“Ruthless Atonement” (*1/2 out of four) was a ruthlessly awful melodrama about a convict (A.D. Scott) who seeks revenge for his wrongful incarceration and the murder of his wife and son while he was in prison and vows to take on any adversaries and underworld foes, no matter the odds. Three directors are credited for this mess; Scott tries hard in the lead but he is no Mel Gibson and this is no “Payback”, despite obvious influences and story derivations. Watch “Ruthless People” again instead.

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“Bullet Rush” (** out of four) was a flashy but hollow action thriller about a narcotics detective (Leslie Sheri) who is transferred to Atlanata after a controversial drug bust; she then rekindles a relationship with her estranged sister (Ty Kruz) but soon finds that she is dating the drug kingpin (Dominique AXE) she and Atlanta PD are now pursuing! Stylishly made and directed and moves fast enough to be watchable but is let down by hackneyed and ordinary screenplay. Sheri (who is a dead ringer for Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes) is strong in the lead but this never quite provides the “rush” that it should.

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“Girls Night” (*1/2 out of four) was a clunky horror thriller about a family (Valeka Jessica, Anthony Applewhite, and others) who move into an upscale neighborhood and soon begin to sense that things there aren’t quite right and there is something creepy lurking beneath the picture-perfect surface and they have to unite to stay together and stay alive. Film obviously blends elements of “Blue Velvet” and “The Stepford Wives” with various social and cultural commentary but it’s a lumpy mix at best. George Clooney’s 2017 “Suburbicon” told a similar story with similar faults and weaknesses.

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“Dying To Be Famous” (*1/2 out of four) was a sour, stale suspense thriller about a popular social media influencer (Tami Roman) with a dark alternate personality who goes to extreme measures to ensure her fame all the while keeping her dark impulses (and psychoses) in check and maintaining a relationship with her philandering partner (Blue Kimble). Glamorously shot and made but loaded with plot holes and banal dialogue. Roman’s strong performance in the lead can’t keep this one from “dying” long before it’s 90 minutes are up.

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“The Running Man” (** out of four) was an inferior remake of the better-than-ever and underrated 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic about a working-class convict (Glenn Powell) convinced by a millionaire-television mogul (Josh Brolin) to engage in a televised gameshow for his freedom against a series of various death-defying opponents. With all the sharp/social commentary of the original blunted and with its point-of-view and sense of humor removed, what’s left is simply a generic action thriller and one that goes on far too long. Powell tries his best in the lead and gives this his passionate best.

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“The Rip” (***1/2 out of four) was an absolutely riveting and dazzlingly stylish action melodrama about a group of rogue Miami cops (Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor) who make a large cash seizure inside the house of a female suspect (Sasha Calle) but this soon leads to distrust amongst them as everyone finds their worst instincts of greed and corruption rising to the surface. Director Joe Carnahan wires you into the pulse of the characters and their twists and turns and does not let up in his best film ever and an interesting companion piece to his similar “Narc” from years ago. Damon and Affleck recreate their usual chemistry with intuitive ease and Affleck is dynamite in his best performance in years. Bullseye!

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“The Strange Dark” (*1/2 out of four) was a very strange film about a woman (Nili Bassman) in peril who must decide whether to trust her husband (Caleb Scott) who claims to have mysterious premonitions about the future or some strangers (Bates Wilder, John Beckwith, and others) who have shown up at her door. Speaking of which- this film liberally rips off “The Strangers” but without much of it’s emotional power or panache. Some have very much liked this film but not this FB reviewer.

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“The Strange Dark” (*1/2 out of four) was a very strange film about a woman (Nili Bassman) in peril who must decide whether to trust her husband (Caleb Scott) who claims to have mysterious premonitions about the future or some strangers (Bates Wilder, John Beckwith, and others) who have shown up at her door. Speaking of which- this film liberally rips off “The Strangers” but without much of it’s emotional power or panache. Some have very much liked this film but not this FB reviewer.

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“Kayla” (*1/2 out of four) was a confusing, tedious suspense melodrama about a woman (Latia Matthews) who has an affair with a married man (DeJuan Ford) and then becomes obsessed with him and (yawn) starts stalking him and his girlfriend (Sabree Whitfield). Yet another rip-off of “Fatal Attraction”/“Obsessed”/“Sleeping With The Enemy” and pretty much any other thriller you can think of. Abrupt ending is the icing on the stale cake but at least it’s over soon after.

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“The Omro Heist” (** out of four) was a passable action melodrama set in midwestern Wisconsin in which a brutal bank robber (Simon Phillips) overtakes the town bank while the local cops (Anthony Crivello, Ken Bressers, and others) try to negotiate with him and various hostages (Heather Arendt, Damir Kovic, and others) contemplate fighting back and escaping. No “Dog Day Afternoon” nor “Inside Man” but efficiently made enough to be watchable and Jamie Bailey’s colorful cinematography is a highlight throughout.

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