January 7, 2018January 7, 2018 “Deadly Vows” (*1/2 out of four) was a thoroughly predictable and obvious in-name only “thriller” about a vindictive pastry chef (Brittany Underwood) who poisons men who don’t meet her perilously high expectations and complications arise when she becomes involved with a new guy (Cameron Jebo) and his sister (Charlene Amoia) becomes suspicious of her shady past. No surprises and thus no sparks and no thrills either; anyone who has seen a murder mystery before will be miles ahead of this story at every turn. A disappointment from director Fred Olen Ray who made the 1991 trash classic “Inner Sanctum”. Continue reading →
January 6, 2018 “Same Kind Of Different As Me” (**1/2 out of four) was a well-intentioned and well-acted but hokey story of an international art dealer (Greg Kinnear) who finds he must befriend a dangerous homeless man (Djiimon Honsou) in order to save his marriage to his wife (Renee Zellwegger) and save his business and- in essence- save his life. Story of friendship and personal redemption is dripping with good intentions but never quite convinces and as a result never hangs together. The three leads give strong performances and infuse this was as much drama and heart as possible but it never fully takes wing. Continue reading →
January 6, 2018January 6, 2018 “Day Of The Dead: Bloodline” (** out of four) was a reasonably made but routine remake of the 1985 George Romero horror show about a small group of survivalists and military personnel who dwell in an underground bunker; the scientists and various citizens want to find a cure for the the zombie outbreak but the military balks at being zombie brunch. More-of-the-same after years of Romero sequels and rip-offs, and after years of “The Walking Dead”, although this is faster and more efficient than the original. However, this does sorely lack Tom Savini’s first-rate makeup and effects which were a highlight of the original. Worthwhile for Romero completists but otherwise not worth munching on Continue reading →
January 4, 2018 “Web Cam Girls” (*1/2 out of four) was a sleazy story about a young girl (Sedonna Legge) whose cousin (Lorynn York) disappears after going on a sex web-cam website and she then takes it upon herself to go on this same website and go after the online predator who she thinks is responsible. Unpleasant and unbelievable movie exploits online voyeurism and consumerism without exploring it in any interesting way. If you can’t guess the killer, please get a new hobby. Continue reading →
January 4, 2018January 4, 2018 “Escape From Cannibal Farm” (** out of four) was a grisly horror melodrama set in the British countryside in which an estranged family (Kate Davies-Speak, David Lenik, Rowena Bentley) take a trip together and are forced to seek refuge in an abandoned farmhouse where they find a deranged farmer (Barrington De La Roche) and his nutty family are doing cannibalistic experiments. Too derivative and repetitive to succeed as a whole but director Charlie Steeds shows flashes of originality and daring (there is a nasty moment involving hot water at the end) in a story obviously inspired and influenced by “The Evil Dead” and “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre”. Definitely not for all tastes but better than most of its ilk. Continue reading →
January 4, 2018 “Wonder Wheel” (**1/2 out of four) was an engaging if unconvincing melodrama set in the 1950’s in Coney Island, Brooklyn in which a neglected housewife (Kate Winslet) has an affair with a young lifeguard (Justin Timberlake) but problems arise when the lifeguard soon falls in love with her stepdaughter (Juno Temple) and her loutish husband (James Belushi) begins to find out. Contrived and unbelievable story is made palatable by strong cast, with Winslet’s palpable anguish and anger making this more affecting in the second half. Not one of director Woody Allen’s best films but far from his worst either. Gorgeous cinematography from the great Vittorio Storaro makes this worthwhile. Continue reading →
January 4, 2018 “Lycan” (* out of four) was an abysmal horror story set in the Georgia backwoods in 1986 in which six none-too-bright college students tackle the legend of a werewolf named Emily Burt but soon come to severely regret this as they are mauled and gradually killed. No relation to any of the lycans in the “Underworld” series but this makes any of those movies look like masterworks by comparison; the final third in which this finally starts to get going turns into a ripoff of “The Evil Dead.” What a bloody mess! Continue reading →
January 3, 2018 “The Greatest Showman” (***1/2 out of four) was an exhilirating musical biography about P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman) who rose from nothing to create the Barnum and Bailey Circus which swept into a worldwide phenomenon that changed the face of show business and entertainment. Full of showstopping musical numbers (Rebecca Ferguson’s first singing scene on stage and the first meeting with Jackman and Zac Efron are a wow) and great production design and cinematography but at the heart of the film is Jackman’s performance who is outstanding as usual. Story is a little superficial and perhaps doesn’t tell you much about Barnum you may not know but never fails to entertain. One of the rare musicals that tries- and succeeds- at bringing back memories of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Continue reading →
January 2, 2018 “All The Money In The World” (** out of four) was an inherently cold adaptation of John Pearson’s book about a dedicated mother (Michelle Williams) whose son is kidnapped and held for ransom and she desperately turns to her stubborn billionaire father-in-law Jean Paul Getty (Christopher Plummer) for help even though he steadfastly refuses to pay the money and a hard-nosed detective (Mark Wahlberg) is subsequently called in to help. Director Ridley Scott holds you in his grip but seldom engages your emotions and story never catches fire. Plummer fares best in a role originally played by Kevin Spacey; Williams is solid as well. Continue reading →
December 31, 2017December 31, 2017 “I, Tonya” (***1/2 out of four) was a sweeping biographical drama about Tonya Harding (Margot Robbie) showing her redneck upbringing with an abusive and domineering mother (Allison Janney) who nurtured her fierce and competitive spirit which led her to ice-skating in the Olympics and one of the most historic and controversial sports events of all time when she allegedly had her opponent Nancy Kerrigan assaulted. Director Craig Gillespie easily does his most dazzling work ever using in-your-face Scorcesean style of mock-interviews, humor, and great soundtrack detail. Robbie is sensational in the lead role but Janney is even better in a melting, Oscar-worthy performance as her mom. Bullseye! Continue reading →
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