Movie review: American Sniper

Chris Kyle is a cowboy from Texas until one day deciding to serve his country in the military. Becoming a Navy SEAL, Chris finds he is an excellent sniper earning the nickname Legend due to his number of kills. But after a 4th tour Chris returns home to find urban life has its own challenges.

Bradley Cooper (Chris), Kyle Gallner (Goat-Winston), Cole Konis (Young Chris), Ben Reed (Wayne), Elise Robertson (Deby), Luke Sunshine (Young Jeff), Keir O'Donnell (Jeff), Marnette Patterson (Sarah).

American Sniper directed by Clint Eastwood is the story of Navy S.E.A.L Chris Kyle who served in 4 tours to become a legendary sniper due to his skill and number of kills. It is obvious from the film that Chris' story has depth and emotion the film just doesn't quite bring it to life. Though entertaining, the competition between snipers is not well developed at all. Nor is his adjustment back to normal urban life. His shift however from saving people in a war to saving people after war is incredible and tugs at the heart strings.

Acting was good with Cooper really embracing the role with good energy and delivery. Robertson also did well and played nicely against, or with, Cooper. Gallner also did well bringing a different energy element to the film. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid throughout.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good with an authentic feel and nice variety. Action scenes were sometimes difficult with such fast action it was hard to follow everything that was happening. Dialogue was good with some solid discussions about war and survival. Sound and soundtrack were enjoyable with very good editing.

This was a solid effort from Eastwood and an enjoyable film. Though the 132 minute run time seems long, the film moves along well and holds attention along the way making the time fly. Those who enjoy military films or intense drama should enjoy this one.

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

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 11.26.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Military Drama, Action, Biography

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Time After Time: Special Edition

H.G. Wells doesn't realize he is keeping company with Jack the Ripper until Jack steals his time machine and heads to the late 1970's. Pursuing Jack into the future, H.G. faces disbelief from authorities but gets help from Amy, a bank clerk who touches his heart while helping him search for Jack.

Malcolm McDowell (H.G. Wells), David Warner (Stevenson/Jack), Mary Steenburgen (Amy), Charles Cioffi (Lt. Mitchell), Kent Williams (Assistant), Andonia Katsaros (Mrs. Turner), Patti D'Arbanville (Shirley), James Garrett (Edwards).

In 1893 London, H.G. Wells has built a time machine which he plans to ride into what he believes will be a Utopian future. Instead his friend Stevenson, who unbeknownst to everyone is actually Jack the Ripper, steals the time machine as the police are closing in and travels to the late 1970's. Feeling responsible, Wells chases Jack through time where he also meets Amy. Teaming up to find Jack, Amy teaches Wells about life and love.

Acting was the highlight of this film with McDowell focusing his intelligence and doing a wonderful job as Wells. Stevenson also did nicely, sharpening his acting chops on the well fitting role of Jack. Steenburgen brought some depth to the film but she also felt strangely out of place, and even somewhat out of character in the story itself. The remainder of the cast was solid and entertaining.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all 1970's which is to say there are some unusual colors and designs but overall they fit the film pretty well. Special effects are seriously showing their age and while they didn't add much here, they didn't detract significantly either. Dialogue was enjoyable with good depth. Sound and soundtrack were decent.

Overall Time After Time: Special Edition is an enjoyable story that expands and continues the Jack the Ripper story by adding the component of time. The film moves along pretty well, and acting was quite good, but the film is showing some age. Those who want intense action or effects may be disappointed.

With some fairly graphic violence, gore, mild foul language, and implied sexuality this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1979
Reviewed: 11.23.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi Adventure, Sci-Fi Thrillers, Sci-Fi Cult Classics, Time travel

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Cabin Fever: Patient Zero

Heading to a deserted island to have a bachelor party, a group of friends is infected by a deadly flesh-eating virus. They also find the deserted island is not quite as deserted as they thought, housing a secret research facility.

Sean Astin (Porter), Currie Graham (Dr. Edwards), Ryan Donowho (Dobbs), Brando Eaton (Josh), Jillian Murray (Penny), Mitch Ryan (Marcus), Solly Duran (Camila), Lydia Hearst (Bridgett), Claudette Lali (Katia).

Cabin Fever: Patient Zero begins with some character introductions, plot setup, and looks a lot like a teen horror flick. The simple plot, deserted island and a flesh-eating virus, proves to be little more than a vehicle for the horror which is also pretty simple. As things evolve the small bits of humor disappear, leaving us with a simple horror flick and some poorly done drama. A slight twist toward the end does little to make up for the lack of energy or quality.

Acting was somewhat absent in this one. Astin, probably the most experienced actor in the film, felt insincere and misplaced. Murray was mediocre, as was Duran and Hearst. Eaton started off well but fell apart when the horror hit, while Ryan felt seriously inexperienced and out of place.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were actually decent in this one. Natural scenery was nice and action scenes were captured fairly well. Action was reasonably well done. Dialogue was campy, thin, and at times just plain stupid. Sound and soundtrack were good.

Overall Cabin Fever: Patient Zero is a half-step from being a B-movie. As an intro-level horror or teen slasher flick the film is decent. Just don't expect a well developed plot, acting, or technical work.

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

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 1.24.15
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: B-Horror Movies, Horror Movies

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: How to Survive the End of the World

Examining multiple doomsday scenarios such as frozen or flooded Earth and nanotechnology the series explores possible methods of survival.

Paul Levinson, David Bartell, Hakeem Oluseyi, Les Johnson, Indar Kumar, Brian McCulley.

Billed as a documentary, How to Survive the End of the World is more like fantastical hypothesis. Though the theme is documentary-like, the actual scenarios are a bit hard to swallow. Such as a frozen meteorite or comet striking the moon eventually causing the Earth to flood. Each theory seems to be reality based but the effects and methods of survival are largely fantasy. With only six episodes, each 45 minutes long, the series touches on only the most popular doomsday theories.

Though there wasn't much actual acting in this one, the experts interviewed did a great job of playing up the drama and danger.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are somewhat interesting with some decent natural scenes. That said, some natural effects such as snow were presented as more extreme than they appeared in an attempt at presenting more intense drama. Dialogue was interesting if again, somewhat dramatic at times. Sound and soundtrack were good, as was CGI.

Though the series is somewhat interesting, interpreting the scenarios as impending or even completely realistic is a stretch. Those wanting actual scientific data may be disappointed while those hoping for extreme hypothetical situations should enjoy this one somewhat.

With some potentially disturbing contents, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 1.20.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: TV Documentaries, TV Shows, Documentaries

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: The Blacklist

Notorious and elusive criminal mastermind Raymond Reddington surrenders to the FBI. In exchange for leniency, he offers to help the FBI catch other brilliant criminals but will only speak with profiler Elizabeth Keen.

James Spader (Raymond 'Red' Reddington), Megan Boone (Elizabeth Keen), Diego Klattenhoff (Donald Ressler), Harry Lennix (Cooper), Hisham Tawfiq (Dembe), Amir Arison (Aram), Ryan Eggold (Tom Keen), Parminder Nagra (Agent Malik).

The Blacklist looks a lot like Silence of the Lambs at first glance with intelligent criminal psychopath Red insisting on working only with FBI agent Keen to bring other criminals to justice. However, it doesn't take long to realize there is something much bigger going on here. Red is constantly a few steps ahead of the FBI which helps build very good suspense and mystery into the series. This is balanced with some good action, drama, and a fast enough pace to keep us glued to our seat.

Acting from Spader was wonderful and he fit the role perfectly delivering an appropriately articulate and quirky performance. Boone was a good choice to play against Spader and also delivers well with good emotion and sincerity. Klattenhoff, Lennix, Tawfiq and the remainder of the supporting cast did well with a nod to Eggold in particular.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds present nice variety and a realistic feel throughout. Action scenes are good with a mild appropriateness for the series. Dialogue is consistently enjoyable, particularly from Spader. Sound and soundtrack are both good.

