Movie review: The Day After

 

 Depicting the aftermath of a nuclear war, this made-for-tv movie follows the lives of a few Lawrence, Kansas residents as they struggle to survive the devastation. Searching for medical care, food, water, and security, they realize the world will never be the same and has become a dangerous place to live.

Jason Robards (Dr. Oakes), JoBeth Williams (Nurse Bauer), Steve Guttenberg (Stephen), John Cullum (Jim), John Lithgow (Joe), Bibi Besch (Eve), Lori Lethin (Denise), William Young (McCoy), Calvin Jung (Dr. Sam).

The movie kicked off a bit slow with a lot of character development but, it was still somewhat interesting. Things really got moving though once the nuclear missiles started to fly. The film appears to be a serious look at how things might unravel in a nuclear war with just enough realistic drama to keep the general viewer interested. The most poignant moment in the film was when a student watching political events take place mentioned that she wasn’t worried because it was Eastern Europe involved but would be very worried were it the Middle East and oil concerns involved. The quote from Einstein fit the movie very nicely as well.

Being over 20 yrs. old the movie does have a dated feeling to it at this point but, the message being delivered and the possibly very realistic consequences of nuclear war depicted in the film are as valid today as they were in 1983.

Acting was decent by most everyone involved, particularly Robards and Cullum. Camera work, sets, effects and dialogue were all nicely done for the day.

Overall this is a nicely done attempt at realistically portraying the effects of nuclear war. If you are looking for drama, a thriller, or some hyped-up flick about militant groups or mutants taking over the world, this isn’t it.

Some minor violence and adult concepts but preens and above should be fine with this one.

Released: 1983
Reviewed: 11.21.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Disasters, Sci-Fi Drama, Sci-Fi Fantasy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Petrified

 

 After stumbling upon an unusual mummy and deciding to sell it, the deal is botched resulting in resurrection of the alien being.

Kathryn Adams (Marta), Christopher Bergschneider (Mummy), Shirly Brener (Jess), Robert Buckley (Tanner), Roark Critchlow (Buzz), Stephanie Gentry (Shelly), Kimberly Guerrero (Suze), Darrow Igus (Eldridge).

An alien mummy is imported and prepared to be sold in a black market antique deal. Instead, the mummy is found by criminals who decide to sell it. But when they botch the deal the mummy is awakened. The remainder of this B movie is a mess with the few bright spots being the scantily clad women.

Acting was disappointing to say the least. Missed cues, poor delivery, serious lack of sincerity and energy left this one feeling flat.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are rough with poor technical work throughout. More than a few out of focus or poorly filmed shots. Sets and costuming felt cheap and lacked detail. Effects were bland despite attempts with gore. Dialogue was campy and lacking depth. Sound and soundtrack were completely forgotten before the credits were done.

Overall, Petrified is a mummy movie with a low budget, sad special effects, and a twist in an attempt to save itself. If you are a mummy movie junkie you might enjoy this one. If you are anyone else, skip this dud.

With some violence, gore, and nudity, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2006
Reviewed: 11.21.18
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Horror, B-movies

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Inconceivable

 

 Katie and her daughter are looking for a fresh start in a new town. Katie quickly makes friends with a couple who have a daughter and the two young girls quickly become friends as well. But when Katie agrees to help the couple grow their family, things get strange fast.

Gina Gershon (Angela), Nicky Whelan (Katie), Nicolas Cage (Brian), Sienna Baker (Maddie), Harlow Bottarini (Cora), Natalie Marie (Linda), Faye Dunaway (Donna), Jonathan Baker (Barry), James Van Patten (Dr. Weisman)

A lovely couple with a young daughter are hoping to grow their family with more children. They meet Katie and her daughter and everyone becomes great friends. The couple ask Katie to be their nanny, and she needs the work, so all is well. This is the point where this simple story we all know fairly well goes sideways. But, rather than simply a crazy nanny trying to break up a couple, Inconceivable throws in a few curves that keeps things interesting right through the surprise ending.

Acting was solid from everyone in this one. Gershon delivered as usual and it was nice to see her working with Cage again. Whelan was solid and enjoyable throughout. Cage was okay, but he also wasn't the lead in the film which helped. Marie, Baker, Dunaway and the remainder of the supporting cast did well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are fitting and well done. The house used in the film is beautiful and expressed well in technical work. Action scenes were mild but fitting for the story. Dialogue was good with nice depth and fit. Sound and soundtrack are mild but fitting.

