Movie review: OtherLife

 

 Ren has invented a drug that induces time-compressed virtual realities, potentially giving people experiences as memories. Now she just has to deal with her partner, Sam, over how to use their powerful creation.

Jessica De Gouw (Ren), Thomas Cocquerel (Danny), T.J. Power (Sam), Liam Graham (Jared), Tiriel Mora (Dr. Amari), Clarence Ryan (Byron), Priscilla-Anne Forder (Miss Wilson), Maggie Meyer (Board Member).

OtherLife begins nicely by showing us Ren's invention, which she hopes will save her brother, and how she hopes to use it in the future. She quickly runs up against issues when her business partner, Sam, has other ideas about using the drug. From here the film is an interesting journey of virtual reality and drama as Ren uses her drug to try and save her comatose brother. With a lovely plot twist midway through the film, the story remains interesting through the end.

Acting was solid with De Gouw delivering well. Power was solid, as was Cocquerel and Graham. Mora, Forder, and the remainder of the supporting cast were interesting, though in much smaller roles.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are nicely varied and well done. CGI supported the story well without taking over. Action scenes were fairly mild but fitting. Dialogue was good but could have added a bit more depth. Sound and soundtrack are nicely done.

OtherLife is interesting conceptually and while this film is well done, the story could have included more energy and detail. Those who enjoy a well-formed sci-fi without a lot of intense action or fight scenes should enjoy this one.

With one scene of mild sexuality, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 6.5.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Crime, Mystery, Drama, Drama based on Books

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Anon

 

 In the future there is no privacy or anonymity, our memories are recorded and crime is almost non-existent. But while trying to solve a series of murders, officer Sal stumbles upon a girl with no identity, history, and no recorded memories. Able to protect her anonymity, Sal realizes crime is taking on a new face.

Clive Owen (Sal), Amanda Seyfried (The Girl), Sebastian Pigott (Det. Vardy), Afiya Bennett (Ima), Morgan Allen (Iri), Jonathan Potts (Dominic), Rachel Roberts (Alysa), David Storch (Karl).

Conceptually Anon is quite interesting. In a future where there is no crime because there is no anonymity and memories are recorded, Detective Sal stumbles upon a girl with no identity or past revealing a new type and approach to crime. The remainder of the film is an unraveling of the girl, the murders surrounding her, and how technology will not only help stop crime, but possibly create opportunities for new types of crime. What the film doesn't have is a lot of energy.

Acting was okay with Owen looking like an appropriately depressed and bored cop. Seyfried was good though like Owen, somewhat flat and bland. Pigott was solid, as was the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds all made this one feel like a dark, industrial film. CGI was reasonably well done and required for this one to make sense. Dialogue could have added more depth and explained the story better which might have helped with audience engagement. Sound and soundtrack are dark and industrial just like the film.

Overall Anon is interesting, but only mildly entertaining. The dark industrial look is becoming repetitive in futuristic films and wearing thin. Pairing that with the lack of energy and depressed acting just leaves the film feeling even more moody and plodding. Those who enjoy dark futuristic sci-fi should enjoy this one.

With a fair amount of explicit sexuality, plenty of violence, gore, and some foul language, older teens and above should be fine with this one.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 6.1.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime Drama, Crime Thriller, Crime, Thrillers, Futuristic

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Hellraiser: Judgement

 

 Pinhead and his Cenobite gang are realizing the Lemarchand boxes no longer generate the kind of suffering they crave in a world ruled by technology. Changing tactics, their new approach draws the attention of Detectives Sean and David Carter who believe a serial killer is on the loose in their town.

Damon Carney (Sean), Randy Wayne (David), Alexandra Harris (Christine), Paul Taylor (Pinhead), Gary Tunnicliffe (Auditor), Heather Langenkamp (Landlady), Jeff Fenter (Carl), Rheagan Wallace (Alison), Helena Donald (Jophiel).

There is a lot going on in Hellraiser: Judgement. Pinhead's new approach is to deliver judgement upon sinners disguised as a reward which feeds their desires. Simultaneously he is also battling Jophiel, and angel with some implied power over the Cenobite's. In case that wasn't enough, some family drama between brothers Damon and Randy over Alison helps drive the storyline. Sadly, this sounds better than it is. The film feels thinly contrived to support the gruesome horror, lacks continuity or depth, and adds next to nothing to the franchise.

