May 3, 2017 “Abbey Grace” (*1/2 out of four) was a graceless horror thriller about a middle-aged woman (Debbie Sheridan) who returns to her childhood home after her mom dies to take care of her OCD and agoraphobic brother (Jacob Hobbs) but both soon find out that their childhood home is full of paranormal activity and disturbing secrets. Passable beginning turns into yet another boring horror story about a haunted house, exorcisms, and (of course) religious symbolism. One sequence of the family dog turning berserk is the only scary scene in the movie. Maybe “The Exorcist II” and “The Shining” remake weren’t as bad as they initially seemed. Continue reading →
May 2, 2017 “Survival Knife” (** out of four) was an unpleasant horror melodrama about the survivor (Tara Davis) of a brutal attack that left her seriously injured and her friends dead and finds that moving on from this ordeal is much more difficult than she imagined and awakens a dark side of her psyche that leads to her committing murder. Interesting look at the post-traumatic effects of assault is more of a psychological drama than a horror gorefest but is too cheesy and trashy to have much of an impact. Davis ranges from blank to effective in the lead role. Continue reading →
May 1, 2017May 1, 2017 “Attack Of The Killer Donuts” (** out of four) was a schlock throwback to ’70’s trash like “The Killer Tomatoes” about a chemical accident which results in donuts becoming blood-thirsty killers and how two young kids (Justin Ray and Kayla Compton) attempt to stop them and save their nowhere town from destruction. Not as hilarious or as hilariously bad as you might hope and lacks the cheeky edge it needs but having said that- it’s fast-moving and still watchable. Compton is definitely someone to keep an eye on. Continue reading →
May 1, 2017May 1, 2017 “Guardians Of The Galaxy vol. 2” (*** out of four) was a fun continuation of the original with the Guardians (Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker) unravelling the origins of the Starlord’s father (Kurt Russell) who is not all that he appears. Too long and starts to slow down in the middle but full of entertaining characters and wall-to-wall spectacular effects to give fans of the original their money’s worth. Russell not only plays Pratt’s father but through C.G.I. magic appears as his younger self in a few key opening scenes as well. Sylvester Stallone also has a minor role as high-ranking Ravager. Continue reading →
May 1, 2017 “Don’t Fuck In The Woods” (*1/2 out of four) was a third-rate horror thriller that never managers to be as memorable as its title about a group of college graduate friends (Brittany Blanton, Ayse Howard, Roman Jossart) who go on a celebrating camping trip full of the usual sex and drugs but are soon preyed upon by a wooded creature. With a title like that, you know not to expect Oscar material but this may as well have all been outtakes from “Friday The 13th” and “Sleepaway Camp.” Plenty of nudity and sex for those who want it but plenty of bad acting and stupid dialogue too. Continue reading →
May 1, 2017 “The Circle” (*1/2 out of four) was a shapeless drama about a young woman (Emma Watson) who lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called The Circle which is headed by a friendly C.E.O. (Tom Hanks) but later uncovers a sinister agenda from the company that will affect the privacy and security of society as we know it. Potentially interesting look at online consumerism and interaction in digital and social media is hollow and dull. Hanks is sorely wasted and so is Bill Paxton in his final film as Watson’s dying father. Continue reading →
May 1, 2017 “Colossal” (*1/2 out of four) was a colossal mess about an alcoholic party girl (Anne Hathaway) who returns to her hometown after being kicked out by her boyfriend in NYC. While back home, she reconnects with a former boyfriend (Jason Sudeikis) and then finds out that a giant creature is on the loose in Seoul but she somehow she thinks she has a mysterious connection to this phenomenon! A well-intentioned but complete misfire. A particular waste of Hathaway and Sudeikis who don’t even have a chance with this bizarre and incomprehensible story and script. Continue reading →
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