Movie review: Containment

When a mutated super-virus with a 100% mortality rate is accidentally released in Atlanta, authorities scramble to find a cure. In the meantime, the city is quarantined behind a cordon to contain the outbreak.

David Gyasi (Lex), Christina Moses (Jana), Chris Wood (Jake), Claudia Black (Sabine Lommers), George Young (Cannerts), Hanna Lawrence (Teresa), Trevor St. John (Leo), Kristen Gutoskie (Katie), Zachary Unger (Quentin).

Containment begins well with nice character introductions and plot setup before smoothly moving to the main plot. As the virus is realized, the city is quickly cordoned off and the intensity moves up a notch. As the quarantine lingers, the film shows us how those inside the walls survive, cope, try to escape, and even profit. Focus then expands to include the emotional drama of key characters, and begins to explore the origins of the virus with a new subplot.

Acting was good with Gyasi delivering a nice performance reminiscent of Denzel Washington. Moses did nicely in a variety of conditions and seemed to work well with others. Wood was very good with solid delivery and emotion. Black, Young, and the remainder of the cast were solid and delivered well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were solid with a realistic feel and nice variety of locations. Action scenes were well done with nice detail. Gore and blood were plentiful and again, the series had a solid feel. Dialogue had good depth and moved the story along nicely. Sound and soundtrack were nothing exciting but fitting.

Containment takes a nice view and approach to a virus outbreak with a look at how a potential quarantine might work, and how those on both sides of the fence might react. The drama and emotion are nice touches that keep the audience engaged. Those who enjoy a solid drama should enjoy this one.

With plenty of blood, gore, some graphic violence, disturbing adult situations, and mild sexuality, this surprisingly should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.31.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Drama, TV Drama, TV series

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Wetlands

Wetlands follows the life of Helen, a lewd young girl with unusual attitudes towards personal hygiene and sexuality. Hoping for the reunion of her divorced parents, shaving a particular area on her body may end up helping.

Carla Juri (Helen), Marlen Kruse (Corrina), Meret Becker (Mom), Axel Milberg (Dad), Edgar Selge (Dr. Notz), Clara Wunsch (Young Helen), Christoph Letkowski (Robin), Peri Baumeister (Valerie).

To say Wetlands is unusual, or morally challenging, is a drastic understatement. While there is some focus on Helen's desire to reunite her parents, her disturbing hygiene habits and unusual sexuality are used as the driver. The result is a film that, by our count, could run no more than 10 minutes without a seriously disturbing revelation beginning with the concept that genitals make a great science experiment. Make no mistake, this story is somewhat disturbing on several levels and persistently personally challenging.

Acting by Juri was incredible. While her delivery was good, the situations she was in and her exposure on screen must have been deeply intense and she managed them well. Kruse was enjoyable as well and fit with Juri nicely. Becker and Milberg both delivered well and fit with the film and the rest of the cast. Selge, Wunsch, and the remainder of the cast were solid.

Camera work was well done while sets and backgrounds felt a bit low-class, which actually fit the theme of the film. Action scenes, such as they were, are well done. Dialogue (the film is captioned by the way) is pretty good. Sound and soundtrack are enjoyable.

Wetlands is a bit difficult to describe in a PG manner which should give you a clue about content. Though interesting in a strange way, this film is most definitely not for everyone. Those who don't want graphic nudity and sexuality, or very disturbing challenges to their hygiene beliefs, should stay far away from this one.

With plenty of graphic nudity, sexuality, foul language, disturbing events, violence, and drugs, save this one for adults and above. Do not take this warning lightly! Though billed as a comedy, if you are squeamish about personal hygiene think twice.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 9.20.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, International Comedy, Dark Comedy, Drama, Independent Films

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: London Has Fallen

U.S. President Asher and his Secret Service bodyguard, Mike, are in London attending the British Prime Minister's funeral along with most other world leaders when there is an explosion. Mike quickly realizes the situation is a terrorists dream as world leaders begin to fall.

Gerard Butler (Mike), Aaron Eckhart (Pres. Asher), Waleed Zuaiter (Barkawi), Shivani Ghai (Amal), Michael Wildman (Goight), Radha Mitchell (Leah), Angela Bassett (Lynne), Morgan Freeman (VP Trumbull).

London Has Fallen begins with a fair amount of backstory, setup, and some drama with the apparent intent of generating emotional investment. Being this is an action film however, it is quite simply boring and generic. As the film moves along to the action things get much, much better and the tension builds wonderfully. It seems Mike and Pres. Asher are dealing with a terrorist who is a step ahead at every turn with ridiculously extensive planning, which also makes the film a bit hard to swallow at times. But, the action moves things along well despite reality taking a vacation. The story finally wraps up with a debatable Feel Good ending.

Acting was decent with Butler and Eckhart apparently working well together. Butler shows he can still play the action hero and doesn't need the drama. Eckhart did well though it was a hard sell to believe a standing U.S. President would jump into a gun battle, let alone do well with it. Zuaiter made a pretty good terrorist, and Ghai did nicely with her role. Bassett and Freeman both delivered nicely as always, and fit their roles well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were nicely done and blended well with CGI creating a very nice visual impact. CGI was well used, supporting the action and building tension throughout. Dialogue was solid and fitting. Sound and soundtrack were well done.

