“The Adventure Club” (*1/2 out of four) was a sloppy kid’s story about a young boy (Sam Ashe Arnold) who discovers an ancient puzzle box and with his friends begins a so-called adventure to find his fortune that will save his family. More excitement may have ensued had they all stayed home and done their homework together instead. Strictly for kids who are extremely undemanding or who have absolutely nothing better to watch. Billy Zane and Kim Coates show up and pick up a couple of bucks in embarrassing supporting roles.

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“Sacrilege” (*1/2 out of four) was a stale horror story about a young college student (Jenn Foreman) who buys a music box at a yard sale which soon leads to strange occurrences at her home and her house subsequently becomes haunted. Oh yes- in case you were wondering, there’s also a possessed child and a religious exorcism. The real sacrilege is that horror filmmakers can’t seem to come up with any new movie ideas. Even at 90 minutes, this feels repetitive and padded. Bolstered by creepy atmosphere but otherwise thoroughly routine.

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“Land Of Smiles” (* out of four) was an ugly, almost unwatchable horror freak show about a young backpacker (Alexandra Turshen) who is lured into the underworld paradise of Thailand to search for her kidnapped best friend but soon finds herself targeted and tortured by a sociopath whose following her. Plenty of sex and gore but plenty of sleaze and unpleasantness to make the “Hostel” movies look subtle by comparison. Even the beautiful Thailand scenery looks cheap and uninviting. Turshen isn’t bad in the lead role but you may want to take a shower when this is over.

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“The Bigfoot Project” (*1/2 out of four) was a stultifying comedy about a group of amateur filmmakers (Nick Armstrong, Andy Goldenberg, Emily O’Brien) who go to the backwoods of Georgia and search for Bigfoot. Unfortunately, their inept filmmaking skills are nothing next to the writer and director of this misfire. Unfunny writing and annoying characters sink this all the way although there are a few chuckles near the beginning. For a much funnier and more entertaining movie about Bigfoot, watch 1987’s “Harry And The Hendersons” instead.

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“Agent” (*1/2 out of four) was an utterly disposable thriller about as blunt and unimaginative as its title; a group of friends (Derek Ting, Marikah Cunningham, Eric Keitel) go to the desert for a gun instruction course and end up (yawn) unleashing an evil force that threatens to rise up and take over the world. Weak mix of action melodrama and zombie horror has a few pretty shots of the desert but takes way too long to get going and mostly fires blanks. Lead actor Ting was also movie’s writer and director but doesn’t do much that George Romero did better nearly 50 years ago in “Night Of The Living Dead.”

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“Essex Vendetta” (** out of four) was a half-hearted underworld melodrama about an ordinary family man (Michael McKell) who attempts to rise above his class and take on all comers in the criminal underworld, no matter how big or large and regardless of the consequences. Working-class English brogue is rhythmic and stylish and holds your interest for a while but soon it becomes tiresome and monotonous, just like the movie itself. Both Guy Ritchie’s “Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels” and “Snatch” went through the same territory with much more style and flash.

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“Lucky’s Treasure” (** out of four) was a thoroughly predictable story about a city girl named Lucky (Delaney) who moves to the country to live with her grandfather (Michael Ironside) and attempts to find a hidden treasure that her grandmother died looking for while falling in love and fitting in at school. Standard-issue story of girl whose a fish-out-of-water, young love, jealousy from small-town girls, etc. Young girls may like it anyway but it’s awfully pat and familiar. Ironside is good in a role he can probably play in his sleep by now. Pretty cinematography from Shane Hawks who also was the co-writer and director.

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“Black Butterfly” (***) out of four was a stirring psychological thriller about a reclusive and alcoholic writer (Antonio Banderas) who becomes friendly with a drifter (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and brings him into his house but soon finds that he’s a serious sicko who imprisons him in his remote home and forces him to write a new novel to his specifications. Imperfect, with a few gaps in logic and a few slow spots along the way, but carried along by Banderas and Meyers’ strong performances and a genuine surprise at the end. Well-made by director Brian Goodman who obviously watched “Misery” a few times before this.

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“Dirty Dancing” (**1/2 out of four) was a perfectly okay but uninspired remake of the 1987 teenage classic about a young teenager (Abigail Breslin) who travels with her family to a vacation resort and is swept away by a dance instructor (Colt Prattes) from the wrong side of the tracks and how this affects her innocence and her family. Breslin is solid in the lead role but Prattes won’t make anyone forget Patrick Swayze at all and film lacks the lift and magic of the original. Film uses strong new versions of the original soundtrack (“Time Of My Life”, “She’s Like The Wind”) but it just reiterates that this is a secondhand reworking of the original. Bruce Greenwood is terrific as Breslin’s dad although even this is practically the same role he played in another remake “Endless Love” from a few years ago.

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“1 Mile To You” (** out of four) was a pleasant but minor story about a high-school kid (Graham Rogers) whose friends die in a car accident and he finds running brings back and helps him to remember their memories perfectly and it subsequently catches the attention of the school coach (Billy Crudup) and turns him into a track star. Schmaltzy story of young love, sports, and survivor’s guilt is watchable but immediately forgettable. Crudup is engaging as always as the coach and Stefanie Scott is strong as Rogers’ girlfriend but the great Tim Roth is wasted in a throwaway role as the school’s bus driver.

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