Movie review: Frontline: hunting the nightmare bacteria

Investigating the rise of untreatable infections around the world, Frontline reporter David Hoffman engages with hospital administrators, health officials, and families.

David Hoffman (Correspondent), Sarah Childress (Reporter), Will Lyman (Narrator), Arun Rath, Emma Schwartz.

Frontline: Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria has correspondent David Hoffman investigating the disturbing resilience of bacteria and the rise of untreatable infections. Speaking with health officials, hospital administrators, and families we learn that antibiotic resistant bacteria are increasing dramatically throughout the world. Multiple causes of these Gram Negative bacteria are identified, as are indications that the problem will persist as long as we continue to use antibiotics as we do currently.

Rather than acting, those in this Frontline episode are not actors. That said, most interview and present well.

Camera work and backgrounds are good with nice addition of video from other sources and well done camera shots. Dialogue was good, and Hoffman asked some good questions, though there was some repetition. Sound was well done.

Frontline: Hunting the Nightmare Bacteria is a well done episode investigating the rise of antibiotic resistant bacteria around the world, with focus on several particular cases as examples. Those with an interest in world health, antibiotics, or infectious diseases should find this one educational and interesting.

With some mild, potentially disturbing content for the youngest viewers, there is nothing else here to limit audience age or maturity.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 1.13.15
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: TV Documentaries, TV Shows, Documentaries, Science & Nature TV, Science & Technology TV Documentaries

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Black Mirror

Black Mirror is a made-for-television sci-fi series focusing on the darker side of technology and human nature. Each story is a self-contained tale of the thriller, drama, or sci-fi genre that feature a current world twist of some kind.

Bryony Neylan-Francis (Sex worker), Shawn Aldin-Burnett (Passerby), Daniel Kaluuya (Bing), Toby Kebbell (Liam), Rory Kinnear (Michael), Hayley Atwell (Martha), Lenora Crichlow (Victoria), Daniel Rigby (Jamie).

Black Mirror is an interesting anthology series with a nice variety of stories focused on entertaining with slight twists on reality and technology. Each story is self-contained with an independent plot and characters, much like the original Twilight Zone series. The stories are presented nicely with an interesting variety of plots, depth, and attention to detail. Though not every episode may be for everyone, there is a bit of something here for most everyone.

Acting was good throughout with nice presentation and emotion. Most actors seemed to be comfortable and deliver fairly well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are enjoyable and varied throughout the different episodes but in general are well done with good detail. Effects are minimal but good. Dialogue also varied greatly between episode but other than some difficult accents, was pretty good. Sound and soundtrack were somewhat bland.

Black Mirror is an enjoyable, if short, series that presents a nice variety of stories with an interesting focus on slight alterations to reality. Sci-fi and drama fans should enjoy this the most.

With some adult content including violence, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2011 - 2013
Reviewed: 1.12.15
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: TV Sci-Fi & Fantasy, British TV Dramas, TV Shows, British TV Shows, TV Dramas

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Kid cannabis

A high school stoner decides that smuggling pot across the Canadian border into Idaho might make for a nice career. Gathering a few friends, they set up a smuggling operation that succeeds beyond expectations and creates problems they never imagined.

Jonathan Brown (Nate), Kenny Wormald (Topher), Aaron Yoo (Brendan), Ron Perlman (Barry), John McGinley (John), Corey Large (Giovanni), Bryce Hodgson (Scuzz), Alex Arsenault (Dustin), Jeffrey Ballard (Patrick), Luke Jennings (Terry), Kieran Large (Mike), Amanda Tapping (Nate's Mom).

Kid Cannabis begins with some background and character development which explains to us that Nate and Topher are essentially stereotypical stoners looking for an easy quick buck, approaching life as one big party. When they discover the possibility of smuggling pot into the U.S. across the Canadian border, things get much more interesting as do their lives. But when the operation grows beyond their expectations things quickly get out of hand. Based on a true story, Nate creates a fair sized smuggling operation which the film follows through to a conclusion with law enforcement.

Acting was mediocre here with Brown feeling out of place and as if the role was beyond his experience. Wormald was slightly better but with a smaller role it just wasn't enough. Perlman and Tapping probably had the most experience of anyone in this one, and both did fairly well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were pretty good with nice use of natural scenery and video camera footage. Stunts were mild but reasonable. Dialogue was good but the comedy aspect was seriously lacking. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

Kid Cannabis while interesting, isn't quite as billed. There really isn't a lot of comedy here and what does exist is poorly executed. As a drama and short walk into the world of drug smuggling, it is somewhat entertaining.

With some violence, foul language, extensive drug use and representation, nudity, and sexuality, save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 1.13.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Independent Comedies, Dramas, Independent Movies, Independent Dramas, Comedies

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: America Declassified

Focusing on some of America's most well-known conspiracy theories and mysteries, scientific testing and forensic tools are used to explore unusual stories and locations. Rumored bunkers, unusual crimes, aliens, and surviving disasters are some of the topics.

Ben McGee, Mike Baker, Ted Steward (Narrator), Kenneth Altman (Sound Man), James Bamford, Jonah Bauserman, Richard Belzer, Sandra Butler, Mark Dice, Anita Dickason.

Each episode of America Declassified takes a hard look at a mystery or rumor and using scientific methods, attempts to prove or disprove each one. Though the approach sounds solid, there is obviously some drama and dramatization added to keep things interesting. As we also find out in the last episode, a behind-the-scenes look, there was even pertinent footage and information that was left on the cutting room floor.

Though not acting in the traditional sense, McGee and Baker were the two main characters in the series and both presented well.

