Song Sung Blue (2025)

Two dreamers find themselves late in life (lucky them!) and form a Neil Diamond tribute band known as Lightning & Thunder, while weathering the storm of love, life and tragedy along the way. It's hard to describe how this movie sinks its hooks in you, but it's a very moving account of a true to life couple who forged their bonds through the power of music. If you're a Neil Diamond fan, it's even better. It's heavily saccharine, but you know what? That's okay sometimes, especially when the performances are this strong.

4 "so good"s out of 5

Note: Based on the 2008 documentary of the same name, available here.

THE SCRIBBLER [2014]

Director John Suits adaptation of Daniel Schaefer's graphic novel The Scribbler is one of those films that is made with more passion than talent.
The story of a mentally disturbed young woman living in a bizarre alt. world psychiatric hospital tries to snuggle itself into something resembling a Frank Miller tale with it's gritty sex and violence.  If you're an "angry" 16-year-old emo-punk who loves reciting other people's anti-social monologues about hating society, being crazy, nasty Christians or this filthy humanity then this will be right down your alley.  If you're not into that juvenile sort of stuff then you're probably best leaving this one alone.  There's some great scene-chewing performances from it's "who's who of the nerd genre" cast and an exciting final act but it really isn't enough to make it worthwhile.

2 Suicide Suites out of 5

Love & Distrust (2010)

Five shorts by one director, each exploring different sides of love and distrust. Well, that was the claim but it's hard to tell while watching, as they've almost nothing in common. Each one is different visually, and while some are just plain awful, the first one especially, some are heartfelt and almost entertaining. I kind of liked the Aussie one. I wouldn't want to watch it twice, but it passed the time until I was ready to go to sleep.

1½ moves to the give-away pile out of 5