September 14, 2024 “The Twisters” (** out of four) was a cheesy mock-buster of “Twisters” (if you couldn’t guess from the title) about a series of deadly tornadoes in the Midwest that converge into one while a group of daredevils and weather specialists (Tiffany, Mark Justice, Kayla Fields, and others) try to study it but at the same time steer clear and stay alive. Not bad for what it is, with some good visual effects and action scenes, but simply a low-budget replicant of the real thing. Continue reading →
September 13, 2024 “Lady Scorpions” (*1/2 out of four) was an underwhelming underworld melodrama about a rogue DEA agent (Cynthia Rockrock) who teams up with her equally tough-as-nails daughter (Caitlin Dechelle) to save her granddaughter (Sofia O’Brien) from the clutches of a powerful head of a criminal organization (Jeff Fahey who can- and does- play this role in his sleep). Fairly fast-paced but still fizzles and doesn’t have much to keep you invested or involved. Action fare like this was a lot more fun in the 80’s. Continue reading →
September 7, 2024 “Wrongful Death” (*1/2 out of four) was a wrongful movie about a narcissistic journalist (Alexander Man) and a mean-spirited woman (Isabella Brenza) who are captured in a room where an unseen man (Michael Pare) torments them in a game of life-and-death in which they have to follow all his instructions and rules to survive. If this sounds at all familiar, one of the characters even comments on how this is all similar to the movie “Saw” as justification for ripping that movie off. This timewaster should quickly die it’s own “death” at Redbox before vanishing forever. Continue reading →
September 7, 2024 “Behave” (*1/2 out of four) was a clunky horror thriller about a group of friends (Washim Abdul Gafoor, Eleonara Bindi, David Bourne, and others) who are reeling from the death of one of their friends and go to a villa in London to party and let loose when a psychopathic killer follows them and havoc breaks loose. Nothing you haven’t seen one million times before and you won’t see again done better; the killer dresses like Ghostface and the movie pays homage to (i.e. rips off) “Scream.” Continue reading →
September 7, 2024 “Rebel Ridge” (*1/2 out of four) was an ungainly suspense melodrama about a former marine (Aaron Pierre) who shows up in a small town to post bail for his incarcerated cousin but this escalates into an all-out war with the local police (led by Don Johnson) as he attempts to expose their corruption and criminal behavior and escape town with his cousin. Good performances do all they can to elevate this slight story but it goes on forever at 2 hours and 11 minutes and never takes off. John Boyega originally was cast in the lead and shot multiple scenes and then left midway through production with his scenes re-shot with Pierre. Continue reading →
September 6, 2024 “First Shift” (**1/2 out of four) was a reasonably compelling suspense melodrama about a veteran alcoholic cop (Gino Anthony Pesi) who is paired with a rookie partner (Kristen Renton) as they attempt to navigate the dangerous streets of NYC and solve a murder. Not much plot per se and is hindered by routine framework but does have some strong hard-boiled dialogue and flavorful NYC atmosphere and succeeds in conveying the dangerous job of police work. An unusual film for schlock horror filmmaker Uwe Boll and also one of his better works. Continue reading →
September 6, 2024 “Out Come The Wolves” (** out of four) was a pretty toothless suspense melodrama about a group of friends (Missy Peregrym, Joris Jarsky, Damon Runyan) who go on a hunting trip in the wilderness where they are all besieged and attacked by a ravenous pack of wolves and they have to draw upon their own killer instincts for survival. The attack scenes with the wolves are vivid and terrifying but the human drama and story in between is pretty dull. It’s a film like this that makes you appreciate even more how majestic “The Revenant” was. Continue reading →
September 1, 2024 “The Deliverance” (*1/2 out of four) was a cliche-ridden horror shocker about an Indiana family (Andra Day, Anthony B. Jenkins, Caleb McLaughlin, and others) who discover (yawn) strange occurrences in their household that leads them and their community (Glenn Close, Mo’Nique, Omar Epps, and others) that the house is a portal to Hell. Allegedly based on the Latoya Ammons family possession but seems more based on “Poltergeist”, “The Gate”, and “The Amityville Horror” among countless others. What the hell is Close doing in this movie? Continue reading →
dlepikcom 