THE DANMAN CAN

Immaculately (sorry, had to) shot and a good performance by Nell Tiger Free , but overlong and the ending felt shoehorned (which is kind of to be expected). I found The First Omen (2024) to be another example of a modern movie trying to blend "prestige" horror with exploitation and not quite succeeding. The homages (1968's  Rosemary's Baby  ( review ), 1981's  Possession )   were a bit too on the nose ( particularly  the latter of those two films). That said, I liked it (though my expectations and the bar for my "top films" these days are  very  low).

Johnny is knot into yoga.

A truly special, singular, and influential gangster film with some still shocking moments, a remarkable performance by Bob Hoskins  as antihero Harold Shand ( Helen Mirren , as more than just a moll, is really good as well), and an unforgettable ending. In some ways  The Long Good Friday (1980) is an unshowy picture that may seem slow by today's standards, but it's the type of movie that rewards more with each viewing. Featuring a groovy, memorable score, bursts of dark humor, and an almost Shakespearean sense of tragedy, it's a film that perfectly rides the lines between exploitation and highbrow cinema.

Killer Klowns From Outer Space  (1988) is a kult klassic that doesn't hold a candle to the plethora of horror/comedy hybrids from the 80s, but has a klunky charm that can't be denied (and a  killer   theme song ). The movie is goofy as hell, but it’s impossible not to admire the production design/writing/direction by  The Chiodo Brothers . It's also one of the few PG-13 horror films that works because you're too busy soaking in the colorful costumes and fun effects to need gore or nudity. I inadvertently chose to rewatch the film on its actual 35th anniversary via the 4K UHD released by Scream Factory , which looks eye-poppingly good.

A goofy, frankly pretty shitty, NOES  rip-off, but there are a few great gore gags, some hilariously bad musical numbers, and it's amusing throughout. I appreciate that the filmmakers of 1987's  Slumber Party Massacre II tried something different and more bizarro than its predecessor ( review ) and this one would probably be even more fun with an audience.