In Fear had a decent concept but with one character who not only makes illogical decisions but is downright unlikeable and a “twist” that is revealed halfway through, the movie flounders until the very end and a message that feels tact on though I understand what the writer/director was after.
The Pirate Fairy actually isn’t a bad little film that, albeit geared more toward the younger age group, has some good animation and voice work plus the story is well written. While I might not revisit it anytime soon, it’s still a slight recommendation for families.
I cannot describe how much I didn’t like Walking with Dinosaurs from the voice over work to the humor which doesn’t work at all. Also, although the landscape is stunning, the CGI elements aren’t overly impressive but can easily be overlooked.
Twisted Tales is an interesting concept taking more than a little cue from “Tales from the Crypt” and getting together some decent talent by Tom Holland who wrote and directed each of the nine vignettes. However, more than a few of those aren’t very good or well acted yet there’s a couple that are at least watchable including the one starring William Forsythe and Danielle Harris.
Outpost: Rise of the Spetsnaz is actually a decent little horror-thriller combining Nazis and zombies for a third time in this series (which honestly I had never heard of). The DVD release by Xlator doesn’t have much going for it with only a trailer and merely adequate video and audio transfers.
Birds of Paradise is an average, down-the-road, direct-to-video flick attempting to take advantage of high profile movies, in this case duplicating Rio. As cheap entertainment, it’s OK but the animation isn’t great though the audio/video transfers are adequate enough and at the one featurette isn’t terrible.
Best Night Ever is exhibit #152 why Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer should not get anywhere near a camera. Although it is technically a step up from their previous attempts at “humor”, this is still a dry piece that hampered even further with the overused and I pray to god is on its way out, found footage style of “filmmaking”.
While not perfect, Odd Thomas is still a well done fantasy-thriller filled with great performances by Anton Yelchin, Addison Timlin and Willem Dafoe and a wonderfully laid out story that, thanks to its limited box office, will probably never get completed outside of perhaps a TV series on ABC, NBC or TNT.
Crimes and Misdemeanors might very well be one of Woody Allen’s best films and apparently Allen himself liked it so much he more or less remade it as Match Point decades later (for the record, I also loved MP). It’s a film filled with brilliant performances and two storylines on diverging paths and perfect, if not unsatisfactory for some, conclusions for both.
Return to Nuke ‘Em High: Volume 1 is in all honesty not my cup of tea as I’m more of a fan of slasher (Friday the 13th) or serial killer (Halloween, Scream) horror so something like this wasn’t that entertaining to watch though others who are fans of Troma’s previous works will get something out of it.
The Jungle Book 2 is yet another weaker additions in Disney’s arsenal of needless sequels and although this did get released theatrically, it was originally planned as a DTV release which this should have been relegated to along with all the rest. It’s not terrible and younger viewers might enjoy it as it’s a breezy flick that is only 65-minutes long (sans credits), but adults might not find much to enjoy.
The Slumber Party Massacre is yet another fine release from the folks at Shout Factory who have been at the helm with providing home viewers with some of the more obscure titles.
Dark Horse is the latest in a long line of forgettable direct-to-video horror movies. The acting isn’t very good and the story not well developed. Not even the reliable Tobin Bell, outside of the laugh-induced hair that rivals Lundgren’s in Enemies Closer, can help turn this around.
Equus is an intense and powerful drama featuring amazing performances, both of whom nominated for an Academy Award, from Richard Burton and Peter Firth. It’s not a movie for everybody but I found it to be disturbing yet engrossing through and through.
Conrack is an uplifting drama featuring a different kind of performance from (1970s) Jon Voight and also has some solid work from the supporting roles.