Black Moon Rising - 2/5

This movie is a misguided attempt at a cool action thriller. It relies moderately on its sense of style, which is distinctly outdated, and some of the brief, darker elements of the plot don’t do the lighthearted tone any favors. Both Tommy Lee Jones and Linda Hamilton are unfortunately miscast here. While both are great in their own respective rights, neither has the raw charisma to carry the plodding narrative despite their best efforts.

Content warning: brief female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like Enemy of the State by way of Blind Fury.

Setting: Espionage
Plot: Heist
Tone: Action

Starman (1984) - 3/5

This movie is yet another small scale first contact movie set in the heartland of America in the ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s very competently made, as are all films with John Carpenter at the helm, but it also has nothing to separate it from the crowd apart from a brief special effects shot early on that is up to Carpenter’s usual high standards. Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen have dynamic chemistry and Bridges does especially well with a strange role. While it’s certainly worth a watch for fans of quirky first encounter movies, most cinephiles can give it a miss.

Closest comparison: It’s like E.T. in the the era road trip trappings of Smokey and the Bandit.

Setting: First Contact
Plot: Road Trip
Tone: Fish out of Water