u/LonerStowner

2026 - 394 Me: 9 out of 10

Wikipedia / IMDb / Official Trailer / Viewing options found on JustWatch / Country of origin: United States / Watched via 4K disc

IMDb Summary: Two young men murder a former classmate as a test of their intellectual and moral superiority, then hide the body as they host a dinner party attended by the victim's girlfriend and father, as well as their former schoolmaster and mentor.

Wow! This is my first viewing, and dang, I wish I saw it sooner. What a phenomenal time! It's beyond captivating. My eyes were truly glued to the screen for the entire film. I love it when a film doesn't waste a moment of your time and demands your attention in totality.

First, I really appreciate how Rope is able to take a single location and make it feel "natural" for lack of a better term. Let me explain, sometimes there are movies where they film in a single location out of budgetary restrictions. And when that happens, I believe it's very noticeable. It becomes distracting. For example, a movie I watched recently but didn't bother writing up was Bug. Yes, the location is integral to the story it was telling. But I felt it took away from the movie. It would have been more compelling if there were a few scenes showing how these characters were behaving outside of their motel room. Rope, however, used its space to perfection.

Part of that comes down to the use of the camera and editing. While I was watching, I found myself thinking "Is this a one shot movie?" There were moments where I realized it wasn't, but the way they stitched everything together created that illusion. And it was essential. This made it feel like were were truly taking part in this dinner party.

1948. That's 78 years ago, for those of us who are bad a math. Occasionally I'll watch an older title and it has me focusing on how different things were back then compared to now. Rope though, I caught myself pondering the opposite. The topics of conversation throughout were prescient, in a way. Exploring the idea that there are "superior beings" who have an inherent right to dispose of those whom they deem "inferior." I'm willing to bet this was explored partly due to its close proximity to the end of World War 2. Here we are in 2026 and we still haven't managed to excel past such barbaric ideas.

Another thing Rope executes very well is the simple tension throughout. We know there are 2 killers. We know the body is hidden in the apartment. And we know the 2 killers have completely different personalities. And so they are handling the situation in varying ways. I especially liked hearing characters say a certain thing, and catching my eyes dart to a specific character to see their reaction to said comment. Phillip's squirrel-y demeanor was amusing, and it felt as though I was meant to experience everything through his eyes.

One morbid little fact I learned while researching the film, it's based on an actual murder case. Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb were a couple who decided to put their 'superior intellect' on display by murdering a 14 year old boy.

One last thing, I am compelled to share the film's trailer one last time. I wish movies today still adopted similar advertising efforts. Rope has immediately become one of my favorite Hitchock outings. Though, I still have a lot more 'first viewings' to dig my way through. Spooky Movie On!

2026 - 393 Me: 7 out of 10

Wikipedia / IMDb / Trailer / Viewing options found on JustWatch / Country of origin: United States

IMDb Summary: A timid typesetter hasn't a ghost of a chance of becoming a reporter--until he decides to solve a murder mystery and ends up spending a fright-filled night in a haunted house.

When I was young, I loved Don Knotts. I still do. His over the top shenanigans and bumbling idiot persona brought me so much joy. Even the shrillness of his voice, which I would normally find abrasive, is endearing. When I sit down to write, I will usually contemplate what exactly I should focus on. For The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, there was no other answer than the Don himself.

So, it was time for some due diligence. And I quickly realized that I didn't know anything about the man, other than the fact that he was a funny guy in some goofy roles. He was born in West Virginia in 1924. His father suffered from schizophrenia as well as being an alcoholic. This would lead to abusive behavior to Don and his 4 siblings. Even threatening him with a knife.

That chapter of his life likely ended when he enlisted in the United States Army. He ended up serving in World War II. And no, he was not a front line killer. He was a non combatant and was a comedian in a G.I. variety show known as Stars and Gripes. He had a ventriloquist bit with a dummy named Danny. A hatred for Danny supposedly grew within Don and and eventually threw it overboard. He served in the army for 3 years and was discharged in 1946. During his tenure he earned 5 medals, as well as earning the Army Marksman Badge.

This is where his entertainment focused career kicked off. Starting with a radio Western, Bobby Benson and the B-Bar-B Riders. He subsequently transitioned into television in 1953 starting with a soap opera called Search for Tomorrow. But what was likely a pivotal moment for him was appearing in a Broadway stage show with Andy Griffith from 1955 to 1957. Only 3 years later is when he would earn the role of Barney Fife in The Andy Griffith Show. 5 years and 162 episodes. It seems that his departure from the show wasn't a calculated decision, but more out of obligation. The initial contract was only for 5 years, and towards the end of that contract he believed the show would be ending. So he signed onto other projects. Lo and behold, the show ran for another 3 years. But obligations, especially contractual ones, take a precedent.

And I'm glad that was the case. That led to films like The Incredible Mr. Limpet, The Shakiest Gun in the West, and The Reluctant Astronaut. Speaking of which, another fun fact emerges; The Reluctant Astronaut released January 25, 1967. You space buffs out there may already know why this may have been awkward timing. Only 2 days after said release, the Apollo 1 tragedy occurred. That led to some reluctance from Universal to keep the movie in theaters. But NASA weren't too concerned about it, as they named Knotts an Honorary Recruiter for providing publicity to their programs. And heck, Baskin Robbins even released a new flavor: Reluctant Astro-Nut.

