November 19, 2019 “Ford v. Ferrari” (** out of four) was an uninvolving melodrama based on the true story of American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and daredevil driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) who had to battle corporate interference and numerous technological obstacles to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the famous 24 Hours Of Le Mans in 1966. Despite good actors and production, film just does not connect emotionally and feels aloof and hollow. Race-car scenes in the final third work best but even then film drags on too long. A disappointment from director James Mangold who scored much bigger with “Logan” and “Walk The Line.” Continue reading →
November 18, 2019 “Line Of Duty” (*** out of four) was an arresting melodrama about a disgraced and disgruntled cop (Aaron Eckhart) who finds himself in a race against time as he attempts to find the kidnap victim of an abductor he shot and killed earlier on in the day! Nonstop story literally doesn’t stop to take a breath and throws you right in the midst of things from the opening scenes. Story becomes a little arbitrary and silly towards the end but it never stops being tense and wired. Eckhart’s usual rock-solid performance helps you overlook some script weaknesses and holes. Continue reading →
November 16, 2019 “Charlie’s Angels” (** out of four) was a half-hearted reboot of the 2000 original/1970’s television phenomenon about the three female warriors (Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Basinkska) who are called back into action by Bosley (Patrick Stewart) when a young smuggler (Chris Pang) turns out to be in possession of dangerous technology that could lead to worldwide destruction. Soulless mix of action, visual effects, and great stunt work; proof that an action film has to be more than just action and must have some story and characters. This team just doesn’t have the magic of the original series or Cameron, Drew, and Lucy and rings up empty, despite a few good action scenes. Continue reading →
November 15, 2019 “The Good Liar” (** out of four) was an unwieldy psychological thriller about a lifelong conman (Ian McKellen) who sets his sights on duping a millionaire widower (Helen Mirren) but soon finds that she has turned the tables on him and they both have personal ties together from the past that threaten their future. Both McKellen and Mirren are first-rate as always but story is more confusing than clever and never builds to a satisfying whole. Director Bill Condon’s first attempt at a Hitchcock thriller and likely his last. Continue reading →
November 14, 2019 “Lady And The Tramp” (** out of four) was an uninspired live-action remake of the 1955 Disney classic about an upper-class American cocker spaniel named Lady (voiced by Tessa Thompson) who meets a streetsmart schnauzer named The Tramp (voiced by Justin Theroux) who embark on adventures through the city together. Perfectly watchable kids fare has cute dogs and attractive production but lacks the magic and connection of the original. Yet another Disney remake that kids may like but still seems by-the-numbers and unnecessary. Continue reading →
November 12, 2019 “Midway” (***1/2 out of four) was a spectacular remake of the 1976 WWII classic focusing on the Battle Of Midway and the clash between the American fleet (Dennis Quaid, Woody Harrelson, Luke Evans, and others) and the Imperial Japanese navy (Jun Kunimura, Tadanobu Asano, and others) which marked a huge pivotal point during the war. Extravagant (and extraordinary) visual effects and action scenes puts you right there in the midst of battle and holding on for dear life. Actual Midway scenes are so realistic you almost feel you’re watching a documentary! A sensational achievement for director Roland Emmerich in a tribute to the heroism of war and what may be his best film ever. Bullseye! Continue reading →
November 11, 2019 “Primal” (*** out of four) was a sturdy action adventure about a world-weary big game hunter (Nicholas Cage) who sets sail on a Greek freight ship with a variety of rare breed animals and a convicted murderer (Kevin Durand) who escapes and sets loose all the animals which threatens the safety and security of everyone on board. Unusually sharp screenplay for this sort of fare with some clever dialogue for Cage in one of his better roles and most importantly- it never stops moving. Famke Janssen and Michael Imperioli pop up in minor supporting roles. Continue reading →
November 10, 2019 “Harriet” (** out of four) was a lumbering biography of Harriet Tubman (Cynthia Erivo) who escaped the horrors of slavery and set off on a personal journey to free thousands of slaves and trying to stay free herself and stay alive. Earnest but superficial treatment of a great historical figure; Erivo is OK in the lead role but somewhat one-note and aloof. Janelle Monae is somewhat stronger portraying Marie Buchanon. A disappointment from director Kasi Lemmons who previously directed “Eve’s Bayou.” Continue reading →
November 9, 2019 “Motherless Brooklyn” (** out of four) was a disappointing crime melodrama set in 1950’s NYC in which a private detective with Tourette’s Syndrome (Edward Norton) attempts to solve and uncover the murder of his mentor (Bruce Willis) but this leads him to the seamier and more violent side of the criminal underworld. Director and star Norton knows where and how to place his camera and tells his story in style but it’s a world we’ve been to many times before, in “L.A. Confidential” and “Gangster Squad” among many others. Norton is solid in the lead as always but he played a better version of a similar role in “The Score” and much of the supporting cast (including Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe, and Ethan Suplee) is wasted and given nothing to do Continue reading →
November 7, 2019 “Wounds” (** out of four) was a sputtering thriller set in New Orleans about a bartender (Armie Hammer) who finds a cell-phone left behind in his bar and then strange occurrences begin happening which gradually causes his life to fall apart and him losing his mind. Intriguing story holds your attention at first but you begin to realize after a while that story is eventually going nowhere as it becomes predictable and repetitive. One creepy scene at the very end involving thousands of bugs provides the only real jolt in the movie. And what the hell is Dakota Johnson doing in this movie as Hammer’s girlfriend? Continue reading →
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