October 11, 2019 “Confined” (*1/2 out of four) was a numbingly unpleasant thriller that confines viewers for nearly an hour-and-a-half about a man (Donnie French) whose wife (Caitlin Drance) is kidnapped by a ruthless sicko (Chris Dettone) out for revenge against the couple for an accident that occurred years earlier and he gives her only one week to find her which puts him to a psychological and physical endurance test. Exploitative and cheaply made movie puts viewers at their own endurance test even at its relatively brief running time. Continue reading →
October 10, 2019 “Rabid” (*** out of four) was a chilling horror story about an aspiring fashion designer (Laura Vandervoort) who is horribly disfigured after an accident and undergoes an experimental stem cell treatment which restores her looks but soon turns her world upside down and she finds she’s a rabid and bloodthirsty killer which leads to an outbreak of rabies all across the city! Not great, as film tries to juggle a few too many different ideas and story threads, but definitely a cut above the norm, with good performances and lots of splattering effects. Stephen McHattie is superb as the villainous doctor who saves her. Continue reading →
October 8, 2019 “Devil’s Revenge” (*1/2 out of four) was a grim horror thriller about a down-on-his luck archaeologist (Jason Brooks) in Kentucky who is determined to find an ancient relic from (naturally) the depths of Hell but he soon finds that this relic may have found him and it jeopardizes him and his family (Jeri Ryan and Robert Scott Wilson). William Shatner- in between “Star Trek” convention appearances- picks up a few bucks as his deranged father. Does anyone remember when these movies used to be fun? Continue reading →
October 8, 2019 “The Parts You Lose” (** out of four) was a languid melodrama about a young boy (Danny Murphy) in a sleepy North Dakota town who befriends a dangerous fugitive (Aaron Paul) on the run but gradually becomes unsure as to whether he can be trusted or not and whether this endangers his family. Beautifully photographed by Evans Brown in Canada but story never gains much momentum and thus never attains much emotional power. A film of great “parts” that unfortunately don’t congeal into a satisfying whole. “Mud” with Matthew McConaughey told a similar story in 2012 with more rich emotion and impact. Continue reading →
October 7, 2019 “Joker” (** out of four) was an oppressively weird and pretentious origin story of Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix), a mentally troubled man in Gotham City whose life goes on a downward spiral into depression and psychosis and violence and soon turns into his alter-ego of The Joker. Director Todd Phillips initially holds you with a mood and style that is a throwback to Martin Scorcese’s “Taxi Driver” but you begin to realize that’s all that the movie is, as it never shifts into high-gear and wallows in unpleasantness for nearly two hours. Phoenix is outstanding in the lead role but his character becomes monotonous after a while, much like the movie itself. Continue reading →
October 6, 2019 “Abominable” (*** out of four) was a cute animated children’s story about a teenage girl (voiced by Chloe Bennet) who finds a Yeti on the roof of her apartment and attempts to reunite him with his family but have to contend with an evil millionaire (voiced by Eddie Izzard) and a zoologist (voiced by Sarah Paulson) who want to capture him. Story and script are slight overall but lush and luminous animation makes this well-worth watching both for kids and animation fans. Beautiful and lyrical score by Rupert Gregson Williams with violins is a definite plus. Continue reading →
October 6, 2019 “My Soul To Keep” (*** out of four) was an overall well-done horror story about a young boy (Parker Smerek) who is convinced there’s a monster in his basement which is trying to steal his soul and he has to help convince his family before it is too late. Off-putting and slow-moving at first but film gradually builds in intrigue and momentum as it goes along and eventually grabs you. Director Ajmal Zaheer Ahmad harkens back to early Spielberg but directs with a strong style and atmosphere that makes this a sleeper. Continue reading →
October 5, 2019 “How To Get Rid Of A Body (And Still Be Friends)” (*1/2 out of four) was an utterly stupid and contrived comedy about three female best friends (Kristin Dattilo, Nicole Burch, and Kristen Lynn) who reunite for a weekend getaway but plans hit a detour when they accidentally kill a pizza deliveryman and they have to scurry to get rid of the body and cover things up. Humorous title provides the only real laugh in this almost complete fiasco. They should have gotten rid of the script and director instead. Filmed partially in Canaindagua, NY but upstate NY deserves far better than this. Continue reading →
October 5, 2019 “Nighthawks” (* out of four) was a disastrous “comedy” about two yuppies (Chase Crawford and Kevin Zegers) who venture into the NYC nightlife and are taken in by nighthawks which are an elite group of millenials who harbor dark secrets about the NY party scene. Opening scenes have some sharp dialogue but all is downhill after that, as movie meanders into numerous different directions and goes nowhere slowly. No relation to the 1981 Sylvester Stallone action movie of the same name but you may wish he’d show up and kick ass Continue reading →
October 5, 2019 “Santa Fake” (*1/2 out of four) was a treacly comedy drama about a young man (Damian McGinty) who immigrates from Ireland to America and soon finds himself possibly getting the job as the helper for Santa Claus in Santa Fe, New Mexico (get the title now?). Slapdash story tries to mix unfunny comedy with dismal attempts at Irish classic songs and underworld adventure into a holiday package well-worth rejecting. Jeff Fahey and Judd Nelson seem to have wandered in from a completely different movie and are wasted as moronic thugs. Continue reading →
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