents allowed it because it wasn't "too" gory - but the tension and the genius John Williams score made it particularly terrifying for children!

Hi Boydie. Great question! I was about 8 when I first watched it. I recall that my parents discussed whether they would allow me to see it, and they eventually consented. Several friends from school and their parents all met us at the theater so we could sit together and watch it. To us kids, the movie seemed to have too much drama and not enough action. We actually found it a bit boring. We wanted to see much more of the big shark! LOL!!! 😂🤣

In contrast, we found Flipper (1963) much more to our liking. Of course, we didn't see it in 1963 because we weren't born yet! LOL!!! 😂🤣 The local theater replayed Flipper not long after Jaws (1975), and we all went and saw it. We loved it! We also enjoyed the television series The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. There was something about scuba diving that really captured our imagination.

You're right about the genius of John Williams. I've enjoyed many of his compositions and scores over the years. Of course, his work in the Star Wars franchise and Superman: The Movie (1978) stand out, as well as Schindler's List (1993).

One of my favorite movie themes is from Star Trek: First Contact (1996) composed by Jerry Goldsmith. 


Cheers,
Joseph :D

I watched the new movie The Long Walk (2025). I found it boring and anti-climactic. Slow, dull, and flat — not worth the time. I rate it 3 stars.

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ (3/10)
A bad movie with almost nothing redeeming — hard pass. 🚫👎

In 1970-71, a British sci-fi series, UFO, was produced and broadcast on television. I watched it in syndication a few years later. It was interesting, but didn't have the it factor like Star Trek. UFO only lasted a single season. Space: 1999, another British sci-fi series, fared a bit better, lasting two seasons from 1975 to 1977. I enjoyed both in the 70s, but they're too cheesy, with that low-budget look, to watch more than an episode or two purely for nostalgia.

UFO intro sequence

I enjoy watching episodes of The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960 to 1968. Great show!

I recently watched The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) and found it disappointing. I rate it 4 stars.

4⭐ A weak movie that didn't work for me overall — fell flat. 😕📉

One of my favorite shows of all time is Star Trek: The Original Series, which originally aired in the US from 1966 to 1969. I watched it in syndication later in the early to mid 1970s. It's an awesome show! ;D

The soundtrack is excellent, too. I have Star Trek The Original Series Soundtrack Collection (1966-1969), which is a three CD-set spanning each season.

Captain Kirk was fortunate to have worked with the very lovely and talented Marianna Hill, who guest starred as Dr. Helen Noel. ;D

One of my favorite television series ever is the original Twilight Zone, produced by the late Rod Serling from 1959–1964. It features many phenomenal episodes and eerie music! 8)

The original Mission: Impossible series that ran from 1966 to 1973 is another series that is very interesting with lots of intrigue and mystery.

I enjoyed watching Night Gallery, which was originally hosted by Rod Serling in the early 70s. It featured stories of horror and the macabre. It was a natural extension of Serling's earlier creation, Twilight Zone. Cool stuff! ;D

In 2000, one of my favorite actresses of all time, Marie Caldare, appeared in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager titled Virtuoso.

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I enjoyed the Stephen King mini-series The Stand (1994), which features the charming and very talented Laura San Giacomo as Nadine.

7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿😊

But, Laura San Giacomo's performance was 9 stars and lifted the mini-series!

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BNmYwNjU4ZDMtYTVjMi00N2JlLWI0ZTItNzlkN2QxMzAzMzBjXkEyXkFqcGc@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg)

After a long delay, the new UFO documentary, The Age of Disclosure, will be released and streamed on Amazon Prime on November 21, 2025. The possibility of the existence of UFOs and extraterrestrials is an incredible thought. Yet, it's virtually impossible to believe. There are literally billions of cameras and video recording devices in the world, yet there is no clear evidence of UFOs or extraterrestrials.

Arrival (2016) is a very good movie about extraterrestrials interacting with humans. I rate it 6 stars. Amy Adams' performance was excellent, but most of the supporting cast were lackluster.

6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍

Brightburn (2019) is an interesting movie that seems to parallel the Superman story in some ways, but the superhuman boy is sinister instead of good. I rate it six stars overall. It's a good story, but the movie script should have been written better.

6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍

Interstellar (2014) is a thought-provoking science fiction film that explores the complexities of the space-time continuum, black holes, and time travel in some imaginative (if far-fetched) ways. Anne Hathaway delivers a very good performance, adding emotional depth to the narrative. While the film is visually stunning and ambitious in its scope, it does have some flaws that keep it from being a better movie. I give it six stars.

6⭐ – a decent movie overall, with some impressive moments but room for improvement. 🤔👍

I've long-enjoyed the performances of the lovely actress Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio who starred in The Abyss (1989), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Class Action (1991), and many more.


(https://i.imgur.com/bQbzAi2.png)

The Martian is a cool movie about an astronaut mistakenly left behind and stranded on the red planet, Mars. Jessica Chastain delivered a great performance in the movie. I rate the film 7 stars.

7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿 :D


 

William (2019) is a cool sci-fi story of a Neanderthal cloned from ancient DNA. He was conceived via in vitro fertilization. I rate the film 7 stars.

7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿 :D

Paranormal Activity (2007) is a movie that makes one think and wonder about what happens when we sleep at night. Parts of the movie are a little cheesy, but some parts are disturbing. I rate it six stars. I have not seen the sequels in the series.

6⭐ – a decent movie overall, with some impressive moments but room for improvement. 🤔👍

Lucy (2014) is a sci-fi thriller about a woman who gains superhuman intelligence, telekinesis, and other powers following an accident not of her making. I rate it five stars.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺 

Greta (2018) is a psychological thriller about a lonely, mentally unstable older woman who lures younger women into friendships and something far more dangerous. I rate it six stars.

6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍

Mothers' Instinct (2024) is a good psychological thriller that's reminiscent of something the late Alfred Hitchcock might have created. It stars Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, whose performances are the film's greatest strengths. Despite the excellent leads and an intriguing premise, the script falls short in delivering a satisfying conclusion. I'd rate it six stars.

6⭐ – A good movie overall, with strong acting and memorable moments, but the ending leaves room for improvement. 🤔👍

Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955–1962) is a classic anthology series that perfectly captures the suspense and irony Hitchcock was known for. Each episode delivers its own twist of tension, mystery, or dark humor. The overall series remains a timeless showcase of storytelling craft. I rate it seven stars.

7⭐️ – A classic series, filled with clever writing, suspenseful direction, and the signature Alfred Hitchcock vibe.

One standout episode is the first one, Revenge (1955), starring the lovely Vera Miles. It's an unsettling and suspenseful story that still holds up nicely to this day. I rate it eight stars.

8⭐️ – Strong performances, excellent suspense, and a very memorable twist and conclusion. 🎬🔍

Vera Miles (1955)
(https://i.imgur.com/yXWRafy.jpeg)

The Twilight Zone episode To Serve Man is very good, despite the cheesy props. You may recognize one the aliens, played by Richard Kiel, as 'Jaws' from the James Bond movie series.

I rate the episode six stars.

6⭐ – A good episode overall, with strong acting and memorable moments. The cheesy props haven't aged well over six decades, yet that's part of the show's nostalgic appeal. 🤔👍


Actress Susan Cummings was very attractive and guest starred as a cryptographer named Patty in the episode. She played a number of solid roles throughout her career.

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Another fun and comedic Twilight Zone episode that's enjoyable to watch is A World of His Own. It stars Mary LaRoche and follows a writer who can bring his made-up characters to life — with some funny and surprising results!

7⭐ — A very good episode I'd gladly rewatch. An easy favorite to come back to from time to time! 🍿😊


Mary LaRoche in 1960.
(https://i.imgur.com/GvZEuLw.png)

The Last House on the Left (2009) is a diabolical thriller/horror movie and a remake of the 1972 original. The story and premise are good, but the script-writing and acting are weak overall. I rate it five stars.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺 

The Time Machine (1960), based on H.G. Wells's classic novel, remains an all-time adventure/science-fiction epic. Despite the dated production and props typical of its era, I rate it eight stars!

8⭐ An outstanding movie I really enjoyed — loved it! 🎉👏

The Last Man on Earth (1964), starring Vincent Price, brings Richard Matheson's I Am Legend to eerie life. A lonely survivor faces zombie-like creatures. The film is bleak but good. I rate it six stars.

6⭐ A nearly-forgotten classic with chilling, vintage sci-fi appeal! 🧛🌒

The Ωmega Man (1971), starring Charlton Heston, re-imagines Richard Matheson's I Am Legend in a sun-baked, post-apocalyptic Los Angeles where one man fights the night. A stylish '70s thriller with mutants, cult fanaticism, and a lone survivor's mission. I rate it five stars.

5⭐ A retro sci-fi film with an interesting story, but only so-so acting and a marginal script. ☢️

The UFO documentary, The Age of Discovery, is set for release on Amazon Prime early tomorrow, November 21, 2025. Although I plan to watch it, I doubt anything can convince me that UFOs or ETs are real. With billions of video cameras in the world and not a single clear or credible image of a UFO or ET, it's virtually impossible to believe they exist.🧐

From the late 1980s to the middle 1990s, i enjoyed watching the adorable Shelley Fabares who starred as Christine on the sitcom Coach.