Overall Inconceivable does a nice job of taking the familiar crazy nanny story and adding a few more levels of depth. Those who enjoy a solid crime thriller or crime drama should enjoy this one quite a bit.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 11.15.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime Drama, Drama, Crime Thriller, Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Degenerates

 

 The Degenerates is an original series of no-holds-barred stand up sets with first season comedians being; Big Jay Oakerson, Brad Williams, Yamaneika Saunders, Liza Treyger, Joey Diaz, Christina P.

If you like it raunchy and limit-pressing, this is the stand-up for you. From Yamaneika hitting on the entire crowd to Liza crowdsourcing a sex experiment, this one is on the edge around a few different topics. Most of the comics in the lineup are pretty good, or at least pretty good for a while, but when they miss the mark it hurts hard. Several struggled with knowing when they were losing the audience and it was time to shift gears, or even comedic focus on the material.

Camera work is good, as is the fairly standard stage setup and lighting. Sound is solid.

Overall not a bad set if you like edgy, raunchy, limit-testing comedy. The comedians will likely be hit-or-miss so if you aren't feeling it, move to the next one. The one thing the series does have is a decent variety of comedians.

With plenty of foul language and adult topics, save this one for adults and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 11.10.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Stand-up Comedy, TV Late Night Comedy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: 211

 

 Two cops and a ride-along out on routine patrol land themselves in the middle of a shootout with a band of bank robbing mercenaries.

Nicolas Cage (Mike), Dwayne Cameron (Steve), Michael Rainey Jr. (Kenny), Alexandra Dinu (Agent Rossi), Sophie Skelton (Lisa), Weston Coppola (Luke), Cory Hardrict (Hanson), Ori Pfeffer (Tre).

211 begins with some character introductions and a brief bit of plot setup before disintegrating into a gooey mess. From the start the storyline feels like it is following a template; introduce main characters, introduce parallel storyline, roll in supporting characters and main plot, action, ending. The pieces are all there but, nothing is done with them. The plot was so predictable it was ridiculous leaving the film lacking any kind of real energy at all.

Acting was part of the problem in this one. Cage looked like every Cage-cop he has ever played with the same expressions and tone. Time for a change. Cameron felt uncomfortable from the start, and his overplayed death scene only made it worse. Rainey Jr. was decent enough, while Dinu was obviously just window dressing.

Sets, and backgrounds are only mildly better than other aspects of the film again feeling lifeless. Camera and stunt-work may be the only redeeming qualities of this film. The extended shootout scenes were reasonably well done with good detail and enjoyable video work. Dialogue was dry and lacking depth, or even fit, much of the time. Sound is ok. Soundtrack is boring.

Overall, unless you are an absolute Cage fan, pass on this one. Honestly you could imagine a more entertaining story while doing your taxes.

With some foul language, violence, and gore, save this one for teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 11.10.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Drama, Action

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Black Panther

 

 Following the death of the Wakandan king, and his father, T-Challa must return to his high-tech home from fighting crime as the Black Panther to claim his place as king. Instead he finds a challenger to the throne that threatens not only Wakanda, but the entire world.

Chadwick Boseman (T'Challa/Black Panther), Michael Jordan (Erik), Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Martin Freeman (Ross), Daniel Kaluuya (W'Kabi), Winston Duke (M'Baku), Sterling Brown (N'Jobu), Angela Basset (Ramonda).

Black Panther is not the film we expected. Rather than an intense Marvel action adventure flick, this film focuses much more on the history and humanity of Black Panther. That said, the story is interesting, entertaining, and moves at a decent pace with good depth. The film hits its target as well, delivering a solid dose of history and perspective alongside some solid action. Black Panther finishes as we would expect, with a Happy Ever After moment likely leading to the next film or integration with other characters in the Marvel universe.

Acting was good with Boseman delivering a solid performance. Duke was another bright spot with nice intensity. Freeman, Basset, and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were widely varied and nicely done. Action and CGI were pretty good and as expected from a Marvel film. Dialogue had nice depth and moved things along well. Sound and soundtrack are both well done.

While Black Panther may not have been the action adventure we expected, the film is solid and entertaining. Those who enjoy finding depth in their superheroes should enjoy this one. Others looking for the intense action may be disappointed.

With some mild nudity and sexuality, violence, the addition of gore, mild language, and explicit drug use, good luck keeping preens away from this one.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 11.3.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action & Adventure, Comic Books and Superheroes, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel