“Free Fire” (*1/2 out of four) was an unbearably tedious and repetitive action melodrama set in 1978 Boston which is basically one endless shootout in which two rival gangs (Sharlito Copley, Cillian Murphy, Armie Hammer, Brie Larson, and others) meet in a deserted and dilapidated warehouse and soon open fire on one another leading to a fight to the death. If you want shootouts without any plot, character development, or any sense- then have it. Otherwise, director Ben Wheatley’s film is more of an empty experimental exercise than a movie and on that level it runs out of steam really quick.

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“Unforgettable” (** out of four) was a thoroughly predictable erotic thriller about a woman (Rosario Dawson) who moves to a new town with her fiance (Geoff Stults) but his ex (Katherine Heigl) turns out to be a nutjob who will stop at nothing to tear them apart and destroy her. Illogical and often dumb plotting undoes good performances from Heigl and Dawson. Final showdown between them is particularly disappointing. A completely unnecessary clone of “Fatal Attraction”/”Obsessed”/”The Crush” and too many others to think of.

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“Isolation” (*1/2 out of four) was a substandard, suspenseless melodrama based on a true story about a couple (Luke Mabbly and Tricia Helfer) vacationing in the Bahamas who are taken in by seemingly friendly neighbors (Dominic Purcell and Marie Avgarepoulos) who offer them drinks and hospitality. It’s no surprise that the pair turn out to be murderers out to gradually steal their identities. Lacks any surprises or sparks, and takes too long to unravel and get where it’s going. Purcell is good though and perhaps should start taking on more bad-guy roles.

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“The Follower” (** out of four) was a so-so thriller about a famous singer (Erika Christensen) whose plane crashes in the wilderness and the only other survivor (Bethany Lauren James) turns out to be an obsessive fan and a serious sicko who holds and torments her in an isolated cabin while her family and other fans struggle to find her. Solid work from Christensen and James do their best to enrich and enliven mediocre material. Reasonably good fillmmaking can’t hide the fact that this is basically a reworking of “Misery”.

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“Sticky Notes” (**1/2 out of four) was a fairly well-done family melodrama about a grouchy father (Ray Liotta) who is dying of terminal cancer and how this affects his strained relationship with his self-destructive daughter (Rose Leslie) but that they try to mend their difficult relationship before it is too late. Strong performances by both Leslie and Liotta boost this uneven story which ranges from effective and incisive to meandering and unpleasant at times. Still, a worthwhile showing for writer-director Amanda Sharp and a good actor’s showcase overall.

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“Earthtastrophe” (** out of four) was a jerry-made, umpteenth post-apocalyptic movie about the disappearance of the moon which causes a flash of light that eradicates Earth. 11 months later, civilization gradually collapses forces a group of heroes (Andrew J. Katers and Alexa Mansour) to struggle to “safe ground” before it is too late. Mediocre acting and special effects make this only for those who never saw quality disaster movies like “2012”, “Independence Day”, or even “The Day After Tomorrow.” The future just ain’t what it used to be.

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“Personal Shopper” (* out of four) was a lifeless drama set in Paris about an American personal shopping assistant (Kristen Stewart) who refuses to leave the city until she makes contact with her twin brother who died there recently. Complications further arise when a mysterious person begins texting her. Stewart’s usual one-note expressionless performance perfectly suits film’s flat and drab look and molasses pace and that’s not meant as a compliment. If she’s trying to prove her acting strength in independent dramas, she needs to “shop” around for better scripts and directors. Ciao bella!

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“Before I Fall” (**1/2 out of four) was an imperfect but compelling story about a high-school teenager (Zoey Deutch) who finds herself in a time loop a la “Groundhog Day” living the same day over and over again in which her and her friends go to a party and are involved in a deadly crash but she tries to change fate and change their consequences and learn the true meaning of her life and making every day count. As is the case with many of these time-loop movies, the story starts to get repetitive and never shifts into high gear but it keeps its grip thanks to Deutch’s first-rate performance and some striking touches from director Ry Russo-Young and cinematographer Michael Fimognari. Adam Taylor’s haunting music score is another definite plus.

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“The Belko Experiment” (**1/2 out of four) was an interesting, if not altogether successful, mashup of “The Purge” and “Ten Little Indians” about 80 Americans (including Tony Goldwynn, John C. McGinley, and John Gallagher Jr.) being locked in their high-rise corporate skyscraper office and being directed by an unknown voice on an intercom to participate in a deadly game of kill-or-be-killed and pretty soon the bodies start piling up. Mixture of parody of corporate office politics and intense carnage doesn’t fully gel and gets progressively uglier and violent in its final third. Still, a respectable try and at least it holds your attention through-out.

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“Female Fight Club” (** out of four) was an unspectacular exploitation action melodrama about a former underworld fighting champion (Amy Johnston) who reluctantly returns to the underground fighting world to help her sister survive and to fight against the maniacal nutjob who runs it. The type of movie that would have been playing at grindhouse cinemas in the 70’s and 80’s but since they’re not around anymore, this went to straight to Redbox. Some good fights and one original sex scene but it’s all pretty by-the-numbers.

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