Movie Diary 6/3/2009

Land of the Lost (Brad Silberling, 2009). Maybe Will Ferrell should either be PG or R; PG-13 doesn’t quite work anymore. (full review 6/5)

The Missing Person (Noah Buschel, 2009). Low-budget post-9/11 private-eye movie, an interesting attempt at blending some different movie modes. It should move along better than it does, however, and the usually intriguing Michael Shannon is mysteriously off as a hostile gumshoe. (Screens at SIFF 6/5 and 6/7)

Summer (Kenny Glenaan, 2008). Good stuff from Robert Carlyle, as a small-town guy who never got over the effects of an intense adolescent summer. An abundance of British miserabilism on display. (Screens at SIFF 6/9 and 6/14)

Hands Across the Table (Mitchell Leisen, 1935). Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray (and a fine, decent Ralph Bellamy) kick up the screwball shenanigans in this sturdy tale of a manicurist and a millionaire; the twist is the millionaire is broke.

Death Wish (Michael Winner, 1974). AMC was on and dinner was cooking and somehow this movie played all the way through. I can’t explain it. It almost looks measured compared to the wretched sequels from the 1980s, but the unequivocal way Bronson takes quick aim at his targets is still kind of amazing.