Movie review: The Titan

 

Rick and his family embark on a revolutionary genetic experiment intended to allow humans the ability to live on Titan, one of Saturn's moons.

Sam Worthington (Rick), Taylor Schilling (Abi), Noah Jupe (Lucas), Tom Wilkinson (Collingwood), Agyness Deyn (Dr. Upton), Nathalie Emmanuel (Rutherford), Corey Johnson (Peterson), Aleksander Jovanovic (Werner).

The Titan begins with Rick accepting a voluntary assignment into a government genetic modification program and his family moving to new government housing. As Rick is given experimental drugs intended to modify the human body for life on Titan, Abi and others see him losing his humanity at the same time. As expected, the government is ridiculously successful with their experiments to the point they create something they can't control. The rest is about what we would expect other than the disappointing ending that skips over the very thing we were waiting the entire film to see.

Acting was okay with Worthington and Schilling both doing surprisingly well, and well together. Jupe, Wilkinson, Deyn, and Emmanuel also did nicely adding good depth to the film. The remainder of the supporting cast felt a bit inexperienced but did okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all nicely done with good detail and fit. CGI was solid other than representations of Titan which felt ambiguous at best. Action scenes were reasonably well done with nice fit. Dialogue was okay but could have provided a bit more depth. Sound and soundtrack are mild but good.

Overall The Titan is okay, but not great. The film focuses as much on the drama as it does the sci-fi aspect and as a result never really generates the energy or engagement needed to be a memorable film. Those who enjoy a solid drama will likely enjoy this more than sci-fi fans.

With some mild sexuality, violence, a bit of foul language, and potentially disturbing images, teens and above or anyone exhibiting a desire to create a genetically superior race should be fine with this one.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Sci-Fi, Drama, Sci-Fi Drama, Military Films

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell

 

 This sequel reunites Burt Gummer and his son Travis at a remote arctic research station to battle Graboids which Burt suspects may have been weaponized.

Michael Gross (Burt), Jamie Kennedy (Travis), Tanya van Graan (Dr. Sims), Jamie-Lee Money (Valerie), Kiroshan Naidoo (Hart), Keeno Hector (Aklark), Rob van Vuuren (Swackhammer), Adrienne Pearce (Mac).

Tremors: A Cold Day in Hell begins by reuniting Burt and Travis, along with supporting cast introductions and plot setup. Once on site at the research station, Burt quickly finds the Graboid threat is not only real, but that they may have been weaponized. Par for the Tremors franchise, the rest of the story is a roller-coaster ride of comedy, over the top action, and plenty of Graboids. The film finishes as expected with a tongue in cheek Happy Ever After ending that we all know is probably not the end.

Acting was about what we have come to expect from this franchise with plenty of comedy. Gross was solid in a role he has come to know well. Kennedy was mediocre as usual, if somewhat better this time around. Graan, Money, Naidoo and the remainder of the cast were interesting and delivered as expected.

Camera work, sets, backgrounds, and a fair amount of CGI were blended nicely to bring this one to life. Dialogue was campy, corny, and fitting for the franchise. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

If you know the franchise then you should probably enjoy this episode which is better than some others. If you are new to the franchise, sit back and enjoy this one knowing there are several other sequels in the series for you to enjoy.

With some mild sexuality, gore, violence, disturbing creatures, more gore and violence, this should be fine for teens and older.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Horror, Comedy, Action Comedy, Action & Adventure

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

 

 In this expression of Agatha Christie's classic mystery, an American tourist is murdered on the famed Orient Express as it rolls through Europe. Fortunately famed detective Hercule Poirot is on board and reluctantly takes the case.

Kenneth Branagh (Hercule), Daisy Ridley (Miss Debenham), Leslie Odom Jr. (Dr. Arbuthnot), Tom Bateman (Bouc), Penelope Cruz (Pilar), Richard Clifford (Maître d'), Josh Gad (MacQueen), Johnny Depp (Ratchett), Derek Jacobi (Masterman), Sergei Polunin (Count Andrenyi), Judi Dench (Dragomiroff), Willem Dafoe (Hardman).

