From the Vault: Avenging Angel

This love letter to one of my favorite 1980s cult classics originally appeared at my old site, in slightly different form, many years ago, in a galaxy far, far away. I’m posting the revised edition here in honor of star Betsy Russell’s birthday last week. In that outfit, I have no idea where she hides … Continue reading From the Vault: Avenging Angel →

Lost and Found: Nadine

I’ve always enjoyed visiting the lesser-known works of great movie actors, if for no other reason than it’s often a pleasant reminder that certain actors can be counted on to deliver good performances, no matter how big or small the film. I consider Jeff Bridges and Kim Basinger to be in that tier of actors … Continue reading Lost and Found: Nadine →

The World is Yours: Scarface at 40

In December of this year, Brian De Palma’s Scarface (1983) will celebrate its fortieth anniversary. At nearly three hours long, Scarface tells the mythic tale of the rise and fall of Cuban drug lord Tony Montana (Al Pacino), whose obsessive quest for the American Dream ends in a hail of bullets. It’s a grandiose, profane, … Continue reading The World is Yours: Scarface at 40 →

Cheers to Elevators: Married to the Mob at 35

Cheers to elevators! You meet the nicest people in them. Angela De Marco On August 19th, Jonathan Demme’s absolutely sublime 1988 comedy Married to the Mob celebrated its 35th anniversary. The film tells the story of a former bridge-and-tunnel mob wife (Michelle Pfeiffer), who seemingly never felt comfortable in such a role, trying to find … Continue reading Cheers to Elevators: Married to the Mob at 35 →

Lost and Found: Arabella: Black Angel

Words can’t really do justice to the 1989 Italian giallo-style Arabella: Black Angel (Arabella l'angelo nero). Wildly raunchy, severely kinky, and absurdly convoluted, the film both titillates and confounds. I watched at least half of it with my jaw on the floor, either because of star Tinì Cansino’s various sexual exploits or because I couldn’t … Continue reading Lost and Found: Arabella: Black Angel →

What I’ve Been Watching

I watch a lot of movies, but only write about a fraction of them. Plus I keep writing about Michelle Pfeiffer’s movies over and over again, so there’s only so much time for other stuff! So I thought it might be fun to do a bunch of short reviews for the movie I’ve been watching … Continue reading What I’ve Been Watching →

Meet Me at Vallenari’s

Of the three sensational films Michelle Pfeiffer’s made in 1988, Robert Towne’s California crime drama Tequila Sunrise (1988) has really grown on me. The other two, Married to the Mob and Dangerous Liaisons, felt like instant classics for me., but Tequila Sunrise took a little time to work it’s slow charms on me—not too long, … Continue reading Meet Me at Vallenari’s →