While London Has Fallen may not be a blockbuster or even very original, it is a solid action thriller with decent acting and technical work. Genre fans should enjoy this one.

Violence, gore, more graphic violence, and profanity, Oh My! Rated R, this one really should be fine for mature teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 9.20.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Action & Adventure, Action Thriller, Crime Thriller, Crime Adventure, Drama

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Wedding Planner

San Francisco wedding planner Mary is the best there is and knows all the tricks including the number one rule for a wedding planner: don't fall in love with the groom. But that may be a rule she can't help but break.

Jennifer Lopez (Mary), Matthew McConaughey (Steve), Bridgette Wilson-Sampras (Fran), Justin Chambers (Massimo), Judy Greer (Penny), Joanna Gleason (Mrs. Donolly), Charles Kimbrough (Mr. Donolly), Kevin Pollak (Dr. John), Fred Willard (Basil).

The Wedding Planner begins well enough with a bit of action and drama before settling into the main plot. As the comedy shows up, so does the romance. The rest of the film is a romantic story peppered with laughs and contradictions. While reality takes a bit of a vacation in this one it supports the story and gives some depth that would otherwise be missing.

Acting was fun here with Lopez once again pulling off the pretty, slightly wounded, woman in search of true love. McConaughey was good and worked well with Lopez, though his performances since this film are much better. Wilson-Sampras fit he role well and delivered nicely, as did Chambers and Greer. Willard was hysterical, and the rest of the cast did a good job.

Camera work was solid as would be expected. Sets and backgrounds were wonderful and contributed quite well to the storyline. Action scenes were mild but enjoyable and fitting. Dialogue was fun with both good romance and comedy. Sound was good, and the soundtrack had some nice numbers.

Overall The Wedding Planner is an enjoyable romantic comedy with good technical work, acting, and a nice storyline. Those who enjoy the genre should enjoy this one quite a lot.

With some mild foul language and sexual humor, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2001
Reviewed: 9.14.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Romantic comedy, romantic movies, Romance

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Generation Earth

Follow Dallas Campbell as he journeys around the globe exploring how mankind has changed the world using technology, determination, and creativity to transform our planet and in the process, our lives.

Host: Dallas Campbell

From mining to skyscrapers, oceans to deserts, we have changed the world in which we live. While most changes are born of necessity, some come to life from creativity. Even then, the ingenuity and inventions created to support monumental undertakings such as the Hoover Dam often overshadow the project themselves. In the process, we have drastically altered the landscape of our world. At times to live in harmony, but often by trying to recreate nature.

Camera work is very well done throughout the series capturing some large projects quite well. Scenery is wonderful and nicely used. Dialogue is simple and direct with neither too much technical detail or repetition. Sound is solid.

Those with an interest in some of the larger projects that have shaped the world, including those not often seen, should enjoy this series. Those wanting technical details or depth may be slightly disappointed.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2012
Reviewed: 9.14.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Documentaries, TV shows, British TV, Miniseries

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Extremis

As the life of a family member is ending, Extremis follows along with medical professionals and family members while making some of the most difficult decisions of their lives.

Extremis is the story of the end for a woman on life support, the decisions and emotions her family face, and the care medical professionals involved are providing. The patient, though conscious and fairly comprehending of her situation, has difficulty communication which complicates the decisions the family has to make.
The short documentary does a nice job of showing us the emotional challenges faced by the family. It also takes a behind the scenes look at the same challenges faced by her medical team as they try to determine the best course of action for their patient and her family.

Camera work is solid with good framing and nice use of backgrounds, and sound is well done.

While this documentary is a great look behind the scenes, it is also highly emotional. Those with interest in the workings of an ICU, and end-of-life care should enjoy this one.

Nothing here to limit audience age, but you may want to save this one for teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 9.14.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Documentaries

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists

Taking us inside the world of Anonymous, the "hacktivist" collective, we get a look at the people and their reasons for civil disobedience. Critics and others with contrary views chime in with their thoughts as well.

Anon2World, Anonyops, Julian Assange, Aaron Barr, Barrett Brown, Adrian Chen, Stanley Cohen, Gabriella Coleman, Joshua Corman, Josh Covelli, Peter Fein, Mercedes Haefer, Homocarnula.

We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists takes a look inside the technology civil disobedience collective Anonymous. Speaking with members and supporters, we are given a glimpse into the reasons driving their acts and how they hope to change the world by holding others accountable. Included are interviews with others, such as Julian Assange, who support the work of Anonymous in their own way.
Additionally we hear interviews with critics and legal professionals, many of whom share the views of Anonymous to some degree. And others who do not. Ironically, the last word in the film from Mercedes is that every opinion matters. Yet it seems Anonymous is often focused on shutting down websites and such, effectively stifling other opinions.

Though there isn't much acting as this is a documentary, most of those interviewed were fairly intelligent and well spoken.

Camera work is fairly well done, as is use of backgrounds and natural scenery. TV interviews and film footage were used nicely to support the film. Dialogue was decent though there appears to be some bias for Anonymous. Sound and soundtrack were good.

Overall an interesting documentary that does a decent job of explaining the position and approach of Anonymous, and of civil disobedience in the digital age. Those with an interest in social or political documentaries should enjoy this one.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2012
Reviewed: 9.14.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Documentaries, Political documentaries, Social documentaries, Science & Nature TV

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel