Tag Archives: Thriller

1965 Films, Bette Davis, British, British Horror, Hammer Horror, Horror, Jill Bennett, Seth Holt, Thriller, Wendy Craig

The Nanny-1965

Leave a comment

The Nanny-1965

Director Seth Holt

Starring Bette Davis

Scott’s Review #256

70089620

Reviewed July 11, 2015

Grade: B

The Nanny is a 1965 Hammer productions thriller starring legendary film icon Bette Davis as a mysterious nanny caring for a ten-year-old boy named Joey.

Joey has recently been released from a mental institution and returned home to resume everyday life, but has he been “cured”?

There is obvious tension between Joey and Nanny, but the audience doesn’t know what that tension is precisely. Why do they dislike each other? Why is Joey afraid of her?

As the plot unfolds, the suspense and tensions thicken as various events occur and Joey’s parents and Aunt Pen are further fleshed out. Past events are revisited, and the story becomes thrilling.

At one point, long before Joey’s return home, his younger sister has drowned, and the circumstances are vague. It has devastated the family, including Nanny. Joey has been blamed for her death, though he insists that Nanny is the culprit.

Nobody except the neighbor girl believes Joey, and the audience wonders who to believe and who to root for: Joey or Nanny. Davis, like Nanny, brings a warmness to her character, but is she sincere? Is it an act? Is Joey a sweet boy or maniacal?

These questions race through the audience’s minds as the film progresses. When Virginia, the mother, eats tainted food, the obvious conclusion is that the Nanny poisoned it since she prepared it. But why? Did she do this?

As the plot is slowly explained, there are a few chills, though the ending is not too surprising.

Any film starring Bette Davis is a treasure, though admittedly, it is not her finest work. Still, her finest work is challenging to match.

The Nanny is a good film, though not great. It is shot in black and white, which is a nice touch for a thriller.

The main reason to watch Davis’s performance is that it is always mesmerizing. Traditionally playing gruff, mean, or bitchy parts (especially in her later years), The Nanny allows Davis to play a sympathetic role.

She is seemingly sweet, proper, well-organized, and a perfect nanny on paper.

The role of Virginia, played by Wendy Craig, is a bit too neurotic and slightly over-acted. She is rather one-note as the fretting mother worried about her son. The character of the father is also a bit one-dimensional.

The Nanny is more of a classic thriller from the 1960s that is often lumped together with some of Bette Davis’s other films around the same period (Dead Ringer-1964, Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte-1964, and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? -1966), and are in large part superior to The Nanny. As a stand-alone, it is a decent film.

2015 Films, Bailey Chase, Ian Nelson, Jennifer Lopez, John Corbett, Kristin Chenoweth, Rob Cohen, Ryan Guzman, Thriller

The Boy Next Door-2015

Leave a comment

The Boy Next Door-2015

Director Rob Cohen

Starring Jennifer Lopez

Scott’s Review #254

80013272

Reviewed July 5, 2015

Grade: C-

A steamy direct rip-off of the 1987 classic film Fatal Attraction, The Boy Next Door (2015) is a mainstream thriller starring Jennifer Lopez as a separated suburban Mom raising her son alone.

One day a handsome young man, Noah (Ryan Guzman), moves in next door. He makes friends with her son and develops an unhealthy obsession with her.

The film is your basic thrill ride with some jumps mixed in but predictable as they come and is safe mainstream fare.

Claire Peterson (Lopez) lives a cozy suburban existence with her socially awkward teenage son Kevin (Ian Nelson) and works as a literature teacher at the local high school.

She lives a modest yet successful life.

Her estranged husband Garrett (John Corbett) has cheated on her with his secretary.

One day a hunky twenty-year-old neighbor, Noah, moves in, takes a shine to Kevin and an attraction develops between Noah and Claire, despite him being half her age. The audience knows that there is something off.

The inevitable happens, a lonely Claire winds up in bed with Noah after a disastrous blind double date with her friend and confidant Vicky (Kristin Chenoweth), also the vice-principal of Claire’s school.

The sex scenes are titillating and sensual with lots of skin.

I went into my viewing not expecting an invigorating or thought-provoking film and was not disappointed.

The film is lightweight, predictable, and has a lifetime television movie feel. The acting is not great and the setups are seen a mile away. When Claire and Noah meet there is instant chemistry between them but there is also a sinister quality to Noah that the audience is aware of.

There is no doubt he will make trouble for Claire.

As we progress we become aware that Noah has a temper, another setup for things to come. If he feels wronged he strikes back. Once Claire realizes their passionate night was a mistake, Noah becomes obsessed with and vengeful of Claire and everyone around her.

The plot is filled with one implausibility after another. I could list silly nuances for hours, but here are a few that immediately come to mind.

I do not buy Jennifer Lopez as an intelligent, sophisticated, literature genius (despite the film hysterically having her wear nerdy glasses) nor the good-looking Ryan Guzman (Noah) as a scholarly expert in literature either.

This is done to construct the plot with no believability whatsoever.

Throughout the film, Noah can do whatever he wants, somehow hacking into Claire’s computer, arranging for printouts of his liaison with her to fly endlessly from the ceilings, tampering with brakes, and seamlessly splicing Claire’s voice into conversations.

