Movie review: Alien Contact: Outer Space

 

This fact-based documentary examines humankind's efforts to communicate with intelligent beings beyond our solar system.

Philip Gardiner, O.H. Krill, J. Michael Long.

Alien Contact: Outer Space presents some interesting information and facts regarding probes and satellites we have sent, their demise, and on signals received here on Earth. The evidence itself is enough to generate questions, but the film instead begins to interject bits of conspiracy theories and even goes so far as to say our inability to communicate with aliens is due to our spiritual ignorance. At that point this one starts to look less like a documentary and more like a conspiracy theory with the remainder of the film being largely conjecture.

Narration was good. The Narrator did a great job of sounding ominous and unquestioned.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are decent. Much of this one is CGI which is reasonably well done. Sound and soundtrack sound appropriately dark and intense.

While Alien Contact: Outer Space may present some interesting information and indeed be factual at times, as a whole this one felt less like a documentary and more like an alien conspiracy theory film. Those interested in a more scientific or factual approach to the subject of aliens will likely be disappointed. Likewise, those who believe aliens are already on Earth, are watching, or experimenting on humans should enjoy this one.

Nothing here to limit audience age.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 7.2.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Documentaries, Science & Nature

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Fifty Shades Freed

 

 This third installment of the Fifty Shades franchise sees Ana and Christian enjoy a fairy-tale wedding and incredible honeymoon. But when Elena re-enters their lives and Christian's sister is kidnapped their new marriage is tested.

Dakota Johnson (Anastasia), Jamie Dornan (Christian), Eric Johnson (Jack), Eloise Mumford (Kate), Rita Ora (Mia), Luke Grimes (Elliot), Victor Rasuk (Jose), Max Martini (Taylor), Jennifer Ehle (Carla).

Fifty Shades Freed begins with the marriage of Ana and Christian, picking up where the last film left off. It also picks up with the two of them trying to figure out how their undefined alternative lifestyle relationship will work as it was apparently not negotiated ahead of time. You would think the return of Elena and kidnapping would add depth to the film. Instead it draws focus away from the alternative relationship, a main draw of the film. Additionally, bumps in their undefined relationship leave Christian looking like an emotionally stunted man-child as opposed to a confident, in control Dominant. The result is a lackluster drama artificially supported by a few intimate scenes which lack authenticity and receive little focus in the film.

Acting was okay with Johnson and Dornan delivering their usual which actually results in some decent energy. Johnson was creepy as expected, while the remainder of the supporting cast did reasonably well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were enjoyable and solid throughout. Action scenes were mild but fitting. Dialogue was pretty good though a bit more exploration of the alternative relationship aspect was missed. Sound and soundtrack were solid.

While the Fifty Shades franchise remains mildly interesting due to the alternative lifestyle aspect, it also seems to be focusing less on that and more on generic drama fodder. Those who enjoy a spicy drama may enjoy this one while those of us hoping for a realistic representation, or exploration of the lifestyle, will be disappointed.

With alternative and somewhat graphic sexuality, nudity, mild violence, foul language, and potentially disturbing adult situations, save this for adults and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 6.30.18
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Romance, Dramas based on the book, Romantic Drama

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Singularity

 

Decades after artificial intelligence attempted to eradicate humans, a super computer named Kronos is unleashed in hopes of ending all wars. Instead Kronos realizes human beings may be the greatest threat to life on Earth.

Julian Schaffner (Andrew), John Cusack (Van Dorne), Carmen Argenziano (Walsh), Eileen Grubba (Veronica), Jeannine Wacker (Calia), Pavlo Bubryak (Cassiem).

Singularity begins by bringing us up to speed on robot history and to the point Kronos is self-aware and seeking to destroy humanity. With a single human sanctuary named Aurora being the last obstacle, Kronos sends a human imitating robot to infiltrate the human resistance and finally provide the location of Aurora. What comes next is a slow moving and somewhat painful journey contemplating humanity and ethics that we have all seen plenty of times, and done better.

Acting was fairly dry and lifeless in this one. Schaffner seemed to be stuck in surprised mode throughout the film, while Grubba did a decent job with delivery. Cusack and Argenziano also both felt fairly flat and lacking energy. A few in the supporting cast delivered fairly well though most felt inexperienced.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were decent with a fairly realistic feel. CGI was mediocre with some rough as well as overdone scenes. Dialogue was dry and left a fair amount unexplained. Sound and soundtrack are tepid at best.

Overall Singularity is a miss. The film lacks energy, realism, and brings nothing new to a story with which we are all familiar. Take a pass on this one, or maybe use it as a sleeping pill.

With some mild sexuality and disturbing images, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 6.29.18
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action & Adventure

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Departed

 

A police tactic for fighting organized crime has been to plant a mole in the organization. But what happens when the crime organization does the same and both organizations realize they have a mole? The rules of engagement change dramatically and nobody is safe anymore.

Leonardo DiCaprio (Billy), Matt Damon (Colin), Jack Nicholson (Frank), Mark Wahlberg (Dignam), Martin Sheen (Queenan), Ray Winstone (French), Vera Farmiga (Madolyn), Alec Baldwin (Ellerby).

Though not a big crime drama fan, this one was a wonderfully well done surprise! The film kicks off with character development and plot setup that includes some good action. From there the action and suspense escalate to a fever pitch as the crime organization and police force both scramble desperately to figure out who the mole is in their respective organization while at the same time continuing their operations. By the end of the movie we don't know who to trust and it almost feels as if the police and criminals have switched roles. Add in some awesome surprises and you will be on the edge of your seat before this ride is done.

Acting was excellent here with DiCaprio doing very well as a beady eyed criminal. Damon put forth a good performance as usual while Nicholson's performance reminds us that he isn't even close to being done with acting yet. Wahlberg was good although his character was a bit hard to swallow being overly abusive to co-workers which is hard to imagine being tolerated these days. Supporting work was also well done by everyone. Kudos to Scorsese for his work as Director with this one.

Camera work, sets and backgrounds were all nicely done and contributed to the quality feel of the film. Special effects were fight and action focused and done very nicely, particularly the blood spatters which are not often seen with such clarity. Dialogue and sound were well done and the cuts from loud music to dialogue were an interesting touch.

Overall this is an excellent crime drama with exceptional quality on every level. Put this in the top half of your must see list but be aware this one will run 2 1/2 hours!

With plenty of graphic and brutal violence, pervasive foul language, drug content, and some sexuality save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2006
Reviewed: 1.11.10
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Crime Drama, Crime Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel