Category: Uncategorized

“The Fundamentals Of Caring” (*** out of four) was a nicely done drama about a personal caretaker (Paul Rudd) going through numerous personal problems in his life who begins a job attending to a young man (Craig Roberts) suffering from muscular dystrophy and their bond and relationship helps them both through the various problems they are both enduring in life. Strong performances and chemistry from the two leads make this a must-see, even as it covers familiar ground. Particular kudos to first-rate director Rob Burnett and a strong supporting turn by Selena Gomez as a sharp-tongued hitchhiker who they pick up.

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“Marauders” (*** out of four) was a gripping underworld thriller about a violent bank heist that appears to have been orchestrated by its cold-blooded owner (Bruce Willis). Upon further investigation from the F.B.I., a larger conspiracy appears to be at work. Intricate and intelligent screenplay takes plenty of twists and turns and is hard to follow at times but is worth sticking through. Willis is good in an unusual villain role but Christopher Meloni dominates the film and commands every scene as the lead F.B.I. agent on the case.

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“The Purge: Election Year” (*** out of four) was a superior third entry in the “Purge” series starring Frank Grillo returning as former police sergeant Barnes who is now the head of security for a woman (Elizabeth Mitchell) running as the next President who wants to put an end to the yearly event of the purge. When her home is besieged and attacked by purgers, they are forced to take it on the run with a concerned deli owner (Mykelti Williamson) and try and make it through the night and stay alive. One of the rare film series that gets better as it goes along and this is the best of the series thus far due to tense pacing, interesting politicizing, and strong work from Grillo and Williamson.

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“Days And Nights” (*1/2 out of four) was a bizarre, boring family melodrama set in 1984 about a family (including Katie Holmes, William Hurt, Jean Reno, Allison Janney) converging at a vacation home and confronting their expectations and feelings about love. Since none of the characters are interesting or sympathetic, it’s hard to care about them and subsequently hard to care about the movie. Even charismatic actors Reno and Holmes are dull and fail to strike sparks with anyone. Similar in some ways to 1983’s “The Big Chill” but is a big bore instead.

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“The Blackcoat’s Daughter” (1/2 out of four) was a practically worthless thriller set at an all-girls boarding school about two girls (Emma Roberts and Kiernan Shipka) bound together by a series of events involving disappearance and murder. If you went to school with people like these, no judge could probably convict you for turning homicidal either. So incoherent you could probably watch this movie backwards and it would make just as much sense but it’s also lifeless and boring. Striking noirish cinematography by Julie Kirkwood is film’s only plus and gives this half a star.

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“Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping” (***1/2 out of four) was a hilarious parody of the hip-hop and rock industry about a former boy band member turned superstar solo artist (Andy Samberg) whose latest album is a flop and who tries desperately to hold onto his fame, even if that means eventually later reuniting with his former group. Slick and fast-paced comedy features sharp writing, a great lead performance by Samberg as the clueless star, and very funny cameos from Nas, Usher, 50 Cent, and Method Man (among many others). One could call this a rap version of “This Is Spinal Tap” but one could also call it one of the funniest and most entertaining surprises of the year.

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“Demolition” (** out of four) was a curiously odd drama about a successful investment banker (Jake Gyllenhaal) who starts to unravel after the death of his wife in a tragic car crash. Upon befriending a woman (Naomi Watts) and her young rebellious son, he then starts to mentally rebuild and sets out to “demolish” the life he once knew. Yet another one of Gyllenhaal’s quirky roles which shows that he at least takes chances but he remains annoyingly bland and one-note. Too bold and flamboyant to easily dismiss but too bizarre to be easily enjoyed for two hours. A mixed bag. Fans of Gyllenhaal and director Jean-Marc Vallee (“The Dallas Buyer’s Club” and “Wild”) may want to judge for yourself.

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“600 Miles” (*1/2 out of four) was an endless slog about a smuggler (Kristyan Ferrer) for a deadly Mexican cartel who is apprehended by an FBI agent (Tim Roth) but he then kidnaps him and is en route to bring him to his murderous bosses until they slowly (and inexplicably) become friends over the 600 mile drive. Mandatory viewing for anyone who thought Steven Soderbergh’s “Traffic” or Ted Demme’s “Blow” were overrated. Film offers absolutely no commentary on the drug trade and is directed with no energy or style whatsoever. Great character actor Roth deserves much better.

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“Out Of The Darkness” (*1/2 out of four) was a ludicrous religious drama about a young man in his twenties (Adam Elliott Davis) who has been running from his calling in life for years. After being fired from a job by his father and arguing with his girlfriend, he then gets into a car accident and gets stranded in a forest of which there is no escape and he is faced with a choice- to follow the work of God or to follow Satan. None of this is a misprint or made up, in case you were wondering. Oh, and the young man’s name is Eli for anyone who misses the none-too-subtle religious connotation. For hardcore Christian fanatics or masochists only. Others will want to make a stampede out of the theater instead.

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