Shut In is the latest film I’ve seen that should’ve gone direct-to-video and one that if not for its star, Naomi Watts, might’ve been unwatchable as the script is filled with cliché after cliché and was predictable from beginning to end.
This Robert Zemeckis helmed WWII romance-drama doesn’t exactly live up to its potential. While the production and costume designs were impressive, I found the performances particularly that of Brad Pitt, to be stilted and a story that failed to connect emotionally.
Trespass Against Us was on the disappointing side story-wise as I didn’t quite find it compelling but due to the performances by Fassbender and Gleeson, it certainly makes it at least watchable if not also on the forgettable side on the whole.
Incarnate wasn’t terrible but was entirely forgettable and only bearable thanks to Aaron Eckhart who for some reason agreed to this turkey of a supernatural-horror flick that somehow made to the big screen albeit for a short time.
I don’t think Penny Dreadful quite met up to its potential but with a fine cast headlined by Timothy Dalton, Eva Green and Josh Hartnett, to go along with impressive set and costume designs, it’s certainly more than watchable. This Complete Series set is very much for those who don’t already own the individual releases and it is at a reasonable price.
Perhaps one of the best, and somewhat innovative, trilogies ever made (okay, a step below the original Star Wars trilogy), The Before Trilogy is absolutely wonderful featuring two amazing performances by Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy as we get to see the advancement of each of their characters’ lives evolve.
Edge of Eternity is a rather obscure but quite entertaining little thriller that includes a simple story in conjunction with beautiful cinematography making good use of the glory of the Grand Canyon.
Chilly Scenes of Winter is a wonderful little romantic-drama features two charming performances from John Heard and Mary Beth Hurt. This Blu-ray released through Twilight Time offers okay video and audio transfers while the bonus material, not surprisingly, is on the limited side.
There really was no need for a Bad Santa 2 as the original has become a holiday cult classic and it has been 13 years since. Sure, it does have the mean streak that made the first popular, unfortunately the humor mostly falls flat.
Manchester by the Sea is a film that excels on the performance by Casey Affleck with honorable mentions toward Michelle Williams in her brief role and the young Lucas Hedges in one of his first major stint.
While not the strongest of the numerous MCU films so far, Doctor Strange at least is still a fun flick helped more by the charisma of both Benedict Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton more than a routine, thin plot and another forgettable villain.
Nocturnal Animals might not have engaged me on an emotional level, the writing and storytelling from Tom Ford are still fantastic and the performances from Jake Gyllenhaal, Amy Adams and Michael Shannon were amazing and, at least in Shannon’s case, award-worthy.
Love in the Afternoon is a fun little romance-crime-comedy that excels on the charms of its stars, Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn. The Blu-ray released through the Warner Archive’s Collection doesn’t have much in the way of features but the video and audio transfers are both well done.
Dirty Dancing is a cheesy but incredibly fun flick propelled on the charm and all around charisma of its two leads, Patrick Swayze (RIP) and Jennifer Grey, as well as a fantastic 1980s soundtrack that still holds up today.
American Pastoral receives, let’s say, mediocre reviews but for my money, I found all of the performances genuine and the story rather compelling, if not outright depressing and sad; for his first outing as director, Ewan McGregor did a fine job.