Creepshow (1982)

An anthology which tells five terrifying tales based on the E.C. horror comic books of the 1950s.

Nicely reimagined homage to 50s horror comics balances humor with some nasty bits and is generally enjoyable, although the quality of the episodes vary considerably.

Halliwell (no star): "Supposedly funny, but mainly rather nasty recreation of a famous 'comic' style; far too extended for its own good."

Maltin**: "Romero nicely captures the look of a comic book..., but Stephen King's five "fantastic tales"...are transparent and heavy-handed..."

Run All Night (2015)

A mobster and hit man has one night to figure out where his loyalties lie: with his estranged son, whose life is in danger, or his longtime best friend, a mob boss, who wants the hitman's son to pay for the death of his own son.

Solid, but not too original thriller is suspenseful due to professional direction and a good cast.

The Way Back (2010)

Siberian gulag escapees walk 4000 miles overland to freedom in India.

Basically an adventure drama made with expertise, wonderful landscape photography and a good cast, the political message is merely an afterthought.

On rewatching; I agree it is mostly watchable as a successful adventure movie.

Maltin**1/2: "Episodic story is told on a vast canvas, in a grand style reminiscent of David Lean. Unfortunately, despite some genuinely exciting passages and strong performances, the film goes on too long and leads to an unsatisfying conclusion. Perhaps its most noteworthy achievement is making us believe its actors are genuinely Russian, Polish, etc."

Man on a Ledge (2012)

As a police psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion.

Nicely made and fairly entertaining thriller loses credibility with its far-fetched plot.

Maltin**: "There are clever moments, but the plot gets progressively more ridiculous and eventually loses steam; the depiction of dirty cops and a ruthless business tycoon are pretty shopworn."

Appaloosa (2008)

Two friends hired to police a small town that is suffering under the rule of a rancher find their job complicated by the arrival of a young widow.

Nicely photographed and played elegiac revisionist Western celebrates old-fashioned men's bonding and honor which includes a good slice of misogyny as well.

Maltin**: "Fairly simple story...takes an awfully long time to spin out. Harris and Mortensen make a great team, and their friendship is the most interesting aspect of this long-winded film."

Mother! (2017)

 

 

A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence.

 

Over-the-top thesis play in two parts starts off fairly ominous, but (deliberately) blows out of proportion in the second half, and the whole thing is an easily decipherable allegory and appears more like an unintentional satire; well-made, though, with a good cast.

Apollo 13 (1995)

NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.

Top-notch production (and special effects) and cast guarantee for an entertaining, but not quite original or surprising space adventure.

Halliwell**: "A gripping documentary-style recreation of an averted tragedy, excellently done but one that is an uncritical celebration of the American way and which makes no attempt to put the mission into a wider historical context; it settles for simple patriotism."

Maltin***1/2: "Exhilarating story...A rare instance where special effects actually serve the story and help make it completely credible; perfect 1970s period detail is another asset."

China Moon (1994)

A detective falls for a beautiful woman, who is trapped in a violent marriage and shoots her husband,  and relucantly agrees to help hide the body, but his partner is showing an unusual flair for finding clues.

Competently made and well-cast Neo-Noir crime drama which somewhat disappoints with its overtly artificial twist ending.

Halliwell*: "Accomplished but sometimes predictable foray into film noir, an agreeable time-waster."

Maltin**: "A couple of neat twists, but production is more than a bit reminiscent of  (the superior) BODY HEAT - down to the Florida locale."