The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)

 Genre: Horror
Directed by: Amy Holden Jones
Cast: Michelle Michaels, Robin Stille, Michael Vilella 

Running Time:76 minutes

 

A group of high school seniors from Venice, California, are having a slumber party, but a maniacal killer is roaming around with a giant power drill terrorizing and killing people — mostly girls.

This film was clearly written with feminist intent, to poke fun at the genre, which makes this slasher film interesting. Because, in spite of the intent, I am not quite sure it was delivered on screen as intended. Still, the use of gratuitous nudity is so in-your-face that it does make you take notice of the craziness of the exploitation genre. There is also a lot of symbolism, let’s just say, in the drill chopping scene.

This is not a grand film, by any stretch of the imagination, but it still entertaining and a very interesting look at the exploitation/slasher film genre.

Rating: «««

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)

 Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Stanley Kramer,
Cast: Spencer Tracy, Sidney Poitier, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton
Running Time:108 minutes

 

Joanna Drayton is a 23-year old white woman who flies into San Francisco after a vacation to Hawaii to make a surprise visit to her parents. The goal of her visit is to introduce her new boyfriend, Dr. John Prentice to her parents. She intends to marry Dr. Prentice, even though he’s a black man. Joanna’s father, an otherwise very Liberal man, has a hard time accepting the idea of his daughter embarking into multi-race marriage.

This film was way ahead of its time. It must have been very hard to make such a film in the 60’s, with all the racial tensions around. Tensions still do exist, but we have evolved somehow as a society. In that sense, the filmmakers did a brilliant job tackling a difficult topic like racism in such a masterful way.

The acting was superb here, which is no surprise. I mean with such names as Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn and Sidney Poitier, you could expect greatness. The ending speech by Tracy’s character was a good closure, though the tearful eyes around were a bit much. There is also the dance moment, in the middle of the movie, with the delivery guy and the maid’s daughter, that felt really out of place. In spite of these little flaws, I consider this a masterpiece.

Rating: ««««

Hustlers (2019)

Genre: Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Lorene Scafaria
Cast: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles
Running Time:110 minutes

 

A journalist prepares a story on a group of New York City strippers who started a side hustle where they drugged and robbed rich men. The reporter interviews the main people in the group, who look back on their adventure.

This is a fun crime comedy/drama with beautiful and sexy female characters involved in a compelling storyline. This film was well directed by Lorene Scafaria, and the cast was solid too. I was hooked, waiting to see where it all would lead. The story dragged a bit in a few places, but, overall, I thoroughly enjoyed.

Rating: ««««

Seeking a Friend for the End of the World (2012)

 Genre: Romantic Comedy / Drama
Directed by: Lorene Scafaria
Cast: Steve Carell, Keira Knightley, Adam Brody
Running Time:101 minutes

 

A giant asteroid is coming towards the earth, spelling doom for all of humanity within three weeks. In this apocalyptic setting, Dodge Petersen and Penny Lockhart are two strangers who meet in New York City and end up helping each other find closure before the end comes.

This is a very charming film greatly helped by the solid performance offered by the two leads. Carell and Knightley make their characters believable and share a great chemistry on screen. The story gets a little messy and sidetracked at one point, but, overall, I was entertained and touched.

Rating: ««««

Sparkle (1976)

Genre: Musical / Drama
Directed by: Sam O’Steen
Cast: Irene Cara, Philip M. Thomas, Lonette McKee 

Running Time: 98 minutes

 

Inspired by the story of The Supremes, Sparkle tells the tale of three sisters from Harlem, New York, who form a musical group in the last 50’s and early 60’s, only to break up with various difference get in the way.

This film is fine for what it was. The music was good, and the acting by the two leads, was solid. The supporting cast, on the other hand, was weaker. The story itself felt a little clichéd and silly at times, but it also had its moments when it shined.

Rating: «««

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

Genre: Comedy / Horror
Directed by: Rob Zombie
Cast: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon
Running Time: 89 minutes

 

A group of four young adults are on a road trip to do research for a book on roadside attractions. After a stop at Captain Spaulding’s Museum of Monsters and Madmen, they head out to look for the tree from which Dr. Satan was hanged. They pick up a hitchhiker, a young woman named Baby, who will lead them to her family’s house for more horrors than they ever asked for.

 This is a very cool throwback to such classics as Texas Chainsaw Massacre, with a touch of dark comedy to it. It is a lot of fun, very entertaining. The storytelling gets a little messy in execution at times, but, overall, I very much enjoyed.

Rating: ««««

Count Me In (2021)

Genre: Documentary
Directed by: Mark Lo
Cast: Cindy Blackman, Jess Bowen, Chad Smith
Running Time: 81 minutes

 

A group of rock drummers from various bands discuss their love for the beat and for drumming. They talk about how they started in that field, about their inspirations and about what keeps them going as the backbone of the band. Some of them then get together to jam.

I love so much to listen to passionate people talk about their craft and their inspirations, especially when the topics interest me. As a massive rock music fan, I was all ears and all eyes here and enjoyed every second of it.

Rating: «««««