September 4, 2022 “One Way” (*1/2 out of four) was a grimy, ugly action potboiler about a none-too-bright petty criminal (Colson Baker) who is on the run on a bus with a bag full of stolen cash and coke but has been shot and is bleeding and may need an immediate blood-transfusion from his sleazo father (Kevin Bacon) but can he get to him in time and can they stay alive? Or- if you don’t care why should we? Full of in-your-face violence and characters you can’t get away from and recommended only for those who want to see Bacon like you’ve never seen him before. Run the other “way” from this one-note timewaster. Continue reading →
September 4, 2022 “Wire Room” (**1/2 out of four) was an adequately done action thriller about a federal agent (Kevin Dillon) assigned to wire-room duty who begins to suspect a conspiracy and cover-up involving his mentor (Bruce Willis) and other various cops in the building and has to try and sort all this out from the confines of his solitary room. Passable direct-to-DVD fare has reasonable tension and action but never fully cuts loose. Dillon is first-rate as usual and gives his role maximum charge; sadly Willis’ health problems are all-too-evident here in what is now his final film role. Continue reading →
September 1, 2022September 1, 2022 “The Invitation” (** out of four) was a pallid horror thriller about a young woman (Nathalie Emmanuel) captivated by a prince charming (Thomas Doherty) but begins to uncover a sinister and gothic conspiracy is present that tears away at the fabric of her sanity. Sincere performance from Emmanuel keeps this on track for at least a little while but drab pacing and hokey scares make this an invitation well worth declining. Yet another ripoff of “The Shining” that can’t hold a candle. Continue reading →
September 1, 2022 “Killer Ambition” (*1/2 out of four) was a killer mistake about a successful jewelry store owner (Tahnee Harrison) who joins a secret female organization for successful business women but soon strange and sinister occurrences start happening. Glossy cinematography and lighting can’t disguise a muddled storyline that gets more ridiculous by the minute. Sean Kanan shows up in a key role as her vindictive ex but he should have karate-chopped this script and focused on “Cobra Kai” instead. Continue reading →
September 1, 2022 “Hunting Ava Bravo” (*1/2 out of four) was a dreary action thriller about a billionaire creep (Marc Blucas) who unwinds by hunting human captives on his remote mountain estate but his latest victim (Kate del Castillo) turns out to be one tough cookie and hard target and she soon turns the tables on him and turns the hunter into the hunted. Yet another variation on “The Most Dangerous Game” and this one is undone by limp pacing and tedium. Someone stop filmmakers from rehashing this story anymore before its entertainment value becomes extinct. Continue reading →
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