Movie review: Radius

 

 Liam regains consciousness after a car accident and soon realizes something has changed. Anyone within fifty feet of him suddenly dies. Except for Jane.

Diego Klattenhoff (Liam), Charlotte Sullivan (Jane/Rose), Brett Donahue (Sam), Andrea del Campo (Tech), Nazariy Demkowicz (Ted), Bradley Sawatzky (Dr. Mayborne), Bj Verot (Bruce).

Radius begins with Liam regaining consciousness after his auto accident. With no memory of who he is, or what has happened, he quickly realizes anyone within fifty feet of him dies suddenly. As he tries to make sense of things he is found by Jane, who tells him she was in the car with him at the time of his accident. The remainder of the film is a lovely mystery as Liam and Jane struggle to figure out what has happened without killing anyone else.

Acting was quite good in this one. It was nice seeing Klattenhoff in something aside from Blacklist, and the did nicely. Sullivan was solid, enjoyable, and seemed to work well with Klattenhoff. Donahue and the remainder of the supporting cast were good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all nicely done with a solid feel. CGI and action are handled well, being both fitting and well done. Dialogue is solid and adds a lot of depth to this one with the characters thoughts. Sound and soundtrack are typical big screen fodder.

Radius ends up being an enjoyable sci-fi thriller with an interesting plot and good depth. Technical work and acting are also solid. Those who enjoy a good sci-fi, thriller, or combo, should enjoy this one quite a bit. Shove this in toward the top of your must see list.

A bit of foul language in this one, but it should be fine for mature teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 2.14.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Sci-Fi Thriller, Supernatural Sci-Fi, Serial Killers

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Vengeance

 

 After assaulting Teena in front of her daughter, 4 felons squirm away from justice and go free. But the situation pushes a gulf war veteran officer working the case over the edge, driving him to find justice for Teena and her daughter.

Nicolas Cage (John), Anna Hutchison (Teena), Talitha Bateman (Bethie), Deborah Unger (Agnes), Don Johnson (Jay), Joshua Mikel (Marvin), Rocco Nugent (Lloyd), Joe Ochterbeck (Jimmy), Carter Burch (Fritz).

Vengeance begins by bringing us into the story quickly, introducing us to Teena and then her daughter as they walk home from a party. The two are assaulted, bringing us into the main plot smoothly and from there the film is off an running. John, a gulf war vet and officer on the case, watches as the 4 accused walk free, prompting him to take matters into his own hands. The remainder of the film is a tense journey of action and violence as John seeks out and punishes the 4 men.

Acting was pretty good with Hutchison delivering a solid emotional performance. Bateman also did quite well, particularly considering her age. Cage was good, though he could have used more lines and a bit more emotion. Johnson was well cast for his role and did a good job, as did the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are solid and the film appears to have had a nice budget. Action scenes were appropriate and well done. Dialogue was solid throughout with nice depth. Sound and soundtrack are enjoyable.

Overall Vengeance is a solid crime thriller with good acting and technical work. The film moves at a good pace, and is just rough enough that is holds interest fairly well while remaining a rather mild piece of work. Those who enjoy a good crime action flick should enjoy this one.

With a fairly graphic physical assault, nudity, foul language, violence, and gore, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 2.12.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Crime Action & Adventure, Action Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: November Criminals

 

 When his friend is murdered Washington D.C. teen Addison begins his own investigation when it seems the police and others just want to take the easy way out. Aided by his girlfriend, Addison puts himself in harms way to solve the murder.

Chloe Moretz (Phoebe), Ansel Elgort (Addison), Catherine Keener (Fiona), David Strathairn (Theo), Cory Hardrict (D Cash), Terry Kinney (Prin. Karlstadt), Victor Williams (Mr. Broadus), Danny Flaherty (Noel).

November Criminals begins with some character introductions and plot setup before Kevin is suddenly murdered for no apparent reason. As police and school officials quickly place blame, Addison realizes Kevin's murder doesn't fit their conclusions and begins his own investigation, leading him directly into the path of danger. The remainder of the film is an interesting mystery with a good dose of suspense and some action.

Acting was mediocre in this one. Although Elgort has the skills to deliver, his brooding moody character in this film was disappointing. Moretz was decent and seemed to work well with Elgort. Keener and Strathairn both did nicely and supported well. Hardrict, Kinney, and the remainder of the cast were okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were solid with a realistic feel. Action scenes were mild but fitting. Dialogue was a bit dry, depressing, and could have done more to present plot details. Sound and soundtrack are lukewarm at best.

As a crime drama aimed at teens November Criminals does a decent job of focusing on the story rather than other more adult aspects. The result is a fairly mild film that may appeal to teens, but will likely not do well with adults.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 2.12.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Mystery

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra

 

 Everyone wants some atmospherium; the lousy scientist and his wife, the two aliens and their escaped pet, the skeleton and the mad scientist. All of them want atmospherium!

Fay Masterson (Betty), Andrew Parks (Kro-Bar), Susan McConnell (Lattis), Brian Howe (Dr. Roger Fleming), Jennifer Blamire (Animala), Larry Blamire (Dr. Paul Armstrong), Dan Conroy (Ranger Brad), Darrin Reed (Mutant), Robert Deveau (Farmer).

This 50's sci-fi spoof follows along as a strange meteor containing atmospherium crashes to Earth. Scientist Dr. Paul realizes a couple of stranded space aliens need the mineral to fuel their ship and leave Earth, as soon as they find their lost mutant pet. But mad scientist Dr. Roger has teamed up with The Lost Skeleton and has his own plans for the rare mineral, which include help from Animala; a create made from the combination of 4 other animals. Once this intricate and well detailed plot is configured, the remainder of the film is funny 50's satire and three-eyed mutants.

Acting was silly but quite fun. Howe, Masterson, McConnell, Conroy and the rest were quite a bit of fun. Blamire was silly fun playing a combination of 4 animals. Parks did well with his serious guy grin and dialogue.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds do a wonderful job of replicating the 50's pulp horror films. Lacking CGI, action scenes and creature effects are clumsy and light but still quite funny. Dialogue was campy and corny with plenty of good laughs. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall if you enjoy campy 1950's horror flicks, satire, parody, poor costuming, slapstick horror, or black and white films you should enjoy this one. Likewise those who enjoy their frontal lobe being liquefied by atmospherium should quickly become addicted and begin immediately searching for the high-quality sequel; The Lost Skeleton Returns Again!

With a kiss, literally one reference to foul language, and pretty much nothing else to scare or offend anyone, preens and above should be fine with this one.

Released: 2001
Reviewed: 2.11.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Horror, Sci-Fi, Spoofs and Satire, Alien Sci-Fi

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel