April 15, 2018 “Submergence” (** out of four) was a dreary melodrama about the relationship between a Scottish soldier (James Macavoy) and a marine scientist (Alicia Vikander) told in flashbacks as he is held captive in a jihad prison and she is on an ocean expedition. Attractive scenery and talented stars do their best to enliven the proceedings but they’re submerged by film’s meandering pacing and storyline. Fans of director Wim Wenders (I’m not) may find more of substance here but it’s one more of his works that is visually pretty but emotionally empty. Continue reading →
April 15, 2018 “Andre The Giant” (***1/2 out of four) was an exceptionally well-done documentary about Andre Roussimoff who overcame extensive personal and physical odds to become one of the most famous wrestlers in the world in the ’70’s and ’80’s as Andre The Giant before his untimely death in 1993. A very measured look at a larger-than-life celebrity and is equal parts funny, sad, and also inspiring. Features extensive interviews with Hulk Hogan, “Mean” Gene Okerlund, Rob Reiner, Billy Crystal, and many friends and family and kudos for also featuring a lot of prized archive footage from the WWF and “The Princess Bride.” Continue reading →
April 15, 2018 “Party Bus To Hell” (* out of four) was a bottom-of-the-barrel horror show about a group of girls (Tara Reid, Sadie Katz, Devanny Pinn, and others) whose bus breaks down in the middle of the desert where they are preyed upon by (who else?) a group of cannabalistic Satan worshipers. Trashy and stupid thriller looks like someone’s bad home movies and dreadful acting really needs to be seen to be believed. One character actually makes reference to “The Hills Have Eyes” as if to make an excuse for ripping that movie off. Continue reading →
April 14, 2018 “Rampage” (*** out of four) was a kinetic adaptation of the popular Midway video game about a primatologist (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and a geneticist (Naomie Harris) who team up when three animails become infected with dangerous military pathogens and they have to race to stop them from destroying the city of Chicago while the military considers nuking the entire city. Filled with expected large-scale action and special effects to give fans their money’s worth but what really makes this work is The Rock’s likeability and charisma and his camaraderie with the main gorilla and also Harris. A definite step up from The Rock’s first video-game disaster “Doom” and also his last pairing with director Brad Peyton “San Andreas.” Continue reading →
April 10, 2018 “The Last Movie Star” (***1/2 out of four) was a heartbreaking story about an aging former movie star (Burt Reynolds) who has to accept that he’s getting older and his glory days are behind him, as he is selected to take part in a low-rent film festival which he contrasts to the fame he had when he was younger. A perfect part for Reynolds, who is alternately hilarious and moving in a role that easily echoes his own career and life and is also one of his most moving performances. Ariel Winter is strong also as his tormented assistant and particular kudos to one amazing scene which inserts Reynolds into his older movie “Smokey The Bandit.” Continue reading →
April 10, 2018 “Sleeper” (*1/2 out of four) was an aptly titled misfire which will either put you to sleep or in a state of disbelief about a woman (Kara Killmer) who finds out that her seemingly perfect marriage and husband (Brett Donahue) was a lie and that he has been involved in duplicity and may actually be a Russian spy! Ludicrous script and story goes especially haywire and loony in the second half which will really leave you howling. No relation to the Woody Allen movie of the same name but “Bananas” might have been a good Allen title for this one as well. Continue reading →
April 10, 2018 “Global Meltdown” (** out of four) was a mediocre disaster-thriller about an environmental scientist (Leeanne Khol Young) and a stubborn survivalist nut (Michael Pare) who lead a group of other survivors to find a safe haven through the wilderness after a cataclysmic event causes the Earth’s crust to fall apart. Umpteenth end-of-the-world movie is strictly for those who’ve never seen “2012′, “Independence Day”, or “The Day After Tomorrow” and special effects are pretty threadbare. Pare’s amusing performance provides some sparks of life. Continue reading →
April 10, 2018 “Paterno” (** out of four) was a disappointingly bland, superficial biography of legendary college football coach Joe Paterno (Al Pacino) whose career ended in disgrace amidst allegations regarding sexual abuse involving the Jerry Sandusky scandal which caused his personal and family life to unravel. Film holds your attention but isn’t especially powerful, compelling, or entertaining and doesn’t tell you much about Paterno or the scandal you don’t already know. Pacino is OK in the lead role but is actually out-acted by supporting players Riley Keough and Kathy Baker. A disappointment from director Barry Levinson who in better days directed the superior “Avalon”, “Rain Man”, and “Diner.” Continue reading →
April 9, 2018 “Double Date” (*1/2 out of four) was a double dud about two friends (Danny Morgan and Michael Solcha) who meet two girls (Georgia Groome and Kelly Wenham) in a bar one night and think they’re getting lucky but little do they know that the women have debauchery and murder up their sleeves. Director Benjamin Barfoot piles on the blood and mayhem but it’s all a lot of energy expended over nothing since none of the characters are likeable or worth caring about. Final third has its moments but most of the film is a bloody mess. Lead actor Morgan also wrote this. Continue reading →
April 9, 2018 “Cover Versions” (** out of four) was a flashy but empty “Rashomon”-like story told from the point of view of four band members (Katie Cassidy, Drake Bell, Jerry Trainor, and Austin Swift) as they are interrogated by the police while recounting a decadent night of sex, drugs, and eventual murder before playing a music festival. Interesting in parts and loaded with style and music but like so many movies told from different points of view (“Vantage Point”, “Vanilla Sky”) it gets tiresome after a while and hard to care about. Continue reading →
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