The entire film is ridiculous and unbelievable, but, again, it’s what I expected it to be.

The ending surprised me abruptly with no cliffhanger or hint at a sequel as is common with thrillers. Perhaps the filmmakers had low expectations for audience turnout.

One jarring point is that Jennifer Lopez, clearly Latina, plays a character in a suburban neighborhood, named Claire Peterson. Nowhere is her Latina heritage mentioned. The character is about as white as you can get.

A dumb, entertaining ninety minutes of escapism, The Boy Next Door is not a good film (2015) but fun. Some thrilling moments, some fun to kick back relax, and take it for what it is.

It is comparable to a McDonald’s hamburger, you know what you will get and expect nothing more.

2014 Films, Atom Egoyan, Mireille Enos, Rosario Dawson, Ryan Reynolds, Scott Speedman, Thriller

The Captive-2014

Leave a comment

The Captive-2014

Director Atom Egoyan

Starring Ryan Reynolds

Scott’s Review #235

80013547

Reviewed April 18, 2015

Grade: C-

The Captive is a 2014 thriller that reminds me quite a bit of a 2013 thriller, Prisoners, which must have been an influence.

A similar plot involving a blue-collar, working-class family attempting to track down a missing child as the father takes matters into his own hands and is also considered a prime suspect in the crime by detectives, is used.

Set in snowy upstate New York, the film tells the tale of Matthew (Ryan Reynolds) and Tina Lane (Mireille Enos), a struggling young couple whose nine-year-old daughter, Cassandra, is snatched out of Matthew’s truck while he runs into a store to buy her a pie.

Told using flashbacks, the story picks up several years later as the defeated couple is periodically taunted by Cassandra’s abductors, who leave clues to indicate she may still be alive.

Via video cameras, the abductors watch the parent’s emotional reactions to the clues and sell this “entertainment” to subscribers.

As the film moves along we learn of a major crime syndicate involved in the kidnapping of Cassandra and other similar-aged girls.

At times the plot of The Captive is compelling with a few nice twists and surprises- other times the plot moves quite slowly and plods too much.

The film sets the story in a cold, wintry season emitting a tone of darkness, loss, and harshness. The cinematography is beautiful and deserves major recognition for the mood.

The major problem with the film, though, is the extreme plot holes throughout and the ludicrous nature of the story- I still do not understand the pivotal childhood ice-skating message at the end.

As the film progresses the plot becomes tough to follow and many questions resonate. Who is paying to watch parents emotionally tortured? How can Cassandra seemingly come and go as she pleases and remain a prisoner? Why, years later, is Matthew still a suspect?

These points seem too plot-driven for my taste and seem to be created to further the plot. The main villain- Mika- is a weird guy but what is his motivation? Why is he part of the kidnapping syndicate? What is anyone’s motivation besides Matthew and Tina striving to get their daughter back?

This is not explained.

The casting of some of the actors is problematic- I had difficulty buying Enos working as a maid in a small town- she is way too glamorous a woman for that to be believed.

Similarly, casting Rosario Dawson and Scott Speedman as central detectives in the case seems unrealistic. The film is pure fantasy- these actors are too good-looking to be believable as upstate New York, small-town, detectives.

While very handsome, Ryan Reynolds is the only actor I bought as a grizzled, broken father with a glimmer of hope that his daughter is still alive.

Besides some interesting turns, The Captive (2014) is too unrealistic and convoluted to follow closely and is a bit of a mess.

For this type of film (kidnapping thriller?), I would recommend Prisoners (2013), though the plot holes are prevalent in that film too.

2014 Films, Bill Paxton, Dan Gilroy, Independent, Independent Thriller, Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, Thriller

Nightcrawler-2014

Leave a comment

Nightcrawler-2014

Director Dan Gilroy

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo

Scott’s Review #225

70295182

Reviewed March 1, 2015

Grade: B+

Nightcrawler (2014) is best described as an intense crime-thriller set in Los Angeles featuring a wonderful performance by Jake Gyllenhaal as an unstable thief named Lou. He cons and manipulates his way to success videotaping accident scenes and selling them to news stations.

The film is the directorial debut of Dan Gilroy, who could become a household name in the future. Nightcrawler was deservedly awarded the Best Screenplay and the Best First Feature Independent Spirit award honors.

The film is set mainly at night as Lou courses the city in search of accidents, crimes, and violence- the bloodier the better. Later, he is told by Nina Romina, successfully played by Rene Russo that violent crimes in affluent neighborhoods are the best, as they garner the highest ratings.

Lou sells video footage of the crimes to the highest bidder and Nina becomes his main customer. Lou is eventually assisted by Rick Carey, a desperate accomplice in need of money, played by Riz Ahmed.

The interesting thing about Nightcrawler is its moody setting and dim lighting. It reminds me of the 2004 film Collateral, starring Jamie Foxx and Tom Cruise, also set in Los Angeles.

Mostly set at night time and heavily set on the streets of L.A., I found this mood excellent and a compelling aspect of the film.

It makes Nightcrawler look great.

Gyllenhaal deserves praise for his role as Lou and is largely responsible for the success. He was a co-producer.

