Movie review: Blackway

 

 Returning to her hometown in the Pacific Northwest, waitress Lillian soon finds herself being tormented by a former cop turned crime lord prompting her to enlist the aid of a local ex-logger.

Anthony Hopkins (Lester), Julia Stiles (Lillian), Ray Liotta (Blackway), Alexander Ludwig (Nate), Lochlyn Munro (Murdoch), Hal Holbrook (Whizzer), Dale Wilson (Sheriff Wingate), John Tierney (Coop), Blenn Beck (D.B.).

Blackway begins by jumping straight to the main plot after which we get some character introductions and a taste of the history. As things evolve the film finds some depth and adds a bit of action, helping the plot move along at a better pace. The remainder of the film focuses on suspense, though most of us will easily see the conclusion well in advance. The story finally wraps up about as expected, with a Happy Ever After ending that leaves quite a few questions unanswered.

Acting was good with Hopkins delivering well as always. Thankfully they didn't try and make him an action hero in this one. Stiles was solid throughout. Liotta was good though his role was surprisingly small. Ludwig did very well with solid delivery adding good depth to the film. The remainder of the supporting cast was good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds had a solid, authentic feel. Action scenes were pretty good and fit the film. Dialogue was nicely done with good depth and fit. Sound and soundtrack were mild but good.

Blackway doesn't add much to the genre, nor does it hold any big surprises. Those who enjoy a solid thriller or mild-action flick should enjoy this one.

With violence, gore, foul language, and some sexuality, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 1.16.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Crime Thriller, Crime Action, Crime Drama

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Stasis

 

 In the future, time-travelers from the future are able to travel back in time by entering and re-animating a body at the time of death. After partying all night Ava returns home to find a time-traveler in control of her body, and soon realizes there are many others who have come back in time to change the future.

Anna Harr (Ava/Seattle), Mark Grossman (Lancer), Phyllis Spielman (Jessica), Tiana Masaniai (Huntress), Caleb Thomas (Matt), Richard Lippert (Captain Suthers), Jeff Locker (Paseo), Greg Lutz (Higgs).

Stasis begins fairly well, giving us a bit of background and setup regarding time-travel. As the main story gets moving the story gets mildly more interesting, but not much. While the plot is somewhat unique, the film is so bland and dry it never really develops much energy. Add a few plot holes, a fair amount of unexplained history and technology, and a Happy Ever After ending and you have Stasis.

Acting felt like beginner night at the local daycare. Harr felt about as authentic and genuine as a pet rock. Grossman was mildly better with a bit of energy and emotion once or twice. Masaniai was obviously eye candy with little depth while the remainder of the supporting cast ranges from dry to ridiculous.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were mild but surprisingly decent. Mostly. Action scenes were tepid and lacking energy. Dialogue wasn't bad but could have easily added more depth. Sound and soundtrack were lethargic and uninteresting.

While we thought Stasis was the name of the movie, in actuality it was so boring it felt like the movie was in stasis. The plot is only mildly interesting at best, acting left a lot to be desired, dialogue was dry, and the film lacked energy completely. Those who enjoy sleeping through their sci-fi should enjoy this one.

With only a hint of sexuality, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1.15.18
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Drama, Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Dead Man: Special Edition

 

 Accountant William Blake is on the run for a murder which was actually more self-defense. Along the way he encounters a strange American Indian who mistakes him for the English writer with the same name. Meanwhile, bounty hunters become more and more convinced Blake is a ruthless murderer.

Johnny Depp (Blake), Gary Farmer (Nobody), Crispin Glover (Train Fireman), Lance Henriksen (Cole), Michael Wincott (Twill), Eugene Byrd (The Kid), John Hurt (Scholfield), Robert Mitchum (Dickinson), Iggy Pop (Jenko).

Dead Man may not be the most interesting story, but the storytelling method used in the film is unusual and entertaining. Somewhat reminiscent of spaghetti westerns, the film is shot in black and white with long fades. Many scenes are presented with little or no dialogue, strange scene focus, and unusual background music. Yet, the story is communicated well and in a dark way, remains entertaining.

Depp was pretty good in this one, quite possibly because he was young and less pretentious. Farmer was the real star however with excellent delivery of a very unusual character. Glover and Henriksen, who both do well in darker roles, did nicely here as well. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are a bit unusual in this one as mentioned. Despite the black and white filming, scenery was nicely used and fit the film. Action scenes were surprisingly lacking intensity but fitting and fun. Dialogue was sparse and once again, unusual. Sound and soundtrack however were awesome with an original score by Neil Young.

Although Dead Man: Special Edition may not appeal to everyone, you should give this one a chance. The storytelling method, filming, and even acting are interesting and move the story along fairly well. Those who enjoy darker films should enjoy this the most.

With some sexuality, mild nudity, violence, gore, and foul language, this really should be fine for older mature teens and above.

Released: 1996
Reviewed: 1.12.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Western, Drama, Fantasy, indie Drama

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: 31

 

 Halloween night five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in a strange hell-like industrial compound. Forced to play a game of 31, the goal of which is to survive 12 hours,  the five must battle a strange group of sadistic clowns.

Sheri Zombie (Charly), Jeff Phillips (Roscoe), Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (Panda), Meg Foster (Venus), Kevin Jackson (Levon), Malcolm McDowell (Father Murder), Richard Brake (Doom-Head), Torsten Voges (Death-Head).

31 begins with some background and introductions before quickly moving to the main story which looks a lot like Thunderdome meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The five carnies are pitted against some crazy homicidal clowns and must survive for 12 hours to win the game. At that point the remainder of the film is simply blood, gore, and violence. But it is done well, moves along at a nice pace, and strangely keeps the audience engaged. There isn't much depth to this one, but it is entertaining from a pure horror perspective.

Acting was okay with Zombie actually delivering pretty well. Phillips, Foster, and Jackson were enjoyable, as was McDowell who did very well as always. Brake was perfect in his role and added a bit of depth. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were creative and well done throughout. Action scenes with plenty of gore and violence were appropriately disturbing. Dialogue was okay but could have added some more depth and maybe a laugh or two. Sound and soundtrack were good with a nice selection of tracks.

Not being a big Rob Zombie movie fan, it helped to approach this one as nothing more than mindless horror, which is about all that exists in this film. And from that perspective, the film was enjoyable and entertaining. Those who enjoy intense horror should enjoy this one.

With some nudity, sexuality, intense violence and gore, foul language and disturbing images, save this one for the oldest teens and above unless you feel like staying up and calming your kids every night for the next week.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 1.4.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

 

 After searching the galaxy for his father, Peter finally finds him. He also finds betrayal, forgiveness, and a deadly new foe who is out to rule the galaxy.

Chris Pratt (Peter/Star-Lord), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Vin Diesel (Baby Groot), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), Michael Rooker (Yondu), Kurt Russell (Ego), Sylvester Stallone (Ogord), Karen Gillan (Nebula).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 finds the heroes still searching for Star Lord's father but when he is found, he isn't the man they thought. Instead they find he is focused on ruling the galaxy. Fortunately the journey is much more interesting than the plot description with a lot of action, heavy fantasy visuals, and some enjoyable humor. Though this one may not find the depth of the original, the story is fun, fast, and very entertaining.

Acting was solid with Pratt delivering a very good performance. Saldana was enjoyable, if a bit dry. Rooker did exceptionally well in his role and added nicely to the storyline. Russell was solid as always, as was Stallone. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid. Groot, though an animation, is my favorite character and brings a fun element to the story.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds which are all tightly integrated with CGI are nicely done. Action scenes, with and without CGI, are well done and enjoyable with strong energy. Dialogue is campy, corny, and fun throughout. Sound and soundtrack were supported with awesome 80's tunes and very enjoyable.

While Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 may not have the unique plot depth of the original, it is still quite a bit of fun and very entertaining. Fans of the first film or of outlandish sci-fi fantasy films should enjoy this one.

With some mild innuendo and sexuality, excessive violence, some foul language, and potentially disturbing scenes, this one will be hard to keep away from teens but should be okay.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 1.3.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel