September 6, 2022 “Not Alone” (*1/2 out of four) was more-of-the-same supernatural hokum about a tight-knit family (Sarah Schroeder-Matzkin, Pat Healy, and others) who buy a luxurious mansion at a bargain price but soon come to find that it has lots of ominous history involving paranormal activity; they turn to an exorcism doctor (Richard Lawson) but soon learn that he’s off-the-wall too. Utterly predictable and suspenseless and story eventually decays into sheer corn. Hopefully I’m “not alone” in being tired of these movies and wishing horror filmmakers would finally come up with something new. Continue reading →
September 5, 2022 “They/Them” (*1/2 out of four) was a ridiculous horror thriller about various campers (Austin Crute, Quei Tann, Cooper Koch, and others) at an LGBTQ+ conversion camp run by a sadistic creep (Kevin Bacon) who utilizes intense psychotherapy techniques; meanwhile a killer is on the loose and stalking them all one by one. Borderline offensive look at a serious subject matter and highly unpleasant at times. One of the characters mentions “Friday The 13th” which this movie rips off at times. Bacon’s smirking performance is good for a few laughs and Anna Chlumsky has a key role as one of the camp counselors but “they” ought to be picking better scripts than this. Continue reading →
September 5, 2022 “Breaking” (** out of four) was a muddled melodrama about a former-Marine veteran (John Boyega) who suffers a personal and mental breakdown and decides to holdup a bank resulting in a standoff with him and the various police operatives (led by Michael Kenneth Williams) who have their own agenda. Earnest attempt to showcase the PTSD and various other problems veterans face but it’s superficial at best. Boyega’s strong performance gives this movie a lot more emotional force. Williams is dynamic as usual in what was his final role. Continue reading →
September 5, 2022 “Three Thousand Years Of Longing” (** out of four) was an earthbound fantasy adaptation of A.S. Byatt’s short-story about a lonely scholar (Tilda Swinton) who goes on a trip to Istanbul and encounters a Djinn (Idris Elba) who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom but she never realizes how this will fully change her life. Director George Miller throws expensive visual effects and sets at you but it all rings hollow since there is hardly any magic in the story itself or characters and thus the film itself. A well-intentioned effort that simply runs dry. Cinematographer John Seale came out of retirement to film this movie and his glowing work is an undeniable plus. Continue reading →
September 4, 2022 “Who Invited Them?” (* out of four) was a disastrously lame suspense potboiler about a couple (Ryan Hansen and Melissa Tang) who have a housewarming party but one couple (Timothy Granaderos and Perry Mattfeld) stubbornly remains after all the others leave and they begin to suspect that they are nefarious strangers out to take over their minds (and souls). Or something like that. Stilted and stupid and goes nowhere slowly. Don’t bother “inviting” yourself to this ridiculous clunker. Continue reading →
September 4, 2022 “One Way” (*1/2 out of four) was a grimy, ugly action potboiler about a none-too-bright petty criminal (Colson Baker) who is on the run on a bus with a bag full of stolen cash and coke but has been shot and is bleeding and may need an immediate blood-transfusion from his sleazo father (Kevin Bacon) but can he get to him in time and can they stay alive? Or- if you don’t care why should we? Full of in-your-face violence and characters you can’t get away from and recommended only for those who want to see Bacon like you’ve never seen him before. Run the other “way” from this one-note timewaster. Continue reading →
September 4, 2022 “Wire Room” (**1/2 out of four) was an adequately done action thriller about a federal agent (Kevin Dillon) assigned to wire-room duty who begins to suspect a conspiracy and cover-up involving his mentor (Bruce Willis) and other various cops in the building and has to try and sort all this out from the confines of his solitary room. Passable direct-to-DVD fare has reasonable tension and action but never fully cuts loose. Dillon is first-rate as usual and gives his role maximum charge; sadly Willis’ health problems are all-too-evident here in what is now his final film role. Continue reading →
September 1, 2022September 1, 2022 “The Invitation” (** out of four) was a pallid horror thriller about a young woman (Nathalie Emmanuel) captivated by a prince charming (Thomas Doherty) but begins to uncover a sinister and gothic conspiracy is present that tears away at the fabric of her sanity. Sincere performance from Emmanuel keeps this on track for at least a little while but drab pacing and hokey scares make this an invitation well worth declining. Yet another ripoff of “The Shining” that can’t hold a candle. Continue reading →
September 1, 2022 “Killer Ambition” (*1/2 out of four) was a killer mistake about a successful jewelry store owner (Tahnee Harrison) who joins a secret female organization for successful business women but soon strange and sinister occurrences start happening. Glossy cinematography and lighting can’t disguise a muddled storyline that gets more ridiculous by the minute. Sean Kanan shows up in a key role as her vindictive ex but he should have karate-chopped this script and focused on “Cobra Kai” instead. Continue reading →
September 1, 2022 “Hunting Ava Bravo” (*1/2 out of four) was a dreary action thriller about a billionaire creep (Marc Blucas) who unwinds by hunting human captives on his remote mountain estate but his latest victim (Kate del Castillo) turns out to be one tough cookie and hard target and she soon turns the tables on him and turns the hunter into the hunted. Yet another variation on “The Most Dangerous Game” and this one is undone by limp pacing and tedium. Someone stop filmmakers from rehashing this story anymore before its entertainment value becomes extinct. Continue reading →
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