Thursday 28 February 2019
Black Earth Rising (2018)
Kate Ashby was rescued as a child from the Rwandan genocide by her renowned international lawyer adopted mother Eve. Living in London and working for barrister Michael Ennis, Kate's mother takes on a case involving an African militia leader which will upend both their lives forever.
Compelling political drama with an excellent cast of characters uses the episodic form of a TV series to slowly reveal several layers of a conspiracy further complicated by the diverging interests of the former European occupiers of an African country.
The Wolfman (2010)
Upon his return to his ancestral homeland, an American man is bitten, and subsequently cursed by, a werewolf.
Nicely produced homage to the original horror classic, concerning atmosphere and the creature's appearance, offers great cinematography and period detail and a star cast, although it's a far cry from the original's impact.
Maltin**1/2: "Sober remake of the 1941 classic isn't bad but insists on expanding the story , to no good end. Del Toro's character is underwritten, while Hopkins (as his father) gets to chew the scenery. Still, Rick Heinrich's production design is handsome, Rick Baker and Dave Elsey's Oscar-winning makeup is effective, and the scare scenes are well staged, so it's not a total loss."
Tuesday 26 February 2019
The Messenger (2009)
An American soldier struggles with an ethical dilemma when he becomes involved with a widow of a fallen officer.
A study of various people and their ways of coping with loss, grief and bonding convinces mainly through its excellent ensemble of characters and some memorable scenes.
Maltin***1/2: "Episodic, but moving look at the different ways people deal with anger, pain, repressed emotions, and grief...Foster and Harrelson are first-rate, along with a fine ensemble who often have just moments to create their performances."
Rabbit Hole (2010)
Life for a happy couple is turned upside down after their young son dies in an accident.
Simple, but not too remarkable tale about loss and grief; the good cast makes it worth the watch.
Maltin***: "Honest, moving portrait of how a couple deals with grief...Superior acting makes this well worth seeing, despite the somber subject matter."
Maltin***: "Honest, moving portrait of how a couple deals with grief...Superior acting makes this well worth seeing, despite the somber subject matter."
Sunday 24 February 2019
You (2018)
A clever bookstore manager relies on his savvy Internet know-how to make the woman of his dreams fall in love with him.
Slightly satirical tale from the point of view of a seemingly charming, but actually psychopathic stalker (and killer) is coolly directed with a well planned episodic structure and a large ensemble of characters.
Spring Breakers (2012)
Four college girls hold up a restaurant in order to fund their spring break vacation, and while partying, drinking, and taking drugs, they are arrested, only to be bailed out by a drug and arms dealer.
Slickly made morality play exacerbating the sex and violence elements of the story, and the performances are good with Franco upping the ante as the low-life drug dealer; however, basically the result is not much different than an exploitation flick from 70s or 80s.
Saturday 23 February 2019
Birth (2004)
A young boy attempts to convince a woman that he is her dead husband reborn.
Unusual drama insinuating or rather imagining the possibility of reincarnation skillfully holds its protagonists - and the audience - in a suspended, disquieting state of doubt and belief.
Maltin***: "Eerie, riveting drama is remarkably effective in building and sustaining a mood of unease - and uncertainty."
Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2010)
The adventures of supernatural private investigator, Dylan Dog, who seeks out the monsters of the Louisiana bayou in his signature red shirt, black jacket, and blue jeans.
Comic book style horror romp with some misguided attempts at humor, obviously not meant for an adult audience.
Friday 22 February 2019
New acquisition: Ascenseur pour l'echafaud (1958)
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The Girl With All the Gifts (2016)
A scientist and a teacher living in a dystopian future embark on a journey of survival with a special young girl named Melanie.
Unusual take on the zombie doomsday genre, well-made with some atmosphere and a capable cast, in which, however, Sennia Nanua steals the show.
Thursday 21 February 2019
The Caveman's Valentine (2001)
A cave-dwelling man sets out to track down the killer of a homeless boy, and bring him to justice.
Somewhat off-kilter crime drama never really takes off, and Jackson's performance is quite over-the-top.
Maltin*1/2: "Strange, unappealing film has almost nothing to recommend it."
Wednesday 20 February 2019
The Big Country (1958)
A New Englander arrives in the Old West, where he becomes embroiled in a feud between two families over a valuable patch of land.
Big-scale epic Western with great scenic cinematography and some memorable performances and scenes, although the proto-pacifist message is quite dated by now.
Halliwell***: "Big-scale Western with a few pretensions to say something about the Cold War. All very fluent, star-laden and easy to watch."
Maltin***: "Overblown Western...Heston as quick-tempered ranch foreman and Ives...as burly patriarch stand out in energetic cast."
Bron/Broen Season 2 (2013)
After a ship with dead bodies on board crashes against the Bridge, Saga seeks for the help of the Danish police corps, including Martin.
The series continues withe same high quality of production, cinematography and ensemble of characters, but again the crime mystery meanders in all kinds of directions and its solution doesn't match the gravity of the crimes committed.
Tuesday 19 February 2019
Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (2019)
A look inside the mind of serial killer Ted Bundy, featuring interviews with him on death row.
Comprehensive documentary about a notoriously enigmatic serial killer not only shows the chronology of events, but also the media and public reactions and, amazingly, Bundy's ciling own account of them.
Apostle (2018)
In 1905, a drifter on a dangerous mission to rescue his kidnapped sister tangles with a sinister religious cult on an isolated island.
Gory horror drama has a silly plot, but is made with atmosphere, a good cast and good period detail.
Sunday 17 February 2019
Shadowheart (2009)
James Conners comes home to the town of Legend, New Mexico in 1865 to avenge his fathers death against the ruthless Will Tunney. Along the way he re-captures his long lost love Mary Cooper. With the chance to take Will Tunney he must choose revenge or redemption.
Old-fashioned Western, made as if directly out of a do-it-yourself kit, barely average and highly forgettable.
Saturday 16 February 2019
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