October 2024 Movies & More

Here are the dozen movies and programs I watched in October. New programs that I had not seen previously are marked with an asterisk. All programs are rated on a scale of 1-5 cans of tuna fish, with numbering picked up from the previous months.
126. Rebel Ridge* (2024, Netflix) – This suspenseful action adventure starts off promising. Terry (Aaron Pierre), a man racing on his bike to post bail for his cousin, is literally derailed by the local cops. They want to search his backpack and generally delay him. When they find $30,000 in cash on him, that raises the stakes even more. They let hm go but confiscate the money, complicating his plans. But when he shows up at the police station and comes face-to-face with the Chief (Don Johnson), things only escalate. My objection here is that things get very complicated, despite the help of Summer (Anna Sophia Robb), an officer studying for her law degree who, for some unknown reason, is willing to risk her standing to come to Terry’s aid. And then the movie gets so dark – literally – that I could not tell what was going on. I’ll give this a 3 but with more light, it might have gained a half can.
127. Wolfs* (2024, Apple TV+) – I guess the idea here is to take two popular, attractive actors (George Clooney and Brad Pitt) and throw them into a suspenseful comedy/drama that involves a drug cartel, a young guy running around New York in his underwear after he was seemingly murdered and lots of wisecracking dialog between the stars as they argue with each other. Yeah, I’m not buying it. The plot was senseless, the action stupid, too many bodies are shot and strewn around the streets and you still don’t understand what the hell just happened. I’m only surprised they didn’t bring in Leonardo DiCaprio for a part. 1 can. And that's being generous.
128. Taking Chance (2009, Max) – When young Marine Lance Corporal Chance Phelps is killed in action in the Mideast, his body must be transported back to the US for his family to bury. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl (Kevin Bacon) volunteers to serve as his military escort for his final journey. This beautiful movie honors the young marine, as Strobl and every person responsible for the body takes pains to treat Chance with complete dignity and respect. As Strobl thinks about how his military career has gone, he gains new respect for the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives to serve the US. This was originally a TV movie and one of the better ones. 4 cans.
129. Starbucks Unfiltered* (2018, Prime Video) – I don’t drink coffee and I’ve ventured into the world of Starbucks just a handful of times, mostly for a cup of hot chocolate and a pastry when there was nothing else around. But Starbucks is a ubiquitous brand, like Coca Cola and McDonalds, and can be found nearly anywhere in the world. It was interesting to see its origins, how it sources its coffee and how the company creates a consistent quality of product and experiences from store to store. Maybe the brand is too big (38,000 locations worldwide), and maybe they don’t always treat the growers right. I’m not here for the coffee, just the story, and it held my interest. 3 cans.
130. The Best of Everything (1959, Cable TV) – Before there was “Mad Men,” there was this soapy melodrama about women in the workplace. Joan Crawford is the editor of a paperback book publishing house in NYC, where most of the young women are just trying to get and keep jobs as secretaries. It isn’t easy, what with Crawford’s character rattling them and the men in the office chasing them. They might move up if they charm their bosses. I know this seems like light years ago and things have improved for women since the 1950s, but today the discrimination and pay discrepancies still exist; they are just not quite as obvious. Besides Crawford, there’s Hope Lange, Diane Baker and Suzy Kendall as a would-be actress who finds that show business isn’t any better than the steno pool unless you hook up with the right guy. My favorite part among the men is Dexter, played by Robert Evans, who went on to be a Hollywood mogul. Here he’s a rich young guy just trying to score with Diane Baker. This movie is far from the best of everything but an interesting sociological look back 65 years to the way we were. 3 cans.
131. Killer Heat* (2024, Prime Video) – While this movie fancies itself as a “film noir,” with plenty of suspense, it’s no “Body Heat,” a vastly superior film of the same ilk. Private investigator Nick Bali (Joseph Gordon-Leavitt) is called to Crete to look into the death of Leo, a mountain climber who slipped off the mountain to his death. Or so it seems. But when Nick learns Leo has an identical twin, the possibilities of foul play are doubled. The dead man’s wife (Shaylene Woodley) hired Nick and cooperates in the investigation – to a point – but there are plenty of people with something to gain or something to lose here, so the game is not over yet. The suspense isn’t harrowing, the finale not perfect, but I found this story diverting enough. 3½ cans.
