Movie reviews: I Care a Lot

Legal Guardian Marla has quite the game going; trapping the isolated elderly under her care so she can drain their assets. When she appoints herself as guardian for Jennifer however, she quickly learns there are people who care about her and are prepared to fight for her freedom.

Rosamund Pike (Marla), Peter Dinklage (Roman), Eiza Gonzalez (Fran), Dianne Wiest (Jennifer), Chris Messina (Dean), Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Lomax), Macon Blair (Feldstrom), Alicia Witt (Dr. Amos), Damian Young (Sam).

I Care a Lot begins by showing us the slick setup Marla has going; finding elderly with no relatives to complain when she appoints herself their Legal Guardian and begins draining their assets. Little does she know that her new ward, Jennifer, has people who do care about her and will go to great lengths to secure her freedom. Add to that a solid dose of action, a nod to the GLBT community, and a twist for fun, and you have a mediocre crime drama billed somehow as a comedy.

Acting was a mix in this one. Never much of a Pike fan, she didn't disappoint in this one. Dinklage however did very nicely, delivering a solid enjoyable performance. Gonzalez seemed good, though it felt like we didn't get much of her. Wiest, Messina, Whitlock Jr., and Young were all spot-on while the remainder of the cast supported well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good and the film feels like it was made for the big-screen. Action scenes and effects were well done with nice detail and very good fit. Dialogue is fun at times, but I wouldn't call this one a comedy by a long-shot. Sound and soundtrack are also well done.

Overall I Care A Lot is a decent crime thriller with a good dose of action and even suspense. Likewise, there is a fine line between a strong plot twist and cheating the storyline, which is where this one shoots itself in the foot.

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

Released: 2020
Review Date: 3.4.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama, Action, Crime Drama

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel
 

Movie review: Stargate Origins: Catherine

A prequel in the Stargate franchise, Stargate Origins: Catherine begins following Catherine Langford's life 10 years after her father's discovery of the Stargate in 1928. Still searching for answers, the Langford's research is about to get a jump start from Nazi's.

Ellie Gall (Catherine), Connor Trinneer (Paul Langford), Aylam Orian (Dr. Brucke), Philip Alexander (James), Shvan Aladdin (Wasif), Sarah Navratil (Eva), Salome Azizi (Aset), Lincoln Hoppe (Stefan), Daniel Rashid (Kasuf).

Stargate Origins: Catherine launches with Catherine and her father still examining the Stargate with thus far, no answers. But when Nazi Occultist Dr. Brucke arrives on scene, the Stargate quickly becomes functional and the adventure begins. With some bits of comedy, the sci-fi action takes over through the end.
This prequel did a nice job of maintaining consistency with an already large, and still growing, Stargate franchise. There were several nods to other films in dialogue and set objects. The storyline felt consistent with the franchise as well, with Catherine living far into the Stargate SG-1 series.

Acting was good with Gall delivering well and seeming to work well with others also. Orian delivered nicely in a role he fit well. Alexander and Aladdin were both enjoyable and brought some depth to things. Ortiz did well as Ra, while Trinneer, Navratil, and the remainder rounded things out nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds have a solid feel and seem to fit the period okay as well. CGI and effects are consistent with the franchise and fitting. Dialogue is nice and fairly light. Sound and soundtrack are mild but good.

Overall Stargate franchise fans should enjoy this one. First timers should realize this is a prequel to a much, much larger storyline.

Some mild violence but not much else to limit audience age. This should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 3.1.21
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Sci-fi, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Action, Prequels

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel
 

Movie review: Time Loop

Whilst researching time movement, a father and his son accidentally create a time machine. Realizing what they have created, the two also realize actions in the past may have dire consequences for the future.

Sam Gittins (Ricky), Mino Sferra (Riccardo), Ellie Poussot (Celestine), Eliana Manvati (Olivia).

Time Loops begins with Ricky and Riccardo performing experiments while at the same time coming to realize they have accidentally created a time machine. Contemplating their creation, the two also begin to realize their actions in the past may have dire consequences for the present and future. As the two try and manage the machine and their impact on time, they finally realize time itself is something of a trap.

Acting was disappointing at first, but got better as the film evolved and ended up as only a mild disappointment. Gittins felt somewhat unemotional through much of the film, while Sferra didn't feel authentic at all. Poussot, Manvati, and the remainder of the supporting cast felt inexperienced.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are decent considering this looks to be a lower budget film. Effects are mild but fitting. Dialogue was okay but could have had more depth. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall Time Loop is a nice idea that never generated much energy and lacked quality touches. That said, as a low budget Italian sci-fi the film is pretty good. Those who want big-screen polish will be very disappointed with this one while those who enjoy project or Indie films should enjoy the story.

Nothing here to limit audience age. Teens and above should be fine watching Time Loop.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 3.1.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Adventure, Time Travel, Mystery

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel
 

Movie review: The Rhythm Section

Stephanie is shocked to her core upon learning her family was killed in a plane crash. But after learning the crash was orchestrated, she sets out on a path of self-destructive revenge against those responsible.

Blake Lively (Stephanie Patrick), Richard Brake (Lehmans), Raza Jaffrey (Keith), Geoff Bell (Green), Jude Law (Ian), Sterling Brown (Mark), Robert Mullins (Errol), Ivana Basic (Oksana), Irma Mali (Natalya).

The Rhythm Section begins by showing us what Stephanie becomes, then does a slight rewind to show us how she got there. Now on to the main plot, Stephanie meets Raza who tells her about the plot to kill her family, setting Stephanie on a path of self-destructive revenge. The rest of the film is a strange mix of apparent emotional drama, action, and espionage. The story finishes with something of a tepid close, aside from the interesting soundtrack.

Acting was somewhat dry and lifeless here. Lively was trying to come across as brooding and damaged, but instead felt anti-social and disturbed. Law was slightly better with glints of emotion at time. Brake was in-type, well cast, and delivered well. Jaffrey was solid and seemed to work well with Lively. The remainder of the supporting cast was okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds all felt a bit dirty and dull. Some action scenes were hard to watch with fast switching and shaky camera work, others felt a bit contrived. Dialogue left a lot to the imagination. Sound and soundtrack are surprisingly decent.

The Rhythm Section simply didn't stick the landing on a few points. The storyline felt rough, as if unexplained fully or contrived. Overall, it felt like there was a serious lack of emotion from just about everyone and while Lively may be a decent actress, making her look like a meth addict then trying to sell her as an action hero simply doesn't work well.

With a brief bit of sexuality, graphic violence, gore, and foul language this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 3.1.21
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Action, Drama, Crime, Mystery

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Seventh Son

 When queen witch Mother Malkin escapes the tomb in which Spook, a hunter of witches, imprisoned her decades ago, he recruits Tom for help. The seventh son of the seventh son and as such, a natural born hunter, the two set to imprison Malkin once again.

Jeff Bridges (Gregory), Ben Barnes (Tom), Julianne Moore (Malkin), Alicia Vikander (Alice), Antje Traue (Lizzie), Olivia Williams (Mam Ward), John DeSantis (Tusk), Djimon Hounsou (Radu), Kit Harington (Bradley).

Seventh Son launches with witch hunter Spook imprisoning queen witch Mother Malkin many decades ago before a fast shift to a more recent date as she escapes. Quickly captured, she kills Spook's apprentice and escapes just as quickly. Another brief time warp and Spook has located Tom, the seventh son of the seventh son and a natural born hunter, whom he drafts as his new apprentice. From there the film is a coaster ride of action and adventure with sprinkles of attempted morality and humor. Roll in Alice to help with the fight, and things finish off nicely an hour later.

Acting was decent with Bridges and Barnes both doing fairly well, though their chemistry felt a bit off. Moore and Vikander both added depth to the film with solid performances. Williams was well cast and fit her role, as was DeSantis. Hounsou was enjoyable, as was the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good with nice variety though backgrounds felt off at times. Effects were reasonable and fit the film nicely. Dialogue was good though a bit more depth would have been nice. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Seventh Son was an interesting mix of supernatural monster hunter, medieval dragons and witches, light drama, and a quest type approach to the story that was pretty good. The story is interesting and the action keeps things moving. Those who enjoy mild adventure sci-fi should enjoy this one.

With some very mild sexuality, a few foul words, and plenty of action violence and some potentially disturbing creatures, teens and above should be fine here.

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 3.1.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Ava

 An elite assassin, Ava is already questioning her work when a high-profile hit goes wrong and forces her to go on the run while also trying to protect her estranged, dysfunctional family.

Jessica Chastain (Ava), John Malkovich (Duke), Common (Michael), Geena Davis (Bobbi), Jess Weixler (Judy), Ioan Gruffudd (Peter), Diana Silvers (Camille), Joan Chen (Toni), Colin Farrell (Simon), Efka Kvaraciejus (Alain).

Ava launches well with a look into Ava's life that also serves as a nice introduction to the story. The film quickly moves to the main plot which is then left to simmer with a fair amount of action. There are some hints at depth along the way but none are never explored or explained well. The film finishes with a nicely contrived Happily Ever After ending.

Acting was pretty good with Chastain delivering a solid performance. Malkovich was in-type and delivered in his usual style while working well with Chastain. Common was, well, common. Davis seems to get quirkier with time and she was plenty quirky in this one. The rest of the cast was enjoyable and did nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all good with a solid feel throughout. Action scenes were okay with some physical work feeling a bit sloppy and slow. Dialogue was direct and to the point most of the time and moved things right along. Sound and soundtrack are both solid.

As an action thriller Ava comes in about middle of the pack with an off-the-shelf storyline, decent acting and reasonable technical work. Genre fans should find this one mildly enjoyable while those looking for quality or depth may be slightly disappointed.

With some mild sexuality, plenty of violence, gore, and fight scenes, along with a barrel of foul language, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 2.11.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime, Drama, Crime Action

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Outside the Wire

 When an unemotional drone pilot is sent into a war zone as a lesson, he is also paired with a new class of soldier. Together the two must stop an imminent nuclear attack by a madman.

Anthony Mackie (Leo), Damson Idris (Harp), Enzo Cilenti (Miller), Emily Beecham (Sofiya), Michael Kelly (Eckhart), Kristina Tonteri-Young (Bale), Brady Dowad (Bigfoot), Pilou Asbaek (Koval).

Harp is a hotshot drone pilot who has never seen actual combat and is emotionally disconnected from the casualties he causes. Sent into a war zone as something of a lesson, he is paired with Leo who is in fact a top-secret android officer. Together the two must locate a nuclear device and prevent it being used by a militant madman. The tepid storyline is delivered with a fair amount of action, some drama, a couple of mild twists, leading into a mild ending.

Acting is interesting if nothing else. Mackie delivered a fairly emotionless role well and worked well with Idris. Idris was decent with mild energy and emotion. Kelly delivered his usual as did Asbaek. Cilenti, Beecham and the remainder of the supporting cast was enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good and the film had a big screen feel. CGI and effects were solid. Action scenes were good with nice detail and fit. Dialogue had more than a few dry spots but was okay overall. Sound and soundtrack were fitting.

Outside the Wire ends up being a mild blend of action and sci-fi with a shot of drama. The story moves along at a decent pace while avoiding depth, but those who enjoy those genres should enjoy this one.

With violence, gore, and foul language, older teens and above should be good with this one.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 2.11.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Drama, Adventure, Sci-Fi Action

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel