Category: Uncategorized

“Jiu Jitsu” (** out of four) was a jumbled action thriller about a group of freedom fighters (Alain Moussi, Frank Grillo, and others) face alien invaders (led by Nicolas Cage) on a distant planet in a battle for Earth that will be fought to the death. Cage’s latest paycheck in the form of a direct-to-DVD is a throwback to cheesy kung-fu movies from the 1970’s; silly and ridiculous but at least it moves fast and features a proficient amount of fight sequences and effects. Ironically despite the title, there isn’t any jiu jitsu fighting whatsoever in the film.

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“Playhouse” (*1/2 out of four) was a dreary horror thriller set in the Scottish countryside in which a middle-aged writer (William Holstead) moves into a rural castle to write his new novel when he suddenly finds that his daughter (Grace Courtney) has- what else?- fallen prey to an evil curse that is lurking within the house. Not all that different from “House” or “The Amityville Horror” which came out 30-40 years ago and had more scares and style than this does. One of the most gloomy-looking movies in recent memory and likely won’t inspire many trips to Scotland anytime soon.

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“The Giant” (** out of four) was an overly remote small-town horror melodrama about a teenager (Odessa Young) who has just graduated from high-school whose missing boyfriend (Ben Schnetzer) suddenly re-appears when a series of murders suddenly start and she finds herself at a personal and psychological crossroads in life. Writer/director David Raboy works in a trance-like style that is initially hypnotic and alluring but film never builds much momentum and loses its grip after a while. Good performances and arty cinematography from Eric Yue are unable to camouflage void at film’s center.

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“Young, Stalked, And Pregnant” (*1/2 out of four) was a sterile thriller about a high-school girl (Taylor Blackwell) who finds herself pregnant from her boyfriend (Cody Sulek); upon deciding that she’d be best without him and moving on, she suddenly finds that her boyfriend and his psychotic mom (Tanya Clarke) are taking matters into their own hands to try to take control of their future child. Lackluster movie made for those who have never watched a thriller before or will rent just about anything from Redbox machines. Clarke’s creepy performance provides film’s only effective moments.

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“The Kid Detective” (*1/2 out of four) was a listless melodrama about a once-celebrated child detective who grows up to be a disheveled and hungover has-been (Adam Brody) who makes his living as a sticky gumshoe but finds perhaps a sense of redemption when a female client (Sophie Nelisse) hires him to find out who brutally murdered her boyfriend. Curiously glum and flat movie fails to engage on any level, despite Brody’s game performance. Film’s ending is genuinely bizarre but at least it’s over afterwards.

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“Loco” (**1/2 out of four) was a simpatico crime thriller about a young kid (Tim Torre) who gets involved in dealing the title addictive drug but soon falls in love with a fellow dealer (Geffri Maya) and becomes caught in a brutal underworld battle between two rival dealers (Craig Stark and Ski Carr) and finds that all is not what it seems. Routine story of dealings and doublecrossings is given sparks and a strong boost by its earnest cast. Stark is a standout as the main dealer with an ambiguous agenda. At least it’s no malo.

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“Airliner Sky Battle” (** out of four) was a relatively generic action thriller about a group of ruthless Russian terrorists (Daniel O’Reilly and Ego Mikitas) who hijack a commercial American jet and intend on crashlanding into a nuclear power plant near the White House that will devaste the Eastern seaboard; fortunately, some military passengers (Wade Baker, DeAngelo Davis, and others) onboard attempt to overthrow them and save the world. Not bad as these things go, with some zippy action and decent stunts and visual effects, but limited by its low-budget and secondhand production feel. Not all that different than Paul Greengrass’ cinema-verite “United 93”.

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“The Witches” (*** out of four) was a colorfully entertaining adaptation of Ronald Dahl’s classic novel about a young boy (Jahzir Bruno) and his grandmother (Octavia Spencer) who go to a hotel which they find has been overtaken by a coven of witches (led by Anne Hathaway) and the boy is soon transformed into a mouse who must revolt and overthrow them. Director Robert Zemeckis throws in cute visual effects, slapstick, and anything else he can into the brew to make it a fun watch for adults, children, and fans of Dahl’s novel. About on par with Nicholas Roeg’s previous 1990 adaptation which starred Angelica Huston. Narrated by Chris Rock.

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“Fatman” (0 stars out of four) was a perfectly dreadful melodrama/comedy about Santa Claus himself (Mel Gibson) who becomes embroiled in work involving military weapons designs and then becomes targeted by a ruthless underworld assassin (Walton Goggins) sent by a disappointed child! Absolutely incomprehensible story makes no sense and painfully goes nowhere for nearly two unpleasant hours. Might be the worst Christmas-themed movie since “Surviving Christmas.” Easily a career rockbottom for Gibson and is a lethal mess.

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“Let Him Go” (** out of four) was a moody but muted melodrama about a retired sheriff (Kevin Costner) and his wife (Diane Lane) grieving over the death of their son who embark on an odyssey to find their only grandson when his caretaker suddenly takes off with him which questions the strength and fabric of their relationship. Sober and somber but heavy-handed and sluggish and not all that moving. A disappointing reteaming of Costner and Lane who both played Superman’s parents in “Man Of Steel.” Guy Godfree’s crisp cinematography is an undeniable standout.

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