February 7, 2016 “The Boy” (*1/2 out of four) was a lifeless horror thriller yet again about a killer doll, this time focusing on an American nanny (Lauren Cohan) who comes to the English countryside and finds that a couple’s “boy” is a doll with strict rules for caretaking! Upon violating these rules, she soon comes to realize that the doll may in fact be alive and may be out for revenge! Good performances fail to breathe any life into a shopworn story with no scares or thrills. After “Poltergeist”, “Annabel”, “Robert The Doll”, and too many others to mention- was this really necessary? Continue reading →
February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 “Jane Got A Gun” (*1/2 out of four) was a boring Western melodrama that plods down a familiar trail that many have seen done all-too-many times before. A young woman named Jane (Natalie Portman) is forced to turn back to her former partner (Joel Edgerton) for help when a bloodthirsty Western gang (led by Ewan McGreggor) are out to kill her husband (Noel Emmerich). Molasses-moving and talky. Some pretty photography and rich music score can’t save it. A real disappointment from director Gavin O’Connor who directed the far more potent “Pride And Glory” and “Warrior.” Continue reading →
February 1, 2016 “Dark” (* out of four) was a muddled, unpleasant bore that’s about as blunt as its title; in the summer of 2003, NYC went into a blackout and one troubled young woman (Whitney Able) is trapped in her apartment where she must confront her numerous personal problems while trying to maintain her sanity and stay alive. More of an experiment than an actual film and runs out of steam and interest very quickly. Those who remember this blackout probably have more interesting memories than this mess. Continue reading →
February 1, 2016 “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers Of Benghazi” (***1/2 out of four) was a harrowing and tense action melodrama based on a true story set in Libya when an American ambassador was killed in an attack at a U.S. compound and 6 U.S. C.I.A. soldiers were plunged in the middle of turmoil and sudden war. Nail-bitingly tense at times, explosively filmed, and extremely well-acted in naturalistic fashion by a rock-solid cast of unknowns. Yet another searing depiction of terrorism and war and the risks that some give to protect our country on a daily basis. A real surprise from director Michael Bay and easily one of his best films. Continue reading →
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