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‘Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III’ (1990) surprisingly OK

Following a dread-inducing classic and a campy comedy, “Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III” (1990) is the first time the franchise uses a basic slasher style.

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‘Hot Shots!’ films’ (1991, 1993) funny factor flies high

“Hot Shots!” (1991) and “Hot Shots! Part Deux” (1993) were on heavy rotation in my house when I was a kid. I recently rewatched them

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‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ (2008) is sumptuously Spanish

“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” (2008) is a rare Woody Allen movie that I wouldn’t initially guess was a Woody Allen movie if not for the credits.

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In Pratt’s ‘Tomorrow War,’ war is hella awesome

A military woman in “The Tomorrow War” (Amazon Prime) tells a new draftee why they haven’t released photos of the alien invaders to the public.

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Crichton takes step backward with ‘Easy Go’ (1968)

Michael Crichton takes a step backward with his third John Lange book, “Easy Go” (1968). It has some good points: nice description of 1960s Egypt,

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‘Patriotic Murders’ (1940) is both political and personal

Agatha Christie is not widely loved for her espionage novels featuring high-level politics. But she loved writing about those subjects. Somewhat making up for her

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‘Fear Street Part One: 1994’ is slick (and sick) product

“Fear Street Part One: 1994” (Netflix), the first of a trilogy that continues over the next two Fridays, is a slick corporate product based on

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Gory ‘Evil Dead’ (2013) strips away humor

“Evil Dead” (2013) is the fourth entry in the “Evil Dead” series (following Sam Raimi’s trilogy from 1981-92), but like many 21st century sequels, it’s

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At 50, Roundtree’s ‘Shaft’ (1971) is still a cool cat

If nothing else, “Shaft” (1971) – which led to four sequels and a TV series – has style. Director Gordon Parks opens on Richard Roundtree’s

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‘Café Society’ (2016) beats ‘La La Land’ to punch

“Café Society” (2016), Woody Allen’s beautiful-looking ode to Old Hollywood, was overshadowed by “La La Land” a few months later. This is understandable, as “La

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