May 30, 2018 “Lost In London” (*1/2 out of four) was a woefully self-indulgent comedy starring Woody Harrelson at his annoying worst playing himself as a debauched actor on a long drunken night in London that culminates in him going to jail in which the cops and other prisoners all recognize who he is. Die-hard fans of Woody may find some resonance here but others should steer clear. Billed as “the world’s first live movie” which was broadcast in some theaters while it was filming but that doesn’t make it any more entertaining. This marks Woody’s directorial debut but based on this- he isn’t exactly a natural born director. Willie Nelson, Owen Wilson, and Bono (!) all show up in unfunny cameos. Continue reading →
May 29, 2018 “Kid: The Gary Carter Story” (*** out of four) was an affecting documentary of catcher Gary Carter showing his beginnings on the Montreal Expos to his stardom on the 1986 Mets to his gradual physical deterioration and brain tumors that took his life but that his upbeat determination and love of the game (and his family) always prevailed. Heartfelt and harrowing at times because it constantly flashes back to his illness and death. Features many interesting interviews from 1986 Mets stars Keith Hernandez, Mookie Wilson, Tim Teufel, and Bob Ojeda. Continue reading →
May 25, 2018 “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (***1/2 out of four) was a grandly entertaining origin story of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) and how he ventured out on his own into a dark criminal underworld and met his co-pilot Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) years before later joining the Rebellion. Director Ron Howard sweeps you off your feet right from the opening and ably duplicates the style of early-era George Lucas with rich characterizations and the series’ usual dazzling visual effects and spectacular action scenes. Ehreinreich is strong in the lead in a role owned by Harrison Ford and Woody Harrelson is electric in a key supporting role. A definite must for Star Wars fanatics but fun for anyone who loves old-fashioned sci/fi and adventure. Continue reading →
May 24, 2018 “Gringo” (*** out of four) was a wildly uneven but entertaining multi-character melodrama about an easygoing businessman (David Oyelowo) who finds himself crossing the line from family man to wanted criminal as he’s double-crossed by ruthless business couple (Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron) and other adversaries (Amanda Seyfried and Thandie Newton). Film veers often jarringly between lighthearted comedy, sharp business satire, and dark action drama but is peppered with many arresting scenes and held together by a first-rate cast even as it goes on too long. Oyelowo is top notch in particular. Directed by Joel’s brother Nash Edgerton in a style obviously inspired by early-period Robert Altman Continue reading →
May 23, 2018 “The Jurassic Games” (** out of four) was a serviceable Redbox thriller set in the near future in which death-row convicts are forced to compete in a virtual reality show governed by a sadistic gameshow host (Perry Reeves) in which they have to stay alive on an island with vicious dinosaurs. Obvious attempt at cross-pollinating “The Hunger Games” and “Jurassic Park” (hence the clever title), and also “Death Race”, isn’t bad and moves swiftly enough but is too limited by its low-budget to take off. This won’t take the place of the upcoming “Jurassic World 2” on anybody’s calendar but it’s better than most other direct-to-Redbox junk. Continue reading →
May 23, 2018 “The Broken Key” (*1/2 out of four) was an incomprehensible melodrama set in Italy in the future in which paper has become a rare and sought item controlled by a ruthless corporation (Michael Madsen, Rutger Hauer, and others); a young rogue attempts to utilize his helpful resources (Christopher Lambert, William Baldwin, and Geraldine Chaplin) and restore order to society. If you wonder how a movie with this cast could remain unreleased for two years, proceed at your own peril. Story is incredibly dense and confusing but is so dry and dull (and overlong) that it’s not even worth the bother. A disappointment from noted Italian filmmaker Louis Nero. Continue reading →
May 22, 2018 “All I Wish” (**1/2 out of four) was a pleasant but slight romantic comedy about a fashion designer (Sharon Stone) who struggles to balance her career, her age, and her love life with a business owner (Tony Goldwynn)- and film flashes forward and shows her every year on her birthday. Stone looks great and is solidly engaging in her first starring role in years but film is too predictable and could have used more complications and laughs. Ellen Burstyn has a small but key role as Stone’s mom. Continue reading →
May 21, 2018 “Bigfoot Horror Camp” (0 stars out of four) was an unendurably (and indescribably) awful horror-comedy about an unknown beast in a really terrible gorilla suit who begins to terrorize the residents of a nudist colony out in the desert and then the Feds step in and send in their equally moronic “Big Foot expert” to solve the case. If you make it through the first 15 minutes, you may make it through the entire movie. Excruciatingly low-grade filmmaking makes this look like at times like a high-school production and some of the terrible acting really has to be seen to be believed but that is by no means a recommendation. Continue reading →
May 20, 2018May 20, 2018 “Fahrenheit 451” (*** out of four) was a stirring remake of Ray Bradbury’s classic novel set in a dystopian future in which firemen are ordered to seize and burn books; one long-serving and decorated fireman (Michael B. Jordan) follows orders without question from his friend and superior (Michael Shannon) until he meets a young woman (Sofia Boutella) who forces him to question his job and question the state of free society. Riveting story of fascism, oppression, and tyrannical ruling is framed by director Rahmin Barani into a futuristic nightmare similar to “Blade Runner” and anchored by Jordan’s usual first-rate performance. Shannon is also dynamite and him and Jordan work well off one another. Continue reading →
May 19, 2018 “The Pale Man” (*1/2 out of four) was a pale imitation of “The Shining” and too many other movies to mention about a young teacher’s assistant (Taylor Bostwick) who gets stuck in a middle-of-nowhere small town in which a mysterious illness is rampant and she becomes stranded at a scary hotel where she begins to fear for her life and her sanity. Sporadically creepy in the first half but story framework is routine and film drags on too long at nearly two hours with not enough scares or thrills to keep it going. Numerous horror cliches abound, including the redneck who works at a gas station and a nosy hotel worker. Continue reading →
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