Spotlight might not be at the top of my best of 2015 list but it’s still a well made film all around from the efficient direction, tight writing and brilliant performances (save for Ruffalo in the one scene) so I have no qualms with its recent win for Best Picture and say it’s well worth purchase.
Miss You Already might be a clichéd drama but the performances, especially Toni Collette, and some of the writing, especially in how it relates to the battle with cancer – both on clinical and personal points – at least helps make it entertaining if not on an emotional level.
No Way Out was a pleasant surprise of a thriller featuring good suspense and a solid performance by Kevin Costner with honorable mention to Will Patton. To cap things off, the ending had a nice and unexpected twist.
My All American is the clichéd sports drama but mostly well acted especially on the part of Finn Wittrock. I can’t say I recommend it considering it is the type of film that will eventually air on Spike or maybe even the Hallmark Channel in a few years but if you enjoy the genre, it might be a worthwhile rental.
Frankenstein is an interesting re-telling of the classic story and features great performances from Xavier Samuel and Carrie-Anne Moss and although there are certainly flaws with the script and a limited budget, it’s well worthwhile watching though it seems like this would be tailored for SyFy.
Sheba, Baby isn’t one of Pam Grier’s great movies from the blaxploitation era but it’s still an entertaining and cheesy romp between the 1970s style, soundtrack and all around acting particularly on the part of D’Urville Martin and some of his cohorts (“that’s right”). This Blu-ray released through Arrow Video offers good video and audio transfers and a so-so selection of bonus material.
Blood Rage is by no means a great horror flick but it is kind of typical of the 1980s. The acting is mostly awful and the plot isn’t exactly top notch, though I suppose as a relic of the era it might be worth some time, including checking out the Nightmare at Shadow Woods versions also included in this 3-disc set.
The Mutilator isn’t a very good movie, that’s for sure and even compared to others from that era, it’s below par, which said, watching it with a group of friends is probably the only way to go as its all kinds of fun, but on its own, it is pretty lackluster. All of that said, this release from Arrow is fantastic.
Extraction is exactly what I thought it would be and so much less. It’s yet another direct-to-video (or very limited release) from Bruce Willis who is not only somehow second billed in spite of making a cameo appearance but billed behind Kellan Lutz, tells you everything you need to know.
Where the Sidewalk Ends isn’t the most well known film noir from the era or even from Otto Preminger’s resume, but it’s a compelling drama with solid performances from Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney.
“Falling Skies” was a bit of an uneven series but I can’t say over the course of its five seasons I can’t say any of them were particularly ‘bad’ and had many entertaining moments. The series was also efficient with its budget and featured some impressive effects, both visual and make-up, while the acting all around was quite good headed by Noah Wyle as well as Will Patton.
I Knew Her Well isn’t something I normally watch and I wasn’t especially invested with the story or the character but it’s hard to deny the performance from Stefania Sandrelli was excellent and in the end I at least found it well made with a moving final scene.
This “Double Feature” release from Shout Factory is the definition of a mixed bag. While Millennium was pretty darn good with a compelling story and respectable acting, R.O.T.O.R. is the exact opposite in every regard and easily is one of the worst films I’ve seen in some time if not ever.
Speechless has a nice spin on the classic romantic comedy formula (opposites attract and all that) and Michael Keaton and Gena Davis share some nice chemistry and as a bonus for geeks, we do get to see Keaton and Christopher Reeve share a scene.
Love the Coopers has an impressive cast but below par script. It’s not all that entertaining despite having the likes of John Goodman, Diane Keaton, Marisa Tomei and Alan Arkin (not to mention Anthony Mackie in a thankless role) and with some snips could easily air on TBS to fill airtime around Thanksgiving or Christmas.