From an acting standpoint, he is excellent and reminiscent of the frightening performance that Robert DeNiro gave in Taxi Driver (1976). With an angular face and eyes that seemingly never blink, he is intense and driven on every level.

He is a sociopath.

When he quietly threatens Nina and Rick on separate occasions one can tell he means business. Why Lou has become a thief desperate for money is never explained- does he have a family? Is he a convict? He seems highly educated, but is he? How did he land in this predicament and resort to the life that he does?

As Lou becomes more manipulative and adjusts crime scenes to make them shocking, he seems to teeter over the edge of sanity. In one scene he sneaks into a victim’s home and videotapes photos of the victims from their refrigerator to promote an empathetic angle and therefore make more money from them.

This is a brilliant performance by Gyllenhaal.

Another fascinating performance I admired is that of Rene Russo- absent from films for what seems like years, Nightcrawler is a nice return for her. Her character also has a little backstory.

We know she is a driven newswoman who has trouble maintaining success at individual news stations and moves around a lot. Nina is a cut-throat news director eager for violent stories and determined to keep her existing job. She also becomes begrudgingly fascinated and enamored with Lou.

Does she like bad boys or does she admire his talent?

The third major character is Riz Ahmed’s Rick. Rick comes across as a sweet, yet gullible guy strapped for cash. Like Lou, we do not know why he is broke, but it is hinted that he may do or have done some male prostitution- he is desperate.

As the film goes along the character develops tough skin and realizes he is attracted to this new lifestyle and excitement, but will not be bullied by Lou.

On a social level, the film presents an interesting, albeit disturbing take on the relationship between the media and the viewers. What will news channels do for a good story? How bloodthirsty are news audiences? How often is a positive news story presented? It makes the audience reflect and ponder.

Nightcrawler is a dark thriller, which deservedly garnered an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay and a slew of Independent Spirit Awards.

Intense, rich, and visually appealing, it is one of the success stories of 2014 cinema.

Oscar Nominations: Best Original Screenplay

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: 2 wins-Best Male Lead-Jake Gyllenhaal, Best Supporting Male-Riz Ahmed, Best Screenplay (won), Best First Feature (won), Best Editing

2014 Films, Charlie McDowell, Comedy, Elisabeth Moss, Independent, Independent Comedy, Mark Duplass, Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Thriller

The One I Love-2014

Leave a comment

The One I Love-2014

Director Charlie McDowell

Starring Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss

Scott’s Review #221

70299863

Reviewed February 18, 2015

Grade: C+

Reminiscent of a modern-day Twilight Zone episode, The One I Love (2014) tells the story of a young married couple (Ethan and Sophie), played by Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss, who seek the assistance of a therapist, played by Ted Danson.

The therapist realizes the couple is out of sync and recommends a weekend away. The therapist has an excellent reputation for rekindling faltering marriages and turning them into successful ones.

He sends them to a sunny, beachfront house with a guest house, pool, and various trails along the water. It is simply a paradise.

I admire the creativity of the screenplay.

The couple meets their ideal, perfect versions of each other while basking at the vacation house. Ethan’s alter-ego is suave, athletic, and sensitive to Sophie’s needs while Sophie’s is sexy, flirtatious, and invested in Ethan’s life.

The real versions are bored, lazy, and a bit disheveled.

The flaws they once saw in each other are replaced with the perfect spouses. It is fantasy-like. As one half of the couple slowly falls in love with the fantasy version, the other half begins to get jealous and the film dives into a tale of who winds up with whom.

But is it a fantasy? Are the perfect versions real people or something reminiscent of Invasion of the Body Snatchers?

It is tough to know the intentions of the film.

A weakness I felt the film has is it plods too much. At a brief ninety minutes, the film somehow has a sleepy, slow-moving undertone and could have easily been a short film or wrapped up within forty-five or fifty minutes.

I did not feel the chemistry between Duplass and Moss as strongly as I would have liked. Individually fine actors, the spark did not ignite for me.

I wish Ted Danson had a larger role. The focal point was the young couple, but the mysteriousness surrounding the paradise was never really explained and Danson’s character could have been the key to the story. Did he contrive the entire situation? Was it fantasy? His brief part left many plot holes unexplained.

The One I Love (2014) is a creative effort and an imaginative angle, but I wanted more clarity than I was served up.

The film is mysterious, yes, but also confusing and slightly dull and uneven.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best First Screenplay

2014 Films, Adam Wingard, Dan Stevens, Ethan Embry, Independent, Independent Thriller, Lance Reddick, Maika Monroe, Sheila Kelley, Thriller

The Guest-2014

Leave a comment

The Guest-2014

Director Adam Wingard

Starring Dan Stevens

Scott’s Review #220

70300664

Reviewed February 7, 2015

Grade: C-

The Guest is a thriller from 2014 that can, perhaps, be classified under the adage “it’s so bad that it’s good”, though as I pondered writing this review, that could be a bit of a stretch.

As poor as the film is, there is something that I slightly enjoyed about it.

The premise is simple. A Midwestern family, the Peterson’s, is suddenly visited by a veteran soldier, named David, who claims to be a friend of the parent’s deceased son Caleb. David easily insinuates himself into their lives and the Petersons extend an invitation for him to stay a few days to rehash details about Caleb.

