Movie review: Heathers

 

 Fed up with the snobby hypocritical clique she is in, good-girl Veronica teams up with mysterious and sociopathic newcomer J.D. who is more than happy to help eliminate the popular Heathers.

Winona Ryder (Veronica), Christian Slater (J.D.), Shannen Doherty (Heather Duke), Lisanne Falk (Heather McNamara), Kim Walker (Heather Chandler), Penelope Milford (Pauline), Patrick Labyorteaux (Ram).

Heathers is either the worst High School nightmare, or a dream come true, depending on your perspective. Veronica is part of a clique with three other girls named Heather which enjoy bullying other students. Looking for a way out when things start to get out of hand, Veronica is found by sociopathic newcomer J.D. who believes killing the Heathers the best solution. Plot in place, the remainder of the film is a nice ride with some comedy, suspense, and plenty of High School drama.

Acting was pretty good with Ryder and Slater both delivering well and working well with one another. Doherty was good, and much more humble in this early film in her career. Falk and Walker felt solid, and appropriately annoying. The remainder of the cast was decent.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are well done with solid feeling backgrounds. Action scenes were mild but enjoyable. Dialogue had nice depth and remained fun throughout. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

At this point Heathers is something of an 80's classic, with a nice revenge filled plot in which the bullies finally get what they deserve. Slater and Ryder really made this film so check it out if you are a fan of either. Those who enjoy solid High School drama flicks should enjoy this one.

With a fair amount of sexual references and implied intimacy, some violence, foul language, and potentially disturbing scenes, save this one for teens and above.

Released: 1989
Reviewed: 3.9.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Teen Comedies, Cult Films, Suspense

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Jeepers Creepers 3

 

 Another 23 years have passed and the Creeper is back to feed once again, and this time his creepy truck is joining in on the fun.

Stan Shaw (Sheriff Tashtego), Gabrielle Haugh (Addison), Brandon Smith (Tubbs), Meg Foster (Gaylen), Jordan Salloum (Kenny), Chester Rushing (Buddy), Ryan Moore (Kirk), Jonathan Breck (Creeper), Meg Wright (Gracie).

Jeepers Creepers 3 is the long awaited third film in the franchise, taking place between the first and second films. Back after 23 years, the Creeper has returned to feed and brought his creepy truck with him. Sheriff Tashtego and Gaylen are ready for him this time, and determined it will be the Creepers' last return. While this sounds great, the film is actually a B movie mess full of plot holes and other problems.

Acting was a mess. Shaw was reasonable but couldn't overcome the poor script and technical work. Haugh was mildly entertaining. Smith was so serious he felt out of place, as did Foster who just can't seem to sell it anymore. The remainder of the supporting cast was rough and lacking depth.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were somewhat decent. Much of the special effects were awful, or just simply ridiculous. Dialogue was dry, contained humor that didn't land, or was simply unexplained. Sound and soundtrack were completely forgettable.

While you may be a fan of the Jeepers Creepers franchise up to this point, this film will quite possibly ruin that for you. With poor acting, dialogue, technical work, a plot that adds little to the franchise, and not a single scary moment, pass on this one unless you absolutely cannot live with yourself due to your franchise addiction thus far.

There is quite a bit of violence, gore, and foul language in this one so save it for older teens who will probably turn it off anyway. Or for those to whom you wish to cause temporary brain damage.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 3.5.18
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Supernatural Horror, Creature Features, Monster Movies, Thrillers

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Blade Runner 2049

 

 Thirty years after the first film the future of society is threatened when a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, stumbles upon a long hidden secret. His only hope, find blade runner Rick Deckard who has been missing for 30 years.

Ryan Gosling (K), Robin Wright (Lt. Joshi), Jared Leto (Niander), Lennie James (Mister Cotton), Harrison Ford (Rick Deckard), Dave Bautista (Sapper), Ana de Armas (Joi), David Dastmalchian (Coco), Wood Harris (Nandez).

Blade Runner 2049 begins well enough, bringing us up to date on the newest blade runner, LAPD Officer K. Investigating a case, and possibly in his own interest, K comes upon information leading to a long lost secret that could push society into chaos. It also leads him to hunt down blade runner Rick Deckard who has been missing for 30 years, and ties this film back to the original with both cast and storyline.

Acting was good with Gosling doing a decent job in a role with no smiles. Wright was quirky, and appropriate. Leto fit his unusual role well, as always. James was a nice addition, as was Ford at the end. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds all felt much like the original film. Dark scenes, plenty of fog, and unusual music are what you will find in this one. Action scenes and CGI were nicely done. Dialogue was dry and sparse, much like the original. Sound and soundtrack are unusual, but quite fitting.

While Blade Runner 2049 is definitely not the first film, it sure looks a lot like the first film! The storyline has changed of course, but the overall feel and theme of the film remains roughly the same and will likely only appeal to a narrow audience. Some may enjoy watching the original before seeing this one as they do tie together nicely.

With some nudity, moderate sexuality, graphic violence, gore, foul language, and disturbing images, you should probably save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 2.25.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi Thriller, Sci-Fi

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Blood Money

 

 Three friends on a backwoods camping trip stumble upon bags full of cash and rush to get out of the woods to spend the loot. But the criminal who stole the money is not going to let it get away so easily.

John Cusack (Miller), Ellar Coltrane (Victor), Willa Fitzgerald (Lynn), Jacob Artist (Jeff), Ned Bellamy (Ranger), Antonio Bell (Kayaker).

Blood Money introduces us to the plot and characters as three friends set out on a remote wilderness camping trip. Meanwhile, a criminal with bags of cash jumps from a plane in the area. The three friends find the cash, the criminal wants it back, and the remainder of the film is a cat and mouse escapade through the woods. Fortunately for us the film throws in a sub-plot and a twist or two which keeps things somewhat interesting.

Acting was mediocre in Blood Money. Cusack delivered fairly well but didn't seem to have a lot of energy for this one. Coltrane was appropriately mopey and fit his role well. Fitzgerald was enjoyable in a surprisingly dark and somewhat brutal role. Artist was tepid and lacking energy.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are fairly well done with nice use of natural scenery. Action scenes were solid with good detail and fit. Dialogue was okay though depth was lacking at times. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

In the end, Blood Money is a fairly mild crime action thriller. The story is uninspired and in general the film lacks energy. At the same time, technical work and other aspects are reasonably well done generating some entertainment value. This one will be hit-or-miss for most.

Including some mild sexuality, foul language, violence, and gore, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 2.23.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Crime Action & Adventure, Crime Thriller, Action Thriller, Thriller, Action & Adventure

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel