1984 is a prolific adaptation based on an equally prolific novel that features some fine performances highlighted by John Hurt and amazing cinematography by the legendary Roger Deakins.
“Game of Thrones”: The Complete Second Season is another solid set. The show is still strong with powerful performances and impressive production design and this Steelbook re-release has some great bonus material to go along with incredible video and audio transfers, the latter getting upgraded to the new Atmos track.
“Marco Polo” isn’t quite my cup of tea but there’s enough entertainment value, not to mention nice work done with the costumes and sets that it’s probably worth a watch especially since it’s only 10 episodes thus one could get through them all in a weekend.
Adulterers is a bit heavy-handed and the writing, dialogue specifically, wasn’t the best, but it has its moments with some respectable performances from Sean Faris and a decent, if not unsatisfying, enough twist. The DVD released by RLJ is basic with no bonus material while the audio and video were OK.
“Game of Thrones”: The Complete First Season starts off strong and continues to its brutal season finale with brilliant performances from its vast cast from beginning to end along with award-winning production and costume designs. This new Limited Edition Steelbook release is more or less the same as the previous releases but comes with an upgraded Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
The Garbage Pail Kids Movie is, putting it simply, a crap of a movie. Sure, the film might have its fans in a cultish kind of way and plenty of camp but not in the good kind of way. Beyond that, the costumes and prosthetics are creepier than anything else.
At First Sight is by no means a great romantic drama but Val Kilmer and Mira Sorvino make for a charismatic couple though the pacing is a bit off and follows the generic formula; that said, it’s at least watchable. The Blu-ray released by Olive is basic with only a trailer but good video and audio transfers.
“Fear the Walking Dead” doesn’t have much to offer over its parent show but the performances by the likes of Cliff Curtis and Kim Dickens aren’t bad even when their characters act like utter dumb-asses. Perhaps the second season it’ll hit its stride but as of now, I’m not sure there’s really reason for it being.
Knock Knock is the latest Eli Roth misfire and although on paper it sounded good, the execution was anything but. The acting was bad, including Keanu Reeves and his wooden performance, to go along with poor writing. Not sure in what circumstance I would ever revisit this film.
Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Smell of Fear is easily the weakest of the three movies with the bulk of the humor connecting in the opening and end sequences, the latter courtesy of Leslie Nielson’s physical comedy, with the middle part eliciting a couple chuckles but little else.
The Naked Gun 2½ isn’t as good as the first but Nielson is still a lot of fun to watch and the jokes at least are more consistently spread out compared with Naked Gun 33 1/3.
Minions is a harmless but still average film that kids will certainly love. That said, this is something that probably would’ve worked better as a short for either a TV special or showing prior to the eventual Despicable Me 3 theatrical release.
Mistress America is a quirky comedy with two fun performances by Greta Gerwig (who co-wrote and produced) and Lola Kirke that makes this at the very least worth a rental even with some uneven scenes particularly the “Connecticut” section. Still, this movie stands out from all the rest and might have some replay value if Baumbach’s style is your thing.
Grace of Monaco might’ve been well meaning and the production and costume designs are well done and the performance by Nicole Kidman wasn’t bad but it’s easy to see why it failed to go to theaters and instead aired on Lifetime instead. However, when a movie opens with “the following film is a fictional account inspired by real events,” you’re already behind the eight ball.
Women’s Prison Massacre, the latest to a variety of exploitation movies from the 1970s, and frankly these kind of films aren’t exactly my thing but with that said there is a certain entertainment value in just how bad it is topped with some over-the-top acting in conjunction with incredibly awful dubbing. This release from Shout via their Scream Factory line, is rather disappointing.