January 2, 2017 “Why Him?” (* out of four) was an excruciatingly unfunny comedy misfire about a father (Bryan Cranston) whose invited with his family to meet and spend the holidays with his daughter’s slovenly but obscenely wealthy new boyfriend (James Franco). One-joke rehash of the much funnier “Meet The Parents” is abjectly painful at times. Cranston’s usual excellent performance is helpless against stupid writing and Franco’s obnoxious and dumb character. There’s an amusing cameo near the end, if you make it that far. “Why Watch?” is a much better question to ask Continue reading →
January 2, 2017 “Among Friends” (* out of four) was a dreadful horror melodrama about a group of friends who get together to have a horror movie trivia marathon but one of them turns out to be a serious sicko out for revenge against all of them. Attractive cast can’t pump any life into this worthless script and story. Disappointing directorial debut for scream queen Danielle Harris who was prominent in the original “Halloween” series and has a cameo towards the end. Continue reading →
January 2, 2017 “Goat” (*1/2 out of four) was a turkey about a college student (Ben Schnetzer) who gets brutally assaulted and then inexplicably wants to join a fraternity with his brother (Nick Jonas) but their brotherhood is put to the test by the grueling tests of the brotherhood of the fraternity and it’s initiation hazings. Plenty of sex and drugs and wild partying for those who want it but is there a point or a story? Imagine “Animal House” with a moralistic point of view and you have a pretty good idea of what to expect. James Franco has a needless cameo as one of the elder frat brothers. Continue reading →
January 2, 2017 “Within” (** out of four) was a pallid Redbox horror thriller that horror fans can easily do without about (what else?) a haunted house and how a new family (Michael Vartan, Erin Moriarty, Nadine Velasquez) moves in and are slow to uncover it’s dark secrets. Naturally, there’s a creepy next door neighbor (Ronnie Gene Blevins) who meets an early demise. Professionally made and well shot but offers absolutely no surprises or plot twists and it’s ending is a letdown. Jobeth Williams from ‘Poltergeist” has a minor supporting, yet another reminder of when these movies were spooky and original. Perhaps one of 2017’s new resolutions should be to bury the haunted house genre and send it back to Hell. Continue reading →
December 31, 2016 “Billionaire Ransom” (** out of four) was a predictable and routine action drama focusing on two rich kids (Phoebe Tonkin and Dominic Sherwood) who survive a near-fatal car wreck and are sent by their wealthy parents to an exclusive boot camp on a remote island which is overtaken by terrorists who hold them (and the rest of the camp) hostage and havoc ensues. Potentially fun story has echoes of “Die Hard” and “Toy Soldiers” but doesn’t have enough thrills, action, or firepower to give it any distinction. A mediocre effort from the otherwise solid director Jim Gillespie who in better days directed “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” Continue reading →
December 31, 2016 “One Night Of Fear” (*1/2 of four) was a pointless exercise in unpleasant gore supposedly based on a series of true stories set around the Ocala National Forest and how numerous campers and hikers have vanished without a trace and been murdered. Film focuses on three such hikers who are hunted down and tortured. Subpar series of mutilations, executions, and torture scenes is best left for freaks and masochists only; if that’s your cup of tea, have at it. The kind of movie that gives the term “low-budget horror” a bad name. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “Sing” (***1/2 out of four) was a delightful animated comedy about a good-hearted koala bear (voiced by Matthew McConaughey) who has one final chance to restore his faded theater to its former glory by having the world’s greatest singing competition but it hits more than it’s share of bumps in the road. Visually spectacular with top-notch colorful animation but is also packed with laughs and some very touching moments and film’s climax is sensational! Love those musical numbers and song selections through-out! McConaughey’s voice and mannerisms are perfect for the lead role and other characters are nicely voiced by Reese Witherspoon and Seth McFarlane. Bullseye! Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “Stake Land II: The Stakelander” (*1/2 out of four) was a wearisome sequel about the hero from the original (Connor Paolo) who finds himself alone in the wasteland of middle America after his home is destroyed by vampires and he is forced on the run with only the memories of his deceased mentor to guide him on a journey of spiritual survival. Must win some award for most unnecessary sequel of 2016 but the original wasn’t exactly a cinematic milestone either. Paolo ranges from effective to looking like a deer in the headlights. Watch “Walking Dead” reruns instead. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “FirstBorn” (*1/2 out of four) was third-rate crud about a newly married couple (Antonia Thomas and Jonathan Hyde) whose new child begins to show strange behavioral tendencies which may signify otherworldy involvements……..and we’re into another possessed child and haunted house horror movie. Reasonably well-directed but offers absolutely no distinction from the umpteen amount of other horror movies that have been about the exact same story over the last 10 years. No relation, byetheway, to the 1984 melodrama starring Corey Haim and Peter Weller of the same name which come to think of it was a lot scarier than this. Continue reading →
December 30, 2016 “Office Christmas Party” (*1/2 out of four) was a humbug Christmas comedy about assorted office workers (Jason Bateman, T.J. Miller, Courtney Vance, Olivia Munn) throwing an epic office party that grows progressively out of hand when their bitchy new C.E.O. (Jennifer Aniston who can play this role in her sleep by now) announces she may be shutting down their branch. Film is like being stuck at a party with a bunch of loud drunks you want to leave and go home from. Needlessly dumb and contrived, with only a few laughs, and only the good-natured performances of its cast to keep it afloat. Continue reading →
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