December 31, 2016 “Billionaire Ransom” (** out of four) was a predictable and routine action drama focusing on two rich kids (Phoebe Tonkin and Dominic Sherwood) who survive a near-fatal car wreck and are sent by their wealthy parents to an exclusive boot camp on a remote island which is overtaken by terrorists who hold them (and the rest of the camp) hostage and havoc ensues. Potentially fun story has echoes of “Die Hard” and “Toy Soldiers” but doesn’t have enough thrills, action, or firepower to give it any distinction. A mediocre effort from the otherwise solid director Jim Gillespie who in better days directed “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Continue reading →
December 31, 2016 “One Night Of Fear” (*1/2 of four) was a pointless exercise in unpleasant gore supposedly based on a series of true stories set around the Ocala National Forest and how numerous campers and hikers have vanished without a trace and been murdered. Film focuses on three such hikers who are hunted down and tortured. Subpar series of mutilations, executions, and torture scenes is best left for freaks and masochists only; if that’s your cup of tea, have at it. The kind of movie that gives the term “low-budget horror” a bad name. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “Sing” (***1/2 out of four) was a delightful animated comedy about a good-hearted koala bear (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) who has one final chance to restore his faded theater to its former glory by having the world’s greatest singing competition but it hits more than it’s share of bumps in the road. Visually spectacular with top-notch colorful animation but is also packed with laughs and some very touching moments and film’s climax is sensational! Love those musical numbers and song selections through-out! McConaughey’s voice and mannerisms are perfect for the lead role and other characters are nicely voiced by Reese Witherspoon and Seth McFarlane. Bullseye! Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “Stake Land II: The Stakelander” (*1/2 out of four) was a wearisome sequel about the hero from the original (Connor Paolo) who finds himself alone in the wasteland of middle America after his home is destroyed by vampires and he is forced on the run with only the memories of his deceased mentor to guide him on a journey of spiritual survival. Must win some award for most unnecessary sequel of 2016 but the original wasn’t exactly a cinematic milestone either. Paolo ranges from effective to looking like a deer in the headlights. Watch “Walking Dead” reruns instead. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “FirstBorn” (*1/2 out of four) was third-rate crud about a newly married couple (Antonia Thomas and Jonathan Hyde) whose new child begins to show strange behavioral tendencies which may signify otherworldy involvements……..and we’re into another possessed child and haunted house horror movie. Reasonably well-directed but offers absolutely no distinction from the umpteen amount of other horror movies that have been about the exact same story over the last 10 years. No relation, byetheway, to the 1984 melodrama starring Corey Haim and Peter Weller of the same name which come to think of it was a lot scarier than this. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “Office Christmas Party” (*1/2 out of four) was a humbug Christmas comedy about assorted office workers (Jason Bateman, T.J. Miller, Courtney Vance, Olivia Munn) throwing an epic office party that grows progressively out of hand when their bitchy new C.E.O. (Jennifer Aniston who can play this role in her sleep by now) announces she may be shutting down their branch. Film is like being stuck at a party with a bunch of loud drunks you want to leave and go home from. Needlessly dumb and contrived, with only a few laughs, and only the good-natured performances of its cast to keep it afloat. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “My Best Friend” (** out of four) was a treacly children’s family drama about a young girl (Alexis Rosinsky) who moves from the big city to the country where she is a fish-out-of-water but is determined to settle in and assimilate herself with her new surroundings and friends at school. Aww shucks- did I forget to mention that she befriends a talking horse on the farm who gives her sage and guiding advice? Pleasant enough but unexceptional mixture of teenage drama, family comedy, and small-town melodrama. Kids may like it anyway. One-time “Dukes Of Hazzard” siren Catherine Bach plays the young girl’s grandmother who disappears from the story way too soon. Continue reading →
December 28, 2016 “Green Is Gold” (*1/2 out of four) was a well-meaning but drab melodrama about a teenage boy (Mason Baxter) whose father goes to prison and he is subsequently sent to live with his older brother (Ryan Baxter) who introduces him to the world of both selling and using marijuana. Despite the movie’s good intentions, both “Half Baked” and “Pineapple Express” were better (and more entertaining) movies about the marijuana trade. Older brother Baxter also wrote and directed this trifle but results are less-than-intoxicating. Continue reading →
December 27, 2016 “Passengers” (*** out of four) was a stylish, sleek futuristic melodrama about two time-travellers (Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence) whose sleep chambers malfunction and awakens them both 90 years too early as they are travelling to a distant colony planet. They soon fall in love but find some unexpected truths about each other that drifts them apart as they are drifting in the galaxy. Film takes too long to get where it’s going but strong camaraderie between its two stars, top-notch cinematography by Rodrigo Prieto, and impressive set designs by Gene Serdena make this a journey worth taking. Complex script mixes elements of sci/fi, love story, and even some philosophical moments. Not a total success- and at times overly reminiscent of “2001: A Space Odyssey”- but ambitious and intelligent. Continue reading →
December 27, 2016 “Spin Out” (*** out of four) was a wonderful comedy set in Australia about a racing team (Xavier Samuel, Morgan Griffin) whose feuds and feelings for one another extend off the driving roads; when Griffin wants to leave and move to the city, Samuel must decide on his true feelings and whether to remain a dangerous driver or commit to her. Infectious cast of unknowns are so full of energy and charisma that they make this into a small winner all around. Full of snappy dialogue and beautiful shots of Australian scenery. A real surprise. Continue reading →
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