Camera work was nicely done with solid shots and good technical work. Sets and backgrounds were generally physical locations but were presented well with good camera work. Dialogue was solid if repetitive much of the time. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

Those who enjoy conspiracy theories and mysteries will likely enjoy this one quite a bit. From the Travel Channel, America Declassified is more dramatic than factual possibly but quite entertaining.

With some mild content concerns like crime photos, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 1.12.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Reality TV, TV Shows, Investigative Reality TV

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale

Farmer is a simple man with a simple life until an army of violent creatures called Krugs kills his son and kidnaps his wife. Farmer, learning the Krugs are controlled by the evil Gallian who hopes to kill King Konreid, sets out to claim vengeance and recover his wife.

Jason Statham (Farmer), Leelee Sobieski (Muriella), John Rhys-Davies (Merick), Ron Perlman (Norick), Claire Forlani (Solana), Matthew Lillard (Duke Fallow), Brian White (Commander Tarish), Ray Liotta (Gallian), Burt Reynolds (King Konreid).

In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale launches right into the middle of a story already in progress. Though we don't get a lot of character background or development up front, a lot is presented as the plot continues to roll along and the film does a decent job of holding our interest. As the story takes a few turns, we see some depth and as action picks up the film develops a good pace with a nice mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, and a definite dramatic aspect. Of course, we are left with the expected Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was reasonably well done with Statham delivering nicely as usual. Sobieski was okay but definitely underused. Rhys-Davies supported nicely as did Perlman and Forlani. Lillard was completely mis-cast and felt out of place entirely. Reynolds was only slightly better cast, but at least tried to fit his role. Liotta, as always, made a good bad guy.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were well done. Blended with CGI, the film had a nice substantial, big-budget feel which helped. Effects were pretty good though minimizing details of the Krugs felt like a mistake. Dialogue was enjoyable and fairly reasonable. Sound and soundtrack were both well done.

Overall In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale is a sci-fi fantasy flick with a fair amount of action and a reasonable plot that should entertain a wide range of audiences. Ignore the poor reviews and give this one a shot if you are an action sci-fi fantasy fan.

With some intense violence and possibly disturbing creature images, save this one for teens and above.

Released: 2007
Reviewed: 1.12.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Foreign Action & Adventure, Action & Adventure, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Fantasy Movies

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Invasion

When small rocks start falling from the sky a latent human virus is activated and spreads quickly to the entire population. As humanity is being transformed into a new alien race, a small group of scientists race to find a cure and save the world.

Luke Perry (Beau), Kim Cattrall (Dr. Sheila Moran), Rebecca Gayheart (Cassy), Christopher Orr (Pitt), Jon Polito (Det. Kemper), Neal McDonough (Randy), Rosanna DeSoto (Nancy), Castulo Guerra (Eugene), Louis Crugnali (John).

Small rocks falling from the sky trigger a latent human virus which begins transforming the human race into aliens. Once transformed, the aliens share a hive mind and begin to infiltrate society and government at the highest levels. A small group of scientists realize the danger and begin working feverishly to create and distribute a vaccine. But can they save humanity? Broad as the plot sounds, this one translates well to the big screen and moves along at a nice pace.

Acting was reasonably well done with Perry doing better than expected. Cattrall had moments of quality delivery punctuated by overacting and appearing to be lost. Gayheart was enjoyable if a bit green, while the remainder of the cast did fairly well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are pretty good throughout with a solid, realistic feel. Effects including costuming, makeup, action scenes, and CGI were enjoyable with good detail. Dialogue did okay at presenting the storyline but could have had a bit more depth. Sound and soundtrack were decent.

If Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Night of the Living Dead sounds like an interesting film, check this one out. Likewise if you enjoy older sci-fi films. A bit long at almost 3 hours, this made for TV movie should be one that die-hard sci-fi fans will enjoy.

With some potential disturbing content, save this one for teens and above.

Released: 1997
Reviewed: 1.11.15
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Alien Sci-Fi, TV Miniseries, Sci-Fi Thrillers, Dramas Based on the Book

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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Movie review: Quicksilver Highway

This is actually two stories: Chattering Teeth which is a Stephen King story, and The Body Politic which is a Clive Barker story. Chattering Teeth is a lovely story about a man who picks up a hitchhiker who has malicious intent only to be defended by a quirky toy bought for his son. A set of chattering teeth.
The Body Politic is an interesting trip into insanity when a surgeons hands rebel against him and try to organize a hand revolution. Both stories are told as stories by an unusual character, Aaron Quicksilver, to people he meets on his travels or in the course of business.

Christopher Lloyd (Aaron Quicksilver), Matt Frewer (Charley), Raphael Sbarge (Kerry Parker/Bill Hogan), Missy Crider (Olivia Parker/Lita Hogan), Silas Mitchell (Bryan Adams), Bill Nunn (Len), Clive Barker (Anesthesiologist).

Although the film wasn’t much on the fear factor scale, both plots were unique to my knowledge and were enjoyable to briefly contemplate. The narration style of the film by Lloyd as a character in a plot tying the two stories together really didn’t do anything for the stories themselves and I think leaving that part out and developing more of the two stories would have made for a much better film.

I hesitate to say acting wasn’t good in this one but rather that the problem was depth. The film seemed to run screaming past character development and right into the attempted scary parts. Instead the result was a complete lack of empathy for the characters and a pediatric feeling overall. Disappointing considering the story writers.

Camera work and sound were decent throughout the film however dialogue shifted from entertaining to juvenile frequently. Special effects left something to be desired and were actually funny in parts.

If you enjoy light-hearted sci-fi or horror that just isn’t scary, check this one out. Otherwise, leave this off your Must See list.

Other than adult concepts and violence this one is pretty plain so viewing by preens and above should be fine.

Released: 1997
Reviewed: 1.9.15
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Made-for-TV Movies

copyright ©2015 Dave Riedel

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