October 17, 2019 “The Drone” (** out of four) was a not-bad horror story about a newly married couple (Sam Adegoke and Anita Briem) who become terrorized by a consumer drone whose mind is synched with a deranged serial killer. Ultimately too pat and predictable to really take off but it’s reasonably well-directed and some of the murders by the done are nifty and well-staged. B-movie actor Rex Linn resurfaces after a while and has a minor part as an investigator who meets a humorous death. Continue reading →
October 16, 2019 “Stressed To Death” (*1/2 out of four) was a scattershot thriller about an EMT worker (Gina Holden) who had to make a life-or-death decision that resulted in a man dying. Ten years later, the man’s wife (Sarah Alden) hatches a murderous plan of kidnapping and revenge but all does not go as planned. Intriguing story goes nowhere, due to heavy handed direction and writing and some laughable dialogue and acting. Holden’s sincere performance is film’s only line of vitality. Continue reading →
October 15, 2019 “Zombieland: Double Tap” (** out of four) was a mindless sequel to the 2009 comic hit featuring the survivors from the original (Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin, and Jesse Eisenberg) moving to the American heartland as they have to face off against an evolved breed of zombies that threaten society as we know it. Director Ruben Fleischer employs the same in-your-face action, comedy, and stylistics from the original but it feels like an unnecessary retread and runs out of steam after a while. Harrelson’s gonzo performance and good chemistry between all of the leads give this as much fuel as it can but it still mostly fires blanks. Continue reading →
October 14, 2019 “The Addams Family” (** out of four) was a forgettable animated adaptation of Charles Addams’ cartoon series about the title family (voiced by Oscar Isaacs, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace-Moretz, Snoop Dogg, and more) who clash with a reality t.v. host (voiced by Allison Janney) who disapproves of their ghoulish ways and nature. Plenty of striking animation but not very many laughs and little story to hang anything on. Young kids and die-hard fans of the original series may want to take a look but this can’t hold a candle to the 1991 live-action adaptation or its 1993 sequel. Continue reading →
October 14, 2019 “Mary” (*1/2 out of four) was a stultifying horror story about a family (led by Gary Oldman and Emily Mortimer) looking to start a charter-boat business who buy a ship that they soon discover holds terrifying secrets once it’s out on open waters and they soon realize that all their lives are in danger until they resolve the mystery. Why Oldman is even in this dreck is a far greater mystery, however! Attractively shot but extremely dull. Written by Anthony Jaswinski who wrote “The Shallows”, a far better movie set out on the water. Continue reading →
October 13, 2019 “Survival Box” (*1/2 out of four) was a pretty boring horror melodrama in which seven teenagers (Boris Bilic, Michala Brasseur, Jessica Cummings, and others) are trapped in a wealthy family’s backyard bunker and have to stick together to psychologically and physically survive. Molasses pacing and dull characters make this practically unsurvivable even at only 85 minutes. Stirring music score by Sandy Nuttgens is one of film’s few virtues. Continue reading →
October 13, 2019 “Altered Skin” (*1/2 out of four) was a substandard horror melodrama about an American engineer (Robin Dunne) in Pakistan who stumbles upon a deadly pharmaceutical conspiracy which (what else) threatens worldwide destruction. It’s all so stupefyingly dull. Potentially affecting story of a pharmaceutical company and its horrifying effects is directed with virtually no energy or conviction. Plot is somewhat similar to “Resident Evil” but this makes that look like a masterpiece by comparison. Continue reading →
October 13, 2019 “Lucky Day” (*1/2 out of four) was an unlucky mess about a professional safe-cracker (Luke Bracey) just released from prison and half-heartedly attempting to go straight while a violent and unstoppable hitman (Crispin Glover) is out for revenge against him for the death of his brother. Sputters to a halt after a flashy opening and only gets dumber and uglier as it goes on. A disappointment from director Roger Avary who in better days co-wrote “Pulp Fiction” and directed the far more potent “Killing Zoe” in 1994. Continue reading →
October 12, 2019 “Cuck” (** out of four) was a monotonous melodrama about a psychologically unstable loner (Zachary Ray Sherman) who gains popularity as a vlogger but this only fuels his descent into madness and rage and escalates his progression to violence. Unpleasant story holds your attention for a little while but it eventually wears you out. Sherman ranges from effective to one-note in the lead. Legendary B-movie actress Sally Kirkland has a minor role as his mom but I doubt this is the comeback role she’s waiting for. Continue reading →
October 12, 2019 “The Birdcatcher” (** out of four) was a lugubrious WWII drama set in Norway in which a Norwegian Jew (Sarah-Sofie Boussnina) flees her homeland and seeks sanctuary on a farm in which she is forced to conceal her identity and pretend to be a boy but this damages her psychologically and leads to problems for many around her. Earnest subject matter has some powerful individual moments but is too slow-moving to carry the weight and impact it needs. Boussina’s strong performance in the lead is a plus. Continue reading →
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