The family is middle-class, yet struggling financially, and consists of a mother and father, a college-aged daughter named Anna, the actress eerily resembling a young Gwen Stefani, and a bullied, timid, high school-aged son named Luke.

From the get-go, something is off with David, but his motives are unclear to the audience.

The issues with the film are aplenty.

For starters, the acting is rather poor. The most notable actors in the film are Dan Stevens (Downton Abbey) and Sheila Kelley (L.A. Law) and a collection of unknowns.

Stevens and Kelley give better performances, and I particularly thought Stevens very believable in a role opposite of his Downton Abbey alter ego.

The rest of the cast is wooden and un-compelling.

The weakest parts of The Guest are the inane plot points and the 1980s-style soundtrack. Were the filmmakers going for a retro throwback? The film is set in present times so this aspect remains a mystery.

The story starts interestingly. Is it a Fatal Attraction (1987) type of film? What is David’s motive? What was his relationship with the deceased Caleb? Does he intend to help or harm the family?

The reveal towards the end of the film is implausible, ridiculous, and disappointing. Without giving too much away, the government plays a large role in the meat of the film and it does little to provoke sympathy for any of the characters, only eliciting further confusion.

The attempted (and botched) love story between David and Anna does not work. They have little chemistry and the rooting value is not there especially as he picks up her drunken best friend at a party.

Is the audience supposed to root for David and Anna or is it merely a weak sub-plot to the thrill aspect of the film? I suspect the latter.

Despite all of these negatives, I did not despise the film as it trucked along- rather, I found it to be more of a mess than anything else.

It is not a good film, but there is something slightly appealing about it. Some of the death scenes are well done and the budding friendship between David and the bullied son is rather sweet.

The son is enamored with the strong, masculine David, and David, in turn, serves as a protector, humiliating the bullies who gave the kid a black eye. The film does not delve into a sexual angle regarding this but is a bond that is cheerful to see. It has a nice, warm element.

Another impressive point of The Guest is that it ends with a surprise that leaves room for a sequel. However, due to the success that the film did not achieve, I doubt a sequel will ever see the light of day.

A poorly written, weak-acted film, The Guest (2014) has moments of interest but fails miserably at providing a strong viewing experience.

By the end, I still had no idea of the main character’s motivations which is a huge problem.

Confusing and convoluted are the adjectives best to describe this film.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Editing

2014 Films, Ben Affleck, Boyd Holbrook, Carrie Coon, David Fincher, Neil Patrick Harris, Reese Witherspoon, Rosamund Pike, Scoot McNairy, Sela Ward, Thriller, Trent Reznor, Tyler Perry

Gone Girl-2014

Leave a comment

Gone Girl-2014

Director David Fincher

Starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike

Scott’s Review #181

70305893

Reviewed October 6, 2014

Grade: A-

Gone Girl (2014), directed by dark yet mainstream filmmaker David Fincher, offers a simple premise. An affluent woman disappears without warning and a loved one is suspected of the crime.

This type of story has been done many times before in film- think Prisoners from 2013 to cite a very recent example, but what makes Gone Girl unique is its storytelling, pacing, and twists and turns aplenty.

The film is based on the best-selling novel, written by popular novelist Gillian Flynn, who also wrote the screenplay.

Ben Affleck plays Nick Dunne, a man in his 30’s, whose wife Amy, magnificently played by Rosamund Pike, mysteriously disappears, causing a media frenzy.

After clues are revealed, Nick is thought to be a sociopath and responsible for Amy’s disappearance. Nick and Amy have the perfect marriage….or so it appears. Until fairly recently Nick and Amy have lived an idyllic, well-to-do lifestyle in New York City.

Amy’s family is wealthy and writes as successful children’s authors.

Following the recession of 2010 causing both Nick and Amy to lose their jobs and all of their money, combined with Nick’s parent’s health problems, they wind up in a state of peril, and their marriage is severely tested.

They are forced to move to a small town in Missouri where Nick grew up and their lifestyle completely changes.

These facts are naturally revealed as the film progresses, via flashbacks, mostly told from Amy’s perspective, as she chronicles events by writing in her diary.

The story is so smart and layered that the audience continually asks questions throughout the film. Is Amy dead? Did she fake her death? Is Nick involved or innocent? Could Amy’s parents be involved in her disappearance? Can we trust Nick’s sister Margo? What involvement does Amy’s wealthy college sweetheart Desi Collings (Neil Patrick Harris) have?

As more of the plot is revealed new questions are asked.

Intelligently written, with twists and turns galore, after a slow start, the film is a thrill ride. The slow start is necessary to lay the groundwork of the film and it wisely keeps the audience guessing throughout.

The film seems to be a puzzle (literally and figuratively) as each layer is unraveled leading to further questions and new theories.

The film’s score is composed by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), which adds a dark, techno-gloomy feel, which increases the mood wonderfully.

The acting in Gone Girl is exceptional. Affleck is capable in the lead male role, though I did not find the part as meaty as one might think. Affleck is handsome and charismatic, though unlikeable too, and I think that is all the part requires.

The standout and breakout performance belongs to Rosamund Pike. After years of struggling in support film roles as someone’s wife or friend, Pike finally has a complex role that allows her to sink her teeth in.

Pike displays almost every emotion- kindness, anger, rage, deception, humor.

The character of Amy is nuanced and resourceful and more than one movie-goers mouth dropped open at her actions in a couple of scenes- think wine bottle and hammer for reference.

Neil Patrick Harris is dynamic in the role of Desi and brings a healthy dose of creepiness mixed with child-like sweetness.

Gone Girl features one of the most shocking scenes involving a bedroom, a box-cutter, and lots of blood.

Fincher’s setting of North Carthage, Missouri is interesting. Hardly the intelligentsia of Manhattan that Nick and Amy are accustomed to, the perfect mix of homespun kindness turned to a lynch mob of the townspeople is effectively portrayed.

The sweet neighbors, happily offering casseroles and hugs to Nick one minute, suddenly turn into sharks when detail is revealed.

The media is, almost ironically, portrayed as menacing and ready to pounce. Female reporters are played by Sela Ward and deliciously and comically played by Missi Pyle.

More than a handful of female characters are written as borderline man-hating and eager to either castrate, figuratively speaking, or bed (or both!), Nick Dunne.

Gone Girl contains a few plot holes. How could there be no recorded tapes of the goings-on at Desi’s lake house? The entire plot is so far-fetched when one decides to ponder it.

Gone Girl (2014) is a mainstream yet dark Hollywood thrill ride with a theme of dishonesty, and a film exceptionally well-written and layered.

Oscar Nominations: Best Actress-Rosamund Pike

2013 Films, Action, Brad Pitt, Drew Goddard, Marc Forster, Mireille Enos, Ruth Negga, Science Fiction, Thriller

World War Z-2013

Leave a comment

World War Z-2013

Director Marc Forster

Starring Brad Pitt

Scott’s Review #121

70262639

Reviewed July 20, 2014

Grade: B

World War Z (2013) is the type of film that is a summer hit but will most likely be forgotten over the years. It is a slightly above-average, enjoyable action/ zombie thriller, but not much more.

It stars Brad Pitt as a former United Nations investigator called in to save the world from a zombie pandemic. The crisis is spreading throughout major cities of the world simultaneously.

The film sees Pitt traversing the globe in an attempt to find a cure for the epidemic before it is too late and the zombies make the world extinct from humans.

The zombies are super zombies in that they can fly and move at lightning speed making them ultra-dangerous.

The story is implausible and plot-driven, but it doesn’t matter and works on some level. My theory for this success is that the film is fast-paced, the action starts almost immediately, and Brad Pitt is charismatic.

He is the star and all the action centers around him.

The film contains exciting, tense scenes including a plane crash sequence and a chase around a medical lab.

World War Z (2013) is a popcorn film, meant to be sat back and enjoyed and not overanalyzed or taken too seriously.

It is a perfect summer hit.

1976 Films, Alfred Hitchcock, Bruce Dern, Karen Black, Thriller, William Devane

Family Plot-1976

Leave a comment

Family Plot-1976

Director Alfred Hitchcock

Starring Bruce Dern, Karen Black

Scott’s Review #99

60020560

Reviewed July 9, 2014

Grade: B

Family Plot is sadly Alfred Hitchcock’s final film, made in 1976.

It is certainly not one of his greats, but not bad either, and a fitting way for a viewer to conclude his career.

The film is a jewel caper and has a vastly different feel from many of his other, earlier films. It has a slick quality to it and is reminiscent of a 1970s television movie, which is not a knock.

It simply feels more television-like than film, which likely could be because the film stars notable television stars, William Devane and Katherine Helman.

It also features some big film stars of the time- Karen Black, Bruce Dern, and Barbara Harris.

The film is a departure from other Hitchcock films in that it is a macabre comedy. It is a tongue-in-cheek story of a fake psychic (Harris) and her boyfriend (Dern) who become involved in a search for a missing heir, a jewel heist, and a murder.

All of the characters intersect as the film moves along and it contains some nice Hitchcock elements- the speeding car with no brakes down a hilly road is pure Hitchcock.

The film, for me, has a slightly melancholy feel as sadly, it is the great Hitchcock’s final farewell.

2013 Films, Elizabeth Olsen, James Ransone, Josh Brolin, Lance Reddick, Michael Imperioli, Rami Malek, Samuel L. Jackson, Spike Lee, Thriller

Oldboy-2013

Leave a comment

Oldboy-2013

Director Spike Lee

Starring Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen

Scott’s Review #97

70274810

Reviewed July 8, 2014 

Grade: B-

Oldboy (2013) is a United States remake of the original South Korean film from 2003 that tells the story of a successful advertising executive named Joe Doucett, played wonderfully by Josh Brolin.

He is mysteriously kidnapped and kept prisoner in a private one-room facility, where he is served the same three meals daily for twenty years, while framed for the murder of his wife.

Through the years he is kept abreast of his daughter’s life events through videos. He is just as mysteriously released after twenty years and sets out to exact revenge on his former captors.

Brolin is quite charismatic and appealing (kudos for his multiple nude scenes) in the lead role and it is nice to see Michael Imperiolo in an off-beat supporting role.

The premise is interesting but the type of film where everything that happens is plot-driven, the villains completely manipulate events, and the film becomes implausible and, via flashbacks, reminds me of the CBS series Cold Case.

Forgetting that Brolin’s character becomes superhero-like and chiseled after twenty years in captivity, the film is a good, solid, fun, thrill-ride, and bloody at times.

It has aspects of a nice whodunit to a point.  It has so many plot holes that I lost count, but somehow it is enjoyable at the same time.

Oldboy is never boring and even unpredictable at times.

Many questions run through the viewer’s head. Who is the villain? What could the villain’s motivation be? Friend or foe?

Is the film unrealistic, and ludicrous at times, but also highly enjoyable?

1987 Films, Brad Pitt, Gene Hackman, Iman, Kevin Costner, Sean Young, Thriller, Will Patton

No Way Out-1987

Leave a comment

No Way Out-1987

Director Roger Donaldson

Starring Kevin Costner, Sean Young, Gene Hackman

Scott’s Review #96

810117

Reviewed July 5, 2014

Grade: B+

No Way Out is a slick political thriller from 1987 starring Kevin Costner as a U.S. Naval Officer investigating a Washington D.C. murder.

Gene Hackman and Sean Young are co-stars. Costner is at the top of his game in the film and is quite charismatic and charming.

The plot has several twists and turns that keep the viewer guessing and engaged and is a classic edge-of-your-seat stylistic film.

The film is paced very well as it gradually picks up steam with each plot turn until it builds to a frenetic finish. Specifically, the final forty-five minutes that take place in the CIA are quite a cat-and-mouse game.

It’s a film about sex, murder, love affairs, politics, and backstabbing.

Hugely successful in the 1980s, and as much as I still enjoy it, the film unfortunately now appears quite dated as the soundtrack, hair, and clothes, all scream late 1980’s and that is not to its credit.

It now seems all too similar, though a cut above, to other countless themed films of the same period. Truly great films are timeless.

Kevin Costner was in his prime with No Way Out (1987) and Sean Young has a wonderful turn as the mysterious Susan Atwell.

2013 Films, Crystal Reed, Holt McCallany, Horror, Lucas Till, Malik Bader, Sarah Bolger, Thriller

Crush-2013

Leave a comment

Crush-2013

Director Malik Bader

Starring Lucas Till, Sarah Bolger

Scott’s Review #87

70263209

Reviewed July 2, 2014

Grade: C-

Crush (2013) tells a story that has been told since almost the beginning of cinematic history, that of the stalker.

It’s a teen stalker film similar to  Swimfan (2002) and The Roommate (2011), which I admit to having seen and enjoyed as guilty pleasures.

A teen soccer jock injures his knee and decides to break up with his girlfriend to focus on rehab. From this point, someone begins to stalk him and leave secret admirer notes.

Several red herrings ensue and a twist is contained in the final thirty minutes that, unfortunately, if one bothers to look at the cover art on the DVD, the stalker is revealed.

This particular genre is a guilty pleasure of mine so it’s tough to be completely objective.

On the surface Crush is a terrible movie- it is by the numbers, no character development, but just plain old fun.

I suppose it is loosely a remake of the Alicia Silverstone film from the 1990s.

In any event, the appeal (good or bad) was that the filmmakers played this film seriously instead of fessing up to a poor script and playing it for laughs.

The acting is awful, the teen outcasts look like they could easily be the popular kids and made up to appear nerdy, and the film has a Hallmark television movie of the week badness.

But in a goofy, trashy way I enjoyed Crush (2013).

2013 Films, Denis Villeneuve, Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Melissa Leo, Paul Dano, Terrence Howard, Thriller, Viola Davis, Wayne Duvall

Prisoners-2013

Leave a comment

Prisoners-2013

Director Denis Villeneuve

Starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal

Scott’s Review #75

70273235

Reviewed June 27, 2014

Grade: B+

The film Prisoners (2013) weaves a gripping, taught, psychological tale amid a well-acted stellar cast of Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Viola Davis, and Paul Dano for starters.

That is what separates it from other similar, yet mediocre thriller types.

The gray, somber, Pennsylvania town is a perfect backdrop for a story involving child abduction and a father that seeks a confession from the presumed kidnapper.

The mood and cinematography are impressive and the bleakness is perfect for the tone- a cold Thanksgiving holiday weekend in a working-class, steel town.

At two hours and twenty-six minutes, the film is lengthy, but on the edge of your seat.

What intrigued me most was the audience conflict of whom to root for. Is the father purely innocent? Is the kidnapper guilty? Is someone else involved?

These questions go through the viewer’s mind during the film.

Prisoners possess a major drawback in the high number of plot holes and questions asked after the film.

The kidnapper’s motivations are weak and never fully explained. Portions of the story do not add up and make little sense.

The film is similar in style to Zodiac (2006) and Mystic River (2003).

Prisoners (2013) is an intense, thrill ride to be enjoyed, but not over-analyzed.

Oscar Nominations: Best Cinematography

2013 Films, Alfonso Cuarón, Ed Harris, George Clooney, Sandra Bullock, Science Fiction, Thriller

Gravity-2013

Leave a comment

Gravity-2013

Director Alfonso Cuaron

Starring Sandra Bullock, George Clooney

Scott’s Review #69

70274337

Reviewed June 24, 2014

Grade: B

Gravity (2013) has become a film that has divided people- some have described it as “brilliant”, “groundbreaking”, and “phenomenal”.

