“Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” (2010)
Nearly unrecognizable from the source material, Chris Columbus’ “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” is one of the worst young-adult fantasy movie adaptations.
“Scary Movie” (2000)
Filled with irreverent jokes and offensive gonzo humor, the first entry in the “Scary Movie” franchise is probably the best.
“Drive My Car” (2021)
Long, slow and meditative, Ryusuke Hamiguchi’s mesmerizing “Drive My Car” is a quietly emotional tour de force.
“Young Man With a Horn” (1950)
“Young Man With a Horn,” starring Kirk Douglas as a passionate jazzman, is an uneven albeit tuneful biopic about a fictional trumpeter.
“Vampires Suck” (2010)
Because “Twilight” is so unintentionally hilarious, “Vampires Suck” (a “Twilight” parody) is completely unnecessary.
“Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr” by John Crowley (2017)
Taking influence from indigenous folklore and creation myths, John Crowley’s “Ka: Dar Oakley in the Ruin of Ymr” is a late-career classic from one of our greatest writers.
“Oscar Peterson Plays Duke Ellington” – Oscar Peterson
While not essential, “Oscar Peterson Plays Duke Ellington” is a fine collection of easy-listening jazz.
“Speed” (1994)
Starring Keanu Reeves, “Speed” is an over-the-top action spectacle that delivers high-octane thrills but not much else.
“The Ballad of Narayama” (1958)
Filled with dazzling color and unsparingly bleak fantasy, “The Ballad of Narayama” is one of the greatest Japanese movies ever made.
“Barry Lyndon” (1975)
With some of the most beautiful imagery ever seen in a film, “Barry Lyndon” is another masterpiece from director Stanley Kubrick.
“An Evening with Billie Holiday” – Billie Holiday
“An Evening with Billie Holiday” is a solid, well-rounded album of bluesy standards from one of jazz music’s greatest singers.
“Blue Period” – Miles Davis
Released on Prestige Records in 1953, “Blue Period” is Miles Davis’ first foray into hard bop. It’s an inessential yet enjoyable album.