"Delirious"

 2006 * Not Rated * 1h 47m   If you're looking for some offbeat, off-the-wall fun, you'll enjoy this film. And if you're a fan of Steve Buscemi, even better. I've loved him in just about everything I've seen him in. In "Deleiious" he takes crazy to a whole new level. 

Buscemi plays Les, a celebrity photographer, determined to get the shot heard around the world. He's a whacky paparazzi, always chasing pop singers and actresses for the perfect shot. And he's just barely eking out a living doing it. One day he befriends a homeless kid Toby (Michael Pitt) who dreams of becoming an actor. As luck would have it, Toby meets and falls for a cute young pop star K'Harma Leeds (Alison Lohman). This makes Les furious and he soon plots revenge. I won't tell you any more about this hilarious movie. 

The film is just a fun romp and Steve Buscemi is at his best here. If you're looking for something whacky, give this one a shot!

4 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming on Kanopy (with your library card), Freevee, and Tubi. Also on Peacock, Plex, Pluto, and other services. 

"Splinter"

 2008 * R * 1h 22m  Every once in a while I like to watch a good, scary movie. You know, the kind s that scare the crap out of you. Well, somehow I missed this one when it came out. And it sure delivered. Like most horror movies, it was a little bit predictable. But it was so well done, I didn't mind. 

Seth and Polly (Paulo Costanzo and Jill Wagner) plan on spending the weekend camping. When they mess up their tent while trying to set it up, they decide to head into town and rent a cheap motel room. On their way, they run into Dennis and Lacy (Shea Wigham and Rachel Kerbs). He's a criminal on the lam and she's his junkie girlfriend. They take the couple hostage and when they hit an animal on the road, their troubles begin. 

The animal is a bizarre beast full of splinters. It attacks Lacy who turns into a zombie. When their truck overheats they are forced to stop at a gas station. They're soon trapped inside the station with zombies trying to break in and eat them. The film is fairly low budget, but I thought the acting, script, and the alien creature were all above average. Pretty scary overall. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. Also on Tubi, Plex, Pluto TV, and to rent on Prime Video. 

"Golden Years"

 2016  * Not Rated * 1h 36m   I ask you, who doesn't love a good heist movie? When I think of the genre, a ton of action packed, intense films come to mind. The Sting. Reservoir Dogs. The Usual Suspects. Dog Day Afternoon. Ocean's Eleven. And that's just the tip of the iceberg of the list of great ones that have been made over the years. Golden Years, while not quite in the same class as those films, is definitely worth watching. 

This film centers on a couple of senior citizens who get into the life of crime, quite by accident. Arthur and Martha Goode (Bernard Hill and Virginia McKenna) are happily retired. Then one day, they're informed that their pension has been cut. And this is something that has a huge impact on their circle of friends. So Arthur decides to take matters in his own hands and he proceeds to rob a bank. Eventually his wife finds out and she agrees to help him in their quest to supplement their incomes. 

What proceeds is just a fun romp as we follow them on their vacation visiting National Trust properties, while robbing banks in each town they visit. I wouldn't dub the film a classic by any means, but I thought it was great fun. And it's as charming as you'd expect from an excellent cast of British actors you've seen in a dozen other films. 

3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com, The Roku Channel and Tubi. Also to rent on Prime Video. 

"A Bear Named Winnie"

 2004 * PG * 1h 30m  I've been a "Winnie The Pooh" fan for ages. Unfortunately I didn't read it as a kid, but came to it later on in life. However, I read it several times a year. It's just so charming, funny, and comforting to reread this wonderful classic. However, I never knew the story behind the lovable bear's origins until I saw this excellent movie. 

The story takes place during the beginning of WWI. The story begins with a group of soldiers who live in Western Canada are training to serve in the Veterinary Corp in Europe. One of the soldiers Harry (Michael Fassbender) adopts a bear cub. At first his superiors order him to get rid of the lovable cub. But when it's brought to the commanding officer's attention that they're allowed to have a pet as a mascot, he agrees to let them keep the bear. They proceed to smuggle the bear who they've named "Winnie" since he's from Winnipeg,  overseas with them. 

Before they're sent to Europe to the battlefront, they're stationed in England. Harry lends Winnie to the London Zoo for safekeeping. It's there that the friendly bear becomes the favorite attraction of hundreds of English children. And it's there when AA Milne first encounters the wonderful bear. Supporting actors include David Suchet and Stephen Fry. It's such a great story, I don't know why this film isn't better known. 

4 out of 5 stars

Streaming for free on Kanopy.com and Hoopla.com (with your library card), Freevee, and Tubi. Also on The Roku Channel, and Pluto TV. 

I couldn't find an official trailer so this will have to suffice: