Dream Scenario (2023)

This is the film Nicolas Cage was made for. Paul Matthews is the dull professor of evolutionary biology at a local university who suddenly finds himself the subject of national intrigue when people randomly start dreaming about him. At first, it's treated as a passing novelty, until the implications grow much darker. It's a high concept black comedy that's teeming with great ideas and has so much fun with its central conceit. It probably doesn't fulfill the wild limits of its potential, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great time at the movies.

4½ David Byrne suits out of 5

PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES [1987]

Considered by it's two starring lead's a favorite film of their own, the road trip buddy comedy Planes, Trains & Automobiles marks a departure from director John Hughes' usual teen movies of the time.
The premise is quite familiar: uptight Steve Martin wants to go home for Thanksgiving and his uninvited travel companion, the care-free John Candy, unintentionally sees to it that it won't be a mere hop, skip & jump.  Simplicity aside, everything about the film is set in all the right places.  The casting is perfect, the increasingly funny tale unfolds with subtle poignancy and comfort because it's storytelling & characters are straight-up real.  Like The Breakfast Club and fine wine, the film only gets better with age.

4 shower curtain rings out of 5

SELMA [2014]

Director Ava DuVernay's historical drama Selma depicts the 1965 march in Alabama led by Martin Luther King, Jr. to secure voting rights for the African-American community.
David Oyelowo does an excellent job as Dr. King with a strong and demanding presence but also channels a fragile side when needed.  Juggling the ugliness of the times and the stirring speeches without ever losing it's impact makes for some gripping cinema.  While it educates the viewer of time we shouldn't forget it never feels too dry or like we're being force-fed.  There's many films like this but it never hurts to be reminded, especially in this day and age, where many of the topics covered are sadly still quite relevant.

4 Nobel Peace Prizes out of 5

TRICK 'R TREAT [2007]

Inspired by his animated short, Seasons Greetings, screenwriter Michael Dougherty makes his feature length debut with the sick and twisted anthology Trick R' Treat.
It's not necessarily scary but it's one helluva a good ride. Like a Halloween party in film form, it goes by quicker than you want it to and leaves no bitter aftertaste. Merciless killing, all sorts of twists and spooky masks make for one of the most tastiest bloody rides you'll go on in a while.
It's nice and short so it could easily become an annual tradition to have a few drinks with it before heading out to the party. Sadly the film never saw theatrical release but has managed to hold it's own with an instant cult following.
Trick R' Treat captures the essence of the Halloween spirit perfectly and deserves to be seen.

3½ candy covered razorblades out of 5