November 22, 2025 “Texas Cult House” (*1/2 out of four) was a low-rent horror thriller about a group of friends (Adrianne Palicki, Ryan Cooper, Julius Royale Duenas Cruz, and others) who gather for a party at a house once owned by a cult leader and they find out too-little/too-late that the bloodthirsty leader is still alive and well and they are all going to be stalked to the death. Gimmicky gorefest is permeated with cliches and weak acting. Horror duds like this were more fun in the ’80’s. Inauspicious feature-film directing debut from SXSW festival filmmaker Julia Barnett. Continue reading →
November 22, 2025 “Killer Content” (*1/2 out of four) was a killer mistake about a deranged fan (Casey Casmira) who invades the home of her favorite social media star (Katie Keene) and plans to film her home invasion to become a social media star but doesn’t count on the star being an even bigger psycho than she is and turning the tables and holding her hostage. Potentially intriguing and ironic material about social media and stalking is blunted and bungled by ham-handed attempts at dark humor and irritating overacting. You can only imagine what Scorcese or Fincher would have done with juicy material like this. Continue reading →
November 22, 2025 “Distress Signals” (** out of four) was a hollow psychodrama thriller about a female hiker (Christine Nyland) who suffers a steep fall in the woods and is completely separated from her friends (Jonathon Strauss and Stephanie Hains) and is rescued by a fellow hiker (Terence Krey) who is not quite the helpful guy he appears. Better than most of its kind and holds you in its grip due to Nyland’s controlled and tense performance but is still overall plodding and overly familiar. Interestingly- both Nyland and Krey both co-directed, co-produced, and co-wrote this as well so hopefully this might be the “signals” of better work to come from them. Continue reading →
November 22, 2025 “The Lone Paddler” (** out of four) was an obvious horror melodrama about a group of friends (Vasilios Fillippakis, Emilie Moffat, Andrew Martin, and others) who embark on a camping trip but soon find they have been targeted by a sadistic lunatic (Scott Graham) intent on tearing them all apart, physically and psychologically. Good production values fail to bring fresh paint to a well-worn canvas and tired story. Film is crisply shot by Brian Berneker and decently acted but is only for those who’ve never seen “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” or “Deliverance” (or any of its imitations). Not to be confused with “The Lone Ranger.” Continue reading →
November 22, 2025 “Snow Falling On Pumpkins” (* out of four) was treacly sentimental drivel about a man (Ben Stobber) who discovers at 43 he has early onset Altzheimer’s Disease and realizes he is at a personal crossroads in life and finds spiritual guidance from a Cherokee mentor counselor (Tony Enos) and finds a new partner (Mel England) who becomes the love of his life. Painfully maudlin handling of interesting themes and material and all that’s missing in some scenes are strings and violins. Film’s topic of Altzheimer’s is appropriate since cast (and the audience) will like want to forget this as soon as possible. Continue reading →
November 22, 2025 “Altered” (**1/2 out of four) was a not-bad futuristic sci/fi melodrama set in an alternate universe in which artificial intelligence and genetically enhanced humans dominate society and two rebellious members (Tom Felton and Elizaveta Bugolova) of society try to overthrow and challenge the systematic and oppressive nature of the world as they know it. Writer/director Timo Viruoensola splatters together a lot of grand themes from a lot of usual futuristic influences (“Blade Runner”, “Robocop”, “2001”) which are derivative and don’t fully gel but this is more thought-provoking and ambitious than others of its ilk and most importantly never stops moving. Highly reminiscent of the earlier work of Phillip K. Dick. Filmed in Kazakhstan. Continue reading →
November 21, 2025 “Champagne Problems” (*** out of four) was a sparkling romantic comedy about a female business executive (Minka Kelly) who travels to France to see about acquiring a worldwide champagne company but instead falls in love with the champagne founder’s son (Tom Woniczka). No Dom Perignon or Kristal but good-natured performances and chemistry from the two leads and some occasional laughs make this a smooth and sweet brew. Highlight: a German character’s interpretation of “Die Hard” and how Hans Gruber was a misunderstood hero. Continue reading →
November 20, 2025November 20, 2025 “Day Of A Lion” (*1/2 out of four) was a turkey just in time for Thanksgiving about two sisters (real life sisters Bianca and Dilara Forscht) who reunite at their childhood home after their father’s death where they re-open old wounds and emotional trauma which leads them to question their past and present reality. Static story is stiff and inert and might have worked better as a two-character play. Both Forscht sisters wrote and directed and get an A for effort but this is a real yawner. Watch “The Lion King” instead. Continue reading →
November 20, 2025 “Double Exposure” (*1/2 out of four) was a sodden romantic melodrama about a struggling artist (Alexander Calvert) who finds himself grappling with guilt over his first love (Catherine Caylee Cowan) and how this overtakes his present relationship with another woman (Kahyun Kim) which turns his sanity and reality inside-and-out. Throwback to Hitchcock thrillers and French film noir of the 50’s and 60’s is usurped by dull execution and characters with no appeal whatsoever. Film has a corkscrew ending but you likely won’t make it that far. Continue reading →
November 15, 2025 “Deathstalker” (**1/2 out of four) was an efficiently done remake of the 1983 “cult classic” about the title rogue warrior (Daniel Bernhardt) who is tasked by an embittered witch (Christina Orjalo) to unite the 3 powers of creation but finds a multitude of treachery and adventure along the way. Light-hearted and not especially filling, as it lifts also from “Labyrinth” and “Legend” and also (at times) “The Princess Bride”, but at least writer/director Steven Kostanski keeps the story moving and gives you your money’s worth with visual effects and sword-and-sorcery action. Either way, this is FAR better than the 1983 original. Continue reading →
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