“The Running Man” (** out of four) was an inferior remake of the better-than-ever and underrated 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger classic about a working-class convict (Glenn Powell) convinced by a millionaire-television mogul (Josh Brolin) to engage in a televised gameshow for his freedom against a series of various death-defying opponents. With all the sharp/social commentary of the original blunted and with its point-of-view and sense of humor removed, what’s left is simply a generic action thriller and one that goes on far too long. Powell tries his best in the lead and gives this his passionate best.

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“The Rip” (***1/2 out of four) was an absolutely riveting and dazzlingly stylish action melodrama about a group of rogue Miami cops (Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor) who make a large cash seizure inside the house of a female suspect (Sasha Calle) but this soon leads to distrust amongst them as everyone finds their worst instincts of greed and corruption rising to the surface. Director Joe Carnahan wires you into the pulse of the characters and their twists and turns and does not let up in his best film ever and an interesting companion piece to his similar “Narc” from years ago. Damon and Affleck recreate their usual chemistry with intuitive ease and Affleck is dynamite in his best performance in years. Bullseye!

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“The Strange Dark” (*1/2 out of four) was a very strange film about a woman (Nili Bassman) in peril who must decide whether to trust her husband (Caleb Scott) who claims to have mysterious premonitions about the future or some strangers (Bates Wilder, John Beckwith, and others) who have shown up at her door. Speaking of which- this film liberally rips off “The Strangers” but without much of it’s emotional power or panache. Some have very much liked this film but not this FB reviewer.

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“The Strange Dark” (*1/2 out of four) was a very strange film about a woman (Nili Bassman) in peril who must decide whether to trust her husband (Caleb Scott) who claims to have mysterious premonitions about the future or some strangers (Bates Wilder, John Beckwith, and others) who have shown up at her door. Speaking of which- this film liberally rips off “The Strangers” but without much of it’s emotional power or panache. Some have very much liked this film but not this FB reviewer.

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“Kayla” (*1/2 out of four) was a confusing, tedious suspense melodrama about a woman (Latia Matthews) who has an affair with a married man (DeJuan Ford) and then becomes obsessed with him and (yawn) starts stalking him and his girlfriend (Sabree Whitfield). Yet another rip-off of “Fatal Attraction”/“Obsessed”/“Sleeping With The Enemy” and pretty much any other thriller you can think of. Abrupt ending is the icing on the stale cake but at least it’s over soon after.

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“The Omro Heist” (** out of four) was a passable action melodrama set in midwestern Wisconsin in which a brutal bank robber (Simon Phillips) overtakes the town bank while the local cops (Anthony Crivello, Ken Bressers, and others) try to negotiate with him and various hostages (Heather Arendt, Damir Kovic, and others) contemplate fighting back and escaping. No “Dog Day Afternoon” nor “Inside Man” but efficiently made enough to be watchable and Jamie Bailey’s colorful cinematography is a highlight throughout.

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“The Handyman” (*1/2 out of four) was a deficient action melodrama about a handyman (Kevin Caliber) whose violent past and action skills have to resurface when he is thrust into an underworld showdown with a group of terrorist thugs (Erik Anthony Russo, Mark Schaefer, and others) and to protect a young woman (Veronica Tullo). Thirdhand generic action movie full of ennui and empty gunfights and hand-to-hand combat sequences. Film makes numerous references to both “Die Hard” and “Taken” as excuses to rip both films off.

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“Feral Female” (* out of four) was an excruciatingly garish and low-grade pulp action thriller about an exotic animal hunter (Jared Masters) who is called in to capture a dangerous and undomesticated female (Kate Ly Johnston) who wreaks havoc on all of the single males in L.A. At least if you’re going to make trash like this- do it with some style and conviction but film is inept on almost every level. Horror fans will note the gas station here is the same one used in “Friday The 13th 3-D” which looks like genius Spielberg compared to this.

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“The Wrong Life Coach” (** out of four) was a pre-fabricated, predictable entry in Vivica Fox’s never-ending “Wrong” series; this time, a woman (Morgan Bradley) down on her luck in life hires a life coach (Allison McAtee) who turns out to be a vindictive bitch who plots to ruin her life and turn everything upside down. Relatively well-acted and smoothly directed but seriously Vivica the thrill is gone. Incredibly- this is the 26th entry in this endless series! As usual, Fox has a minor role this time as an uptight boss.

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“Scissors” (* out of four) was a grotesque horror thriller about a sicko serial killer who is targeting the LGBTQ community; two world-weary detectives (B.J. Hendricks and Rob Mulligan) and the slimy mayor (Eric Roberts) investigate but find that this is one killer who is tough to track down and capture. Film mashes your face in so much repellent violence and excess ugliness that you may feel like one of the killer’s victims by the end. Brutal, in every sense of the word. Can’t someone save Roberts from this direct-to-DVD schlock?

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