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.
Fever Pitch is a fun British romantic drama featuring solid performances from Colin Firth and Ruth Gemmell. It’s filled with good drama providing background into Firth’s character and his obsession with “football” over-layered with his personal drama as an adult, giving layers to what could’ve otherwise been a fluffy film.
Commitment is a half-decent martial arts movie with some good fight scenes and a semi-coherant and compelling story with a fine primary character.
Boiler Room unabashedly takes its cues from Wall Street and Glengarry Glenn Ross with a clip from the former being shown and quoted by the characters, so kudos for at least not denying it and claiming to be original through and through. The performances are mostly solid but the screenplay and in particular, the ending needed work because it had potential to be memorable.
Anna Nicole is the typical Lifetime Channel tripe with subpar acting, even from actors who tend not to be half-bad, and screenplays seemingly written by interns. The gravest sin going against this movie is that you really don’t learn a whole lot about her past and instead we get most of the items we saw in the news.
Samson and Delilah is one of Cecil Deville’s lavish spectacles with wonderful vistas and color cinematography that is absolutely beautiful and probably one of the reasons the movie has endured as much as it has. The two leads are fine in their roles though hardly memorable but admittedly it’s not a story I was enamored with to go along with a screenplay that isn’t the best in terms of dialogue.
The Knot has few funny moments yet the cast seemed to get along at least making for a one-off viewing of a romantic comedy that offers little else. The DVD has OK video and audio transfers but lacks any features.
The Agony and the Ecstasy is a massive production and features two fine performances by Charlton Heston and Rex Harrison; it’s also an interesting, widespread, story that keeps one’s attention through the 2-hour running time.