Movie review: In the Tall Grass

 

 A brother and sister head into a field of tall grass in Kansas after hearing a young boy crying for help. Becoming disoriented, they struggle to find a way out and realize there may be something sinister in the field with them.

Laysla De Oliveira (Becky), Avery Whitted (Cal), Patrick Wilson (Ross), Will Buie Jr. (Tobin), Harrison Gilbertson (Travis), Rachel Wilson (Natalie).

In the Tall Grass leads you into the story quietly when Becky and Cal stop by the side of the road near a church and hear a young boy lost in the tall grass crying for help. Searching for the boy it isn't long before they realize they too are lost. As they refocus on saving themselves, others appear in the field and we learn there is something unusual about this particular field. The ending is interesting and somewhat unique while leaving the audience to ponder some of the unanswered questions.

Acting was good with Oliveira and Whitted both doing fairly well and working well together. Wilson fit his role nicely and added some depth to the story. Buie was appropriately creepy while Gilbertson added some good energy. The remainder of the small supporting cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good and it really felt as if the cast was stuck in a field of grass. Action and effects are nicely done and fitting for the film. Dialogue fit the situation well and moved the story along at a reasonable pace. Sound and soundtrack are good.

In the end, In the Tall Grass is a creepy but fairly mild thriller based on the book by Stephen King. The story builds tension through dialogue and events rather than action or flashy CGI, leaving the most intense moments to imagination. The result is a mild horror thriller many will enjoy.

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

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 11.10.19
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Drama, Movies Based on Books

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Forbidden Planet

 

 When a remote planetary colony goes silent, a starship from Earth is sent to investigate. When only two survivors are found the crew learns one of them is keeping a deadly secret.

Walter Pidgeon (Dr. Morbius), Anne Francis (Altaira), Leslie Nielsen (Cmdr. Adams), Warren Stevens (Doc), Jack Kelly (Lt. Farman), Richard Anderson (Chief Quinn), Earl Holliman (Cook), George Wallace (Bosun).

Forbidden Planet is a delicious 1950's pulp-fiction sci-fi classic  which follows a starship crew dispatched to investigate the fate of the Altair-IV colony. Landing on the paradise planet, the crew find only two survivors; Dr. Morbius and his daughter, Altaira. With much of the focus on Altaira, strange things begin to happen and we learn Dr. Morbius has uncovered the secrets of a long-lost civilization, the same secrets which destroyed them. The remainder of the film is an enjoyable sci-fi drama with a solid ending.

Acting was good and it was fun to see Nielsen when he was young, in a serious role. Pidgeon was okay while Francis was the obvious pretty thing needing attention, a role she handled well. Holliman was another familiar face and did okay, as did the remainder of the supporting cast.

Effects in Forbidden Planet, particularly for a 50's film, are well done and enjoyable even holding up fairly well over time. And who can forget Robby the Robot who became a sci-fi icon? Sets are exceptionally well done and fitting. Dialogue is a bit campy at times but works. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Forbidden Planet is a robust classic that remains well worth the watch. Fans of older sci-fi, campy sci-fi, or just sci-fi in general should enjoy this one. Those needing updated CGI and action may be slightly disappointed.

Very little here to limit audience age. Preens and above should be fine with this one.

Released: 1956
Reviewed: 11.10.19
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure, Drama, Campy Classics

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Daddy's Home 2

 

 Brad and Dusty have finally gotten used to each other and family life has smoothed. But when their fathers show up for the holidays the bumps return and the two struggle to give their kids the perfect Christmas.

Will Ferrell (Brad), Mark Wahlberg (Dusty), Mel Gibson (Kurt), John Lithgow (Don), Linda Cardellini (Sara), Alessandra Ambrosio (Karen), Owen Vaccaro (Dylan), Scarlett Estevez (Megan), Didi Costine (Adrianna).

Like the first film, Daddy's Home 2 starts off silly and doesn't stop. Brad and Dusty may have made their peace, but when their meddlesome fathers show up, things quickly go sideways in the most hilarious ways. With the entire extended family heading to a mountain home for Christmas everyone gets in on the comedy. The snowblower incident was absolutely hysterical. Though there is a bit of drama toward the end, this one finishes with a chuckle.

