July 28, 2018 “Mission Impossible: Fallout” (***1/2 out of four) was a dynamite sixth entry in this series which keeps getting bigger-and-better showing an ageless Tom Cruise and the rest of his IMF team (Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, and others) attempting to race against time when a former ally (Henry Cavill) turns traitor involving stolen plutonium which threatens worldwide detonation. Less-than-perfect script is hard to follow at times but is more than compensated by film’s hurtling pace and series of awe-inspiring stunts and action set pieces, particularly towards the end and film also deftly throws in more than a few familiar actors and characters from previous missions to keep things lively. One of the strongest, if not the best, in this series which began back in 1996. Continue reading →
July 26, 2018 “Upgrade” (** out of four) was an ugly futuristic action thriller in the mold of “BladeRunner” and “Total Recall” and too many others to mention about a man (Logan Marshall-Green) who despises technology but has nowhere left to turn when he is brutally attacked and paralyzed and his wife killed and a scientist friend infuses him with an experimental computer chip that can re-enact his brain function and enact his plans for bloodthirsty revenge. Intriguing story has some interesting plot points about technology and science set against a landscape of urban hell but both its script and direction could have used an upgrade. “Robocop” told almost this exact story much more mesmerically and powerfully over 30 years ago. Continue reading →
July 25, 2018 “Damascus Cover” (*** out of four) was an engrossing adaptation of Howard Kaplan’s 1977 underworld novel updated to the late 1980’s during the fall of the Berlin Wall about an international spy (Jonathan Rhys-Meyers) who is sent by his mentor (John Hurt) on a dangerous undercover mission to Syria to find out pertinent information on a world leader and former Nazi (Jurgen Prochnow) and falls in love with a journalist (Olivia Thirlby) whose real identity uncovers real secrets. Well-crafted and well-told story is exceptionally well-cast in all roles, and is particularly recommended for fans of Le Carre and the spy genre. Rhys-Meyers’ best role in a while; Hurt’s final film. He died shortly after this was completed. Continue reading →
July 25, 2018 “Little Pink House” (** out of four) was a slight melodrama based on a true story about a small-town nurse (Catherine Keener) who became the reluctant leader of her working-class neighbors when a greedy corporation (led by Jeanne Tripplehorn) attempted to seize their land (and their homes) in a case that made it all the way to the Supreme Court and changed eminent domain abuse. Multi-faceted story of the machinations of big business and politics and media coverage remains watchable but has been covered in numerous other films such as “The MIlagro Beanfield War” and “A Civil Action” and never quite stirs or moves in the way that it should. Keener’s heartfelt performance makes this worth watching at least for a little while. Continue reading →
July 24, 2018 “Of Gods And Warriors” (** out of four) was a lumbering medieval action drama about a Viking princess (Victoria Broom) forced to flee her land when she is framed for the murder of her father (Andrew Whipp) who is the King but she is then tutored and guided by the God Odin (Terrence Stamp) to build an army and build revenge to take back her throne. Mediocre pastiche of “Braveheart” and “Clash Of The Titans” and numerous other mythology stories is given a boost by Stamp who is first-rate as usual and at least the climactic battle is exciting. Continue reading →
July 23, 2018 “Broken Star” (*1/2 out of four) was an impenetratable story about a fallen starlet (Analeigh Tipton) who has been abandoned by her friends and family and finds herself secluded in a duplex with her reclusive and strange landlord (Tyler Labine) who she begins to realize may have a few screws loose. Some interesting dialogue at the outset about Tipton’s descent and addiction are eventually lost as film becomes sleazy, repetitive, and (after a while) boring. Disappointing directorial debut for “Game Of Thrones” cinematographer Dave Schwep. Continue reading →
July 22, 2018 “Ruin Me” (*1/2 out of four) was a dumb horror thriller about a former heroin addict (Marcienne Dwyer) who tags along with her friends and takes part in Slasher Sleepout which is an extreme camping trip that predictably turns deadly and lethal and she must figure out who is really involved in the event and who is the real killer. Dwyer is good but the film itself is ruined by irritating characters and predictable plot twists. Final plot twist is especially ridiculous but at least the movie is over soon afterwards. Continue reading →
July 22, 2018 “The Immortal Wars” (*1/2 out of four) was a mortally awful futuristic sci/fi thriller set in a wasteland prison in which a war exists between Deviants (aliens with bad makeup and worse wisecracks) and Humans (actors who look in need of makeup and have terrible dialogue). Eric Roberts sleepwalks his way through another token role as a sadistic prison administrator; Tom Sizemore chews and throws up the scenery as a loony inmate. Twenty years ago almost exactly he seared the screen in “Saving Private Ryan” but now looks like his career is in need of saving. Continue reading →
July 22, 2018 “Cheerleader Chainsaw Chicks” (* out of four) was a nearly unwatchable horror show about three cheerleaders (Alexis Giller, Calli Hynes, and Chloe White) attending “cheerleading camp” (!) and unknowingly become involved in a government facility theft and kidnapping and have to take matters into their own hands to restore order and seek justice. Obviously with a title like that you won’t be expecting Oscar material but the movie doesn’t even provide any trashy thrills or sex or anything providing any entertainment value. The chainsaw theme is appropriate since the movie literally looks like it was edited by a chainsaw. Continue reading →
July 22, 2018 “Duck Duck Goose” (*** out of four) was a likeable Netflix animated feature about a bachelor goose (voiced by Jim Gaffigan) who befriends two lost ducklings (voiced by Zendaya and Lance Lim) and embarks on an incredible journey down South with them. A little of this goes a long way but it’s visually spectacular with strikingly detailed animation that recalls some of Pixar’s finest works. Thin storyline prevents this from soaring but it’s dialogue and characterizations are better than you would expect. Good family fare of its kind. Continue reading →
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