Movie review: The Trust

When two Las Vegas cops discover the secret hiding place of a drug ring they decide being burglar's pays better. But creating a crazy plan to steal the loot may be the easy part.

Nicolas Cage (Stone), Elijah Wood (Waters), Sky Ferreira (Woman), Ethan Suplee (Detective), Kenna James (Capt. Harris), Eric Heister (Irish Guy), Steven Williams (Cliff), Jerry Lewis (Dad), Kevin Weisman (Roy).

The Trust, although quirky from the start, begins pretty well with some introductions and plot setup. Things get rolling and move along through the first half of the film nicely, but the second half will leave some viewers in the dust when the reasonability of the film goes off the rails. We are eventually treated to a disappointing ending, never even fully understanding who owns the vault being robbed.

Acting was mediocre but I blame the casting. Cage, familiar with action roles, was cast instead as the comedy relief while still being told he would be the lead in a crime thriller. Likewise Wood, typically in less physically demanding roles, was cast as the chain smoking tough guy. Neither worked. A cameo by Suplee was nice, and the supporting cast was decent, but not enough.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were fitting if somewhat bland. Action scenes were mild but good. Dialogue could have used some polish and more depth. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

If you enjoy strange crime thrillers using actors cast contrary to their type and experience, check this one out. If instead you are looking for a more mainstream crime thriller, move along.

With some fairly graphic sexuality, violence, foul language, guns, and drugs oh my! Save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 10.27.16
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Crime Thriller, Crime Drama

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: ARQ

Trapped in a laboratory and stuck in a time loop, a couple fends off masked intruders while protecting a new energy source that could save humanity.

Robbie Amell (Renton), Rachael Taylor (Hannah), Shaun Benson (Sonny), Gray Powell (Father), Jacob Neayem (Brother), Adam Butcher (Cuz), Tantoo Cardinal (The Pope).

Renton is a disgruntled ex-government employee who has somehow gotten his hands on a new unlimited energy source, which also turns out to be something of a time machine. Along with his recently returned ex-girlfriend Hannah, the two try to defend themselves and the device against intruders. That is easier said than done when you are re-living the same day over and over.

Acting was pretty good with Amell delivering a nice, realistic performance. Taylor did fairly well, and seemed to work nicely with Amell. Benson, Powell, and the remainder of the cast were solid and overall acting in ARQ is enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are a bit simplistic but fit the story and setting nicely. Action scenes are well done which is good since we get to see them a dozen times or so. Dialogue moved the plot along well and added good depth to what could have been quite a boring film. Sound and soundtrack were good.

If you are a time-travel fan you will likely enjoy this one a bit. With good technical quality, acting, and storyline, ARQ is a solid sci-fi thriller.

With plenty of violence and some foul language, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.27.16
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Thrillers, Sci-Fi Thriller, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Canadian Movies

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Creative Control

David, a young advertising executive, is tasked with evaluating and preparing an advertising campaign for Augmenta virtual reality eyeglasses. Instead he begins to lose touch with reality after creating an avatar of his best friend's girlfriend and starting an affair with her.

Benjamin Dickinson (David), Nora Zehetner (Juliette), Dan Gill (Wim), Alexia Rasmussen (Sophie), Reggie Watts - himself, Gavin McInnes (Scott), Paul Manza (Govindas), Jay Eisenberg (Hollis), Himanshu Suri (Reny).

Creative Control begins coherently with some mild character introduction and plot setup. It doesn't take long for David to get and start using the Augmenta glasses, and even less time for him to make an avatar of Wim's girlfriend, Sophie, and begin an affair with her. At that point reality and fantasy becomes blurred, as apparently intended. But, the film almost does too good a job and the story ends up changing. Unfortunately, coherence is lost in the shuffle, as is audience interest. The twist at the end was nice but not enough to save this one.

