May 31, 2023 “MobKing” (** out of four) was an uninspired mobster melodrama about a former underworld enforcer (Ciro Dapagio) returning home after a lengthy prison sentence and trying to go straight for the sake of his wife and daughter (Elisabetta Fantone and Celine Alva) but ties to his former mob boss (James Russo) and various other criminal figures (Robert Lasardo and Michael Villar) put all of them in the crossfire. Relatively strong acting make this watchable but it’s still a reheated platter of Scorsese/mob/underworld cliches. Say arrivederci to this and just re-watch “The Godfather”, “Good Fellas”, or even “Casino” again. Continue reading →
May 30, 2023 “Spinning Gold” (***1/2 out of four) was a first-rate biographical drama about legendary music-business executive Neal Bogart (Jeremy Jordan) showing his tough upbringing in Brooklyn to his overcoming incredible odds (and debt) in founding Casablanca Records which went onto become a blockbuster record label before his untimely (and early) death at age 39. Filled with wonderful period detail and music that plunges you right into the heart of the 1970’s and anchored by Jordan who is rock-solid in the lead role and guided by superb direction from Bogart’s son (Timothy Scott Bogart). Touching end credits show the real Neal Bogart on various interviews and talk shows. Continue reading →
May 29, 2023 “The Man With My Husband’s Face” (*1/2 out of four) was a one-note Hitchcock wannabe thriller about a woman (Koko Marshall) whose husband (Thomas Gipson) disappears on a kayaking trip; after he is declared deceased, she sees a man who is a dead-ringer for him leading her to the realization that he may not really be dead and setting off a chain reaction that threatens her sanity and safety. Intriguing premise yields pretty stale result. Shades of “Vertigo” and other classic thrillers but this won’t be in their category anytime soon. Continue reading →
May 29, 2023 “Nightmare Radio: The Night Stalker” (** out of four) was a grimy horror psychodrama about a late-night radio-show host (Paula Brasca) who receives a repeated caller who tests the limits of her sanity especially as she begins to realize he’s lurid and deranged and starts stalking her but how can she be sure when she doesn’t know what he looks like? Three directors are credited for this suspense thriller which is made with some flair and twisted style but eventually loses itself in its ozone of unpleasantness. Similar story was told with Robin Williams in 2006’s “The Night Listener.” Continue reading →
May 29, 2023 “The Swan Princess: A Fairytale Is Born” (*** out of four) was a winning sequel in this animated series about the continuing story of Uberta (voice of Jennifer Miller) who is preparing to give the luxurious royal sceptre to Odette and Derek (voices of Nina Herzog and Yuri Lowenthal) but another villainous queen (voice of Lin Gallagher) is plotting to overturn things and ruin the coronation. 11th in this series offers nothing groundbreaking in terms of story and is similar to previous entries but definitely offers sweeping and lush animation and the songs are better than you might expect. Mostly for fans of the series who should find it rewarding and entertaining. Continue reading →
May 28, 2023 “Coffee Wars” (** out of four) was a likeable but thin comedy about a vegan coffee company (led by Kate Nash and Toby Sebastian) that starts to gather popularity and momentum and attempts to compete in the World Barista Championship against some of the top coffee conglomerates in the world. Well-intentioned movie actually donated all its profits to various environmental and welfare charities but it’s a mild brew at best even for coffee lovers. Funniest aspect of the movie is Jason Stephens’ narration who keeps reminding everyone he is not Morgan Freeman. Continue reading →
May 28, 2023 “Abducted On Prom Night” (*1/2 out of four) was a stupid suspense thriller about a group of friends (Zoe Belkin, Melissa Bray, Micah Sanders Silva, and others) who attempt to celebrate the best night of their lives by going out on prom night but soon find themselves abducted by their deranged limousine driver (Brett Geddes) and realize this will be one night they will never forget. Umpteenth teens in jeopardy story where even the teens themselves are not very likeable and script is loaded with plot holes and logic gaps. Watch “Prom Night” (the original or its remake) instead. Continue reading →
May 28, 2023 “Razzen Nest” (* out of four) was a bewildering bore about a South African independent filmmaker (Michael Smulik) who meets with a Rotten Tomates-approved film critic (Sophie Kathleen Kozeluh) who meet in a film studio to record audio commentary for his new horror film but this leads to a new kind of horror as both of them find their lives in danger. Virtually the entire film consists of their audio commentary without being seen over footage that might have been borrowed from a Discovery Channel travelogue. Some of the cinematography is pretty but othewise you have been warned. Joe Dante bizarrely has a cameo playing himself. Continue reading →
May 28, 2023 “Dark Nature” (** out of four) was a predictable and obvious horror melodrama about a therapy group (Madison Walsh, Hannah Emily Anderson, Helen Belay, and others) who confront the various terrors of their past by going on (cue the ominous music) a hiking trip in the middle of the wilderness and encounter a real terror that makes them all unite together to try and survive. Good-looking cinematography by Jaryl Lim on beautiful locations in the Canadian Rockies highlight this pretty by-the-numbers movie. Maybe it’s about time horror filmmakers put to rest hiking in the woods for a while. Directorial debut of acclaimed “Metis” filmmaker Berkeley Brady. Continue reading →
May 28, 2023 “Beau Is Afraid” (*1/2 out of four) was a maddening melodrama about a man (Joaquin Phoenix) with severe mental health issues who suffers the sudden death of his mother (Patti Lupone) and embarks on a dark odyssey back home to hopefully give his life the comfort and closure it never had. Phoenix once again shows he’s willing to take on challenging material in a role even more unhinged and demented than his “Joker” role but this is awfully tough to take and unpleasant, not to mention long at about three hours. The kind of self-indulgent film either you love or hate. Continue reading →
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