I’ve made my thoughts clear on the “Ancient Aliens” series as tabloid junk marketed to the believers of aliens but worse than that, it makes assumptions and leaps with little to no evidence surrounded by so-called experts who we’re supposed to take at their word. Still, I guess as junk entertainment, it’s harmless, just don’t take anything at face value.
The Taking of Deborah Logan, which was produced by Bryan Singer, isn’t terrible but it’s also just the latest in a slew of found footage horror films. The acting isn’t bad and there are a few creepy moments but not nearly enough to give this a recommendation. The DVD released by Millennium has OK audio and video transfers and the solo feature is forgettable.
Hellion features strong performances from Aaron Paul and newcomer Josh Wiggins surrounding a well written dramatic story that overly compelling yet for the cast it’s worth at least one viewing. The DVD released by MPI has good video and audio transfers and a forgettable featurette, though it is interesting to watch the short film for which this was based upon.
Autumn Blood is slow-moving, a bit too slow actually, but the performance from hopefully star-in-the-making Sofia Lowe at least makes it tolerable and not a complete waste of time. The DVD distributed by Arc Entertainment offers up good looking and sounding video and audio transfers but there’s nary a feature in sight.
Obvious Child is a bit uneven and frankly the main character of Donna is a bit annoying, though I guess one could call her, and Jenny Slate’s performance, refreshing that she is a flawed person. Still, it’s not a movie for everybody with one core subject matter that will turn many off.
Gone with the Wind: The 75th Anniversary Edition is another nice set but a bit unnecessary considering just five years ago had a ton of features and contains the same audio and video transfers.
Chemical Peel actually isn’t a half-bad little psychological horror-thriller even with some annoying characters that did tend to test one’s patience. Even so, it’s worth at least a rental as its distinguishable enough from other in the genre.
Sharknado 2: The Second One is a great entry into the series and is a whole lot of fun through and through with great in-jokes and some wonderful cameos that were great to see (particularly Robert Hays in a fun callback to Airplane). This obviously is not something to take seriously and is especially fun to watch with friends making for a better experience.
Stagefright has cultivated cult classic status and while it’s never was my kind of movie, never really found it that engrossing in a horrific kind of way.
Persecuted seems to try to be the religious version of an Oliver Stone film but fails at almost every turn. First, the actual plot is thin and seemingly inconsequential not to mention overly dramatic; second, the pacing and editing felt off making a 90-minute movie feel a lot longer; and third the acting is at best average although I’ll give some credit to James Remar for at least giving it a go.
The Dogs of War is one of the more pleasant surprises to come out of the Twilight Time pike with a great performance from Christopher Walken and a unique storyline that distinguishes it from other war films.
Werewolf Rising is the latest direct-to-video schlocker with substandard effects, so-so acting and just an all around cheap looking movie which would be fine if not for an ineffective story. The DVD released by RLJ Entertainment is pretty basic with only a static menu with only options are to play or scene selection; no features were included, though not sure that’s a bad thing.
La Bamba is a well made and all around good biographic drama headlined by a great performance from Lou Diamond Phillips marking his first major role, and only third film, playing Valens whose career was cut short before it could really begin.
The Killer Elite is an interesting little film from the 1970s, long forgotten in the midst of far better films like The Godfather, The Conversation and The French Connection and there’s a good reason: this never hit the full potential when you get the likes of James Caan and Robert Duvall together.
Gravity is certainly one of the better movies, though not the best, to come out of 2013 and between the technological achievements by Alfonso Cuarón and the VFX crew, a taut story and Sandra Bullock’s performance, it’s one heck of a journey that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s not a movie for everybody and admittedly Cuarón utilization of symbolism is at times a bit laughable, I still recommend this movie.