Movie review - "Looker" (1981) **

 The best Michael Crichton works have a clear concept backed by clever pacing and hugely clever research. This one has a muddy concept. Models are dying because... something to do with subliminal advertising. The hero is a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, un-interestingly played by Albert Finney. He's invested because some of his patients were the models. So? Why not have him framed for the deaths? Or just have a cop do it.

James Coburn is the big baddy. Susan Dey is winning as the model whose life is in danger I'm not sure why.

Crichton's direction of action-thriller scenes is at times laughably bad - the opening bit where a model dies. A dull car chase. Finney and Dey poking around a facility. Finney in a cop's uniform. 

There's some style and clearly some brains - it's just confusing. Would've been better as a book.

Some nudity including Dey is the highlight. Finney feels miscast. 

Movie review - "The Dark Corner" (1946) **1/2 (re-watching)

 Some pleasures. Photography. Noir atmosphere. Clifton Webb. Too close to Laura. Mark Stevens trying to be Dana Andrews. Lucille Ball full of life though miscast. William Bendix fun.

Movie review - "Diary of the Dead" (2007) **

 George Romero tries to keep up with the times with a found footage zombie movie which ages worse - being on video or whatever rather than film. Maybe the years will be kind. Some comic bits like the Amish killing zombies - which might've made a decent movie on its own. Ditto the black survivors who want to create a black world. Either plot would be better than focusing on "hmmm... why do you want to film everything." It's the end of the world. Of course you want to film it.

Unwise voice over. Ditto the old character spouting English. Uneven acting. Some decent kills and moments.

But this feels like well worn territory.  

Movie review - "Voicemails from Isabelle" (2026) ***

 Winning rom com with a heavy slice of drama and a typically strong lead performances from Zoe Deutch. Nick Robinson's male lead is fine - though, a real estate agent...? Very polished. A lot of heart and love for romantic comedies.

Book review - "Electronic Life" by Michael Crichton (1983)

 A non fiction book about computers - an A to Z on various aspects of computing. It shows its age at the time but Crichton writers cleanly, smartly with common sense; much of what he did ages well, and still applies. The last few chapters are programs for IBM and Apple; they're a little dull.

Movie review - "Micro" by Michael Crichton and Robert Preston (2011)

 Thrilling, exciting, a great read. I don't know who did what between Crichton and Preston. I'd rank this book higher than many later Crichton works. The villain is just Bad and maybe the toy aeroplanes are too much but it's such a page turner, a silly concept - shrinking people - leading to a series of fantastic set pieces. Tremendous action and a decent sized cast of characters so they are always getting knocked off - by ants, birds, wasps. Many memorable encounters. I would make a fantastic film although an expensive one. I like how the group of scientists included a coward and a whiny guy who became hero.

Really liked it. 

Movie review - "Tombstone" (1993) ***

 Lots of people love this movie. Respect that. Feels cut down from a longer work, as indeed was the case - full of interesting people who don't get enough screen time. Looks fabulous. Some excellent performances. A solid movie.