Due to the hype, I was expecting somewhat of a masterpiece. Not being a 3-D fan (usually unnecessary), I gave in and saw it in 3-D, which did help the film.

I have discovered the theory- the techies will love it, the storytellers will not.

Yes, the film is inventive and the space scenes are magnificent, so much so that I felt like I was floating in space looking down at planet Earth.

Sandra Bullock is excellent as a lost astronaut fearful and desperate.

But, the story is quite basic and, frankly, weak. I kept waiting for the plot to thicken and was left wanting much more than the movie delivered.

The backstory for Clooney and Bullock was limited.

I must stress, though, that technically this film is astounding and deserves the praise heaped on it, but as a complete movie, it did not deliver the goods.

Oscar Nominations: 7 wins-Best Picture, Best Director-Alfonso Cuaron (won), Best Actress-Sandra Bullock, Best Original Score (won), Best Sound Editing (won), Best Sound Mixing (won), Best Production Design, Best Cinematography (won), Best Film Editing (won), Best Visual Effects (won)

1964 Films, Bette Davis, Jean Hagen, Karl Malden, Paul Henreid, Peter Lawford, Philip Carey, Thriller

Dead Ringer-1964

Leave a comment

Dead Ringer-1964

Director Paul Henreid

Starring Bette Davis, Karl Malden

Scott’s Review #67

70001706

Reviewed June 24, 2014

Grade: B+

Dead Ringer (1964) is a black-and-white thriller starring Bette Davis in her final leading role before she took on the character and supporting roles.

Davis plays an interesting dual role, and as a massive fan of hers, I believe two are better than one.

The story centers on a wealthy widow and her twin sister, a struggling bar owner. The two have not spoken in decades and renewed their feud at a funeral.

One sister schemes to cause the other’s death, which results in an entertaining game of mistaken identity.

Davis carries this film and is dynamic in every scene. With her eyes, facial expressions, and throaty voice, her characteristic sexy pose with the cigarette is often utilized.

She is simply dynamic.

The story and plot are carefully crafted, and the angles that show both characters are impressive for the time (1964).

The differing lifestyles of the characters also make for a more challenging performance by Davis.

Karl Malden is a treat as a love interest of one of the sisters.

1945 Films, Agatha Christie, Barry Fitzgerald, British, Judith Anderson, Louis Hayward, René Clair, Richard Haydn, Thriller, Walter Huston

And Then There Were None-1945

Leave a comment

And Then There Were None-1945

Director René Clair

Starring Barry Fitzgerald, Judith Anderson

Scott’s Review #66

255772

Reviewed June 24, 2014

Grade: C+

And Then There Were None (1945) is adapted from a famous Agatha Christie novel of the same name from the 1930s, the first of 3 film adaptations over the years.

A group of 10 individuals from all walks of life is summoned for a weekend of merriment at a secluded mansion on a lonely island.

The premise is perfectly set up for a fascinating whodunit as the characters are knocked off one by one in sometimes bizarre fashion- the bee sting death is great.

There is a wide range of characters- the rich movie star, the spinster, the doctor, the house servant, and his wife). I was very disappointed with the DVD quality (no Blu-Ray is available for this film).

The picture and sound are abhorrent. The quality is quite grainy and faded making watching an unpleasant experience. However, a great film might withstand those issues.

The film has some appeal that the novel had- an interesting whodunit. The character histories are similar to the ones in the book and, to be fair, the film is well-acted, and the wonderful Judith Anderson (Rebecca) is always a treat to watch.

But the most disappointing aspect is the blatantly changed and completely upbeat, romantic comedy ending, vastly different from the dark novel ending, and lost major points with me for the adjustment.

2012 Films, Brian De Palma, Noomi Rapace, Rachel McAdams, Thriller

Passion-2012

Leave a comment

Passion-2012

Director Brian De Palma

Starring Rachel McAdams, Noomi Rapace

Scott’s Review #58

70257722

Reviewed June 23, 2014

Grade: A

Passion (2012) is a must-see for all Brian De Palma fans, Carrie (1976), and Dressed to Kill (1980).

Unfortunately, the film received little fanfare and is mostly forgotten, but it deserves a viewing.

The film is set in the world of advertising, where backstabbing and scheming are commonplace.

Rachel McAdams stars as an executive who steals her assistant’s (Noomi Rapace) ideas regularly. Fed up, the assistant plots revenge.

McAdams is delicious as the callous, calculating, little girl over her head in the corporate world.

The praise goes to DePalma, though, for creating yet another stylistic gem similar in tone to many of his other successful films.

The plot is almost secondary to the direction- twists and turns, and cool camera angles make the film an enjoyable experience. A common DePalma trait is a dreamlike feel which I love in his films.

The ending is a direct homage to Dressed to Kill.

