Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
The Jungle Book 2 is yet another weaker additions in Disney’s arsenal of needless sequels and although this did get released theatrically, it was originally planned as a DTV release which this should have been relegated to along with all the rest. It’s not terrible and younger viewers might enjoy it as it’s a breezy flick that is only 65-minutes long (sans credits), but adults might not find much to enjoy.
Historical inaccuracies aside, Saving Mr. Banks is still a fine drama featuring two wonderful performances from Emma Thompson, who should have received an Oscar nod, and Tom Hanks. Yes, it is emotionally manipulative but it’s for one’s heartstrings not to be pulled at certain scenes.
as if you needed further proof of Uwe Boll’s talent (or lack thereof), In the Name of the King 3 is yet another entry into his lackluster resume. But unlike some of his “finer” films, this is merely a generically bad movie with no redeeming value and not even bad enough to mock. Purcell looks utterly bored and turns in an uninspiring performance.
The Slumber Party Massacre is yet another fine release from the folks at Shout Factory who have been at the helm with providing home viewers with some of the more obscure titles.
Continue reading “The Slumber Party Massacre Blu-ray Review”
Dark Horse is the latest in a long line of forgettable direct-to-video horror movies. The acting isn’t very good and the story not well developed. Not even the reliable Tobin Bell, outside of the laugh-induced hair that rivals Lundgren’s in Enemies Closer, can help turn this around.
Reasonable Doubt is yet another addition to the long line of forgettable direct-to-video films to be released over the years. The plot is contrived, the characters laughable one-dimensional and the performances, albeit forgivable due to the screenplay and dialogue, isn’t the best.
Equus is an intense and powerful drama featuring amazing performances, both of whom nominated for an Academy Award, from Richard Burton and Peter Firth. It’s not a movie for everybody but I found it to be disturbing yet engrossing through and through.
Conrack is an uplifting drama featuring a different kind of performance from (1970s) Jon Voight and also has some solid work from the supporting roles.
Fever Pitch is a fun British romantic drama featuring solid performances from Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmell. It’s filled with good drama providing background into Firth’s character and his obsession with “football” over-layered with his personal drama as an adult, giving layers to what could’ve otherwise been a fluffy film.
The Outsider hardly breaks new ground in the action/thriller genres but its breezy entertainment for 90-minute duration and features respectable enough acting work from the cast even if the actions of the characters don’t make a lick of sense.
Commitment is a half-decent martial arts movie with some good fight scenes and a semi-coherant and compelling story with a fine primary character.
Boiler Room unabashedly takes its cues from Wall Street and Glengarry Glenn Ross with a clip from the former being shown and quoted by the characters, so kudos for at least not denying it and claiming to be original through and through. The performances are mostly solid but the screenplay and in particular, the ending needed work because it had potential to be memorable.
Anna Nicole is the typical Lifetime Channel tripe with subpar acting, even from actors who tend not to be half-bad, and screenplays seemingly written by interns. The gravest sin going against this movie is that you really don’t learn a whole lot about her past and instead we get most of the items we saw in the news.
Nebraska is a slow developing yet poignant drama-comedy about aging, familial relationships and looking at the past. It’s not quite as good as Payne’s previous works like Sideways, but well worth watching especially for the performances from Bruce Dern who is absolutely incredible and Will Forte, working well off of Dern.
Samson and Delilah is one of Cecil Deville’s lavish spectacles with wonderful vistas and color cinematography that is absolutely beautiful and probably one of the reasons the movie has endured as much as it has. The two leads are fine in their roles though hardly memorable but admittedly it’s not a story I was enamored with to go along with a screenplay that isn’t the best in terms of dialogue.