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I finally watched The Age of Disclosure. It was a big disappointment. Lots of claims, but zero proof or evidence of UFOs, UAPs, or ETs. I rate it three stars.

3⭐ A bad movie with almost nothing redeeming — hard pass. 🚫👎

Contact (1997), starring Jodie Foster, mixes philosophical questions with humanity's first message from the stars. The plot is ambitious, but it never reaches its potential. It's watchable, but not especially memorable. I rate it five stars.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺

I enjoy re-watching The Twilight Zone episode Stopover in a Quiet Town on occasion. I rate the episode seven stars.

7⭐ A very good episode I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿😊 

Below is a clip of the writer discussing the episode. Warning for spoilers if you haven't seen the episode.

Falling Down (1993) is a thriller/crime movie about a defense engineer who was laid off. Subsequently, he snaps and goes on a violent rampage across Los Angeles. I rate it six stars.

 6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍

I recently rewatched Taken (2002), a 10-part science-fiction miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg about humans abducted by extraterrestrials. Some of it is mundane, but there is enough good in it to barely merit 7 stars from me. Good stuff!

7⭐ A very good series I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿😊

 

Despite the decades-old filming technology and low-budget props, The Fly (1958), remains an eerie, grotesque horror film. I rate it six stars.

6⭐ A nearly-forgotten classic with a vintage sci-fi appeal! 🌒

I recently re-watched the 1955 horror movie Tarantula. The film is about a gigantic spider on the loose and terrorizing the countryside. I originally watched it as a young lad in the early 1970s. Now, seven decades after its release, the concept remains scary, but the acting, script, and props haven't aged well. I probably would've rated it seven stars when I first saw it back in the early 70s, but now I rate it five stars — just barely.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but quite dated — meh. 😐📺

I recently revisited the 1958 sci-fi horror movie The Blob. I first saw it as a young lad in the early 1970s, and it was mildly amusing then. Remembering it in 2025 and watching the original trailer, any nostalgic charm it may have once had is gone. It's a campy, low-quality, B-grade flick. The acting is stiff, the effects are dated, and the script leans heavily into the corny side of 1950s sci-fi.

I probably would've rated it five stars when I first watched it as a lad, but today I can only give it three stars — and that may be too generous.

3⭐ A silly, campy movie with almost nothing redeeming — hard pass. 🚫👎

The 2019 sci-fi film The Vast of Night is mildly interesting but not very memorable. The concept is good, but the movie would've benefited from stronger acting and a sharper script.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺

I recently rewatched Brubaker (1980), starring Robert Redford. The film is set in 1969 at the fictional Wakefield State Prison in Arkansas, based on the real-life Tucker and Cummins State Prison Farms. It's loosely inspired by the reform efforts of penologist Thomas O. Murton in the late 1960s. I rate it five stars.

5⭐ An average movie — watchable, but not memorable — meh. 😐📺

Recently, I rewatched The Shawshank Redemption (1994) starring Tim Robbins. It's a creative story about a prison escape. I rate it six stars.

6⭐ A decent movie, though it had some flaws — not bad! 🤔👍

Today, I'm seeking out new UFO, UAP, and ET documentaries to watch soon, which are hopefully more fulfilling than The Age of Disclosure, which was not good at all. ;D

Warning about spoilers if you have not seen The Sixth Sense (1999) yet. Read no further!

I rewatched The Sixth Sense recently. It's a very cool movie. What I liked most was how it cleverly hid the fact that Dr. Malcolm Crowe (played by Bruce Willis) was dead the whole time. He doesn't realize it, and neither does the audience. He believes his wife, loved ones, and others are simply avoiding him or not speaking to him, which makes the moment when he finally understands the truth — he's dead! — very powerful.

The concept alone is a 10-star idea, but the movie itself had some disappointments that brought my rating down to seven stars. At times, the script felt rushed, with moments of weak writing and underdeveloped characters—but even with those flaws, it's still a very good film.

7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿 :D

 

The hit western television series The Virginian, starring James Drury, ran from 1962 to 1971 in the U.S. It featured plenty of Wild West action and violence in Medicine Bow, Wyoming, set in the 19th century, along with very lovely and talented actresses who portrayed the charm and vintage beauty of the era in the American Western Frontier.

Each episode ran 75 minutes, which was unusually long for a weekly television series. I enjoy it and rate the show a strong 7 stars out of 10.

7⭐ A very good western series I enjoy rewatching — action-packed with lots of adorable ladies! 🍿 :D

The show also featured excellent theme music from Percy Faith.

In my opinion, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) was the best film in the Star Trek franchise. I rate it 7 out of 10 stars.

7⭐ A very good movie I would gladly rewatch — rewatchable gem! 🍿😊