2011 Films, Australian, Crime Drama, Daniel Henshall, Drama, Justin Kurzel, Louise Harris, Thriller

The Snowtown Murders-2011

Leave a comment

The Snowtown Murders-2011

Director Justin Kurzel

Starring Lucas Pittaway, Daniel Henshall

Scott’s Review #57

70230149

Reviewed June 23, 2014

Grade: C+

The Snowtown Murders (2011) is an Australian film, based on a true story, of a charismatic, manipulative man who influences a family of misfits into following his murderous streak.

The film is helped by a group of very talented actors (unknowns to me) who successfully relay a sense of bleakness and despair in their lives and some fine, emotional acting makes this film slightly above average.

The entire look of the movie is dreary, raw, and hopeless, from the lighting to the camera shots. The details of the film are impressive- from the confined, dismal house the family lives in, and the unhealthy meals consumed, all are filled with a sense of chaos.

The Snowtown Murders pushes the envelope with the explicitness of the murders and torture scenes, so the viewer is left feeling uncomfortable.

The downside of the movie is that it drags at times and meanders along at a plodding pace adding to the discomfort.

I’m not sure if this is intentional or not, but it harmed me.

2014 Films, Corey Hawkins, Corey Stoll, Jaume Collet-Serra, Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Thriller

Non-Stop-2014

Leave a comment

Non-Stop-2014

Director Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring Liam Neeson, Julianne Moore

Scott’s Review #55

70292864

Reviewed June 22, 2014

Grade: B-

I am a sucker for a good airline disaster action film.

I found Non-Stop (2014) to have two parts- the first one hour and fifteen minutes and the final thirty minutes.

A film like this (action, popcorn flick) requires suspension of disbelief.

The events in this film will NEVER happen.

In recent years, Liam Neeson, at sixty years old plus, has settled nicely into action hero star in mediocre to above-average film roles.

He has found his niche.

The first part of the film is highly entertaining. One hundred and fifty passengers on board an international flight from New York to London are in peril when a terrorist begins texting troubled U.S. Air Marshall (Neeson) that someone on the flight will die every twenty minutes unless One hundred and fifty million dollars is transferred to their account.

From this point begins a compelling whodunit.

Which passenger is sending the text messages? Could it be a flight attendant or the captain of the plane? Several characters are introduced and some red herrings commence. Who begins framing the Marshall? Why?

This is compelling fun stuff.

Most of the action takes place on the plane giving the film a claustrophobic atmosphere.

Then, however, the second part of the film takes over. Not to give spoilers away, but it reaches a ridiculous, silly conclusion, and I found myself saying out loud, “this is stupid”.

A needless and contrived plot of a little girl on the flight is trivial.

I expected more from Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey fame.  Lupita N’Yongo is given a throwaway role (let’s assume she was cast before her Oscar-winning turn in 12 Years a Slave in 2013).

Popcorn fun, but disappointing ending summarizes Non-Stop (2014).

2013 Films, Action, Barkhad Abdi, Biography, Catherine Keener, David Warshofsky, Paul Greengrass, Thriller, Tom Hanks, Yul Vazquez

Captain Phillips-2013

Leave a comment

Captain Phillips-2013

Director Paul Greengrass

Starring Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi

Scott’s Review #28

70243460

Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: B

Captain Phillips (2013) is an intense, gripping, action, thriller film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

As much as I enjoyed the film, I do not think a nomination for the top honor is warranted.

I have seen this type of film many times before and the underlining tone of “USA- good, other countries- bad”, whether intentional or unintentional, distracted me.

Another distraction was that all the protagonists are white whereas all the antagonists are African.

This is based on a true story but seems to be glorified.

The target audience must have been older, white, conservative men, who would revel in this type of film.

Tom Hanks is great and his performance during the final fifteen minutes of the movie should have cemented him an Oscar nod instead of the film

The main villain, played by a complete unknown, Barkhad Abdi, was excellent, especially considering the actor had no acting experience.

What a big break!

Overall, an interesting, exciting experience, but short of the Oscar glory.

Oscar Nominations: Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor-Barkhad Abdi, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, Best Film Editing

2013 Films, Brad Pitt, Cameron Diaz, Crime Thriller, Dean Norris, Édgar Ramírez, Javier Bardem, John Leguizamo, Michael Fassbender, Penélope Cruz, Ridley Scott, Rosie Perez, Thriller, Toby Kebbell

The Counselor-2013

Leave a comment

The Counselor-2013

Director Ridley Scott

Starring Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt

Scott’s Review #18

70276713

Reviewed June 17, 2014

Grade: A-

The Counselor (2013) is a star-studded, unique, drug trafficking thriller set in Mexico and Texas.

The film has met with some debate as viewers either loved or hated it. There appears to be a case made that those who hated it did not understand the movie.

It is not a “by the numbers” or “predictable” popcorn film. It’s much better than that. It’s a thinking man’s movie.

I saw shades of Quentin Tarantino’s influence and parts were reminiscent of the wonderful TV series Breaking Bad (2008-2013).

There are intersecting stories and heavy acting talent (Fassbender and Diaz are the standouts). This is Cameron Diaz’s best role and wish she would go edgy more often.

There are three brilliantly well-done scenes (motorcycle, Brad Pitt on the street, and landfill scene) that are as disturbing as they are artistic.

There are some plot holes, that can be overlooked.

It’s not simply an action film, but a character-driven one.

The viewing of The Counselor (2013) is a unique experience.