The Blacklist is an enjoyable and well done crime drama that genre fans should enjoy, as will fans of Spader. Those who enjoyed Silence of the Lambs may also enjoy this one.

With foul language, graphic violence, blood, and gore, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 1.19.15
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: TV Shows, TV Dramas, Crime TV Shows, Crime TV Dramas

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Aliens on the moon: the truth exposed

Has there been life on the moon in the past? IS there life on the moon now? That question and more may finally be answered using previously unseen NASA footage submitted for expert opinion.

Roger Leopardi (Narrator), Amy Shira Teitel (Spaceflight Historian), Joshua Warren (Paranormal Investigator), Lee Speigel (Huffington Post Journalist), Nick Redfern (Author/Researcher), Mike Bara (Writer/Lunar Researcher), Danielle Wyrick (Planetary Geologist), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11 Astronaut).

Aliens on the Moon: The Truth Exposed takes a look at one of the more extreme theories about the moon; Is it a secret base for an alien race? The film leaves the answer to you, but gently nudges us in the alien conspiracy direction. Using previously unseen NASA moon footage blown up and highlighted to show what are believe to be a variety of objects. Unfortunately, most of the objects are almost impossible to see and even when we can, what they actually are is questionable at best.

Acting wasn't really acting. Or was it? Interviews with some reasonable sources, and some not so reasonable, constitute the acting here and while some did appear to be acting, others did not. This actually adds to the mystery and confusion. Dialogue and narration was pretty good and enjoyable.

Video was a mix of interviews, supposed NASA and military film footage, and simulations. While interesting, many pictures and clips were persistently repeated which led the video to become uninteresting. Shot switching was very fast paced at times making it difficult to relate audio to video.

Aliens on the Moon: The Truth Exposed really only raises more questions and doesn't seem to answer any. Those who enjoy extreme conspiracy theories or are fascinated with the moon, or aliens, may want to check this out. For anyone else, particularly those wanting more factual engagement, move along to something else.

Other than some poor video of a supposed naked alien female, nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 1.19.15
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Foreign Documentaries, TV Documentaries, Alien Sci-Fi, Historical Documentaries

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Sin city: a dame to kill for

The Sin City inhabitants are back as Robert Rodriguez continues to explore the Frank Miller series in this set of stories. Neither prequel nor sequel, this edition follows Dwight as he struggles with love and betrayal, a gambler named Johnny as he pushes the limits, Marv of course, and others as their twisted lives connect in Sin City.

Mickey Rourke (Marv), Jessica Alba (Nancy), Josh Brolin (Dwight), Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Johnny), Rosario Dawson (Gail), Bruce Willis (Hartigan), Eva Green (Ava), Powers Boothe (Sen. Roark), Ray Liotta (Joey), Christopher Meloni (Mort), Christopher Lloyd (Kroenig), Jeremy Piven (Bob), Lady Gaga (Bertha).

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is another set of stories from the Frank Miller series, as interpreted by Robert Rodriguez. This edition doesn't quite have the energy of the original, or the edginess. Character development and story setup are a bit sparse, leaving those not intimate with the series with some questions. Once things get moving the pace is good with nice action and variety. As usual, some great lines but with less humor this time around.

Acting was good as expected with Rourke actually feeling a bit softer this time around. Brolin was an interesting addition and while he brought the necessary dark broodiness, he lacked substantial energy. Alba and Levitt were enjoyable additions with nice delivery. Boothe did well with his part, fitting the film nicely. The remainder of the supporting cast did well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds remain interesting and well done with extensive CGI throughout this film noir. Action was par for the course with a lot of animated violence and blood splatters. Dialogue was good but again, failed to incorporate some of the humor seen in the first film making this one feel much darker. Sound and soundtrack were enjoyable.

Overall fans of the original should enjoy Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, though probably not as much. This one felt a bit softened and die-hard fans may be a little disappointed.

With plenty of nudity, sexuality, and violence save this for mature teens and above.

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 1.17.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action Thrillers, Crime Dramas, Comic Books and Superheroes, Crime Thrillers, Film Noir

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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