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 …

Sidewinder’s View: Head Over Heels (1979) / Chilly Scenes Of Winter (1982) [SPOILERS]

I'm not one of those filmgoers who has to like, sympathize, or 'relate' to a character in order to remain invested in the story they're featured in. I'm not looking for role models when I go to the movies. Just give me a compelling story driven by intriguing characters.

I’m A Tolerant Horror Fan, Yet I Still Don’t Like Fulci’s The Beyond. And I Really, Really Tried.

From 1981, this morning's second movie. https://youtu.be/HgbSOUlOCQc Way back in 2000, I blind-bought this on DVD for just over $40-- lured in by the releases's deluxe tin box packaging-- at the now-defunct Media Play chain. After watching the film, I immediately regretted my purchase. Not my kind of Horror flick, let's just say. I sold …

Sidewinder’s View: Alone In The Dark (1982) [Mild Spoilers]

I've never found the movie all that scary, but it's very colorful and entertaining, and, most importantly, clever, with more emphasis on character and plot than one might expect for a genre picture of the early Eighties.