Category: Uncategorized

“Shazam” (*** out of four) was an enchanting adaptation of the DC comic book story about a streetwise 14-year old (Asher Angel) who finds he is able to magically transform into a crime-fighting superhero named Shazam (Zachary Levi) which leads to all-out war with an evil physicist (Mark Strong) who wants the superhero powers for his own. No masterpiece but film more than entertains with some impressive visual effects and solid action set pieces and a few unexpectedly touching moments regarding abandonment and adolescence along the way. A definite treat for comic book fans and DC fanatics.

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“The Beach Bum” (* out of four) was a plotless mess about a carefree stoner (Matthew McConaughey) who ambles through life in Florida and sees no reason to change or take life seriously. Thus, there’s virtually no reason to take the movie seriously either. Yet another pointless mix of sex, drugs, and debauchery from director Harmony Korine who in better days wrote the classic “Kids”. McConaughey is pretty one-note but doesn’t have a whole lot to work with here and a top-drawer supporting cast including Jimmy Buffett, Snoop Dogg, and Martin Lawrence are completely wasted.

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“General Commander” (** out of four) was a middling action potboiler about a GRS operative (Steven Seagal) and his team of young recruits (Ron Smoorenburg, Sonia Couling, and others) who attempt to take down an international cartel but danger and deception lurks around all corners for them. By the standards of Seagal’s output over the last 20 years, this isn’t bad and features a sufficient amount of hand-to-hand combat and gunplay, but story is too murky and lumpy. Seagal mumbles and sleepwalks as usual and it might finally be time for him to retire his trademark wig. Vibrantly shot by Ross Clarkson.

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“Pet Sematary” (** out of four) was a needless remake of the Stephen King classic about a doctor (Jason Clarke) and his family (Amy Seimetz, Jete Laurence) who move to Maine and meet a strange neighbor (John Lithgow) who leads them to discover a mysterious burial ground which brings the dead back to life and naturally havoc ensues. Some creepy moments and scares to be sure (the scene of their daughter getting killed is an undeniable jolt) but a definite feeling of deja vu hangs over the proceedings. Film also lacks the moody atmosphere and shock value (and laughs) that made “Pet Sematary Two” the best of the lot.

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“The Haunting Of Sharon Tate” (*** out of four) was an elegant horror film set in the summer of 1969 in which rising actress Sharon Tate (Hilary Duff) and her friends (Jonathan Bennett, Lydia Hearst) were slaughtered by Charles Manson (Ben Mellish) and his followers. Director Daniel Farrands does a masterful job of weaving suspense with character development in convincing 60’s detail and sustains an uneasy tension as he plunges you into one of the darkest chapters in American murder history. Imperfect to be sure but overall well-done. Duff is strong in the lead. Helped immensely by Fantom’s haunting music score.

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“Red Island” (*1/2 out of four) was a boring horror thriller about a vacationing couple (Georgie Daburas and Alex Essoe) who become stranded on an isolated island (hence the title) and are spooked and stalked by an unforeseen force. You keep thinking that something/anything will happen but nothing ever does as film drags and meanders towards its uneventful conclusion. Inauspicious directorial debut for noted cinematographer Lux but even his cinematography on this one looks pretty average.

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“Pet Graveyard” (*1/2 out of four) was a wretched horror thriller about a group of teens (Rita Siddiqui, Andrew Hollingworth, David Cotter, and others) who undergo an experiment which allows them to revisit the dead but naturally things go fatally wrong as their past mistakes and sins come back to haunt them. The kind of low-budget movie that is made and released to cash in on a much larger one (“Pet Sematary” in case anyone didn’t guess) but this actually rips off “Flatliners” and also “Witchboard” in equal measure so no one feels left out of the party. But you can’t bring dead themes and a dead movie back to life.

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“Us” (*** out of four) was a strikingly told horror thriller about a family (Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elisabeth Moss) who vacation at a serene woodside home and are terrorized by a mysterious group of doppelgangers which causes them to mentally and physically unravel as they struggle to fight for their lives. Director Jordan Peele borrows much of his story and images from “The Shining” (and also “The Strangers”) but features plenty of creepy moments and stylish scares right up through the end. Soundtrack is a key boost also (you may never listen to Luniz’ “I Got 5 On It” the same way again).

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“Caller ID: Entity” (* out of four) was a horrendous sci/fi thriller centered around the messages and testimonials from victims (James Duval, Nathan Bexton, Denny Kirkwood) of mind-control technology who subsequently attempt to rise up and (yawn) overthrow their oppressive and controlling government. Yet another derivative piece of futuristic schlock based on ideas from other and much better movies (“Total Recall”, “Blade Runner”, “Resident Evil” just to name some). Would it kill filmmakers to make one movie where the future is a happy place? Hang up on this wrong number

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“Dumbo” (**1/2 out of four) was a reasonably cute and engaging live-action remake of the Disney classic. The young elephant is born into the care of two girls (Nico Parker and Finely Hobbins) at a circus run by a scuzzy promoter (Danny DeVito) who gets bought out by a greedy and evil enterpreneur (Michael Keaton) but whose soaring ears help him to fly and help him to save the circus and fly towards freedom! Director Tim Burton indulges his usual offbeat visual flair and effects but story and characters never fully take flight so it’s never as enchanting as the DIsney original. DeVito seems to be more-or-less playing the same character he did in Burton’s “Big Fish” and Colin Farrell is strong as usual as the girl’s father.

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