December 8, 2017December 8, 2017 “Darkest Hour” (*** out of four) was a powerfully done historical melodrama set in the early days of World War II in which the fate of Western Europe rested upon the newly appointed Prime Minister Winston Churchill (Gary Oldman unrecognizable under mounds of latex and padding) who had to decide whether to negotiate with Hitler or fight on against incredible odds at risk of losing the war and the gradual fate of the whole world. Not a great film but Oldman’s commanding and compelling performance takes center stage and a strong history lesson for those unfamiliar with this time in world history. Brian Cox did a similarly impressive job in the same role in “Churchill” earlier on this year. Continue reading →
December 5, 2017 “Wonder” (** out of four) was a trite adaptation of R.J. Palacio’s best-selling novel about a child (Jacob Tremblay) born with facial abnormalities from Treacher Collins syndrome who has been nurtured and home-schooled by his loving parents (Owen Wilson and Julia Roberts) and goes to middle-school for the first time. Never all that moving or involving, despite the best efforts of a good cast and earnest subject matter. Film is overshadowed by “Mask” which it often resembles. Many people loved this film so obviously it’s a matter of taste. Wilson is more tolerable than usual in a change-of-pace role. Continue reading →
December 5, 2017 “Roman J. Israel, Esquire” (*** out of four) was an imperfect but engrossing story about an idealistic lawyer (Denzel Washington) whose principles and ethics are tested to the breaking point when he goes to work for a large law firm (headed by Colin Farrell) and becomes embroiled in a murder case. Washington’s usual superb performance and effortless charisma help keep this legal drama on track even as the story wanders and never really shifts into high gear. Farrell is also terrific as his cunning and tough-minded boss and they play off each other well. Continue reading →
December 5, 2017 “Slumber” (*1/2 out of four) was a lumbering horror thriller virtually guaranteed to put viewers into a slumber about a sleep doctor (Maggie Q) who tries to protect a family from a vindictive demon that preys on people through their nightmares. Since originality is a challenge for horror movies nowadays, this manages to rip-off “Nightmare On Elm Street” but also “Poltergeist” and “The Shining” as well. Q’s sincere performance is wasted. Continue reading →
November 27, 2017 “The Christmas Train” (*** out of four) was a sweetly engaging story about a cynical journalist (Dermot Mulroney) who boards a holiday train to Los Angeles and starts to become friends with many of the passengers (Danny Glover, Joan Cusack, Kimberly Williams-Paisley) which gradually makes him realize the changes he needs to make to his life to open him up to more happiness. Not much plot per se but the upbeat spirit of its first-rate cast and holiday surroundings and settings make it entertaining. Mulroney is terrific in the lead. Continue reading →
November 25, 2017 “Out Of The Wild” (*** out of four) was a gentlemanly story about an alcoholic cowboy (John Diehl) with a dark past who starts working on a ranch and falls in love with the ranch owner (Jean Louisa Kelly) and tries to help an ailing horse whose as much in need of redemption as he is. No masterpiece but nice and engaging and both Diehl and Kelly work well together. Overly reminiscent of “The Horse Whisperer” and Cormac McCarthy novels at times but fans of those works should like this Continue reading →
November 25, 2017 “Lazer Team 2” (*1/2 out of four) was a dumb-and-dumber sequel to the brainless 2015 original that I don’t think anyone was exactly crying out for a sequel to; when one of their team is lost in another dimension, the five wacky team-members have to band together to find them and bring them home. Recommended only for those who thought “Power Rangers” was too intellectually challenging and overwhelming; this team makes the Power Rangers look like Rhodes scholars by comparison. Film’s ending leaves the door open for yet another sequel but count me out of the search party. Continue reading →
November 23, 2017 “Never Hike Alone” (*1/2 out of four) was an artless spin-off of the “Friday The 13th” series about a curious hiker (Drew Leighty) who stumbles upon the remains of the old Camp Crystal Lake and discovered its long-buried secrets and finds that Jason Voorhees (Vincente DiSanti) is alive and well and still has his hockey mask and knives ready for murder. In all fairness- this is better than the horrendous “Friday The 13th” remake and some of the last few entries in the series (such as “Jason X” in space) but don’t consider this a series re-starter just yet. Series fans will note the return of Thom Matthews who played Tommy Jarvis and has a minor role at the end as a paramedic but this is unlikely to resuscitate his career. Continue reading →
November 23, 2017 “Kiss And Kill” (*1/2 out of four) was a laughable soft-core sex melodrama about an unhappy housewife (Kira Noir) who has an affair with a stranger (Kyle Knies) that turns into a whirlpool of blackmail, deceit, and murder. Even the frequent sex scenes are badly acted and choreographed. Hilariously awful dialogue and performances make this a real groaner and that’s not meant as a complinent. Kiss this one goodbye Continue reading →
November 22, 2017 “Death On Scenic Drive” (* out of four) was an unholy mess about a young woman (Stephanie Ash) who encounters a devilish entity that turns her into an incarnation of the devil as she slips into psychotic alternate realities in which she is precipitated to kill anyone in her path. Amateurish horror show is gory and disgusting (there’s a scene where she kills and eats the family dog) but also empty and boring. Ash has to carry the movie almost single-handedly but doesn’t have a chance with this grisly material. Not exactly the type of movie that makes the Thanksgiving holidays any cheerier. Continue reading →
dlepikcom 