Billy Taylor puts out a solid set of standards and originals in this 1993 set from GRP that features Gerry Mulligan on three of the tracks. Every moment of this beautiful album is solidly played and beautifully improvised. Round Midnight, Lush Life, and Just the Thought of You stand out.

Grade: A.

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Gerry Mulligan leads a talented rhythm section in a live set of his original compositions from a European tour. His playing is agile, melodious, and always a treat to listen to. A duet with Dave Brubeck closes this beautiful date out with the assured confidence of two legends of jazz.

Grade: A-.

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Sonny Stitt and Richie Cole team up on this exceptionally fun recording where they trade licks in seven uptempo bebop tracks. The solo work is outstanding and the saxophonists play off each other confidently. Every track is very listenable, making this disc a good staple for any jazz fan’s library.

Grade: B+.

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This strange over-sexed Australian immigrant drama features a beautiful cast, horrible cinematography, and a convoluted story that belies the protagonist’s conflict between his homosexuality and his Greek heritage. The script promised far more than it delivered, paying lip service to the conflict between traditional ways and the modern world.

Grade: C.

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Gus Van Sant writes and directs one of the most excruciatingly boring rock star movies ever. Of the members of the cast, all of them portray characters that bear their own names. This stare festival feels much longer than its 97 minute run time, full of gaping actionless long shots.

Grade: D.

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The legendary organist Jimmy Smith teams up with tenorman Eddie Harris on this seminal recording of the only recording where these two giants share the bill. Harris and Smith trade solos in a set equally divided between standards and originals. All six tracks are wonderful examples of classic hard bop.

Grade: A-.

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Overweight Dex has a philosophy on how to get the girls, which he uses with a high level of success. Along comes a woman immune to his tricks and schemes. This irreverent comedy has plenty of hilarious moments and fantastic dialogue. Donal Logue and Greer Goodman lead a charming cast.

Grade: A.

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This small edgy character drama features a wonderfully nuanced performance by Alison Folland in the role of Claude, a young woman in Hell’s Kitchen struggling with her sexuality, the brutal murder of a gay neighbor, and her dislike of her best friend’s new criminal boyfriend, menacingly played by Cole Hauser.

Grade: B-.

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Scarlett Johansson stars in this obscure character drama about a young girl whose family defected from communist Hungary in the 60s and left her behind. Believably acted by a solid cast, the teenage rebellion is conveniently quashed by a sudden trip to Budapest to reunite with her former foster parents.

Grade: B.

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Michael Bay directs this huge summer blockbuster that basically serves as a two hour commercial for Hasbro. The action sequences are spectacular, the special effects mind-blowing, and the acting performances are what you’d expect from a movie of this type. The absence of the original theme song is noticeable.

Grade: B+.

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