Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
“Mr. Robot”: Season 1 is a strong show from beginning to end (for the most part) and even with a predictable twist, there was just enough there to enjoy between an interesting story and strong performances from Rami Malek, Christian Slater and Martin Wallström makes this binge-worthy viewing.
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The Intern has its problems for sure, specifically in the screenplay department where it is a half baked plot and gets sidetracked with semi-subplots that don’t amount to very much and are a bit too outlandish. That said, I did like the core cast, particularly Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway who made this far more entertaining than it really deserved.
Jem and the Holograms doesn’t have very much going for it, save maybe for Juliette Lewis who hammed it up well enough, and doesn’t even crossing into the so bad its good territory, and I’m not entirely sure if it’s even worth a Netflix/Redbox.
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The Condemned 2 is merely the latest dumb direct-to-video to come down the pike with clunky dialogue, mundane action and poor acting albeit at least Eric Roberts was semi-enjoyable in his role for whatever that’s worth. No doubt if this sells well we’ll see a third entry probably starring Dean Ambrose or something.
Sicario is one of the best movies of 2015 thanks to the direction, cinematography and Del Toro’s brilliant performance which bizarrely was overlooked by the Academy. Beyond that, it’s just a well paced thriller that never lets up yet still some nice character moments.
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension is another dud of a sequel in a franchise that should’ve stopped at #3 in making for at least a endurable enough trilogy. While this entry is tolerable, it’s still really bad and tedious with little actual scares and once gain relies on jump scares more than anything.
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Kings Go Forth is a well intentioned but ultimately ineffective war-romance-drama though the three leads – Sinatra, Curtis and Wood – all turn in fine performances. The Blu-ray released by Twilight Time offers good video and audio transfers but disappoints in the features department.
Downhill Racer is a well done crafted, and fantastically shot (the first-person view from the skier is exhilarating), sports movie with excellent performances by Robert Redford and Gene Hackman.
Memories of the Sword is just your run-of-the-mill fantasy martial arts flick, the kind I’ve seen too many times. The lead actress isn’t bad but otherwise it’s a forgettable film. The Blu-ray released through Well Go USA offers good video and audio transfers, well adequate enough anyway, but falls far short in the bonus material department.
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Born Free is a unique drama with some powerful imagery of the animal refuge combined with some nice performances especially Virginia McKenna. I doubt this movie has ever looked better and although I don’t think the video and audio transfer were anything incredible, they are certainly above average.
Smooth Talk is an interesting albeit imperfect drama that culminates with a dark and creepy finale that, even though it went on a bit too long, still was incredibly effective. The performances from Laura Dern and Treat Williams also stand out and make it worth checking out.
Irrational Man is not nearly one of Woody Allen’s greatest films, a far cry from Midnight in Paris which was a magical film or comes close to his older classics, but it’s got its certain dark charms especially with the performances by Joaquin Phoenix and Emma Stone.
Needless to say, Everest isn’t exactly a lighthearted adventure flick but in spite of that, and some so-so writing, the performances from the ensemble cast, Jason Clarke and Josh Brolin especially, makes it worthwhile, though for myself, I’m not sure if I’d ever revisit it. The Blu-ray released by Universal offers excellent video and audio transfers and a fine selection of bonus material.
The Walk, technically speaking, is a well done biographical drama. However, I really didn’t find Petit’s past all that interesting in spite of a nice performance from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, French accent and all. But as one would expect, the highlight of the film is the prep and actual walk across the Twin Towers.
Sinister 2 has to have been one of the duller horror films I’ve come across and unlike the original this has no mystery, suspense or, laughably, anything remotely scary. The cast actually isn’t terrible considering what they had to work with but there’s nothing else that’s redeemable.