Acting was reasonably well done with Dickinson putting forth a reasonable performance. Zehetner delivered a solid emotional performance, as did Gill. Rasmussen felt a bit stiff in a couple of scenes, while the remainder of the cast felt stiff and uncomfortable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were strange to say the least. The use of black and white video, with color scenes dotting the film, was apparently meant as an indicator but was again, lost on the audience. Dialogue was mediocre and could have had more depth. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

If you enjoy strange sci-fi you might want to check this one out. If using virtual reality for personal pleasure is no surprise to you, then you may want to pass on Creative Control.

With some fairly graphic virtual reality sexuality, nudity, some foul language, and a couple of violent scenes, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.26.16
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Drama, Fantasy, Sci-Fi Fantasy

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie reviews: Hail, Caesar!

Eddie Mannix is a 1950's Hollywood fixer tasked with keeping the film stars out of trouble and filming running on time. But when a group of frustrated scriptwriters kidnap one of the stars Eddie may have to work some overtime.

Josh Brolin (Eddie), George Clooney (Baird), Alden Ehrenreich (Hobie), Ralph Fiennes (Laurentz), Scarlett Johansson (DeeAnna), Tilda Swinton (Thora/Thessaly), Channing Tatum (Burt), Veronica Osorio (Carlotta).

Hail, Caesar! Begins well enough with a few laughs at the beginning as a few characters are introduced and we get a feel for what Eddie's job is really all about. From there the film begins to jump around and look almost schizophrenic as it moves between sets and scenes that are not explained well at all. Being this is a Coen Brothers production we expected the quasi-intellectual humor but despite the good looking previews, this one failed to connect with the audience at all.

Acting should have been absolutely amazing given the cast here. Instead the big names were hardly used, but did nicely when they were. Brolin ended up trying to carry the film and as usual, just can't seem to deliver well enough emotionally to connect with the audience as a lead. Newcomer Ehrenreich did nicely, and Tatum was a nice surprise.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were widely varied and interesting, in a 1950's way. Action scenes were mild but okay. Dialogue was mediocre with much of the humor missing the mark completely and plot movement feeling forced. Sound and soundtrack were decent.

When all is said and done Hail, Caesar! Fails to do anything well. The humor misses the mark repeatedly, the all-star cast is largely missing, and the plot is less than interesting. Pass on this one, even if you are impressed by the cast and direction.

Nothing much here to limit audience age.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 10.26.16
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Mystery, Comedy, Musicals, Comedy Musicals

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: 13 Cameras

Newlywed, and newly pregnant, couple Claire and Ryan move to a new house across the country to start a new chapter in their lives. Instead their marital problems continue but turn out to be minor when they discover their landlord has been spying on them.

Neville Archambault (Gerald), PJ McCabe (Ryan), Brianne Moncrief (Claire), Sarah Baldwin (Hannah), Heidi Niedermeyer (Audry), Sean Carrigan (Joe), Jim Cummings (Paul), Gabriel Daniels (Junior), DeForrest Taylor (Cop).

13 Cameras begins with a brief nod to plot setup before launching right to the storyline, relying on the rest of the film for character introductions. The plot here is pretty simple; Claire and Ryan move into a new home which, unbeknownst to them, contains many hidden cameras which are constantly monitored by Gerald, their weird landlord. Claire being pregnant and Ryan being a cheater add some distraction and depth but really, the rest of the film almost feels like a stalker manual or a film made to appeal specifically to stalkers.

Acting was a mix here, with some pretty good scenes and delivery, and others which were equally bad. Archambault played a creepy, weird landlord almost too well. Moncrief was decent but could have used slightly more emotion in her delivery, such as with Baldwin's performance which was good. McCabe was okay but also felt a bit low energy. The remainder of the cast was mediocre.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good with most of the film taking place inside a house as the primary setting. Use of video, basement scenes, and sets away from the house were poorly explained and left largely to audience imagination. Dialogue was somewhat flat, dry, and could have added a lot more depth to the film. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

While the premise behind 13 Cameras is truly disturbing, the film is not. The story is good, the film just doesn't develop enough depth to be scary, nor does it do much as a thriller. The result is an entry level horror thriller with a focus that may be more disturbing for some viewers.

