The Pale Blue Eye - 3/5

This movie initially promises to provide a break from the dour mystery genre with a bit of a more lighthearted tone than its peers, but a few scenes make up for the rest of the film. Including Edgar Allen Poe as a main character is an interesting choice, and capitalizes only on certain aspects of the tone of some of his stories and poems while largely ignoring historical accuracy and any potential literary poetic value. The mystery solution is mostly fine, but leaves a few unanswered questions along with a sense of unfinished narrative.

Closest comparison: It’s like Antlers by way of The Raven (2012).

Setting: Military Drama
Plot: Dour Mystery
Tone: Psychological Tragedy

The Conversation (1974) - 3/5

This movie is a slow but competent thriller centering around sound recording that has a few good scenes of tension. The plot ambles around distractedly, manages an explosive but jumbled discovery, then wanders off aimlessly. The core conceit is well executed, if a bit long and redundant in the protagonist’s search for clarity, but he doesn’t have nearly as much character depth as the film seems to think he does, so the ending falls flat.

Content warning: brief female nudity

Closest comparison: It’s like Blow Out by way of Taxi Driver.

Setting: Corporate Drama
Plot: Corporate Espionage
Tone: Depressed Thriller

Days of Thunder - 3/5

This is a solid racing movie, complete with all the requisite sports montages, lose-win sequences, and family drama that go along with that. Those who like stock car racing will be much more invested, of course, but general audiences will likely have a fun time, too.

Closest comparison: It’s like Ford v Ferrari by way of Top Gun.

Setting: Racing
Plot: Sports
Tone: Sports