September 9, 2019 “It: Chapter Two” (*** out of four) was a hair-raising second entry in the adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel set 27 years after the original in which the now grown up members of The Losers Club (James Macavoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader, and others) are all brought back together by the return of the murderous clown Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard) and the need to put an end to their dark and unfinished childhood. Long at nearly three hours but masterfully told and crafted by director Andy Muschietti and cinematographer Checco Varese and (most importantly) features a very likeable cast who have strong camaraderie and chemistry together. Much more cerebral and gorier than the first but just as intense. Continue reading →
September 9, 2019 “Room For Murder” (** out of four) was an obvious, empty thriller about a girl (Lorynn York) who returns home from college and finds that a new tenant (James Maslow) who is living with her mother (Tanya Clarke) is also having an affair with her and also has a dark and mysterious past which soon comes to the surface. An anthology of thriller cliches made for anyone who has not seen a thriller before. For the rest of us, it’s competently made and acted but thoroughly routine and predictable. Easy to see why this bypassed theaters and premiered on television. Continue reading →
September 8, 2019 “Eternal Code” (* out of four) was an eternally awful thriller about a woman (Erika Hoveland) who discovers a significant flaw in the new fountain of youth invention that her company has invented and tries to correct this but finds that the administrators (Richard Tyson and Billy Wirth) want this to be silenced at any cost. A total waste of time, as unlikeable and unappealing characters are involved in a story that makes no sense at all. It’s always fun to see Tyson on screen but he may never top his role in “Three O’Clock High.” Continue reading →
September 8, 2019 “The Fanatic” (* out of four) was a horrendous thriller about an autistic and mentally handicapped man named Moose (John Travolta) whose unhealthy obsession with a film actor (Devan Sewa) gradually becomes psychotic. If you’ve wanted to see a mix of “I Am Sam” with “The Fan” then look no further but film is crude, stupid, and exploitative. You’d unfortunately expect nothing less from Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst who directed this mess. Travolta tries but is really tough to take in the lead role Continue reading →
September 7, 2019 “Dauntless: The Battle Of Midway” (*1/2 out of four) was an inept melodrama focusing on the pivotal WWII battle at Midway and how two soldiers (Joe Barrino and Aidan Bristow) were adrift at sea and facing certain death and awaiting to be rescued while their military superiors (C. Thomas Howell and Judd Nelson) figure out how to save them and not lose the war. Film looks cheap and completely lacks any tension or intrigue and co-stars Nelson and Howell are wasted. For a much grander look at the same subject, watch 1976’s “Midway” instead. Continue reading →
September 7, 2019 “Satanic Panic” (*1/2 out of four) was an extremely dumb comedy about a pizza delivery girl (Hayley Griffith) who has to fight for her life- and her tips- when an out-of-the-way delivery turns out to be a group of elite satanists (Rebecca Romjin, Jerry O’Connell, Ruby Modine, and others) who need a virgin sacrifice. Griffith’s likeable performance provides the only sparks to this toothless confection. O’Connell is only in the movie for all of one scene so at this point his career looks in a state of panic Continue reading →
September 7, 2019 “The Huntress: Rune Of The Dead” (*1/2 out of four) was a ponderous adventure story about an impoverished family (Peter Morlin, Moa Enqvist Stefansdotter, and others) living in the wilderness who have to suddenly arm themselves and prepare for the arrival of sudden evil which threatens to overtake them and their way of life. Crisp cinematography by Marcus Moller does all that it can to enliven and enrichen the story which moves like molasses and only comes to life in its final third. Steffansdotter tries in an underwritten role but this is still nothing worth hunting for Continue reading →
September 6, 2019 “Paradise Hills” (*1/2 out of four) was a lifeless fantasy film about a young girl (Emma Roberts) who is sent to a mysterious boarding school headed by a dutchess (Milla Jovovich) which reforms wayward girls but she tries to uncover the secrets of this mysterious school and escape. Striking cinematography by Lucas Vidal is pretty but otherwise this is pretty much of a bore. Jovovich is wasted in a role she can play in her sleep by now and Roberts is (bizarrely) made up to look like Lady Gaga. Seemingly inspired by “Alice In Wonderland” but completely lacking in any wonder or imagination. Continue reading →
September 6, 2019 “Bennett’s War” (*** out of four) was a stirring drama about a young soldier (Michael Roark) who is severely injured in combat with a broken back and leg and is medically discharged and has to overcome the personal and physical odds to become a champion motocross racer to support his loving family (Trace Adkins and Allison Paige). Powerhouse acting by all takes center stage here and makes this a must-see, even as some of the story melodramatics are a little hokey. Adkins, in particular, sears the screen as his dedicated and caring father. A small winner all around. Continue reading →
September 5, 2019 “Arctic Apocalypse” (** out of four) was a cheesy disaster movie about an influx of ice storms that triggers a new ice age in the Northern Hemisphere and a group of travellers (Joel Berti, Anna Sofie Christensen, Blake Dang, and others) who have to make their way and survive across the ice-covered landscape before they are frozen and killed. Never boring but not terribly original or exciting either. Inspired by the disaster movies from the 50’s and 60’s but seems even more directly influenced (and rips off) 2004’s “The Day After Tomorrow.” Continue reading →
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