Love at First Bite (1979)

"Children of the night...shut up!"

George Hamilton stars as Dracula, who travels to the Big Apple to pursue the object of his desire, a fashion model he saw in a magazine. It's your basic fish out of water story, as he's foiled by modern conveniences, attempts to seduce his beloved, and avoids the descendant of Van Helsing. There are laughs to be had, although not as consistently as one would hope from this campy material.

2½ incorrect ways to kill a vampire out of 5

The Godfather: Part III (1990)

I find it's best to view Part III similar to how Dir. Coppola reportedly does, as an epilogue to the Godfather's story as told in Parts I (1972) and II (1974).
A mournful tone segues into the familiar large family gathering, a setting wherein the current Don is lavished with honours and respect. His move into more legitimate business affairs gives the film a different kind of edge, but it's one that's dulled by a screenplay that feels stretched thin. In addition, the appointed successor to the Corleone name is never fully able to step out of the shadow of the characters/actors that came before. Even when considered as a counterpoint, it's not as satisfying as it could've been.
Pacino and Shire are great (and for the record I don't think Sofia deserved the criticism she received), but the highlight is the superb finale, staged at an opera it is itself a beautifully orchestrated piece of pure drama.

3 accounts settled out of 5

Poker Alice (1987)

Elizabeth Taylor did some less than stellar work in her later years. This one isn't her worst 90 minutes, but it gives her very little to do, which is a crime in itself. The script is light-hearted throwaway nonsense for the first hour. She’s a poker player for whom the word ‘lose’ doesn't exist. The writer squeezes everything he can out of the role, which isn't very much.
The final third contains two scenes that let her be the cruel, snide bitch firing all guns on the outside while hurting inside—the kind of role that she’s best at, but it's too little too late. For Liz devotees only.

2 overdeveloped curiosities out of 5