New Release Last Tuesday

Inferno- When Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks, and together they must race across Europe against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.  This movie bombed at the box office as I guess people got tired of seeing Tom Hanks on the big screen since this was his third movie released last year.  I thought the other entries of this series were pretty good so this will at least score a rental. 

USS Indianapolis- During World War II, an American navy ship is sunk by a Japanese submarine leaving 300 crewmen stranded in shark infested waters.  Remember the scene in Jaws where Quint, Brody, and Hooper are drinking, showing off tattoos, and telling stories?  Quint gets asked about a particular tat so he tells his ship mates about his secret mission on the USS Indianapolis and how the ship was torpedoed and sank in shark infested waters.  This is the movie about that story and I have always thought where’s that movie?  Well here it is even though it may be not the one I expected but at least we got something about this fascinating story.  The great John Milius wrote that scene for Jaws and it is still my favorite part of that movie.  Hopefully this good.

The Man Who Fell to Earth- Thomas Jerome Newton is a humanoid alien who comes to Earth to get water for his dying planet. He starts a high technology company to get the billions of dollars he needs to build a return spacecraft, and meets Mary-Lou, a girl who falls in love with him. He does not count on the greed and ruthlessness of business here on Earth, however.  I remember catching this on late night TV as a kid and thought it was really good even for a sci-fi drama at that time so I will appreciate even more now.

Blood Rage- As kids, Todd is institutionalized for a murder whilst his twin goes free. 10 years later, on Thanksgiving, Todd escapes and a killing spree begins in his neighborhood.  I do not remember this 80s horror flick and I have really been digging the Arrow releases lately.

Hooperman- Free-wheeling San Francisco cop Harry Hooperman inherits a rundown apartment building. Not having the time to maintain the building and tend to his police work, Hooperman hires feisty aspiring writer Susan Smith as his superintendent/maintenance person. He and Smith soon begin a relationship, and the series chronicles the ups and downs of the relationship, along with Hooperman's efforts as a policeman.  I liked this show a lot and was really bummed it only lasted 2 seasons and I am glad it is being released on DVD.  The late John Ritter was great in this and got to use his comedic chops but also show he had a great dramatic side as well.  I also like San Francisco cops named Harry.