May 11, 2018 “County Line” (** out of four) was an earnest but drab story of a former sheriff (Tom Wopat) who loses his bid for re-election and starts to question his purpose in life when an old friend and fellow sheriff (Jeff Fahey) of a neighboring town is shot and leads to an investigation that helps him to regain his focus, direction, and excitement in life. Wopat has one of his best roles in years as a man over-the-hill yet still trying to hold on but story meanders and is never as compelling or exciting as it could have been. You can only imagine what The Coen Bros. or David Lynch could have done with material like this. Continue reading →
May 10, 2018 “Herbert West: Re-Animator” (** out of four) was a grisly Italian remake of the 1985 cult classic about a troubled scientist (Emanuele Cerman) experimenting around with a special serum that brings his daughter (Rita Rusciano) back to life but with unexpected and demented consequences. Plenty of gore but missing the sense of humor that made the original a standout for fans and is unexpectedly grim and serious instead. Italian scenery is beautiful and Cerman is solid in the lead role but it will eventually wear you out. Continue reading →
May 10, 2018 “Incoming” (*1/2 out of four) was an incomprehensible mishmash about an international space station which becomes a prison in which terrorists soon take over the station and turn it into a missile aimed at Moscow; a shuttle pilot (Aaron McCusker) and a doctor (Michelle Lehane) attempt to stop them but they their efforts are complicated by a rogue CIA agent (Scott Adkins) with agendas of his own. Too much mumbo and too much jumbo and not enough action in this uninspired dud. Some may consider this an acting stretch for one-note action star Adkins but don’t warm up that Oscar trophy just yet. Continue reading →
May 9, 2018 “Wraith” (*1/2 out of four) was a hokey supernatural thriller about a family (Jackson Hurst, Ali Hillis, Catherine Frances) who discover (yawn) a supernatural presence in their home and must enlist the services of a troubled priest (Lance Henriksen) to rid their home of evil. Umpteenth story of a haunted house, solemn religious rituals, and demonic possession turns to pure corn after a passable beginning. Henriksen could play this role in his sleep by now and does. Watch “The Wraith” with Charlie Sheen from 1986 instead for a movie with some scares and style. Continue reading →
May 8, 2018 “Family Blood” (*1/2 out of four) was a confusing and tedious horror show about a recovering drug addict (Vinessa Shaw) who relocates to a new city with her two teenage children but falls into the clutches of an evil neighbor (James Ransone) who threatens her and her children and their sanity. Much of it is routine, the rest murky and senseless. Even the usually strong Shaw seems to be mostly going through the motions. It’s about time these crop of horror movies received a transfusion of some fresh “blood.” Continue reading →
May 7, 2018 “Anon” (*** out of four) was a strikingly told melodrama set in a dystopian future without anonymity or crime in which a detective (Clive Owen) with personal problems of his own is called in to investigate a murder which leads him to a mysterious young woman (Amanda Seyfried) who threatens his safety and sanity. Intelligent and complex thriller from writer/director Andrew Niccol and an interesting comparative piece to his past works about the future “Gattaca” and “The Truman Show”. Owen is first-rate as usual; Seyfried is a little miscast and off her game here. Continue reading →
May 6, 2018 “The Con Is On” (*** out of four) was an engaging screwball comedy about a con-artist couple (Tim Roth and Uma Thurman) who flee from London to Los Angeles and hatch a jewel theft plot involving a neurotic actor (Crispin Glover) and other assorted eccentrics (Parker Posey, Sofia Vergara, Maggie Q). Good of its kind with some snappy dialogue and a breezy cast that appears to be in on the joke and having fun. Roth in particular is terrific and him and Thurman make a great team in a reunion from “Pulp Fiction.” Made in 2015 and strangely sat on the shelf for 3 years but deserving of its release and recognition. Continue reading →
May 3, 2018 “Primal Rage” (**1/2 out of four) was a middling horror thriller about a newly reunited couple (Casey Gagliardi, Andrew Joseph Montgomery) whose drive home through the Pacific Northwest turns into a grueling nightmare when their car breaks down and they are besieged by local rednecks and a monstrous local creature who preys on humans. First-half is tense and exciting and often has you on the edge of your seat. Unfortunately, film’s second half becomes pretentious and dull as it deals with the local law enforcement and the creature’s origins. A horrifying climax brings film back on track but what a shame. Jay Lee’s striking cinematography is an undeniable standout through-out. Continue reading →
May 3, 2018 “Darc” (*** out of four) was a moody, stylish underworld thriller in which a shady Interpol agent (Armand Assante) is forced to turn to the title character Darc (Tony Schiena) who is a former criminal turned vigilante with inside knowledge of the Yakuza mafia and attempts to bring down a global trafficking ring with ties to his troubled childhood. Plenty of martial arts action and hand-to-hand combat keep this moving solidly. Schiena is one-note and often blank in lead role but is surrounded by a strong supporting cast. A solid directorial debut for one-time Steven Seagal producer Julius Nasso and this often resembles a movie Seagal could have made 20 years ago in his heyday. Continue reading →
May 2, 2018 “The Body Tree” (*1/2 out of four) was a boring horror thriller about a group of American kids (Erica Dasher, Emma Dumont, Kyle Jones, and others) who travel to Siberia for honoring the member of their murdered friend but then uncover a sinister plot that threatens them all. Promising beginning leads nowhere as film soon sputters and becomes predictable and dull. Filmed in Canyon Ranch, unsuccessfully passing itself off as Russia. Continue reading →
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