Category: Uncategorized

“21 Bridges” (*** out of four) was a wired action thriller about a tough NYPD detective (Chadwick Boseman) who becomes thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers but gradually uncovers a massive conspiracy going on within the department that he has to uncover while trying to track the killers down and trying to stay alive all within one night! Improbable at times and features a few story weaknesses but so adrenalized and fast-paced and loaded with tense NYC atmosphere that it’s fun to watch just the same. Boseman is electric in the lead and makes this worth watching. An impressive feature directorial debut for noted television director Brian Kirk.

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“Vlogworthy” (* out of four) was a nearly worthless horror show about a vlogger (Kassandra Escandell) who is desperately trying to generate and increase sales for her homemade jewelry and meets another mysterious vlogger (Katalina Otter) who provides the success she has been looking for but this in turn leads to many other complications she did not realize. It’s movies like these that make you sorely regret the day the internet was invented. Decent actors can only do so much with such sleazy and low-rent material. Mark this as “unworthy” on your blog defines.

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“Acceleration” (** out of four) was a muddled action thriller about a determined mom (Natalie Burn) who is told she only has one night to perform vague tasks if she wants to see her son alive after he is held captive by a cold-hearted mob boss (Dolph Lundgren). Co-directors Michael Merino and Daniel Zirilli show some promise and shoot this with style but its routine script and story prevent this from fully “accelerating.” Lundgren sleepwalks through his role and is in the film very briefly; Burn does what she can in the lead

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“Brittany Runs A Marathon” (**1/2 out of four) was an agreeable comedy about an overweight young woman named Brittany (Jillian Bell) who decides to get her life together and start training for the New York City marathon but finds this is harder than she initially thought. Uneven movie has enough laughs and surprisingly tender moments to make it overall worthwhile. Bell’s first-rate performance holds the script together and keeps you watching even through periodic lulls.

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“Playing With Fire” (** out of four) was a silly comedy about a team of fearless and rugged firefighters (John Cena, John Leguizamo, Keegan-Michael Key) who have overcome terrifying obstacles on the job but are overwhelmed when having to take care of and watch three kids (Christian Convery, Brianna Hildebrand, and Finley Rose Slater) who are separated from their families following an accident. Enthusiastic cast gets all the mileage it can out of a paper-thin script but after a while- it’s like squeezing blood from a stone. A mediocre production from Nickelodeon but kids may like it anyway

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“Ford v. Ferrari” (** out of four) was an uninvolving melodrama based on the true story of American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and daredevil driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale) who had to battle corporate interference and numerous technological obstacles to build a revolutionary race car for Ford and challenge Ferrari at the famous 24 Hours Of Le Mans in 1966. Despite good actors and production, film just does not connect emotionally and feels aloof and hollow. Race-car scenes in the final third work best but even then film drags on too long. A disappointment from director James Mangold who scored much bigger with “Logan” and “Walk The Line.”

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“Line Of Duty” (*** out of four) was an arresting melodrama about a disgraced and disgruntled cop (Aaron Eckhart) who finds himself in a race against time as he attempts to find the kidnap victim of an abductor he shot and killed earlier on in the day! Nonstop story literally doesn’t stop to take a breath and throws you right in the midst of things from the opening scenes. Story becomes a little arbitrary and silly towards the end but it never stops being tense and wired. Eckhart’s usual rock-solid performance helps you overlook some script weaknesses and holes.

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“Charlie’s Angels” (** out of four) was a half-hearted reboot of the 2000 original/1970’s television phenomenon about the three female warriors (Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Basinkska) who are called back into action by Bosley (Patrick Stewart) when a young smuggler (Chris Pang) turns out to be in possession of dangerous technology that could lead to worldwide destruction. Soulless mix of action, visual effects, and great stunt work; proof that an action film has to be more than just action and must have some story and characters. This team just doesn’t have the magic of the original series or Cameron, Drew, and Lucy and rings up empty, despite a few good action scenes.

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“The Good Liar” (** out of four) was an unwieldy psychological thriller about a lifelong conman (Ian McKellen) who sets his sights on duping a millionaire widower (Helen Mirren) but soon finds that she has turned the tables on him and they both have personal ties together from the past that threaten their future. Both McKellen and Mirren are first-rate as always but story is more confusing than clever and never builds to a satisfying whole. Director Bill Condon’s first attempt at a Hitchcock thriller and likely his last.

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“Lady And The Tramp” (** out of four) was an uninspired live-action remake of the 1955 Disney classic about an upper-class American cocker spaniel named Lady (voiced by Tessa Thompson) who meets a streetsmart schnauzer named The Tramp (voiced by Justin Theroux) who embark on adventures through the city together. Perfectly watchable kids fare has cute dogs and attractive production but lacks the magic and connection of the original. Yet another Disney remake that kids may like but still seems by-the-numbers and unnecessary.

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