“Larceny” (*1/2 out of four) was a tiresome action thriller starring a grizzled Dolph Lundgren as a grizzled former D.E.A. agent hired by the C.I.A. to break into a top-secret Mexican prison and retrieve stolen information that can lead to worldwide political chaos. Fitting title for a movie that liberally steals from “Assault On Precinct 13”, “Lock Out”, and many other (better) movies to think of. Film’s villain is a senator who wants to build a wall separating the U.S. from Mexico and how’s that for topicality! Corbin Bernsen livens things up a little as one of Lundgren’s former partners in crime.

Continue reading →

“The Night Watchmen” (*1/2 out of four) was a cheesy, lame horror comedy about three inept night watchmen (Ken Arnold, Dan Deluca, Kevin Jiggets) who are besieged by a horde of bloodthirsty vampires and have to defend their lives and their building to the death in a less-than-epic showdown. Climax where one of the security guards burns a pound of kush through the ventilator system and all the vampires start laughing is a real knee-slapper but it’s the only funny scene in the movie. What the hell is James Remar doing in this?

Continue reading →

“Highway To Havasu” (* out of four) was an excruciatingly unfunny teenage comedy romp about two buddies (Caleb Thomas and Andrew Fromer) who kidnap their broken-hearted friend (Ben Edlin) and take him on a less-than-enthralling road trip to Lake Havasu. Lame writing and direction and irritatingly stupid characters sink this all the way. In desperate need of a coherent script and characters who are even slightly likeable. This unwatchable dreck makes any of the “Porky’s” or “American Pie” sequels look like the Golden Age of comedy by comparison.

Continue reading →

“The Raking” (*1/2 out of four) was an amateurish horror show about a group of student friends (Bryan Brewer, Cree Kelly, Allie Rivera) who go on a cultural anthropology camping trip and are stalked and murdered by a hideous creature whose bad makeup and costume are shoddily ripped off from “Lord Of The Rings.” Opening scene is fairly scary but it’s all downhill from there, as film becomes by-the-numbers and boring. Pretty much for those who will rent anything from Redbox.

Continue reading →

“The Space Between Us” (**1/2 out of four) was a pleasant love story aimed at teenagers about the first human born on Mars (Asa Butterfield) who travels to Earth for the first time to discover how he came into existence and falls in love with a girl (Britt Robertson), with his scientist father (Gary Oldman) in pursuit to try to return him home. Combination of sci/fi melodrama, teenage romance, and otherworldly adventure never quite gells and takes off although it remains watchable and Robertson is strong as usual. No relation to The Dave Matthews Band song of the same name which surprisingly isn’t on the soundtrack.

Continue reading →

“The Bye Bye Man” (*1/2 out of four) was forgettable horror claptrap about three friends (Douglas Smith, Lucien Laviscount, and Cressida Bonas) who stumble upon the origins of the mysterious title figure who they realize is behind the many unspeakable acts of evil in their small town. Good-looking cinematography is a plus but the story is a mess, characters are bland, and scares are very few. Horror fans would best say “bye bye” to this and watch “Candyman” instead.

Continue reading →

“Get Out” (*** out of four) was a striking, spooky thriller about an interracial couple (Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams) who visit her wealthy family’s estate when he begins to realize that strange occurrences are going on which threaten their relationship and eventually his sanity. Elegantly made horror thriller is creepy and atmospheric although a little long. Kaluuya is terrific and LilRel Howery is very funny as his best friend. An impressive showing for writer-director Jordan Peele who also gives a good comeback role for ’80’s character actor Bradley Whitford

Continue reading →

“Bloodrunners” (**1/2 out of four) was a stylish but empty thriller set in 1930’s Prohibition era in which two corrupt cops (James McFadden and Chris James Boylan) discover that the main nightclub in town (run by Ice T) is a hideout for vampires intent on taking over the town! Handsomely mounted movie for die-hard vampire and Netflix fans who’ve been dying to see a cross between “From Dusk Till Dawn” and “The Cotton Club.” Silly but fast-moving enough to make it watchable. By now, though, the vampire genre needs a transfusion of fresh blood.

Continue reading →

“Logan” (***1/2 out of four) was a penetrating final entry in the X-Men series about an over-the-hill Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) who embarks on a final stand with his newfound daughter (Dafne Keen) and a terminally ill Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) to destroy a new breed of mutants who are being bred by an evil doctor (Richard E. Grant). Third (and best) of the Wolverine movies is alternately powerful, exciting, and touching, and is anchored by Jackman who has never been better in a role he originated 17 years ago. Assured direction from James Mangold who structures this as a Western and enhances his razor-sharp script which he co-wrote with Scott Frank.

Continue reading →