THE DANMAN CAN

Nicholas Cag e does some of his better dramedic work in Dream Scenario (2023), but the film feels a little undercooked. It never quite grabs hold and unnerves the viewer in the way that the acerbic writing of  Charlie Kaufman ,  Yorgos Lanthimos , and  Ari Aster  does, but it's still a very entertaining and often funny film. Recommended for fans of  Adaptation.   (2002) ( review ),   The Killing Of A Sacred Deer  (2017) ( review ), and  Beau Is Afraid   (2023) ( review ). Cage Rages Ranked

Eve Of Destruction (1991) is a fairly straightforward and formulaic killer robot run amok thriller with some decent action, a few funny moments, and good performances by Gregory Hine s and Renée Soutendijk (of  Spetters  (1980) ( review ) fame). Overall, fun sci-fi nonsense. Remember: don't call a rogue android a "bitch" and always build in a fucking "off" switch.

An erotic retrofuturist camp cult classic with a hip soundtrack, and some of the most wonderful costumes and exquisite production design ever filmed. Does  Barbarella  (1968) sexually objectify its titular character or is she emancipated and liberated? Decide for yourself—to me it's a deliciously fun intergalactic psychedelic romp.  Recommended for fans of  Danger: Diabolik (1968) ( review ),  Zardoz  (1974) ( review ), and  Flash Gordon  (1980) ( review ).

Though a decade separates  Picnic At Hanging Rock (1975) ( review ) and  Witness  (1985) there are obvious similarities between them—the dreamlike quality, the painterly cinematography, characters emoting largely through looks rather than dialogue. Peter Weir 's American debut expertly taps into many genres—neo-noir, crime thriller, western, romance.  There's wonderful moments of humor that never devolve into the stupidity that often results from cultural clash situations played for comedy. There's a smoldering sensuality between Harrison Ford (in his best performance) and Kelly McGillis  (in only her third role). Maurice Jarre 's synth-heavy score appropriately sets the mood of each scene—from ominous to playful to romantic.  Witness deals in tension and the filmmakers know that the power of cinema can sometimes come from the buildup rather than the release. A beautiful, moving, and charming film. Peter Weir Feature Films Ranked