Sidewinder’s View: I Care A Lot (2020)

As a viewer, I don’t require main characters to be “likeable”, “sympathetic”, “relatable”, i.e. somebody I can “root for”. They simply have to be doing/saying interesting things. That’s what makes a character compelling for me.

My Final Homemade FAKE Criterion Of 2020

Today’s PSA

https://youtu.be/3iuSPLth6PY

Sidewinder’s View: Nomads (1986) [SPOILERS]

Trying to make sense, yet again, of writer-director John McTiernan's much derided Metaphysical Mystery.

Sidewinder’s View: Alphabet City (1984) [SPOILERS]

This morning's first movie... https://youtu.be/occTJ1pwv-k ...which I'd last seen 35 years ago on Showtime. I was unimpressed by the film back then, but, hey, I was sixteen. Maybe I was too harsh. Maybe it wasn't as mediocre as I'd thought.  I was mistaken. Alphabet City hasn't improved with the passing of time. Vincent Spano plays …

Homemade FAKE Criterion: I Stand Alone (1998)

After reading about this movie here and there for the past 20 years or so, I finally decided to check it out. Everything I'd read about the film was accurate.

Sidewinder’s View: The Last Shark (1981), AKA Great White (1982)

I'm uncertain if this cut, apart from the difference in film scores, is identical to Great White, but it's my opinion Stevens's score would have improved the film, even if only slightly. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels that way.

Sidewinder’s View: The Red And The White (1967)

The filmmaker doesn't want us to become comfortable with these characters. His intention is to keep us uncomfortable as we're watching his film. As an audience, we're meant to be kept off-balance as we watch these events unfold. Aesthetic attributes aside, this particular quality is what gives the film its potency.

Sidewinder’s View: Seizure (1974) [SPOILERS]

While not a great film, containing certain surrealistic elements which probably read better on the page, there's enough talent and creativity on display to merit repeat viewings.

Sidewinder’s View: Four Friends (1981)

From 1981, this morning's movie... https://youtu.be/kktCZJpS464 ...which I'd seen only once before, around 1982 or 1983 on The Movie Channel at my mom's house. I remember liking the movie at the time, but this morning, I found the first half-hour or so difficult to sit through. I didn't find any of the characters appealing and …