Acting was a ton of fun with Ferrell and Wahlberg delivering well once again. Gibson added great laughs and fit his role nicely as did Lithgow. Both were nice additions. Cardellini, Vaccaro, and the remainder of the supporting cast contributed nicely to the laughter and depth.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were fairly generic but nicely done. Action scenes were good and supported the comedy perfectly. Dialogue was funny throughout. Sound and soundtrack were good with a variety of tunes.

Overall Daddy's Home 2 is simply silly fun with plenty of dialogue and slapstick comedy. Those who enjoyed the first film or cast should enjoy this one as well.

With some mild sexuality, violence, and foul language all used for the laughs, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 11.7.19
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Christmas, Screwball Comedy

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Domestics

 

 I a post-apocalyptic world with the landscape divided between deadly gangs, Nina and Mark attempt a cross-country trek to find safety. As one of the gangs focuses on finding them, the two are forced to work together to save their lives, and may save their relationship in the process.

Kate Bosworth (Nina), Tyler Hoechlin (Mark), Sonoya Mizuno (Betsy), Lance Reddick (Nathan), Kaden Lewis (Steven), Jacinte Blankenship (Theresa), Mikaela Armstrong (Bella), Thomas Murphy (Plowboy Jim).

The Domestics begins by jumping right into things and showing us the brutal post-apocalyptic world in which Mark and Nina live. As the two set out on a cross-country trek to find safety we learn more about their relationship. We are also introduced to the deadly gangs which have sliced up the country, and the even crazier ones that aren't part of the gangs. And when they find sanctuary, it might not be quite the paradise they expected.

Acting was okay with Hoechlin delivering well. Bosworth was good, but even more enjoyable when she morphs into an action hero. Reddick was enjoyable with good delivery, as was Blankenship. Murphy , Gourrier and the remainder of the supporting cast were enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were interesting with a mix of settings, some which appeared unaffected by the apocalypse and some that were. CGI and effects were used for large scale scenes and were pretty good. Dialogue was good with a nice mix of drama and tension. Sound and soundtrack are good.

In the end, The Domestics is a decent sci-fi thriller that is really more sci-fi drama. Those who enjoy a solid dose of drama in the post-apocalyptic world should enjoy this one. Those looking for intense thrills or action may be disappointed as this one never really develops strong energy.

With a fair amount of graphic violence and some mild sexuality, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 11.3.19
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi Thriller, Action Sci-Fi, Thrillers, Post-Apocalyptic, Suspense

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel

Movie review: El Camino

 

 Something of a sequel to Breaking Bad, El Camino follows Jesse Pinkman as he escapes captivity. On the run and hunted by police, Jesse must confront his past to move forward with his life.

Aaron Paul (Jesse), Jonathan Banks (Mike), Matt Jones (Badger), Charles Baker (Skinny Pete), Todd Terry (SAC Ramey), Julie Pearl (ADA Ericsen), Larry Hankin (Old Joe), Jesse Plemons (Todd), Tom Bower (Lou), Robert Forster (Ed).

Held in captivity at the end of Breaking Bad, El Camino catches up with Jesse as he escapes. On the run for his life, he ends up finding Badger and Pete, and his past. Through flashbacks to Breaking Bad, some of Jesse's history is filled-in and the story appears to finally come to a conclusion.

Paul delivers well, and has done even better in other films I think. But here, he seems constrained by his character and unable to deliver a lead performance that really engages. It was nice seeing Banks, Bower, and Hankin again. Jones and Baker delivered their usual. Forster did very well and was enjoyable. Plemons was disturbing as always, while the remainder of the cast was solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice use of scenery and integration with sound. Action scenes are solid with nice stunt and physical action. Dialogue is decent, if quiet at times, and fills out the story nicely. Sound and soundtrack are very good.

Fans of Breaking Bad should enjoy this one if they enjoyed Jesse in Breaking Bad. El Camino is less exciting than the series, and continues to tease fans with closure while feeding us a new lead character. The result is a decent film, but a slightly disappointing sequel.

With foul language, violence, gore, and adult scenes, this should be good for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 10.30.19
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Crime Drama, Crime Thriller, Drama

copyright ©2019 Dave Riedel