perhaps you, too, should learn to govern your emotions

A fascinating group here, not my typical choices by far. Call it a vacation into unexpected territory.

The Voyeurs (2021) - "Pippa and Thomas move into their dream apartment, they notice that their windows look directly into the apartment opposite, this will set in motion a chain of events that will lead to disaster."

source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: it was recommended by someone who knows me well
IMDB: 6.0/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 44% Audience: 45%
my IMDB: 5/10

critical response: "In a negative review for the Chicago Sun-Times, Richard Roeper described The Voyeurs as a 'salacious and wildly implausible story that holds our interest for a while before flying off the cliff and into an abyss of creepy, ludicrous and ultimately ridiculous twists and turns.'

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Michael Mohan

my notes: Roeper is right about this. Off the bat, it is engaging and kinda sexy. Not too far in, though, it takes a sharp turn into stupid farce, hinging on—among other things—knowing with certainty that someone else would consume a particular substance. The final two thirds is highly sexual but not sexy, grim but not mysterious, riveting but not engrossing. 

    The film raises LOTS of valuable, thoughtful, probing questions. (No pun intended.) It made me reconsider my feelings and perspectives on some issues that had seemed clear before. Or that I had not truly considered before. For that, it was worth seeing.

overall: recommended with strong caveats

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) - "The crew of the Starship Enterprise returns home after an act of terrorism within its own organization destroys most of Starfleet and what it represents, leaving Earth in a state of crisis. With a personal score to settle, Capt. James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) leads his people (Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoë Saldana) on a mission to capture a one-man weapon of mass destruction, thereby propelling all of them into an epic game of life and death."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I was on a date and it was mutually agreeable
IMDB: 7.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 84% Audience: 89%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "'That's a technicality.' 

    'I am Vulcan, sir. We embrace technicality.' 

    'Are you giving me attitude, Spock?'

    'I am expressing multiple attitudes simultaneously. To which are you referring?'"

MPAA rating: PG-13

directed by: J.J. Abrams

my notes: a well done, exhilarating, sweet film about spaceships and friendships

Academy Award nominee: Best Visual Effects
overall: recommended

Body of Evidence (1992) - "A millionaire is found dead of heart failure handcuffed to the bed with a home video tape of him and his lover. When cocaine is found in his system, and his will leaves $8 million to his lover, they arrest her on suspicion of murder. Her lawyer succumbs to her charms, and he begins a torrid and kinky affair with her. As new evidence turns up during trial, he begins to wonder if he's defending a murderer."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: that date, referenced above, was a weekend long. Lots of times for movies!
IMDB: 4.5/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 8% Audience: 23%
my IMDB: 2/10

notable quote: "People usually get what they deserve—except for lawyers."

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Uli Edel

my notes: wackadoodle. Madonna is a terrible actress. 

overall: recommended with reservations

The Train (1964) - "As the Allied forces approach Paris in August 1944, German Colonel Von Waldheim is desperate to take all of France's greatest paintings to Germany. He manages to secure a train to transport the valuable art works even as the chaos of retreat descends upon them. The French resistance however wants to stop them from stealing their national treasures but have received orders from London that they are not to be destroyed. The station master, Labiche, is tasked with scheduling the train and making it all happen smoothly but he is also part of a dwindling group of resistance fighters tasked with preventing the theft. He and others stage an elaborate ruse to keep the train from ever leaving French territory."
source: streamed on Amazon Prime
I watched it because: I had never even heard of it—and for a World War II film that is rare indeed
IMDB: 7.8/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 94% Audience: 89%
my IMDB: 9/10

notable quote: "Beauty belongs to the man who can appreciate it."

MPAA rating: Not rated [approved] 

directed by: John Frankenheimer

my notes: stupendous cinematography and lighting, some excellent acting, and an enthralling story. This is what 1917 was trying to be (but failing). I loved it.

Academy Award nominee: Best Writing, Story and screenplay—Written directly for the screen
overall: very highly recommended

[the title quotation is from Star Trek Into Darkness]