DEEP WATER (2021) is a disappointing Patricia Highsmith novel adaptation played all wrong as just another "erotic thriller" by Adrian (Fatale Direction) Lyne. Another stolid Affleck performance, gratuitous objectification of Ana de Armas' body (admittedly, it's a hot little bod) and an unsatisfying ending. Kinda like BenAna's offscreen relationship. At least the little kid was cute. Plus snails! But left us feeling...meh.
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NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021) ****
I was born for it: the Nightmare Alley experience. I had put off watching Guillermo del Torro's 2021 remake of the 1947 Film Noir classic because I loved Edmund Goulding's black-and-white Tyrone Power-starring original so much, but having just reread William Lindsey Gresham's novel (and wanting to get my money's worth out of Hulu after running out of LETTERKENNY episodes), I gave it a look and, well, it's masterful! Both films are great and the source novel is a masterpiece from start to finish. And who doesn't love a carny? Step right up and geek out on the NIGHTMARE ALLEY Experience!
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| Nightmare Alley by William Lindsay Gresham (1946) |
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| Nightmare Alley (Edmund Goulding, 1947, 20th Century Fox) |
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| Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, 2021, Fox Searchlight Pictures) |
BLACK OUT (2012) ****
BLACK OUT is THE HANGOVER merged with Guy Ritchie's LOCK, STOCK & TWO SMOKING BARRELS, but set in the Netherlands instead of Las Vegas or London.
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