The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is my personal favorite of his movie roles. Not because it's incredible, but instead it's memorable. When I think of Mr. Knotts, I immediately think of this movie. It fits his acting style to a T. From the slapstick moments, seemingly being the man who cried wolf, to being the courageous coward. It's a fun and easygoing time, that is a perfect watch during the Halloween season.

I would be remiss to not at least mention his role in Three's Company. His 5 years as Mr. Furley was sublime. His acting career went on. Eventually it winded down into mainly voice acting. That was likely out of necessity as he eventually went nearly blind towards the end of his life. From what I can see, Don Knotts lived his life to the fullest. He's an excellent example of shooting for the stars and working with what was given to him. Something we should all aspire to do. Movie On!

2026 - 390 Me: 8 out of 10

Wikipedia / IMDb / Official Trailer / Viewing options found on JustWatch / Country of origin: United States

IMDb Summary: A filmmaker applies lessons from a Hallmark movie writing workshop to pitch a documentary about concrete.

Wait! Don't go!!! Yes, I know 'The History of Concrete' doesn't sound like a very compelling watch. At least give it a chance. First, give the trailer to John Wilson's HBO series How To with John Wilson a watch. He does an excellent job explaining what his show is about. On top of that, each episode is excellent. Now, extrapolate that into a feature length film.

One aspect that I really enjoy is how he discovers these synchronicities behind seemingly unrelated subjects. He doesn't make a big deal about the discovery either. He leaves it to the viewers to connect those dots. The web he ends up weaving can even leave one awestruck at times.

Samsara in Buddhism is the beginningless, continuous cycle of birth, aging, illness, death, and rebirth driven by karma, craving, and ignorance. Karma... now there's a concept. A spiritual and universal force driven by cause and effect. Simply put, 'Be good, get good. Be bad, get bad. Ad nauseam.' Oftentimes I see people acknowledge karma only in the form of wishing it be enacted upon others. Say someone slights me, I hope they get their comeuppance in the form of bad karma. But... what about the slighting to begin with? Was that karma coming in the form of some asshole coming into my life and detonating a life altering bomb? Normally I would be too tunnel-visioned on the cracked foundation that is my life to even contemplate the idea.

John Wilson does a fantastic job of putting the everyday absurdity of life onto the screen. But what I love most about that is the fact that it never feels like he's poking fun or being mean spirited. He's plainly showing things how they are. He finds the humor in things that everyone else may simply ignore. And that's where the 'genius' lies.

Speaking of genius, I adore the fact that he can turn learning into such an entertaining process. The editing, the wit, and overall craft become a mesmerizing jaunt into what is normally considered the mundane.

For example, did you know that between 2011 and 2013 China poured 6.6 billion tonnes of cement? For comparison's sake, the United States poured between 4.2 and 4.4 billion tonnes... between the years of 1900 and 1999. China alone produces and uses 50 to 60% of global cement. In 2020 alone, they used 23 times the amount of cement that the United States did. It's a jungle out there...

Anyway, that's my experience with The History of Concrete. I had a great time, and it made me want to watch his series over again. Talking Buddhism has me feeling all philosophical. Why do I even come and write about the movies I watch? Hobby? Scream into the void? No, no, no... It's the karma, of course. Those little fake points keep the cycle spinning. Movie On!

The sounds of the tape popping in, and the trailers running. Pure unadulterated joy.

2026 - 327 Me: 7.5 out of 10

Wikipedia / IMDb / Trailer / Viewing options found on JustWatch

IMDb Summary: A rain-soaked couple take refuge in the castle of a transvestite mad scientist from outer space who is about to unveil his greatest creation.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show. When I think of something that is simultaneously niche, yet absolutely iconic, this show fits the bill. It's a movie I've been aware of essentially my whole life. I remember seeing it on the shelf at a local video store. I was always intrigued by it every time I passed it on the shelf, but my father controlled the purse strings and thus decided what we did and didn't watch. He was more of a Clue fan.

The years went on, and I simply never got around to watching the film. With age, something pushed me away from the experience. I went through a large portion of my life without the ability to appreciate musicals. Luckily, I found someone who opened my eyes and now I embrace the musical genre as a whole; both in stage and movie form. Speaking of, I do plan on seeing this among a live audience someday. Hopefully sans any individual vomiting in the aisles near me. If you know, you know.

Now, typically I'm a very visual and narrative driven individual. With that said, when a film has a plot that doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me, I bounce off of it pretty hard. David Lynch, I'm looking at you. But The Rocky Horror Picture Show found me at the best possible moment in my life. I find myself being able to appreciate "the vibes" more now. And Rocky Horror is exactly that, an absolute vibe. Whether or not I could make sense of the "why" didn't matter. I embraced the pure mesmerizing abilities of Tim Curry. His charisma and comedic skill was beyond compare. He commanded attention. Perhaps even lust? You have to admit it, you like it at least a little.

Honestly, I wish I saw this movie earlier in life. It feels like a movie that could have put me on a completely different trajectory. It is truly a defining film for countless individuals. It's a movement. One that allows you to find like-minded individuals. Creating connections and potentially life-long friendships. I think this is a movie that really pushes people to be their true selves, opinions of others be damned. And that is one hell of a message. One that I'll be supporting for the rest of my days. Goodbye Mr. Curry. Keep doing that Time Warp. Movie On.