Movie review: Apollo 13

 

When the Apollo 13 spacecraft suffers massive internal damage, threatening the lives of the 3 astronauts on board, NASA rushes to find a solution that will bring them all back to Earth safely.

Tom Hanks (Jim Lovell), Bill Paxton (Fred Haise), Kevin Bacon (Jack Swigert), Gary Sinise (Ken Mattingly), Ed Harris (Gene Kranz), Kathleen Quinlan (Marilyn), Mary Schellhardt (Barbara), Emily Lloyd (Susan), Miko Hughes (Jeff).

Apollo 13 starts off nicely with some character introductions, background, and plot setup. Once we are all on the same page the 3 astronauts are blasted into space and things get much more interesting. What was expected to be a routine mission now the lunar landing was completed turns into much more. When the spacecraft suffers massive internal damage NASA and the crew must find a way to get everyone back home safe. The result is some incredible intensity and tension punctuated by a well known Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was solid with Harris and Quinlan both delivering exceptionally well. Hanks did a nice job and seemed to work well with others. Sinise delivered nicely throughout. Bacon was okay but felt a bit misplaced in this role. The remainder of the supporting cast was enjoyable and presented well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all very well done. CGI and effects are all nicely done with good attention to detail and fit. Dialogue was good and moved things along at a nice pace. Sound and soundtrack are enjoyable.

Apollo 13 is a wonderfully done historical drama. Despite the almost 2 1/2 hour runtime the film holds attention well at most every step. With solid acting and technical work, most will enjoy the entire 140 minutes.

With some mild sexuality and violence, and a bit of foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1995
Reviewed: 5.28.19
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Dramas Based on Real Life, Suspense, Action, Thriller

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Predator

 

 When Rory accidentally contacts the most lethal hunters in the universe, their interest in Earth is renewed. Returning to prey on humanity one last time, the Predators' find the military is ready this time and a crew of combat veterans working with a disgruntled scientist are ready to save humanity.

Boyd Holbrook (Quinn), Trevante Rhodes (Nebraska), Jacob Tremblay (Rory), Keegan-Michael Key (Coyle), Olivia Munn (Casey), Sterling Brown (Traeger), Thomas Jane (Baxley), Alfie Allen (Lynch), Jake Busey (Keyes).

The Predator looks a lot like a remake of the original film in the beginning, to the point we wondered if this was a sequel or prequel. With the introduction of Rory however, the storyline finds new direction when he accidentally contacts the Predators, renewing their interest in Earth as a hunting ground. The remainder of the film, based on this thin plot, follows the fight between humans and the Predators with their advanced technology and looks a lot like previous films in the franchise.

Acting was enjoyable with Holbrook and Tremblay both doing well. Jane was hysterical while Busey tried and failed to be funny with his role as usual. Key was also a lot of fun, as were Rhodes, Brown and others who brought some good laughs. The remainder of the cast was solid and fun.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are well done and what we would expect from this mature franchise. Action scenes were good though they felt a bit tempered compared to previous films, though the lack of alien technology was apparent. CGI and effects are good but again, felt light in this entry. Dialogue was good with the added comedy being a nice bonus. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Overall, while something of a disappointment in the Predator franchise, by itself the film is a mild but solid sci-fi thriller with plenty of action and intensity. Fans of the franchise may be slightly disappointed with this one while others should find it complete and fairly solid.

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

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.27.19
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Alien Sci-Fi

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Glass

 

 Glass brings together two of M. Night Shyamalan's most popular films, Unbreakable and Split, in this comic book origin story. Mr. Glass finds David Dunn pursuing Kevin Crumb aka. The Beast and his multiple personalities. As their encounters grow more deadly, Glass emerges as a mastermind orchestrator.

James McAvoy (Kevin Crumb + 23 other personalities), Bruce Willis (David), Samuel L. Jackson (Price/Glass), Anya Taylor-Joy (Casey), Sarah Paulson (Dr. Staple), Spencer Clark (Joseph), Charlayne Woodard (Mrs. Price)

Glass jumps in with Kevin and his personalities completely out of control while at the same time David realizes he must stop the insanity and Glass appears to be a mental vegetable. There are bits that lead back to the original films, but much of the mental work is left to the audience. As the story moves along, it generates good depth and with a twist or two toward the end, holds interest well. As an origin story the ending is good, though mildly confusing to align with the other films.

Acting from McAvoy was simply incredible with his multiple personality presentations being spot-on and appropriately disturbing. Willis was solid as usual with good delivery. Jackson was enjoyable once his character woke up, while Taylor-Joy was solid throughout. Paulson also fit her role nicely, adding a bit of dark creepiness to things.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with a solid, appropriate feel. Action scenes, including CGI, were well done and quite intense at times. Dialogue was varied and nicely done, moving the story along and feeding us just enough to piece things together. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Glass ends up being a solid sci-fi thriller, but it isn't without issues. Parts of the film feels plodding and slow, something the 2 plus hour runtime doesn't help, but the mental and emotional build up does help intensify things once they get moving. Fans of the original films may find this one a bit slower but probably just as enjoyable in the end.

With some mild sexuality, profanity, disturbing images, and plenty of graphic violence, this really should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 5.22.19
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama, Comic Books and Superheroes, Sci-Fi Action

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The First Purge

 

 Fourth in the series, this prequel takes us back to the beginning of The Purge. When a third political party, the New Founding Fathers of America, takes power they implement a social experiment; no laws on Staten Island for 12 hours.

Y'lan Noel (Dmitri), Lex Davis (Nya), Joivan Wade (Isaiah), Mugga (Dolores), Patch Darragh (Sabian), Marisa Tomei (Dr. Update), Luna Velez (Luisa), Kristen Solis (Selina), Rotimi Paul (Skeletor).

The First Purge, the 4th film in the series, is actually a prequel that follows implementation of the first Purge on Staten Island by a new political party which has won the U.S. Presidency. For 12 hours there will be no laws on Staten Island. While residents are not required to stay, those who do are given $5,000, with more to come based on participation. But when that is not enough the government steps in to stir things up a notch.

Acting was decent with Noel and Davis both doing nicely and seeming to work well together. Wade fit his role well and managed it nicely while Mugga was annoyingly over the top. Paul was good, adding another dimension to things with his role. The remainder of the supporting cast was good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good and fitting for the theme of the film. CGI effects and action scenes are solid throughout with nice intensity. Dialogue was enjoyable with good plot movement and detail. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall The First Purge is an enjoyable crime thriller that adds some depth to the Purge franchise, taking us back to the original insanity that started it all. The film is a good blend of the gory horror and suspense the other films have created but, this one has a split-focus with a bigger storyline. Franchise fans should enjoy this one.

If you don’t know already, this franchise includes sexuality, nudity, foul language, violence, gore, plenty of illegal activity, more violence, disturbing images and activity, and more. Good luck keeping teens away from this one.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.9.19
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Thrillers, Crime Thrillers, Suspense, Action, Horror

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Shrooms

 

 A group of college friends take a trip to Ireland to visit Tara’s boyfriend, Jake, who will take them on a camping shrooming trip. In a beautiful wooded mountain setting, things get strange when Tara ingests a particularly potent strain of mushroom which causes, among other things, premonitions. Are they really being stalked, and are the psycho locals really escaped mental patients, or is it all paranoia and a bad trip?

Lindsey Haun (Tara), Jack Huston (Jake), Max Kasch (Troy), Maya Hazen (Lisa), Alice Greczyn (Holly), Robert Hoffman (Bluto).

First the online summary mentioning sexy college kids and a gory slaughter-fest. There isn’t much of a sexy undertone here, nor is there an abundance of blood and guts. Group of friends and interesting thriller would have  been better descriptions.

A little slow to start before getting just plain confusing, dark, and miserable looking. Jake is the guide for the group, knows all about shrooms, and is very very safe about tripping. He is also the first one to hit the paranoia button and start hiding from everyone, can’t control his trip, and becomes worthless when things start going wrong. Big plot hole there for me.  But, I did enjoy the plot twist at the end that I see so many reviews complain about.

Aside from that, I was impressed with the acting. In a cold, wet, muddy, miserable place the actors still came through with emotion.

What failed this film was the camera work. Many shots were just to dark. Even worse were the snapshots which were so quick at times you couldn’t tell what you were seeing. Action scenes were bad too, with excessive camera movement and jerky shots. The camera was just in motion far too much and without it I think the film would have been much better.

This is a true middle of the road horror thriller that had the potential to be much better with decent camera work.

No nudity but a fair amount of foul language and adult concepts including implied sexual scenes make this one okay for teens and above.

Released: 2007
Reviewed: 5.8.19
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Slashers & Serial Killers, Mystery, Comedy

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Mangler

 

 When an industrial folding machine at a laundry company owned by Gartley seems to become possessed by evil, Officer Hunton with the aid of his hippie friend, Mark, start to unravel the mystery. As they finally think they understand what is happening and how to make it stop, things take a bloody and even more supernatural twist.

Robert Englund (Gartley), Ted Levine (Officer Hunton), Daniel Matmor (Mark), Jeremy Crutchley (Pictureman), Vanessa Pike (Sherry).

Written by Stephen King, screenplay done by Tobe Hooper, and starring Englund and Levine, you just know this is going to be one warped and twisted ride. And this movie doesn’t disappoint. With a somewhat original plot that moves along with only a few slow spots, this one keeps you interested from the start.

Englund, Levine, and Matmor all do well in this one with particularly good chemistry between Englund and Levine. Pike is a bit flat but then her character didn’t contribute a lot anyway.

Special effects are good throughout, particularly at the ending which has a nice little twist. Sets are very good as is costuming. Dialogue and sound were a bit rough with low volume dialogue and high volume sound that was a bit extreme.

No nudity but some foul language and plenty of very explicit gore and violence mean this one should be saved for adults and above. If you enjoy a decent horror flick or sci-fi, put this one toward the top of your Must See list.

Released: 1995
Reviewed: 5.8.19
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi Horror, Cult Horror, Mystery, Movies based on the Book

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel