Movieman's Guide to the Movies
The Final Word on Physical Media
Ironclad: Battle for Blood is an unnecessary sequel and add to that, doesn’t come close to having the talent the original did (Brian Cox, Kate Mara, Paul Giamatti, Jason Flemyng) but with the popularity of shows like “Game of Thrones”, it’s a quick money grab by a smaller studio, though the quality this go around, both in terms of story and production values, isn’t that great.
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Some of the animation in Lionsgate distributed Tarzan actually isn’t bad… if kept at difference otherwise close-ups tend to reveal the creepy dead-eyes. However, the story also isn’t that good, although unlike some, I actually don’t have many issues with the changes made, it’s just that what is there, to go along with clunky dialogue, isn’t all that enthralling.
Tyler Perry’s The Single Mom’s Club is a typical entry for the writer/director with inconsistent writing, one-dimensional characters and melodrama suitable for a daytime soap opera. Still, I suppose fans of Perry will enjoy it, though for me, it’s not exactly going to stand out by year’s end.
These five movies released by Mill Creek are merely cheap cash grabs that can be had at most Wal-Marts (apparently) for a mere $2.88 and trust me, you get what you pay for: no features, no real menu and basic audio/video transfers. I suppose if you only want the movies and couldn’t care less about the audio, it might be worth picking up.
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While the potential was a bit wasted, All Cheerleaders Die isn’t an all together bad flick with some OK acting headlined by Caitlin Stasey and frankly, the effects weren’t that bad either. However, any energy the film earned and built early on dissipated by the third act making for something that could’ve been great and is instead passable entertainment worthy of maybe a rental.
Insomnia is a well made thriller with a standout performance from Stellan Skarsgård who, to this point, was not very well known to American audiences. Writer/Director Erik Skjoldjærg does a good job with the psychological elements in combination with his take on film noir making this a film well worth watching.
There’s no real shock here, but Deadly Eyes, based on a novel entitled “The Rats”, is a cheesy little picture but it has its fan base and honestly, even though this kind of horror isn’t my thing (I have a preference for the slasher subgenre), it’s at least quasi-entertaining.
Radio Days is a fun yet poignant trip down Allen’s nostalgia lane and features excellent performances from various cast members including a young Seth Green as well as Allen staple Mia Farrow.
Make Your Move is like any other dance film that has come down the pike over the years down to the star-crossed lovers from opposite sides of whatever spectrum (in fact this one makes no bones there is a Romeo & Juliet element to the romance). That said, the music isn’t bad and the acting above average considering the material.
Born Yesterday is a wonderful drama-comedy with a great performance from Judy Holliday who was well deserving of her Oscar win.
Brannigan might not be John Wayne in his prime, not even close as he would succumb to cancer four years later, but it’s still a fun little flick with some decent action scenes and even better performances from (nearly) everyone around.
The Den actually isn’t a half bad horror/thriller with some good scares and an interesting plot line where the footage is entirely taken from, or like, web cam feeds. For a found footage film, a subgenre I generally loathe and feel is overused, this is an entertaining enough flick.
Violent Saturday has a minor following and is much beloved by some, though for me, while entertaining, I didn’t quite find it entirely enthralling, however, the performances are all well done.
Save Your Legs is a good movie and probably even more profound to the fan of cricket, which is not me (I can’t even get into soccer for crying out loud), but it’s still an oft funny flick with an amiable cast.
“Star Trek: The Next Generation”: Chain of Command is a solid two-part episode highlighted more by the performances and plot than the set-up which was at best forced. Still, Patrick Stewart’s acting is some of his best ever on the series and Ronny Cox’s appearance gives that storyline some weight and decent drama.
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