November 13, 2016November 13, 2016 “Bad People” (*** out of four) was a sharp, clever black comedy about various personalities who intersect in Los Angeles- a crack-addicted politician (Christopher Goodman) seeking re-election, a religious scam artist, a reality t.v. star addicted to his own fame, and two surfer girls (Sara Fletcher, Anne Girard) seeking sex on online dating! Director-and-writer Alex Petrovich throws in everything but the kitchen sink and winds up with a movie that’s distasteful, uneven, and often very funny. And it never stops moving as it weaves from one character to the next. Not for all tastes but may remind some of early period Kevin Smith (“Clerks”, “Mallrats.”). Continue reading →
November 13, 2016 “Come And Find Me” (** out of four) was a grim melodrama about a boyfriend (Aaron Paul) whose partner goes missing and he attempts to track her down but soon realizes she was not who she appeared to be and there is a lot more to her story and their relationship. Too long and too dour and story never sufficiently gets going. Good cast and interesting story aren’t enough to make this one worth finding. Not all that different than “Gone Girl” but lacking David Fincher’s style and precision. Continue reading →
November 12, 2016 “Scathing” (*1/2 out of four) was a scathingly violent, unpleasant horror pic about a giant madman serial killer who hunts down a couple (John Kyle and Allie Sparks) who are stranded in the desolated wilderness when their car breaks down. Strictly for those who found “Wolf Creek” and “Saw” to be too tame and intellectually challenging. Even the killer looks disinterested and bored. Continue reading →
November 12, 2016 “Dog Eat Dog” (** out of four) was a gruesome, ugly underworld thriller set in Cleveland about a vengeful mafia henchmen who hires a crew of ex-cons (Nicolas Cage, Willem Dafoe and others) to kidnap the baby of a rival mobster. Naturally, complications arise and things go horribly wrong. Typically sordid and unpleasant collections of characters and plot twists from Paul Schrader (“Affliction”, “Taxi Driver”, “Light Sleeper”) but best left to his most hard-core fanbase. Not the worst of its kind but missing the electricity and passion that Martin Scorcese would have infused in this material. Cage is entertaining; Dafoe is miscast as a sleaze who cries too often. Continue reading →
November 12, 2016 “True Memoirs Of An International Assassin” (**1/2 out of four) was a likeable Netflix comedy about an author (Kevin James) whose fiction book about a deadly assassin is misconstrued as non-fiction and he is suddenly thrust into the world of his book involving international espionage and underworld crossfire involving the D.E.A., the mob, and the South American government. Amusing but overly contrived comedy at least never stops moving. James’ effortless likeability helps carry this a long way and Zulay Henao is strong also as a D.E.A. avenger who befriends James. Continue reading →
November 12, 2016 “Shut In” (*1/2 out of four) was a ridiculous psychological thriller starring Naomi Watts as a widowed child psychologist whose husband was killed and her son seriously injured in a car crash and who now lives an isolated existence in rural New England. In the midst of a deadly storm, she attempts to rescue a young boy but old secrets from the past threaten their existence. This progressively dumb and ugly thriller should have been “shut down” before filming began. Final plot twist 3/4 of the way through is laughable. Watts is far too strong an actress for this weak material. Continue reading →
November 12, 2016 “Arrival” (*1/2 out of four) was a boring sci/fi snooze about a linguist (Amy Adams) recruited by the military to interpret alien communications. You keep thinking something significant is going to happen but nothing ever does, as film plods on for nearly two hours. Adams is terrific as usual but is unable to enrich this weak material. A real disappointment from director Denis Villaneuve who directed the superior “Prisoners” and will be directing the upcoming “Blade Runner” sequel. And what a real waste of a fine supporting cast, including Forest Whitaker and Jeremy Renner. Continue reading →
November 11, 2016 “Excess Baggage” (** out of four) was an excessively dull drama about a widowed teacher (Brad Hills who also wrote and directed) who begins dating a new girl (Jennifer Kairis) but finds that they both have more personal and emotional baggage than either realizes. Hills’ engaging and empathic performance is the best thing about the movie but it’s mediocre at best. Thin storyline might play better on television. No relation to the dreadful 1997 Alicia Silverstone comedy of the same name, thank God. Continue reading →
November 10, 2016 “Texas Voodoo Zombies” (0 stars out of four) was a dreadfully inept horror thriller about a moronic former drug dealer (Sheleva Bailey) who takes a job as an exterminator to appease his corrupt probation officer but through a series of stupid complications, ends up spraying a zombie potion that turns his hood into a series of walking dead zombies. Abjectly painful acting has to be seen to be believed but this is by no means a recommendation. Awful script and direction mixed with lame zombie makeup turn this into a real horror show. Forewarned is forearmed. Continue reading →
November 9, 2016 “Alcoholist” (** out of four) was a preachy and unpleasant melodrama about an alcoholic (John Robinson) who attempts to detox and straighten his life out with the help of a concerned therapist (Gabriella Wright) while at the same time plotting to kill his neighbor (Bill Moseley) who he blames for his circumstances and misfortunes. Attempt to make meaningful statement about the treatise of alcoholism combined with a melodramatic revenge thriller doesn’t work, despite good performances and some striking imagery from director Lucas Pavetto. A good try that comes up short. Movies like these are enough to make you want to go to an A.A. meeting Continue reading →
