May 27, 2017May 27, 2017 “Essex Vendetta” (** out of four) was a half-hearted underworld melodrama about an ordinary family man (Michael McKell) who attempts to rise above his class and take on all comers in the criminal underworld, no matter how big or large and regardless of the consequences. Working-class English brogue is rhythmic and stylish and holds your interest for a while but soon it becomes tiresome and monotonous, just like the movie itself. Both Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch” went through the same territory with much more style and flash. Continue reading →
May 27, 2017May 27, 2017 “Lucky’s Treasure” (** out of four) was a thoroughly predictable story about a city girl named Lucky (Delaney) who moves to the country to live with her grandfather (Michael Ironside) and attempts to find a hidden treasure that her grandmother died looking for while falling in love and fitting in at school. Standard-issue story of girl whose a fish-out-of-water, young love, jealousy from small-town girls, etc. Young girls may like it anyway but it’s awfully pat and familiar. Ironside is good in a role he can probably play in his sleep by now. Pretty cinematography from Shane Hawks who also was the co-writer and director. Continue reading →
May 27, 2017 “Black Butterfly” (***) out of four was a stirring psychological thriller about a reclusive and alcoholic writer (Antonio Banderas) who becomes friendly with a drifter (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and brings him into his house but soon finds that he’s a serious sicko who imprisons him in his remote home and forces him to write a new novel to his specifications. Imperfect, with a few gaps in logic and a few slow spots along the way, but carried along by Banderas and Meyers’ strong performances and a genuine surprise at the end. Well-made by director Brian Goodman who obviously watched “Misery” a few times before this. Continue reading →
May 27, 2017 “Dirty Dancing” (**1/2 out of four) was a perfectly okay but uninspired remake of the 1987 teenage classic about a young teenager (Abigail Breslin) who travels with her family to a vacation resort and is swept away by a dance instructor (Colt Prattes) from the wrong side of the tracks and how this affects her innocence and her family. Breslin is solid in the lead role but Prattes won’t make anyone forget Patrick Swayze at all and film lacks the lift and magic of the original. Film uses strong new versions of the original soundtrack (“Time Of My Life”, “She’s Like The Wind”) but it just reiterates that this is a secondhand reworking of the original. Bruce Greenwood is terrific as Breslin’s dad although even this is practically the same role he played in another remake “Endless Love” from a few years ago. Continue reading →
May 27, 2017 “1 Mile To You” (** out of four) was a pleasant but minor story about a high-school kid (Graham Rogers) whose friends die in a car accident and he finds running brings back and helps him to remember their memories perfectly and it subsequently catches the attention of the school coach (Billy Crudup) and turns him into a track star. Schmaltzy story of young love, sports, and survivor’s guilt is watchable but immediately forgettable. Crudup is engaging as always as the coach and Stefanie Scott is strong as Rogers’ girlfriend but the great Tim Roth is wasted in a throwaway role as the school’s bus driver. Continue reading →
May 25, 2017 “626 Evolution” (** out of four) was a murky sci/fi action melodrama that shows that both sci/fi and action movies really have to evolve more into new territories and new ideas. In yet another post-apocalyptic future, an amnesiac known as 626 (Danielle Chuchran) searches for her true identity while protecting a young teenage girl and being hunted by government thugs and agents. Shamelessly derivative of both “Total Recall” and “The Matrix”; what’s worse- film’s first half often cuts to unpleasant scenes of child abuse involving the teenage girl and her abusive stepfather. Film moves fast enough to make it watchable but not enough to overcome these obstacles. Continue reading →
May 25, 2017 “Mind Blown” (** out of four) was a mediocre sci/fi action melodrama about a secret sinister government program (are there any other kind in movies like these?) in psychotronic warfare and the Department Of Defense attempts to subsequently kill everyone involved to cover up: two people involved in said program (Jessica Uberuaga, Michael Marinaccio) with telekinetic abilities attempt to overthrow it and shut it down. Patchwork of ideas and special effects from other (and better) movies fails to live up to its title although it remains watchable. The charismatic Luke Goss is sorely wasted as one of the villains. Continue reading →
May 23, 2017 “Sandy Wexler” (*1/2 out of four) was a dismal comedy set in 1994 about an eccentric Hollywood talent manager (Adam Sandler) who falls in love with one of his new clients (Jennifer Hudson) who becomes a famous singer. Very funny for the first 20 minutes but then goes downhill alarmingly, thanks to stupid writing and Sandler’s monotonous performance (and annoying voice). Numerous star cameos (Rob Reiner, Jewel, Weird Al Yankovic) abound, some funnier than others, but the film goes on forever at more than two hours. It’s movies like these that knocked Sandler off his comic throne in the 90’s to direct-to-Netflix drivel. Continue reading →
May 23, 2017 “Mind Blown” (** out of four) was a mediocre sci/fi action melodrama about a secret sinister government program (are there any other kind in movies like these?) in psychotronic warfare and the Department Of Defense attempts to subsequently kill everyone involved to cover up: two people involved in said program (Jessica Uberuaga, Michael Marinaccio) with telekinetic abilities attempt to overthrow it and shut it down. Patchwork of ideas and special effects from other (and better) movies fails to live up to its title although it remains watchable. The charismatic Luke Goss is sorely wasted as one of the villains. Continue reading →
May 21, 2017May 21, 2017 “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do The Time Warp Again” (**1/2 out of four) was a colorful, high-energy remake of the 1975 “classic” about the misadventures of Brad and Janet (Ryan McCartan, Victoria Justice) who seek shelter from a storm one night and wind up in the castle of a dancing, demented alien transgender scientist (Laverne Cox). Flashy and stylish direction from noted choreographer Kenny Ortega and good-looking cinematography from Luc Montpellier make this as good a remake as possible as the filmmakers could have done. Unfortunately, the central story remains self-indulgent and more than a little weird (at least to me). Those that loved the original (I didn’t) may want to boost my rating by a star. Original star Tim Curry returns here playing the criminologist in his first acting role in 5 years. Continue reading →
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