June 30, 2016 “Roommate Wanted” (** out of four) was a noisy, predictable melodrama about two roommates (Alexa PenaVega and Spencer Grammer)- one an ambitious student, the other a rich slut- whose differences come to a head which leads to them both trying to kill each other. Both girls look great but a better script and more original storyline should have been wanted by all involved. Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh did this similar story and much better nearly 25 years ago in “Single White Female”. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Monsterland” (*1/2 out of four) was a silly horror anthology tale telling multiple stories about the town of Monsterland in which savage beasts, carnivore creatues, and numerous other monsters roam around and the human race is at the bottom of the food chain and is about to be harvested. Opening stories are bloody and fun but subsequent stories after this are laughably dumb and cheesy and some of the performances are unintentionally frightening. You may as well watch re-runs of “Tales From The Crypt” instead. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Element” (*1/2 out of four) was a tedious Hitchcock-wannabe thriller about a financial advisor (Steven Michael Quezada) who turns to hypnosis to recall the memory of his dead wife but this leads to numerous changes in his reality and mental health. Viewers need not worry about having to turn to hypnosis because the movie will easily put you to sleep. Solid character actor Michael Ironside has a small supporting role but this shouldn’t replace “Scanners” or “Total Recall” on his resume anytime soon. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Central Intelligence” (** out of four) was a mildly funny action comedy about a timid accountant (Kevin Hart) who reconnects with a high-school friend (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) on Facebook and is unwittingly lured into a slapstick game of international espionage and intrigue. Scattershot laughs but not as funny as it could have- and should have- been. Obviously, the story isn’t supposed to be taken seriously but it’s pretty ridiculous and dumb after a while. Disappointing pairing of The Rock and Kevin Hart who could make a funny team with a more “intelligent” script. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “The Duel” (*1/2 out of four) was a dud Western about a young Texas ranger (Liam Helmsworth) who comes to a small middle-of-nowhere town to investigate several unexplained deaths and then tangles with a treacherous preacher (Woody Harrelson) resulting in a duel to the death. Both Harrelson and Helmsworth can play these roles in their sleep by now and while we’re at it, film’s tedious pace and standard Western setting and cliches may put you to sleep. It’s hard to remember when Westerns used to be exciting and fun. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “The Phenom” (*1/2 out of four) was a less-than-phenomenal sports drama about a rookie baseball pitcher (Johnny Simmons) who loses control over his pitching and is sent down to the Minor Leagues and has to begin counseling with a sports psychologist (Paul Giamatti) which uncovers numerous scars from his difficult childhood. Unconvincing and artificial screenplay make this one a strike out, despite a good cast. Any one scene in “Good Will Hunting” (which this sometimes resembles) tops this hands down. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Independence Day: Resurgence” (**1/2 out of four) was a reasonably entertaining and exciting sequel to the blockbuster 1996 original about a second alien invasion that threatens Earth and all of mankind. Will Smith is M.I.A. but returning from the original are Bill Pullman as the former President, Jeff Goldblum as the worried scientist, and Judd Hirsch as his overbearing dad. New players are Chris Helmsworth as a rookie fighter pilot and a rock-solid William Fichtner as the new President. Full of great effects and features enough good action scenes to give fans of the original and sci/fi junkies their money’s worth. Director Roland Emmerich (“The Day After Tomorrow”, “2012”) may have done one too many disaster movies by now but this is still much better than critics have been saying. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Vigilante Diaries” (**1/2 out of four) was an action-packed thriller about a team of black-ops agents turned crime fighters led by a warrior named “The Vigilante” (Paul Sloan) who leads his time on a rescue mission that takes them from the underworlds of L.A. to Iraq, Armenia, and Russia. Not always the easiest movie to follow but is packed with enough hand-to-hand combat, explosive action, and good internatioal locales to make it fun to watch just the same. It’s also fun seeing forgotten character actors Michael Madsen, James Russo, and also Jason Mewes in key supporting roles. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Chrysalis” (** out of four) was a dour horror melodrama about two survivors (Sara Gorsky and Cole Simon) of a deadly infection that laid waste to humanity 25 years ago and they soon encounter one other survivor (Tanya Thai McBride) and try to ward off the remaining infected. Give writer Ben Kurstin and director John Klein credit for a more artistic approach to well-worn material but the results still feel like a washed-out retread of both “The Walking Dead” and “28 Days Later.” Interesting story elements of isolation are isolated by film’s grim tone and look. Continue reading →
June 30, 2016 “Dear Eleanor” (*** out of four) was a sweetly affecting adolescent comedy about two teenage girls (Isabelle Fuhrman and Liana Liberato) who travel across the U.S. in 1962 during the chaos of the Cuban missile crisis in search of Eleanor Roosevelt; along the way, they pick up a friendly escaped convict (Josh Lucas) and a helpful exotic dancer (Jessica Alba). Slice of Americana in the 1960’s never really takes off but is winningly told and acted by all. Director Kevin Connolly (from “Entourage”) shows a good eye for period detail and has a lot of great period music on the soundtrack. Continue reading →
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