June 27, 2019 “Disappearance” (** out of four) was a lumbering thriller about a wealthy author (Matthew Marsden) who disappears from his sailboat one night prompting a determined detective (Reggie Lee) to investigate and interrogate his wife, his girlfriend, and his captain (Jemma Dallender, Chloe Catherine Kim, and Brian Thompson) to sort out what really happened and find him before it is too late. Muddled attempt at a Hitchcock-like “Rashomon” story with flashbacks and story twists. Attractively shot and well-produced but fails to connect. This one should “disappear” from Redbox machines pretty quickly. Continue reading →
June 26, 2019 “Bittersweet Symphony” (** out of four) was a leaden melodrama about a young musician (Suki Waterhouse) who starts to gain some prominence after completing a soundtrack to a Hollywood film just as personal and family problems threaten to overtake her. Good performances are stymied by script and direction that are adrift and story never attains the emotional resonance or connection it wants. One-time 80’s star Jennifer Grey re-appears here as the girl’s mentor and gives a bright performance. Byetheway, this has no relation to The Verve smash of the same name. Continue reading →
June 26, 2019 “Marriage Killer” (*1/2 out of four) was a sour thriller about a happily married couple (Jeremy London and Barbie Castro) who meet a sexy stranger (Kristen Renton) who convinces them to attend a singles club and soon she leeches onto them and immerses herself in their family dynamics driving them apart and turning their lives upside down. Renton is good in the lead but script grows more ridiculous by the minute, especially in its final half-hour when it really goes off the rails. Yet another “Fatal Attraction” wannabe that’s a fatal waste of time and talent. Continue reading →
June 25, 2019 “Child’s Play” (* out of four) was an inferior-in-every-way remake of the 1988 classic horror story about a single mother (Aubrey Plaza) who gives her son (Gabriel Bateman) a birthday toy doll named Chucky who is a sinister and sadistic maniac who becomes let loose on the city. With all the emotional power and voodoo/serial killer backstory of the original removed (and even the murder scenes dumb and poorly staged)- what’s left is one more routine killer-doll story and another dreadful remake that can’t even hold a candle to the original. Mark Hamill voices Chucky this time around but his grating and whiny vocals make you yearn for original voice Brad Dourif. Continue reading →
June 24, 2019 “Anna” (*** out of four) was a stylish action thriller about the title character (Sasha Luss) who is recruited to become a deadly KGB agent and assassin and masquerades as a top fashion model in France but soon finds that it is hard to decipher the truth and who her friends really are. Director Luc Besson throws in international intrigue, exotic locales, and sleek action to make this very entertaining even though this all-too-obviously borrows from his breakthrough “La Femme Nikita”, his recent “Lucy”, and also the even more-recent “Atomic Blonde.” It may be time for him to move on from films about female assassins. Cillian Murphy and Helen Mirren stand out in terrific supporting roles. Continue reading →
June 23, 2019 “Acceptable Damage” (** out of four) was a bland melodrama about the personal and emotional war between a young mother (Fiona Whitelaw) who has a daughter with Asperger’s syndrome and the leader (Jack Brett Andersen) of a vicious street gang who targets them for retribution but this battle takes a psychological toll on all of them. Never very compelling or involving, despite intense subject matter and themes. Many critics raved over this film but I’m not one of them. Continue reading →
June 23, 2019 “Nightmare Cinema” (**1/2 out of four) was a better-than-average horror story done in the mold of “Creepshow” about five strangers who converge at a haunted movie theater owned by The Projectionist (Mickey Rourke) and they are subject to five separate tales showing their worst fears coming to life. Uneven and excessive at times but has enough flashes of style and macabre wit and tongue-in-cheek violence to make it more reputable than most of its company. Best segments are directed by Joe Dante and Mick Garris. Film actually uses the original theme from “Creepshow” in the beginning as an amusing homage. Continue reading →
June 23, 2019 “Clickbait” (* out of four) was a nonsensical “satire” of social media and internet sensations about a college student (Colby Stewart) who will do just about anything to obtain internet status who becomes kidnapped by a deranged fan and her reluctant roommate (Brandy Aguilar) is the only one who can save her. Why do any of these people think they’re our friends? For a more clever or scary or mildly intelligent look at the internet, watch “Unfriended” or “Her” instead. Click the X on this dumb and unpleasant movie. Continue reading →
June 23, 2019 “Strange Events 2” (* out of four) was a desperate horror sequel about an anthology of stories involving ghouls, ghosts, and various paranormal activity all coming to life. Each story is duller than the last. Speaking of which- when did anthology horror movies become so popular all of a sudden? This complete yawner should hopefully put this strange new trend in shutdown. This is only (repeat ONLY) for those who thought the original “Strange Events” was robbed at Oscar time. Continue reading →
June 22, 2019 “Say My Name” (*** out of four) was a roller-coaster madcap comedy about two strangers (Nick Blood and Lisa Brenner) who meet for a one-night stand which is interrupted by a robbery. They find themselves subsequently arrested and charged with the crime and have to escape, prove their innocence, and stay alive and find that they actually have fallen in love with another! Totally unbelievable but totally entertaining movie zig-zags from zany comedy to adventure to surprisingly touching drama all without losing its light and fun touch. Blood and Brenner’s terrific performance and chemistry makes key difference. Continue reading →
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