Murder on the Orient Express begins well enough with some mild backstory and character introductions before smoothly rolling into the current setting and plot setup. From there the film is an interesting journey of theories, misdirection, and supporting plot lines revealed at key points to build suspense and mystery. Interestingly the story becomes less about capturing a murderer and more about the connection between the passengers along with some enjoyable humor.

Acting was amusing if nothing else. Branagh was solid with good delivery. Dench and Dafoe were both well cast for their roles and executed nicely. Bateman, Cruz, and even Depp in a smaller role, were solid and enjoyable throughout as was the nicely varied supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds which were blended with some mild CGI were all well done with good quality and technical detail. Action scenes were fitting and well done. Dialogue had reasonable depth and moved things along fairly well. Sound and soundtrack are both good.

Overall Murder on the Orient Express (2017) is an enjoyable crime drama that does a decent job with the classic Agatha Christie story. Fans of the story or the original should enjoy this one. Those looking for a lot of action may be disappointed.

With some mild violence, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 5.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Crime, Mystery, Mystery Drama based on a book, Crime Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: All the Money in the World

 

 Based on a true story, All the Money in the World follows the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III and attempts by his mother, Gail, to convince his billionaire grandfather to pay the ransom. The kidnappers becoming more brutal, Gail teams up with Fletcher, Getty Sr.'s top advisor, in hopes of convincing him to pay and save her son.

Michelle Williams (Gail), Christopher Plummer (J. Paul Getty), Mark Wahlberg (Fletcher), Romain Duris (Cinquanta), Timothy Hutton (Hinge), Charlie Plummer (John III), Charlie Shotwell (Young John III).

All the Money in the World is an interesting story to say the least. I don't know how much of the film is true, but the film does a decent job of telling an engaging story. While the plot sounds simple with a kidnapping and ransom demand, the hook is that the richest man in the world refuses to pay the ransom required to save his Grandson. While there are logical reasons for the refusal to pay, there are moral and ethical reasons to pay. The result is a film that forces you to question logic and emotion with plenty of drama and expression of J. Paul Getty's peculiar behavior along the way.

Acting was solid with Williams delivering a good, emotional performance. Plummer fit his role nicely with good energy and fit throughout. Wahlberg also felt strong in a role that seemed to suit his talents. Charlie Plummer managed his bit with good emotion, while the remainder of the supporting cast also did well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds felt luxurious and expensive, fitting the film perfectly. Dialogue was enjoyable with nice depth and movement. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Overall All the Money in the World is a nicely done biographical crime drama with solid technical work and acting. The story is a bit slow to start but gets moving well before long. Those who enjoy a good crime drama should enjoy this one.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 5.16.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Drama, Biography, Films based on a True Story

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Angry Birds

 

 Red is an angry bird sentenced to anger management class on the island of happy, flightless birds on which he lives. But when strange green piggies show up on the island Red, and his friends Chuck and Bomb, try to figure out what they are up to and Red's anger may just come in handy.

Jason Sudeikis (Red), Josh Gad (Chuck), Danny McBride (Bomb), Maya Rudolph (Matilda), Peter Dinklage (Mighty Eagle), Sean Penn (Terence), Bill Hader (Leonard), Tony Hale (Ross/Cyrus/Mime), Hannibal Buress (Ed).

Angry Birds begins with the story of Red's anger alongside character introductions. Before long the unusual green piggies show up and the main plot begins to unfurl as Red, Chuck, and Bomb seek out Mighty Eagle for help defending the island. The remainder of the film is a joyride of action and adventure, particularly the battle scenes which were hysterical. And being a film for kids, this one finishes with the expected Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was in the form of voice work with this one being completely animated. Sudeikis and Gad both did nicely. McBride fit his role well, as did Dinklage who was a surprise and delivered very well. Penn, Hale, and the remainder of the supporting cast delivered solidly.

Animation was good with nice detail and reasonable action motion. Dialogue was funny throughout and moved the film along at a good pace. Sound and soundtrack were fun.

Angry Birds is a nicely done children's Action & Adventure animation film. The characters are fun, the storyline is light and fun, while voice work and animation exhibit good quality. Preens and above should enjoy this one.

With some mild comedy sexuality and some edgy foul language, this should be fine for preens and above.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 5.11.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Adventure, Animation, Action, Children & Family Films

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel