June 2, 2018 “59 Seconds” (*1/2 out of four) was a synthetic ghetto underworld melodrama which viewers will likely forget in about 59 seconds about a troubled teen (Nyell Segura) haunted by the death of his twin brother who seeks attention from his parents (Pruitt Taylor Vince and Ciera Payton) and his community which leads him to engaging in criminal behavior. Since his character is never likeable though, it’s hard to get involved in his plight or care and thus that goes double for the movie. Segura shows some promise in the lead role. Continue reading →
June 1, 2018June 1, 2018 “King Lear” (**1/2 out of four) was a competent but empty retelling of the Shakespearean classic with Anthony Hopkins in the title role as the conflicted king, Emma Thompson, Emily Watson, and Florence Pugh as his daughters, and Jim Broadbent particularly strong as the Earl Of Gloucester. Film has strong performances and is vibrantly shot but missing the dramatic fire and involvement of earlier “Lear” adaptations and Shakespearean novel. Not bad but still a disappointing reteaming of Hopkins and Thompson who previously starred in “Howards End” and the classic “The Remains Of the Day.” Continue reading →
June 1, 2018June 1, 2018 “Unsane” (** out of four) was an unwieldy psychodrama about a young woman (Claire Foy) about a young woman whose involuntarily committed to a mental institution where she encounters strange occurrences with both the staff and workers. Are they real or is she losing her mind? Spooky and atmospheric for a while but story becomes too cerebral and unpleasant in the second half and starts to lose focus. Director Steven Soderbergh’s first horror movie and probably his last. Not all that different in story and structure from Clint Eastwood’s “The Changeling.” Continue reading →
May 30, 2018 “Lost In London” (*1/2 out of four) was a woefully self-indulgent comedy starring Woody Harrelson at his annoying worst playing himself as a debauched actor on a long drunken night in London that culminates in him going to jail in which the cops and other prisoners all recognize who he is. Die-hard fans of Woody may find some resonance here but others should steer clear. Billed as “the world’s first live movie” which was broadcast in some theaters while it was filming but that doesn’t make it any more entertaining. This marks Woody’s directorial debut but based on this- he isn’t exactly a natural born director. Willie Nelson, Owen Wilson, and Bono (!) all show up in unfunny cameos. Continue reading →
May 29, 2018 “Kid: The Gary Carter Story” (*** out of four) was an affecting documentary of catcher Gary Carter showing his beginnings on the Montreal Expos to his stardom on the 1986 Mets to his gradual physical deterioration and brain tumors that took his life but that his upbeat determination and love of the game (and his family) always prevailed. Heartfelt and harrowing at times because it constantly flashes back to his illness and death. Features many interesting interviews from 1986 Mets stars Keith Hernandez, Mookie Wilson, Tim Teufel, and Bob Ojeda. Continue reading →
May 25, 2018 “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (***1/2 out of four) was a grandly entertaining origin story of Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich) and how he ventured out on his own into a dark criminal underworld and met his co-pilot Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover) years before later joining the Rebellion. Director Ron Howard sweeps you off your feet right from the opening and ably duplicates the style of early-era George Lucas with rich characterizations and the series’ usual dazzling visual effects and spectacular action scenes. Ehreinreich is strong in the lead in a role owned by Harrison Ford and Woody Harrelson is electric in a key supporting role. A definite must for Star Wars fanatics but fun for anyone who loves old-fashioned sci/fi and adventure. Continue reading →
May 24, 2018 “Gringo” (*** out of four) was a wildly uneven but entertaining multi-character melodrama about an easygoing businessman (David Oyelowo) who finds himself crossing the line from family man to wanted criminal as he’s double-crossed by ruthless business couple (Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron) and other adversaries (Amanda Seyfried and Thandie Newton). Film veers often jarringly between lighthearted comedy, sharp business satire, and dark action drama but is peppered with many arresting scenes and held together by a first-rate cast even as it goes on too long. Oyelowo is top notch in particular. Directed by Joel’s brother Nash Edgerton in a style obviously inspired by early-period Robert Altman Continue reading →
May 23, 2018 “The Jurassic Games” (** out of four) was a serviceable Redbox thriller set in the near future in which death-row convicts are forced to compete in a virtual reality show governed by a sadistic gameshow host (Perry Reeves) in which they have to stay alive on an island with vicious dinosaurs. Obvious attempt at cross-pollinating “The Hunger Games” and “Jurassic Park” (hence the clever title), and also “Death Race”, isn’t bad and moves swiftly enough but is too limited by its low-budget to take off. This won’t take the place of the upcoming “Jurassic World 2” on anybody’s calendar but it’s better than most other direct-to-Redbox junk. Continue reading →
May 23, 2018 “The Broken Key” (*1/2 out of four) was an incomprehensible melodrama set in Italy in the future in which paper has become a rare and sought item controlled by a ruthless corporation (Michael Madsen, Rutger Hauer, and others); a young rogue attempts to utilize his helpful resources (Christopher Lambert, William Baldwin, and Geraldine Chaplin) and restore order to society. If you wonder how a movie with this cast could remain unreleased for two years, proceed at your own peril. Story is incredibly dense and confusing but is so dry and dull (and overlong) that it’s not even worth the bother. A disappointment from noted Italian filmmaker Louis Nero. Continue reading →
May 22, 2018 “All I Wish” (**1/2 out of four) was a pleasant but slight romantic comedy about a fashion designer (Sharon Stone) who struggles to balance her career, her age, and her love life with a business owner (Tony Goldwynn)- and film flashes forward and shows her every year on her birthday. Stone looks great and is solidly engaging in her first starring role in years but film is too predictable and could have used more complications and laughs. Ellen Burstyn has a small but key role as Stone’s mom. Continue reading →
dlepikcom 