Jingle All The Way
Critically panned but financially successful
Elf
Buddy wins over Big Apple
Scrooged
Modern updating of Dickens chestnut
Next: Dickens film adaptations other than A Christmas Carol
Dickens film adaptations other than A Christmas Carol
Oliver!
Orphan wants more than gruel
Great Expectations
Orphan has a criminal benefactor
Nicholas Nickleby
Boy works for mean uncle
Next: Films of Jerry Lewis
My Friend Irma
His screen debut, in 1949
Max Rose
His last film, in 2016
The Day the Clown Cried
Holocaust film kept under wraps
Next: More movies with clowns (nice or scary)
The Simpsons Movie
It had to have Krusty!
Billy Madison
Clown appears at Billy’s parties.
It
Tim Curry’s Pennywise: truly scary!
Next: Adam Sandler movies.
Eight Crazy Nights
Animated Hanukkah comedy - go figure!
Hotel Transylvania
He did Count Dracula’s voice
Happy Gilmore
Golf has never really recovered
Next: Other golf movies
Tin Cup
A nobody plays big tournament.
Caddyshack
One of Bill Murray’s best.
The Legend of Bagger Vance
Last film of Jack Lemmon.
Next: Films of Will Smith.
Independence Day
Will & Jeff save Earth!
Men In Black
Will & Tommy save Earth!
Suicide Squad
They can’t all be winners.
Next: Movies with picnics.
Picnic at Hanging Rock*
Schoolgirls disappear while on picnic.
Hester Street
The main characters have one.
The Sound of Music
Fiance is uptight during picnic.
Next: movies with an invention that is clever at the time, but now totally outdated.
Double Indemnity
Fred MacMurray uses primitive dictaphone
The 39 Steps
Early autogyro in chase scene
Wall Street
Gekko’s enormous cellphone is quaint
Next: Movies of Michael Douglas
Romancing the Stone
Look at those snappers, Ralph!
The China Syndrome
Sneaky cameraman captures near meltdown
Falling Down
LA life makes him pissed
Next: Movies of Wilford Brimley
The China Syndrome
Stole scenes as honest engineer
Absence of Malice
Ditto, as crusty Federal prosecutor
The Firm
Changeup as menacing security chief
Next: Movies about institutions that are not what they seem
Satan’s School for Girls
Posh private school? No, cult.
Real Genius
Secret super-weapon development at university.
Get Smart
Not your average phone booth.
Next: Films of Val Kilmer.
Tombstone
Probably his best film role.
The Saint
It’s nothing like the books.
Batman Forever
Bob Kane’s favorite Batman portrayal.
Next: Movies that came out this year.
Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot is indeed Wonderful.
The Emoji Movie
Much better than it sounds.
Despicable Me 3
Weakest in series; still enjoyable.
Next: movies where curmudgeons adopt or otherwise take in children.
Little Miss Marker (1980)
Not among Matthau’s best. Forgettable.
The Kid (1921)
Chaplin, Coogan: classic silent film.
August Rush
Modern-day Fagin houses musical prodigy.
Next: Films involving gambling in some form.
Films involving gambling in some form.
Big Hand for the Little Lady
House. Farm. Heart attack. Wife.
The Grifters
Does momma love her son?
Ocean’s Eleven
’60, not 01, ’04, ’07.
Next up: Terrence Malick movies
Knight of Cups
Experimental film; Christian Bale stars.
The Thin Red Line
War movie; excellent battle scenes.
Badlands
Loosely based on real-life crime.
Next: Films of Sissy Spacek.
*Carrie *
Blood prank. Psychic Travolta murder.
*Coal Mine’s Daughter *
Loretta Lynne biography. Earned Oscar.
*The Man With Two Brains *
Voiced one of the brains.
Next up: movies featuring an actor in their comeback role.
Night of the Hunter
Lillian Gish’s return critical success.
Sunset Boulevard
Swanson’s less successful, still iconic.
Pulp Fiction
Travolta’s unexpected comeback very successful.
**
Next**: failed attempts by TV actors to transition to films.
Leonard Part 6 (Bill Cosby)
Golden Raspberry winner; massive flop.
Down Periscope (Kelsey Grammer)
He plays captain like Frasier.
Mr. Baseball (Tom Selleck)
Amusing look at Japanese baseball.
Next: Heavily-hyped movies that flopped.