Although Black Christmas predates John Carpenter’s film by four years, Halloween is the one that popularized the formula for almost every slasher movie that followed it, from Friday the 13th to A Nightmare on Elm Street to I Know What You Did Last...
Starsky & Hutch is yet another big screen recreation of an old classic TV show, and like many others that have been made in recent years, it isn’t so much an homage or a...
With the exception of Training Day, it’s generally a safe bet to avoid any vehicle in which Denzel Washington stars as a police officer. They usually rank as marginal entertainment (The Mighty Quinn, Devil in a...
1980s / Drama / Romance / Thriller
by Vincent Leo · Published February 28, 2004 · Last modified May 7, 2019
The 1981 version of The Postman Always Rings Twice marks the second time that the novel of the same name by James M. Cain, author of such noir classics as “Double Indemnity of the Third...
1990s / Comedy / Romance / Thriller
by Vincent Leo · Published February 24, 2004 · Last modified May 7, 2019
Mystery Date is a tedious exercise in the routine, with gags so trite, you’ll be reciting each punch line minutes before it actually occurs. With such likable romantic leads, it’s a shame to see...
Those who read my site regularly will know that I have little respect for Michael Bay’s style of direction and even less for mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s bloated, mind-numbing, explosion-ridden action flicks. You may be surprised...
Although known primarily for his thrillers, director Brian De Palma started off as mostly a comedic director, but with the exception of 1979’s Home Movies, Wise Guys would be the first pure comedic vehicle he has done since Phantom...
by Vincent Leo · Published January 31, 2004 · Last modified January 7, 2020
One of the many reasons that people enjoy reading Elmore Leonard is for the observations made by the colorful characters, and the asides they make are just as enjoyable as the overall story itself. ...
The Butterfly Effect derives its name from a short story by Ray Bradbury entitled, “A Sound of Thunder” (which is coincidentally being made into a movie the same year), whereby men travel back to prehistoric...
Although the film deals with murder at the core of the plot, Manhattan Murder Mystery proves to be one of the lightest of Woody Allen’s films, playing everything as a straight comedy, and the result is...
Reviews from film writer Vince Leo, covering all eras and genres of films from classics to the latest releases.
Film reviews from Vince Leo, from classics to new releases, since 1996.
