February 29, 2016 “The Channel” (*1/2 out of four) was a mumbo-jumbo religious thriller which is enough of a yawner to make anyone want to change the channel. A teenager (Kristen StephensonPino) suffers a near-death experience only then to discover that she’s become the channel for the entry of an evil spirit into her life and this world. Umpteenth movie about demons, exorcisms, and (yawn) evil possession makes you wish all these movies would go back to Hell where they belong! Continue reading →
February 29, 2016 “Lake Eerie” (*1/2 out of four) was a forgettable horror thriller about a widow (Meredith Majors) who movies into an old house on Lake Eerie after the death of her husband but she soon realizes she is not alone and strange occurrences begin to unfold. Horror fans will take note of the return of character actor Lance Henriksen but those same fans would fare better watching him again in “Alien” or re-runs of “Millenium” instead. Yet another horror thriller done without conviction or scares. Continue reading →
February 27, 2016 “Cassidy Way” (** out of four) was a tepid horror thriller about a vengeful father (Christopher Rich) distraught over the death of his son who enacts his revenge over a documentary film crew who he thinks may have been responsible inadvertently for his son’s death. Rich’s strong performance is the highlight of this violent revenge thriller which ventures off into “Saw” territory as he kidnaps and tortures his victims. If that’s your cup of tea, it’s all yours, but it’s a difficult brew for others. Continue reading →
February 27, 2016 “Gods Of Egypt” (*** out of four) was a solid ancient Egyptian fantasy about the mortal hero Bek (Brenton Thwaites) and how he teams with the god Horus in an alliance against the evil Set (Gerard Butley) the god of darkness who has usurped Egypt’s throne and sent Egypt into chaos and conflict. Not a great movie but jammed with visual effects and good action scenes that will give fans their money’s worth. Derived from “Gladiator” and “Clash Of The Titans” and numerous other medieval epics but is still entertaining. An unusual change-of-pace for director Alex Proyas who directed “The Crow” in 1994 but still has visual style to spare. Continue reading →
February 27, 2016 “Triple 9” (**1/2 out of four) was an engrossing underworld thriller about a gang of criminals and corrupt cops (Anthony Mackie, Casey Affleck, and Woody Harrelson) who plan the murder of another cop but all is not what it seems and everyone has a different agenda. Often hard to follow but so emotionally charged and fast-paced and full of robust performances that it’s hard not to get caught up and involved in. Sizzling and sleazy material in the vein of “To Live And Die In L.A.” and “L.A. Confidential” is not in the same leagues but still worth checking out. Mackie and Affleck, in particular, sear the screen. Continue reading →
February 27, 2016 “The Haunting Of Ellie Rose” (*1/2 out of four) was a wretched Redbox horror thriller about a middle aged woman (Lucy Benjamin) who travels by herself to an abandoned cabin where she starts to have an emotional breakdown and all hell breaks loose. Promising beginning and moody photography are wasted as story heads nowhere and takes it sweet time getting there, with endless flashbacks and histrionics. Continue reading →
February 26, 2016 “Nice Package” (** out of four) was a heavy-handed action comedy about a wannabe professional thief (Dwayne Cameron who looks like a British James Franco), a sexy hostage (Isabella Tannock), and some moronic thugs who are chasing after a mysterious package whose contents are never revealed until the end. Occasionally clever but more often stupid movie seems heavily molded in the stylings of Guy Ritchie who told more-or-less this same story (and better) in “Lock, Stock And 2 Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch.” Snatch up those instead of watching this silly retread. Continue reading →
February 23, 2016February 23, 2016 “Riddle Room” (* out of four) was an ugly and unpleasant horror melodrama about a young girl (Marisa Ruby) being held captive in a room by two kidnappers as she struggles to maintain her sanity and find out why she has been placed there and try to find an exit. It’s much easier to exit the movie instead. Ruby is good under the circumstances but the world didn’t exactly need another version of “Saw” or “Oldboy” which this lamely rips off. For masochists and freaks only. Continue reading →
February 23, 2016 “Distiller” (0 stars out of four) was a mind-numbingly awful drama about a world-travelling ghost hunter who eventually disappears and leaves everything to his troubled niece (Amy Ciupek); she then (get this) accidentally releases a group of angry spirits who are imprisoned in liquor bottles over a Fourth Of July holiday party! Someone evidently must have consumed more than a few bottles (and under things) before concocting this whopper of a ridiculous story. Filled with terrible writing, cheesy special effects, and horrendous acting that really must be seen to be believed. “Disaster” might have been a better title for this turkey. Continue reading →
February 23, 2016 “Weaponized” (*1/2 out of four) was a murky thriller about a burned out homicide detective (Johnny Messner) who tries to prevent a grieving father (Tom Sizemore who can play this role in his sleep by now and often does) from unleashing a robotic virus that threatens worldwide destruction. Muddled storyline is a jumble of ideas borrowed from other (and better) movies. Strong supporting cast including Mickey Rourke and Michael Pare is wasted. Continue reading →
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