Acting was decent with Carney and Wayne both delivering well. Harris was good in a role that felt largely undefined. Taylor was enjoyable, as was Tunnicliffe in one of the more disturbing roles in the film. Donald was solid though her character never achieved much depth. The remainder of the supporting cast did reasonably well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are mild and felt sparse compared to previous films. Costuming and CGI were both nicely done. Dialogue was okay but could have added a lot more depth to the film. Sound is okay.

If you enjoy gruesome horror, Hellraiser: Judgement definitely has some scenes you should enjoy. If however you are a franchise fan, or like a solid plot with your horror, you may be disappointed with this one.

With nudity, fairly explicit sexuality, plenty of violence and gore including unusual use of a dog, foul language, and many disturbing images, save this for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 6.1.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Supernatural Horror, Cult Horror

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Kill the Irishman

 

 The true story of Danny Greene, an Irish thug working for mobsters in Cleveland during the 1970's who found Union's as a gateway to organized crime.

Ray Stevenson (Danny), Vincent D'Onofrio (John), Val Kilmer (Joe), Christopher Walken (Shondor), Linda Cardellini (Joan), Tony Darrow (Mikey), Robert Davi (Ray), Bob Gunton (Jerry), Tony Lo Bianco (Jack), Steve Schirripa (Frato).

Kill the Irishman begins with some backstory about Danny before smoothly moving into his transition to organized crime and involvement in Cleveland's employee Union. As Danny's ambitions grew, so did organized crime violence eventually leading to a mafia war on the streets of Cleveland. The remainder of the film follows Danny's rise to notoriety and eventual demise. The film is fairly fast moving and entertaining throughout and is an eye-opener for anyone unfamiliar with organized crime in Cleveland during the 70's.

Acting was good with Stevenson delivering very well throughout. D'Onofrio was enjoyable as well and seemed to work nicely with Stevenson. Kilmer and Walken were both good in smaller roles, though we would have liked to see them both in bigger roles. Cardellini, Darrow, Schirripa and the remainder of the supporting cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were well done and this film truly felt like it was filmed in the 70's. Action scenes were good with a realistic feel and nice fit with the film. Dialogue was good with reasonable depth. Sound and soundtrack fit the film well.

Not being familiar with the story of Danny Greene, this film felt like a good telling of his story. It felt realistic and intentionally gritty but moved along and a nice pace and was entertaining throughout. Those who enjoy a solid crime drama should enjoy this one.

With some sexuality, plenty of violence, gore, and foul language, save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2011
Reviewed: 5.29.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Biography, Drama, Crime, Crime Action & Adventure, Action Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Cargo

 

 With Australia ravaged by a zombie pandemic, a father searches the outback looking for someone willing and able to protect his infant daughter.

Martin Freeman (Andy), Anthony Hayes (Vic), Susie Porter (Kay), Caren Pistorius (Lorraine), Kris McQuade (Etta), Natasha Wanganeen (Josie), Bruce Carter (Willie), Simone Landers (Thoomi), David Gulpilil (Daku).

Cargo begins well enough showing us how Andy and his family are surviving the zombie apocalypse. Before long however things go wrong and Andy is left alone to care for his infant daughter. But when it becomes clear he will not survive, Andy searches desperately for someone willing and able to care for his daughter once he is gone. The resulting story is an interesting dramatic journey that entertains through the end.

Acting was good with Freeman delivering a solid performance throughout. Hayes and Porter were enjoyable, and Landers added nicely, as did the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good with nice use of natural scenery. Zombie costuming and makeup were nicely done with a solid feel. Action scenes were good if somewhat mild as the film focused more on the drama. Dialogue has decent depth and engages the drama well. Sound and soundtrack are mild but fitting.

Overall Cargo is really more of a drama than a horror flick. Yet, the film blends both components well and is more entertaining than expected. Zombie, drama, or zombie drama fans should enjoy this one.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 5.29.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Zombies, Australian Movies, Zombie Drama

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel