The Salton Sea (2002)

After a tragic incident, a man drifts into a world populated by thugs and speed junkies.

A thriller that celebrates its own downward spiral is mostly watchable for its cast of amazingly grotesque characters.

Halliwell (no star): "Sleazy movie that enjoys its descent into the gutter, which here is full of grotesque characters and incidents, including a noseless dealer who recreates the Kennedy assassination with the aid of pigeons in model cars."

Maltin*1/2: "Dreadful film noir-ish thriller...Cluttered story about chance and revenge has more scummy characters than any audience should have to encounter in one movie."

The Samaritan (2012)

After twenty years in prison, a man is finished with the grifter's life, but his past is proving to be a stubborn companion.

The story is really nothing new, so all kinds of twists and angles were built into the plot; otherwise an OK thriller with a good cast.

Maltin**: "Grim, serious crime film features good acting, but it's nothing new."

Silent Hill (2006)

A woman goes in search for her daughter, within the confines of a strange, desolate town called Silent Hill.

Based on a computer game this is an atmospheric horror show without a coherent plot and prefers to follow the logic of a nightmare. Once you can accept that premise it is quite effective.

On second viewing: I'd say the same thing again; visually it's quite mesmerizing.

Maltin*1/2: "Don't check this movie for parenting tips...Another video game becomes a hokey excuse for a two-hour-plus horror movie. Dialogue is so laughable it might be advisable to watch SILENT HILL with the sound turned off."

Crash (1996)

After getting into a serious car accident, a TV director discovers an underground sub-culture of scarred, omnisexual car-crash victims who use car accidents and the raw sexual energy they produce to try to rejuvenate his sex life with his wife.