May 2, 2016 “Term Life” (** out of four) was a tepid Redbox melodrama starring Vince Vaughn as a guy wanted around town by a hitman (Bill Paxton) and numerous other criminals and hopes to stay alive long enough so his life insurance can help his estranged daughter (Hailee Steinfeld). Uneasy mix of underworld thriller, dark comedy, and father-daughter relationship drama doesn’t gel into a satisfying whole but a good cast helps keep it watchable. Vaughn is likeable as always but his combover hairstyle doesn’t do him any favors. Continue reading →
May 2, 2016 “High Rise” (*1/2 out of four) was an incomprehensible adaptation of J.G. Ballard’s 1975 acclaimed novel about characters you’d probably meet on the underbelly of the Internet who all live together in a luxurious high-rise and are secluded from the rest of the world and one inhabitant (Tom Hiddleston) who tries to make sense of their existence of isolation and privilege. Interesting story elements of classicism and materialism are muted by meandering and unpleasant story and characters whose relationships make no sense at times. Some critics thought highly of this mess but I’m not one of them. After this and 1996’s unwatchable “Crash”, perhaps J.G. Ballard’s novels simply don’t translate well to the big screen. Continue reading →
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