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 →
May 21, 2017May 21, 2017 “Kill ‘Em All” (**1/2 out of four) was a diverting, if not particularly original, action melodrama starring an aging Jean Claude Van Damme as a mysterious stranger who arrives wounded at a hospital when a vicious foreign gang shows up at the hospital and attempts to finish the job and have him killed and a caring nurse (Autumn Reeser) is his only ally and source of protection. Nonstop action and some stylish touches from director Peter Malota make this one of Van Damme’s better movies since his ’90’s heyday. If only he improved his acting chops, he might have a shot at a real killer comeback. Continue reading →
May 21, 2017May 21, 2017 “Kidnap” (*** out of four) was a nerve-wracking thriller about a single mother (Halle Berry) whose son is suddenly kidnapped when they are walking in the park together; she then loses her cell phone but takes up in high pursuit of the kidnappers and will stop at nothing to stay behind them on the freeway and retrieve her son! Breathless thriller doesn’t let up for a minute once it gets going. Berry is first-rate and believable in every mother’s worst nightmare. Only some minor gaps in logic keep this from scoring a direct hit. Very similar in some ways to one of Berry’s last movies “The Call.” Continue reading →
May 21, 2017May 21, 2017 “Lovesong” (** out of four) was a muddled road-trip story about the deepening relationship between two friends (Riley Keough, Jena Malone) as they take an impromptu road trip and begin to open up and fully understand one another. Film is well-acted and reasonably well-made but is overall hazy and aloof and fails to connect on an emotional level. Keough is good and Malone once again proves she’s a solid character actress but we simply don’t know enough- and thus- don’t care enough about their characters Continue reading →
May 21, 2017May 21, 2017 “Alien: Covenant” (*1/2 out of four) was a lifeless continuation of the legendary series about a space crew (Michael Fassbender, Billy Crudup, Katherine Waterston, and others) who discover an uncharted planet which turns out to be inhabited by aliens which wreak havoc. Virtually a remake of the original “Alien” from 1979 without its scares or style and without adding anything new to the series. Takes forever to get going and even the best scenes are replicas of scenes from earlier entries. A huge disappointment from series creator Ridley Scott who also made the interesting last entry “Prometheus”. Fassbender’s usual terrific performance is film’s sole virtue. Continue reading →
May 18, 2017 “King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword” (** out of four) was an overlong, overdone retelling of the classic story about King Arthur (Charlie Hunnam) who grows up on the streets of Londinium having no idea that he is the rightful ruler of England following the brutal murder of his father from his ruthless uncle Vortigern (Jude Law). Upon discovering this, he then joins a group of outlaws to take on the king and assume his destiny. Director Guy Ritchie’s usual attention-deficit camerawork and hyperactive editing hold your attention at times but it fails to disguise that the central story is repetitive and dull. Despite its literary roots, much of the story and many scenes seems lifted from “Braveheart” and “Gladiator.” Continue reading →
