THE DANMAN CAN

Very mid-2000s horror with atrociously  bad CGI,  Wes Craven 's Cursed (2005) is poorly plotted, messily staged, and features mediocre acting and a bad soundtrack. It's clearly evident that it's a Kevin Williamson -penned script, as it feels like a remnant of the ‘90s teen horror boom (basically the werewolf version of 1996’s  Scream   ( review ) or 1997’s  I Know What You Did Last Summer ). Even if it hadn't been plagued by reshoots, plots changes, and the unfortunate firing of makeup legend Rick Baker , I'm not convinced that Cursed  would have been a great film. While not all bad (there's a few funny moments), it's noisy, unexciting, and formulaic. Wes Craven Feature Films Ranked

It's pretty goofy and straightforward, story-wise, but Wes Craven 's  Vampire In Brooklyn (1995) is better than its reputation suggests. The practical f/x are solid, the cinematography and sets are really nice, and overall it's funny. Eddie Murphy is good here and Angela Bassett is even better. I had a fun time with the film. Wes Craven Feature Films Ranked

A beautifully shot, wonderfully performed, all-star celebration of a special, spiritual Band . Top 20 Directors

A pure rock 'n' roll dream.

The Holdovers   (2023) is a welcome return to form for  Alexander Payne  after the lackluster  Downsizing   (2017) ( review ). I’m all for filmmakers experimenting and working outside their wheelhouse, but that latter picture just didn't a whole lot for me.  The Holdovers , on the other hand, is a very classically structured and incredibly simple story but so well-executed. It's a joyful reuniting of Payne and  Paul Giamatti  and all the characters are endearing (flaws and all).  The movie has all the hallmarks of the director's style—acerbic wit, ennui, existential pondering, awkward, lonely personalities, realist portrayals of depression, and touching moments that never feel sappy. It reminded me a great deal of  Hal Ashby , given the early 1970s setting, the mood, the morose humor, the editing, and the unlikely friendship struck by the two lead characters. An excellent film with an excellent soundtrack. Recommended for fans of...

A true classic. James Whale 's  Frankenstein (1931) contains all the ingredients of a great film: ethos, pathos, tragedy, humor, an iconic performance , brilliant makeup , wonderful production design, impressive cinematography, and indelible moments. The best of the  Universal Monsters  movies. (Classic) Universal Monsters Films Ranked

A beautiful—sometimes terrifying—journey into the otherworldly dreams of a singular artist, vividly realized in a wonderful film. Akira Kurosawa Films Ranked Top 20 Directors My Criterion Top 10 [Vol. 7]