MAXXXINE (Ti West, 2024)

Mia Goth slays – literally and otherwise – in Ti West’s latest film, the third film in the trilogy that began with X and Pearl. A love letter to ’80’s Hollywood, blasts-from-the-past highlights include a solid soundtrack full of classics and period-appropriate incidental music by Tyler Bates, near constant film references, tight editing by writer/director West, a sweet supporting performance by Giancarlo Esposito (the man knows how to wear a suit), and loads of cocaine.

Within minutes of the opening, I was missing that golden era of mom & pop’s video stores in that time before Blockbuster when Fridays were spent renting a stack of VHS for the weekend. Recommended for that perfectly breezy summertime viewing that might include a couple of stabbings or dismemberments.