March 7, 2023 “Ambush” (*1/2 out of four) was a clunky action thriller about a group of special operative commandos (Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Aaron Eckhart, Gregory Sims, and others) who are sent in to a village to obtain pertinent information that can change the fate of the war but soon find themselves in the midst of an escalating war that tests all their loyalty and safety. Starts off strong but then gets bogged down and gets tedious and never gets back on track. This type of story worked better with Chuck Norris and Jean Claude Van Damme back in the ’80’s. A particular waste of Eckhart who spends almost the whole film on walkie-talkie. Continue reading →
March 7, 2023 “Children Of The Corn” (** out of four) was a more-of-the-same entry in this inexplicably endless horror series about another group of vindictive and violent Midwestern children (Elena Kampouris, Kate Moyer, and others) who are spurred on by the irresponsibility of the adults (Callan Mulvey, Bruce Spence, and others) in the town who ruined their crops and set everyone on a path of destruction. Allegedly a prequel to the original and not a remake but it’s really the same story as all other entries, no better or no worse. Hard to believe this is the 11th entry in a series that began nearly 40 years ago! Filmed in 2020 and only being released now but overall feels like stale corn. Continue reading →
March 6, 2023 “Bikini Hackers” (*1/2 out of four) was a low-brow comedy about a series of none-too-bright young girls (Caroline Elise, Samantha Venable, Zoe Meehan, and others) who conspire to take down some of the world’s top financial systems through hacking but trickery and treachery awaits them at almost every turn. With a title like that, you know not to expect a cinematic artful masterpiece but film offers hardly any sex or violence either or any cheap thrills which make you wonder why the hell it was made in the first place. Even though it’s a film centered around hacking, film looks and feels like it was made by a group of hacks instead. Continue reading →
March 6, 2023 “The Paramedic Who Stalked Me” (** out of four) was an overheated suspense potboiler about a young woman (Lexi Minetree) whose life is saved by a paramedic (Andrew Spach) who becomes obsessed with her and turns out to be a serious sicko that kills anyone who gets in the way of him having her in his life. Initially engrossing and holds your attention with its skillful performances but story gets progressively sillier and deteriorates before its ridiculous conclusion. Nowhere near as awful as some other “Fatal Attraction” wannabes but still in need of some good script and story medics of its own. Continue reading →
March 6, 2023 “The Outwaters” (*1/2 out of four) was a fatally pretentious and overdone horror potboiler about four friends (Robbie Banfitch, Angela Basolis, Scott Schamell, and Michelle May) who go on a camping trip to the Mojave Desert but soon find themselves menaced and stalked by an unseen phenomena that soon threatens their sanity and safety. Star Banfitch also wrote and directed and evidently watched “The Blair Witch Project” several times before making this and tries to compensate with irritating overdirection; relentlessly jerky camera movements may make you reach for the dramamine and loud noise effects will eventually give you a headache. Continue reading →
March 4, 2023 “Creed III” (***1/2 out of four) was a dynamite third entry showing Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) who has retired from the ring and now runs a boxing gym training and mentoring new boxers but a dangerous childhood friend (Jonathan Majors) from the past re-emerges and challenges him to get back in the ring. Jordan is sensational again in the lead role and Majors matches him with volatile intensity; a very impressive directorial debut for Jordan who is slick and skillful in telling what is probably the best “Creed” entry and the best “Rocky” entry since “Rocky IV” although Sylvester Stallone sat this round out. Boxing scenes are first-rate! Continue reading →
March 4, 2023 “Spoonful Of Sugar” (*1/2 out of four) was a colossally sour suspense thriller about a college student (Morgan Saylor) who is hired to take care of a sickly mute child (Danilo Crovetti) but finds that strange occurrences are going on at the estate and his parents (Kat Foster and Myko Olivier) are a peculiar bunch. Ugly and unpleasant story packs in sadomasochism, child molestation, and repeated scenes of torture and bondage to give everyone their money’s worth. Saylor tries in the lead but by the end this is one sugar offering that will likely give you indigestion. Continue reading →
March 4, 2023 “Trigger” (** out of four) was a slight melodrama about two former friends and rock musicians (Tracy Wright and Molly Parker) who reunite over one night at dinner and reminisce about their wild past lifestyles and engage in a long night of indulgence in which they bring back memories of their past lives and what could have been- and maybe what should be- as they are now adults. Interesting story of two former thrill-seekers and rock musicians now reconnecting in middle-age is muffled by jumbled presentation and direction which prevents you from being involved in these characters. Sadly, Wright died after this film was completed and this is the final film of “Go” star Sarah Polley who has a minor role. Continue reading →
March 4, 2023 “The Red Dress” (*1/2 out of four) was a pretty boring suspense psychodrama about a married couple (Callum Blue and Rachel Skarsten) who relocate to Malta after the loss of their child but find that strange occurrences start happening after their move which threaten their marriage, their unity, and their sanity. Plodding and predictable, as film goes nowhere slowly through the usual standard-issue thriller themes. Filmed in 2015 and re-tooled and released now to no avail; I wasn’t the biggest fan of 2003’s “Cold Creek Manor” but that told the same story with far more panache and style. “The Dead Dress” would be a better title for this clunker. Continue reading →
March 4, 2023 “Her Affair To Die For” (*1/2 out of four) was a stale suspense thriller about a roommate (Meghan Carrasquillo) whose roommate (Logan Mariner) starts dating an older man (Ryan Francis) who she develops a serious crush and fixation on which leads to an onslaught of problems for all of them (and the audience). Packed with the usual logic gaps and contrivances of this genre but doesn’t feature enough twists or suspense or much of anything else to make it worthwhile or justify its existence. 1957’s “An Affair To Remember” offers more tension and drama (and probably thrills) than this timewaster. Continue reading →
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