as if you needed further proof of Uwe Boll’s talent (or lack thereof), In the Name of the King 3 is yet another entry into his lackluster resume. But unlike some of his “finer” films, this is merely a generically bad movie with no redeeming value and not even bad enough to mock. Purcell looks utterly bored and turns in an uninspiring performance.
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.
Reasonable Doubt is yet another addition to the long line of forgettable direct-to-video films to be released over the years. The plot is contrived, the characters laughable one-dimensional and the performances, albeit forgivable due to the screenplay and dialogue, isn’t the best.
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.
The Outsider hardly breaks new ground in the action/thriller genres but its breezy entertainment for 90-minute duration and features respectable enough acting work from the cast even if the actions of the characters don’t make a lick of sense.
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.
Nebraska is a slow developing yet poignant drama-comedy about aging, familial relationships and looking at the past. It’s not quite as good as Payne’s previous works like Sideways, but well worth watching especially for the performances from Bruce Dern who is absolutely incredible and Will Forte, working well off of Dern.
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.
Homefront isn’t a great film yet still more than watchable fare especially for Statham who is on top of his game even if his character is more or less the same as we’ve seen before. The action is half-decent but the fights are tough and well done helping one ignore a messy plot and two-dimensional characters played by actors who probably deserved better.
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.
Enemies Closer often times can be one of those so bad it’s good flicks but only when Van Damme and his striking hairdo is on camera and appearing to have been in a new restaurant. Other than that, the film is mostly forgettable that no doubt will find a home on USA Network.