132. Saturday Night* (2024, Manville Cinema) – If the real story of what happened in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of “Saturday Night” in 1975 is anywhere near the frenetic scramble portrayed in this film, it is a wonder not only that the first broadcast happened, but that show creator Lorne Michaels was able to pull this off successfully for now going on 50 years! As the writers and performers get ready to go live, there is a chaotic blend of egotistical young actors, the hubris and brilliance of Michaels, who can barely describe what he expects the show to be, and the last-minute efforts to keep the show under its 90-minute airtime. As on the real show, some things work exceedingly well and others, not so much. I clearly remember that initial show, hosted by comedian George Carlin, and thinking how DIFFERENT it was from the nighttime programs fronted by Johnson Carson and other more conventional comedians. Here we see a manic John Belushi, a clever Dan Ackroyd, the sardonic Chevy Chase – who utters the first ever “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night.” There are too many actors to list but the casting, hair and makeup seemed true to the original Not Ready for Primetime players – Belushi, Ackroyd, Chase, Gilda Radner, Jane Curtain, Larraine Newman and Garrett Morris – and each one of them connected me back to the real players. The show is iconic not just for surviving 50 years, but for continuing to be fresh and unconventional despite the sea of NBC Network “suits” monitoring it. The star here is Lorne Michaels, the creator and driving force behind the show. It was fun seeing it all come to life once more. 3½ cans.
133. Superman* (2024, Montgomery Cinema) – The irony of a healthy man, athletic and stunning on screen as “Superman” and then tragically confined to a wheelchair and respirator is movingly portrayed here in this account of the life and times of actor Christopher Reeve. With a treasure trove of clips showing him engaged in athletics, playing with his kids and having fun with his best buddy, Robin Williams, Reeve seems like the guy all other guys would want to be. But then, after becoming a genuine movie star, Reeve was following his hobby of horseback riding when he was thrown to the ground, never to walk again or breathe on his own. He never stopped trying to get better or raising money for a cure for paralysis, supported and cared for by his wife, Dana. The end comes suddenly for Reeve, following not long after by the death of his wife from lung cancer. His children, now grown, rallied together to help him when he was alive and continue to support the foundation he and Dana sent up to help others. Expect a large lump in your throat and real tears from this sad movie. 4 cans.
134. Superman (1978, HBO) – It seemed only fitting to watch the movie that gave Christopher Reeve his first part as the Man of Steel. He brought his handsome face, chiseled body, his silly outfit and his wry, Clark Kent humor to the part. However, watching this movie again after all these years reminded me that I don’t like movies like this. It took a good 40 minutes until Superman became Superman in this drawn-out film and it was easy to fast forward through parts when Superman is out for a fly-around with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder). Faster than a locomotive, Superman rescues Lois, a train, a helicopter, a dam, some cars and pretty much anything in his wake. He is a hero in the best sense, even if the adventures, based on the classic comic, are as far-fetched as the character. I used to watch the black & white TV show with George Reeve and Phyllis Coates/Noel Neill faithfully each week and loved it. The movie is one I probably could have gone another 50 years without revisiting. Only my opinion, of course, but 2 cans.
135. Starting 5* (2024, Netflix) – I can’t recommend this documentary series – not because I didn’t like it, but I can’t think of anyone in my circles who would sit down and watch a 10-part documentary about five NBA players filmed over the course of the 2023 season. LeBron James, Jason Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Domantis Sabonis and Anthony Edwards are among the league’s biggest stars, and while their basketball accomplishments are given their due, they are also shown as fathers, playing with their kids (in the case of LeBron, worrying about his oldest, Bronny, who last year had a health emergency when he went into cardiac arrest; he has since recovered), interacting with their wives or mothers or significant others. I love behind-the-scenes stuff, and when the girlfriend of the young and not quite mature Anthony Edwards has a baby girl, all his bluster is blown away as he cuddles and talks to his new daughter. Jason Tatum’s son Deuce practically steals the show. These guys are superstars on the court, but to their kids, they are just Daddy. 3½ cans.
136. Woman of the Hour* (2024, Netflix) – Anna Kendrick, who also directed this movie, stars as aspiring actress Cheryl. Her agent encourages her to go on the Dating Game to get some exposure to help her career. Little does she know that one of the three “eligible bachelors” is actually a serial killer, and since she can’t see him (the men are kept on a separate part of the stage), she has no idea how creepy this guy Daniel is. The movie, based on a true story, shows Daniel coaxing women into having their pictures taken, and then he takes them to a pretty location and rapes and/or kills them. The movie is suspenseful, but the guy was so creepy to me that it was distracting. Judge for yourself. 3 cans.
137. Road Diary* (2024, Hulu) – Bruce Springsteen is the genius behind the 50+-year longevity of the inimitable E-Street Band. He writes the songs, arranges them, runs the band and is the ultimate rock performer, putting on a 3-hour show every night. Why? Because, he says, “It is my job.” It is clearly a job he loves, and he is accompanied by people whom he adores and respects and to whom he gives a degree of artistic freedom, even as he figures out how best to tell a story through his music. His goal is to create a special experience for all of the fans, and he succeeds. If you love Bruce, you will love this documentary. If you’re not a Springsteen fan, leave this space immediately. 4 cans.