Discussing Jane Campion’s new film, which has fine acting and period ambience but is more reigned in and over controlled than its admirers realize.

Three of the films which may be competitive in acting and directing categories during this awards season.

A few remarks about passing up the recent glut of Marvel TV series, only to return for a Disney+ showing of the IMAX-enhanced SHANG- CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS.

Three period films with different aims: reviving the prestige historical drama, reactivating the dormant subgenre of Black Westerns and a colorful character study of immersion/survival in problematic 1960s London.

Discussing horror movies that aren’t as well-known as the genre staples—from Lionel Atwill’s gruesome pre-code MURDERS IN THE ZOO to Frankie Avalon playing an adult in 1970’s HORROR HOUSE.

Covering the dutiful Denis Villeneuve retread of DUNE and Todd Haynes’s more exciting guided tour of seminal art rock/protopunk band The Velvet Underground.

The latest resurrection of prolific killer Michael Myers, courtesy of David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Blumhouse; guessing that next year’s HALLOWEEN ENDS won’t be the end of Michael if money can still be made.

Discussion of NO TIME TO DIE plus two of its predecessors in mixing high drama into the license to kill plus escapism formula (THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH).

Review of Paul Schrader’s latest fillm THE CARD COUNTER, the latest in his God’s Lonely Man narratives. Plus the non-artistic, but occasionally effective sequels to the first two Carpenter/Hill HALLOWEEN films (kudos to Danielle Harris).

Begins with tribute to the late Michael K. Williams, mentioning his role in John Leguizamo’s CRITICAL THINKING. Also reviews of Clint Eastwood’s latest curtain call CRY MACHO and Nia DaCosta’s sequel/reboot to CANDYMAN.