laurenrandy Reviews

Monkey Shines (1988)

No mention of David Shire's Score

[9/10 · 29 March 2022]

One of the most under appreciated film composers doing a terrific score to one of the most under appreciated director's under appreciated films.

Also a great early performance by Stanley Tucci.

Whitney: Can I Be Me (2017)

Terrific for WH fans

[8/10 · 27 March 2022]

This doc doesn't really reveal anything new but it's a very worth the time for all the behind the scenes/stage footage of the one and only.

All fans should check it out.

Alice, Sweet Alice (1976)

A classic

[10/10 · 27 March 2022]

Watched this one again for the first time in years. It. Is. Insanely Underrated. Working in a bunch of different styles. Campy and terrifying and bolstering the greatest child performance in a horror film ever.

JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass (2021)

Loved it

[7/10 · 13 March 2022]

It's a necessary and important addition to all the films about the coup and coverup.

And of course the critics payed no attention to it. And the ones that did.... Puhlease.

Thank you Oliver Stone for your contribution to society. Your time on earth has been incredibly important.

Fascism on a Thread- The Strange Story of Nazisploitation Cinema (2019)

At times it's slow, but...

[8/10 · 13 March 2022]

And there's always a "but"...

Somebody needed to make a doc on this fascinating subgenre of exploitation films.

Most of the most in that genre are unwatchable. But this doc is totally watchable and it makes one miss an era of taboo filmmaking.

Just One of the Guys (1985)

Criminally Underrated

[9/10 · 11 April 2021]

The most fun out of all the 'double identity' films from the 80's. Was I the only one that wanted to dress up as a boy in the 80's because of Joyce Hyser's performance here? She's so fun and funny. The jokes are terrific.

Watch on a lazy saturday afternoon before you hit the town.

Smooth Talk (1985)

Only not higher rating cause the short story is better

[7/10 · 3 April 2021]

Joyce Carol Oates' short story "Where Are you Going, Where Have You Been" is one of my favorites. Had I seen this movie before I read the story, i'd give this a 9/10. The performance by Laura Dern is one of her best (all her work in the 80's is her best). Treat Williams is terrific, but NOT WRITTEN LIKE IT SHOULD BE FROM THE SHORT...

I'll get off the short story.

This movie is still creepy and subtle and alluring and icky and symbolic.

Probably underrated amongst films in the 80s.

Baby It's You (1983)

John Sayles and Class

[9/10 · 3 April 2021]

John Sayles is the modern day Capra. Socially conscious portraits of the working class. His range is amazing -- from science fiction to union miners to THIS: A teen drama.

Arquette is amazing and this is on elf the most true to life college romances ever made.

An absolute must see.

Streetwalkin' (1985)

Times Square 80's/Young Mellisa Leo

[7/10 · 3 April 2021]

A forgotten gem. Melissa Leo is awesome. And Leon is the smoothest pimp ever put on screen.

If you're looking for a film about "the life" -- there are better.

But if you're looking for a moody piece that will make you feel nostalgic for 80's NYC, I can't think of many better.

Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)

If you know, you know.

[10/10 · 29 March 2021]

What needs to be said about this film other than if you grew up in the 80s, you loved this film.

For any kids out there, just trust your Gen X parents when they recommend you watch this.

That is all.

The Transcendents (2018)

Eddie And The Cruisers meets Paris, Texas

[9/10 · 29 March 2021]

Trippy film with a plot about tracking down a mysterious band. It follows the same structure of Eddie and the Cruisers in where you have the past (the formation of a band) colliding with the present (where the hell is this band now?). Unlike EATC, however, we never hear the band's music. (One single chord on a sitar at the end). I think this choice works really well as The Transcendents' (the band) music is not important to the story. (I'm also pretty sure that with all the well known musicians in the film, they could have had some great original music if they wanted to)

Which brings me to the acting. All the musician/actors are terrific. But the performance by Savanah Welch in the lead role is jaw droppingly good. Her character, Kim, doesn't start out as much (kinda bratty and annoying), but as the film builds momentum, the layers of her character are peeled away and you get this broken beauty that's hanging on to life by threads. LONG MONOLOGUE. (If you've seen Paris, Texas you'll understand.). The film probably has a debt to Paris, Texas as well with its weird leading man and desolate landscapes and long monologues.

Also, this isn't a movie about a cult. I don't know why the trailer looks like it's about a cult. Don't expect a story about a cult.

Audrey Rose (1977)

Just for late 70s Anthony Hopkins

[6/10 · 28 March 2021]

Late 70's Hopkins is a fun deep dive. And this is terrific place to start for those who only know his work from Silence on.

The Tenant (1976)

Polanski's finest

[10/10 · 28 March 2021]

I know there's Chinatown and Rosmary and Fearless, but this has to be my favorite. He has funny, he has creepy, he has weird, he has mood, and he has terrifying all wrapped into one film here. (I think it's his funniest).

Has anyone ever really had a conversation about how terrific an actor Roman is? Really underrated.

MUST SEE!

Blackbeard's Ghost (1968)

One of my favorite comedies!

[8/10 · 19 March 2021]

So much love for this. We had a bootleg of it when i was growing up. Oh, man. just seeing these photos makes me happy. Gonna rent it tonight.