Prometheus (2012)

 

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe.

All the ingredients are there, and certainly this has been made by an intelligent craftsman and a great cast, but the plot doesn't add this all up and has too many open ends.

On renewed viewing: I still agree with my first assessment: the script is muddled, but the movie does deliver some of the goods.

On re-watching: meanwhile this film has become a guilty pleasure.

Maltin ***: "Companion piece to Scott's ALIEN offers echos of that film in both good and not-so-good ways: it's thoughtful and intelligent, with two strong female characters, and masterfully crafted, but gives way to icky, gross-out moments...right up to the end. Fassbender is a standout as a sly, watchful robot who's one step ahead of everyone else."

 

Genius (2016)

A chronicle of Max Perkins's time as the book editor at Scribner and his relationship with Thomas Wolfe.

Muddled attempt of recreating a historical literary episode has some good period detail, but most figures are portrayed unsympathetically (especially Jude Law's Thomas Wolfe) and hardly manages to give an impression what the fuss is all about.

The Rover (2014)

10 years after a global economic collapse, a hardened loner pursues the men who stole his only possession, his car; along the way, he captures one of the thieves' brother, and the duo form an uneasy bond during the dangerous journey.

Extremely well-made and performed doomsday drama is very violent and conveys a bleak world without heart and redemption.

The Time Machine (2002)

Hoping to alter the events of the past, a 19th century inventor instead travels 800,000 years into the future, where he finds humankind divided into two warring races.

Nicely entertaining, if not a bit light-footed adaptation of the classic sci-fi novel has some good special effects.

Halliwell (no star): "Confused and unsatisfactory version of Wells' novel, even if it is directed by his great-grandson. The narrative is used merely as a peg for special effects."

Maltin**1/2: "The effects are impressive, but the story doesn't have the impact it should...and Pearce may not be the idealchoice for an old-fashioned hero."

Prometheus (2012)

A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe.

All the ingredients are there, and certainly this has been made by an intelligent craftsman and a great cast, but the plot doesn't add this all up and has too many open ends.

On renewed viewing: I still agree with my first assessment: the script is muddled, but the movie does deliver some of the goods.

Maltin ***: "Companion piece to Scott's ALIEN offers echos of that film in both good and not-so-good ways: it's thoughtful and intelligent, with two strong female characters, and masterfully crafted, but gives way to icky, gross-out moments...right up to the end. Fassbender is a standout as a sly, watchful robot who's one step ahead of everyone else."

Prometheus (2012)

Following clues to the origin of mankind a team journey across the universe and find a structure on a distant planet containing a monolithic statue of a humanoid head and stone cylinders of alien blood but they soon find they are not alone.

Lawless (2012)

In Depression-era Franklin County, Virginia, a trio of bootlegging brothers are threatened by a new special deputy and other authorities angling for a cut of their profits.

Intense, well-staged and well-cast crime drama, has atmosphere, but is somewhat slow-paced.

Maltin**: "Vividly atmospheric period piece, filmed in Georgia, has fine actors, flavor to spare, and spurts of extreme violence, but Nick Cave's screenplay leaves some characters undeveloped (like Oldman, who vanishes after two scenes) and others merely improbable (Chastain, as a wordly Chicago woman who seeks refuge - in rural Virginia). Watchable throughout, but bears no scrutiny whatsoever."

Animal Kingdom (2010)

 

 

A seventeen year-old navigates his survival amongst an explosive criminal family and the detective who thinks he can save him.

 

Intense and at times harrowing study of a criminal family, cast and production succedd in creating a very bleak world.

Maltin***: "Tough, uncomprimising drama always has one more surprise up its sleeve."

Lockout (2012)

A man wrongly convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S. is offered his freedom if he can rescue the president's daughter from an outer space prison taken over by violent inmates.

Sloppily made sci-fi action drama that hardly thrills; Guy Pearce as an endlessly wisecracking Bruce Willis wannabe is particularly unnerving.

Maltin**1/2: "Pearce's Bogart-like banter lifts this futuristic action tale...He definitely saves this over-the-top testosterone yarn by deftly creating an easygoing style of delivery for his clever, smart-aleck rogue."

In Her Skin (2009)

When a pretty 15-year-old Rachel goes missing, the police dismiss the incident as a runaway, but her parents don't believe it.

Intense drama with an excellent cast that explores the tragedy from the points of view of all involved.