Split is a well done, highly suspense-filled psychological thriller from M. Night Shyamalan who seems to have returned to form; though not without the incredible performance(s) from James McAvoy who I really hope is remembered come awards season.
Mars is a flawed yet still entertaining mini-series where I found a little more interest in the scripted, with some interesting characters, dramatic part versus the documentary, though I wish that portion was a movie of its own. Still, this is worth a rental.
The Handmaid’s Tale is an unusual movie to get released to Blu-ray under Shout’s Select line though it’s likely due to Hulu producing a television series based on the novel. As it is, it’s a bit plodding at times but the acting is top notch from the Natasha Richardson to Robert Duvall as a despicable human being.
Why Him? is certainly not very good but harmless enough and perhaps worth a watch if only for Bryan Cranston and even James Franco who at least were somewhat entertaining to behold as they both appeared to be having fun.
Tank 432 is certainly an interesting concept and a high-pressured psychological suspense-thriller, but instead it was meandering and the finale was anything other than satisfying.
Not an altogether terrible movie, though mainly for Stephen Lang ‘Langing’ it up, Isolation is maybe worthy of a rental, but even then I can see a movie of this ilk ending up on Spike in a year or two.
Monster Trucks isn’t a very good movie but by the same token, it’s not exactly aimed at someone in their mid-30s either and if I were 8 years old again, I’d no doubt dig the film (at 8 I thought Ghostbusters II was the best movie ever made). Some adults might find it passably entertaining, however.
World Without End is the typical cheesy sci-fi adventure film from the mid-50s with some impressive enough effects (for its time) and an absolutely forgettable story filled with cardboard cutout characters.
War on Everyone certainly caught me by surprise and it is in apt title in a few ways. This is also one of the more un-PC movies I’ve come across and thanks to that, as well as the performances from Skarsgård and Peña, at least makes it memorable even when the pacing was off.
Hidden Figures is a delightful film telling a generally unknown story about three black women who were crucial to the USA’s journey to space; it features three solid performances led way by Taraji P. Henson.
Mad Families is the latest in a long line of crappy comedies, this one co-written by David Spade and starring a couple talented (enough) actors like Charlie Sheen and Leah Remini though it’s apparently neither were exactly trying.
Of these two movies, I found House to be the more entertaining but House II does have its moments but it veers far more into the slapstick comedic territory than its predecessor. As far as this release goes, it is unfortunate that the third and fourth movies weren’t included (they are in the Arrow UK release).
Cinema Paradiso is a wonderful and beautifully shot drama that is absolutely superb for any fan of movies and character drama with a touch of romance and lost love.
Little Nikita is an odd little, and mostly forgotten, film from the late 1980s that has a weak screenplay made up by two solid actors in Sidney Poitier and River Phoenix whose chemistry did work so well.
We Don’t Belong Here is an odd movie but features a respectable cast including the late Anton Yelchin in one of his last roles. The DVD released through Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and is rather standard with so-so video/audio transfers but sadly no bonus material.