March 23, 2018 “Black Water” (**1/2 out of four) was an OK action thriller starring Jean Claude Van Damme and Dolph Lundgren as CIA operatives on a submarine vessel that’s being overtaken by various moles and they must restore order. Serviceable reunion of Van Damme and Lundgren is nothing spectacular but moves fast enough to make it entertaining for fans. “Universal Soldier: Regeneration” remains their best pairing although this is leagues better than their Godawful last collaboration “Universal Soldier: Day Of Reckoning”. Continue reading →
March 17, 2018 “Tomb Raider” (** out of four) was a needless reboot of the action video-game series showing Lara Croft (Alicia Vikander) who must push herself to personal and physical limits when she finds herself on the same island where her father (Dominic West) disappeared. Vikander won’t make anyone forget anyone Angelina Jolie anytime soon although this is actually somewhat of an improvement over the last two versions in 2001 and 2003. A few decent action scenes make this watchable on a draggy night but it overall rings hollow. Continue reading →
March 13, 2018 “Annihilation” (**1/2 out of four) was a half-fascinating, half-puzzling sci/fi mend-bender (Natalie Portman) about a biologist (Natalie Portman) who recently lost her husband and signs up for a dangerous and secret expedition in which the laws of nature don’t apply and her safety and subsequently her sanity are threatened. Too audacious to be easily dismissed, as film has visual dazzle and thought-provoking ideas, yet is too arbitrary and bizarre to be fully enjoyed. You may want to judge for yourself. Best recommended for sci/fi and Portman fans who may be more tolerant of film’s shortcomings. Continue reading →
March 11, 2018 “The Strangers 2: Prey At Night” (*** out of four) was a spooky sequel to the 2008 original about another family (Christina Hendricks, Bailee Madison, Martin Henderson) staying in a secluded cabin who are visited and slaughtered by three masked psychopaths. Opening half-hour is sluggish but once it gets going, it provides plenty of scares and jolts and actually improves on the original. Strong soundtrack selections in key scenes are a real plus as well. Continue reading →
March 11, 2018 “Hurricane Heist” (*** out of four) was a spectacular action thriller about a group of thieves (Ralph Ineson, Melisssa Bolona, and others) who attempt a massive heist at the U.S. treasury mint in the midst of a rip-roaring category 5 hurricane which is destroying everything in its path. Story and characters are silly but film moves as fast as the hurricane and is packed with so much large-scale action and sensational special effects that it’s fun to watch just the same. Director Rob Cohen’s most entertaining movie in years, even if it appears he watched “Hard Rain” and “Twister” a few times before filming. Continue reading →
March 11, 2018 “Good Time” (***1/2 out of four) was a pulsating underworld drama set in NYC about a bank-robber (Robert Patttinson) who tries to save his mentally handicapped brother (Benny Safdie who also co-directed) from being sent to Rykers Island prison all the while trying to stay alive and trying to stay one step ahead of the cops and remain free himself. Searing, strikingly well-told story is visually dazzling with a hypnotic music score by Daniel Lopaldi and a real image-altering role for Pattinson. Gets to be a bit much after a while and owes an obvious debt to “Mean Streets” but is highly stylish and engrossing Continue reading →
March 11, 2018 “Brawl In Cell Block 99” (*1/2 out of four) was an underdone prison melodrama about a tough convict (Vince Vaughn) who is sent to the title underground prison bunker by a rough warden (Don Johnson) after several fights with prisoners and guards. Film has very little plot and very little that’s revelatory for anyone who’s seen other prison films. Give Vaughn points for trying a different type of role for him but he’s one-note and superficial, much like the film itself. Johnson fares much better in key supporting role Continue reading →
March 10, 2018 “Bent” (*** out of four) was a gritty action thriller about a disgraced former cop (Karl Urban) turned private investigator after being released from prison and starts snooping around a murder case which he later connects to a government agency involving many friends and former working partners (Andy Garcia, Sofia Vergara, and others). Starts to lose its way in the middle as it becomes one more conspiracy thriller involving the government and sleazy cops but still has plenty of twists and turns, and features Urban in one of his strongest performances. Vincent Spano and John Finn are strong too in minor but key supporting roles. Continue reading →
March 8, 2018 “Children Of The Corn: Runaway” (*1/2 out of four) was a cornball, umpteenth entry in this weary series that began all the way back in 1984; once again, a murderous group of Midwestern children are running amok and a young pregnant girl (Marci Miller) relocates to Oklahoma to escape from them but she soon finds that those children have the darndest ways of tracking you down! Thoroughly routine and by-the-numbers. By this point, horror fans should want to run away from this series. Continue reading →
March 7, 2018 “Dirt” (*** out of four) was an endearing action drama about a reformed car thief (Deron Horton) looking for a second chance and gets a job as a mechanic for an off-road racing team but when their driver quits- the team’s manager (Kevin Dillon) then gives him a chance at being team driver and winning the championship! Story basics are predictable but rock-solid performances and chemistry from Horton and Dillon and good action scenes give this unexpected spark and fusion. Plenty of product plugs for Rock Star and racing parts. Continue reading →
