“Don’t Fuck In The Woods” (*1/2 out of four) was a third-rate horror thriller that never managers to be as memorable as its title about a group of college graduate friends (Brittany Blanton, Ayse Howard, Roman Jossart) who go on a celebrating camping trip full of the usual sex and drugs but are soon preyed upon by a wooded creature. With a title like that, you know not to expect Oscar material but this may as well have all been outtakes from “Friday The 13th” and “Sleepaway Camp.” Plenty of nudity and sex for those who want it but plenty of bad acting and stupid dialogue too.

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“The Circle” (*1/2 out of four) was a shapeless drama about a young woman (Emma Watson) who lands a dream job at a powerful tech company called The Circle which is headed by a friendly C.E.O. (Tom Hanks) but later uncovers a sinister agenda from the company that will affect the privacy and security of society as we know it. Potentially interesting look at online consumerism and interaction in digital and social media is hollow and dull. Hanks is sorely wasted and so is Bill Paxton in his final film as Watson’s dying father.

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“Colossal” (*1/2 out of four) was a colossal mess about an alcoholic party girl (Anne Hathaway) who returns to her hometown after being kicked out by her boyfriend in NYC. While back home, she reconnects with a former boyfriend (Jason Sudeikis) and then finds out that a giant creature is on the loose in Seoul but she somehow she thinks she has a mysterious connection to this phenomenon! A well-intentioned but complete misfire. A particular waste of Hathaway and Sudeikis who don’t even have a chance with this bizarre and incomprehensible story and script.

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“Evil In Her” (*1/2 out of four) was yet another wasteful horror thriller about exorcisms and paranormal activity in which a newlywed is possessed by the Devil which threatens her sanity and her relationship with her husband. Maybe horror filmakers are the ones who are possessed because you would think they would get tired of retelling the same story over and over again. Good performances and glossy surface can’t begin to breathe life into tired material that feels leftover from “The Shining” and “The Exorcist”.

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“Post Partum” (* out of four ) was an abysmal short horror drama that should have been aborted about a new mother who begins to exhibit strange tendencies at the hospital and shows signs she may be possessed by (yawn) the devil. At only 27 minutes long, this still is a dreadful slog which turns into yet another movie about exorcisms and spiritual takeovers. Danielle Harris shows up in a supporting role as a vindictive nurse but she deserves so much better than this. This one belongs in I.C.U.

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“Going In Style” (*** out of four) was an often very remake of the 1979 comedy about three down-on-their-luck senior citizens (Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman, Alan Arkin) who become fed up with cutbacks to their retirement and health insurance and decide to throw caution to the wind and rob a bank! Terrific chemistry and camaraderie between the three leads enhance Theodore Melfi’s script which is sharp and at times touching. Christopher Lloyd is amusing as one of Arkin’s friends who is combating a very forgetful memory and Ann Margaret has one of her most memorable recent roles as Arkin’s new flame. A small winner all around.

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“Wolves At The Door” (** out of four) was a lukewarm horror story set in the summer of love in 1969 in which four friends gather at a home but unbeknownst to them- they’re being terrorized by a group of deadly visitors led by an ambitious psychopath named Charles Manson. Attempt at exploring and injecting the Manson history and phenomenon into an exploitation horror thriller has only minor results. Film moves along efficiently but lacks scares, thrills, or an original point of view. Soundtrack has several great ’60’s gems but other period detail is very superficial. For a sharper movie about Manson, watch “Helter Skelter” or “Charles Manson Superstar.”

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“Only For One Night” (**1/2 out of four) was a slickly done erotic thriller about the seemingly perfect husband (Brian White) who has a one-night affair with his wife’s sister (Angelique Pereira) who turns out to be an obsessive sicko…..and we’re into another cliched “Fatal Attraction” clone. Predictable and unsurprising but stylish filmmaking and White’s empathic performance help keep this watchable. Owes more than a bit to “Obsessed” and also “Temptations” but still reasonably entertaining.

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“Instant Death” (** out of four) was an instant dud about a former Special Forces veteran (Lou Ferrigno) who is plunged into a brutal drug war between two rival gangs which threatens his life and his family’s safety. Fairly fast-moving but cold and ugly story has little to distinguish it from other and much better underworld action movies. Ferrigno makes you long for the expansive charisma and eloquent style of Steven Seagal or Jean Claude Van Damme in the lead.

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“Savage Dog” (**1/2 out of four) was a not-bad historical action melodrama set in Indochina in 1959 which was a land beyond rule involving various feuding sects and a merciless government and how one warrior (Scott Adkins) attempts to break out from this oppression. Ambitious attempt at a martial-arts action story and a grand epic melodrama misses the mark in terms of context and script but has enough action and hand-to-hand combat to make it watchable. Best if taken purely as an action picture although there are pretensions the movie would like to be much more. Well directed by veteran action choreographer Jesse V. Johnson who obviously watched “Bloodsport” a few times before filming this.

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