Point Break just might be the most pointless remake yet (Total Recall is a close second) with uninspiring performances, save maybe for Ray Winstone’s limited role, including Luke Bracey as such a bland main character, even the more reliable Edgar Ramirez did little for me as the charismatic villain.
The Death Walks Twice set is another homerun from Arrow Video. The two-movie collection, which should’ve been three if they included Forbidden Photos of a Lady Above Suspicion, are two examples of the giallo genre (which I’m still new to) and although a bit lengthy, both are entertaining
The Forest isn’t a good movie but I suppose as poorly made as it was, there are worse films out there and at only 95-minutes (sans credits), it does make for quick watch not to mention Natalie Dormer isn’t half bad considering what she had to work with.
The Hateful Eight is easily my least favorite of Tarantino’s films and while technically speaking it is a masterpiece especially with a couple of the performances (Russell and Leigh in particular), the cinematography and score, the rest was an utter chore to sit through and it felt every bit of its nearly three hour length.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 is a letdown mostly because it shows why the final chapter didn’t need to be split into two with extraneous scenes that weren’t necessary in telling the story.
The Manchurian Candidate is a movie for its time, fear of communism and an idea that I’m sure some find merit today, a politician being controlled by a foreign government or, as is the case with the 2004 remake, corporation. The film also excels in the acting department with top notch performances by Sinatra, Harvey and Lansbury.
Bandits probably could’ve been better with a tighter script but the performances from the core cast, Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton and Cate Blanchett, are all fantastic that it makes the film as a whole fairly entertaining.
LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash isn’t as good as its predecessors, and obviously a far cry from the LEGO feature films, but it’s a fun movie especially for younger viewers and at only 78-minutes (w/ credits), it at least flies by.
Species was a fun guilty pleasure. No, it wasn’t great but at least it gave us a quasi-star in Natasha Henstridge and some quality effects work. The sequel was dumb but had some minor entertainment value but as Hollywood tends to do, they milk a franchise for its worth. The third and fourth movies were, frankly, crap.
The first movie was a fun guilty pleasure. Species II is just plain guilty of being a bad film all around. The writing is poor and the acting was at best phoned-in, though Natasha Henstridge at least seemed to give it her all and she might be the only reason it’s even watchable.
The Peanuts Movie isn’t great but more than satisfactory and will certainly please its core fans as it shows some of the classic scenes from the strip and various TV specials. All around it’s just a smile-enducing flick that kids will love and parents and passively enjoy, even those (like myself) who aren’t fans of the comic.
Sisters had plenty of potential given the cast, writer and director all with impressive resumes. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, who don’t have a whole lot to work with and seemed to rely on improvising than anything from the script, do at least share nice comedic chemistry; outside of those two, though, there weren’t a whole lot of genuinely funny scenes.
My bias for this movie aside, Disturbing Behavior is at least an entertaining little thriller with some fun moments that sets it apart from others of the like. The cast is a lot of fun especially for Nick Stahl and William Sadler in his brief role, not to mention seeing Katie Holmes playing against type.
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.