Containing some nudity, sexuality, violence, and disturbing situations, 13 Cameras should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 10.25.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Horror Thriller, Independent Horror, Drama

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Deadfall

Siblings Addison and Liza on the run after a casino heist decide to split up. Liza encounters a prison parolee heading home for Thanksgiving and when Addison shows up, the two families collide with deadly consequences.

Eric Bana (Addison), Olivia Wilde (Liza), Charlie Hunnam (Jay), Kris Kristofferson (Chet), Sissy Spacek (June), Kate Mara (Hanna), Treat Williams (Sheriff Becker), Jason Cavalier (Deputy Travis), Maxime Savaria (Deputy Brice).

Deadfall begins well enough with some brief background and plot setup before Addison and Liza are separated at which point things get much more interesting. Liza connects with a prison parolee who may, or may not, be on the run while Addison treks through the snow killing people. Finally everyone gathers for Thanksgiving dinner with an ending feast that includes a couple of morality twists for the audience. But trust us, you will still want dessert in an hour.

Acting was pretty good with Bana delivering an appropriately psychopathic performance for his role. Wilde did very well and seemed to have good chemistry with everyone. Hunnam was decent but felt a bit dry a few times. Kristofferson fit his role but that was about it, while Spacek and Mara brought good work as always.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were nice with the good use of natural scenery particularly enjoyable. Action scenes felt very authentic and added some needed energy to the film. Dialogue was solid leaving few questions unanswered while driving the plot forward. Sound and soundtrack were well done with some nice pieces.

While Deadfall may not be the most original crime thriller, it is worth a watch if you enjoy the genre. Technical work is good, acting is nicely done, and there isn't too much sexuality or blood resulting in a solid film.

While there is a bit of nudity and sexuality, violence and gore, and some very colorful profanity, older teens and above should be fine with Deadfall.

Released: 2012
Reviewed: 10.24.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime Thriller, Thriller, Crime Drama, Crime, Drama

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Selfless

When you are a billionaire facing terminal cancer what do you do? Have your mind transplanted into a new body of course! But when you find out the body is used not new, and the transfer procedure wasn't quite as advertised, you may wish you had paid more attention to the Return Policy.

Ryan Reynolds (Young Damian), Natalie Martinez (Madeline), Matthew Goode (Albright), Ben Kingsley (Damian), Victor Garber (Martin), Derek Luke (Anton), Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen (Anna), Melora Hardin (Judy).

Selfless is an interesting tale that examines the morality and ethics dilemma which arises from acting upon the desire for immortality. Facing terminal cancer, Damian decides to try a new procedure called Shedding; taking the mind of one person and putting it in a different body. But when strange memories begin to surface Damian realizes the body he was given was used, not new as promised.
The concept of the film was pretty good but execution was sadly lacking. We received very little background or chance to get familiar with Damian before his shedding so afterwards behavior that may have been significant was not recognized. As a result we had a lack of emotional investment in the film which is precisely what would have made it a great film.

Acting was good with Reynolds putting forth a very nice performance. Martinez was a good choice, playing well with Reynolds and delivering nicely. Goode was solid if somewhat bland, as was Kingsley in a smaller role than expected. The remainder of the cast was enjoyable throughout.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were all nicely done with good detail and a solid feel. Nice use of natural scenery as well. CGI, effects, and action scenes were appropriate and done well. Dialogue was good and added a lot to this film, though a bit more detail would have been nice. Sound and soundtrack were mild but good.

Selfless while being a good film could have easily been a great film. Acting and technical work are well done, and the storyline is quite enjoyable. Those who enjoy a heavy dose of drama with their sci-fi should enjoy this one.

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

Released: 2015
Reviewed: 10.22.16
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Mystery, Action, Thriller, Sci-Fi Drama

copyright ©2016 Dave Riedel