Erik M.

8th Jan 2020

Mimic (1997)

Mimic is an effective science-fiction horror film directed by Guillermo del Toro that pits hapless humans against large, murderous bugs that were created during an attempt to use genetic engineering to solve a crisis that then further evolved, making them large, vicious and able to "resemble" in low-light conditions humans in long coats. The bugs, resembling a cross between mantis and cockroach, are grotesque and frightening. The story revolves around efforts trying to prevent the monstrous insects from escaping the subways, breeding uncontrollably and eating everyone they meet! Good monster fun.

Erik M.

8th Jan 2020

Jaws (1975)

Jaws was the first summer blockbuster film and this horror-adventure classic still has teeth! A summer swim by a young woman visiting the New England beaches of Amity starts the terrifying tale of a giant shark terrorizing a seaside community, which forces a concerned police chief named Brody to team up with a visiting enthusiastic scientist named Hooper and a seasoned local seaman called Quint to hunt the voracious fish before the body count keeps climbing, spelling ruin for the town! Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw drive the film, while the shark keeps viewers at the edge of their seats! While the clothes have changed and some facts about sharks have come to light since the 70s, Jaws remains one of the very best "fear of what lies in the depths" movies to date.

Erik M.

8th Jan 2020

Tolkien (2019)

Tolkien is a look back at the man behind such classic fantasy stories as The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and his formative years, from a young studious boy who lost both his parents early, through his struggle to survive school and WW1, his relationships with his friends and the young woman who would become the love of his life and the basis for his heroines. This is a historical drama that gives a glimpse at what made the man who would go on to make one of the most beloved book series to date. Very English and pretty interesting--but do not expect Orcs or high action here.

Erik M.

6th Jan 2020

Passengers (2016)

Passengers arouses conflicted feelings as it at times tries to be somewhat comedic, romantic, a science fiction drama and even a story about survival. A commercial colony ship is making its almost 100 year long journey towards a new home for its 3000+ occupants when a malfunction causes one of the hibernation pods to awaken a lone passenger named Jim. He soon realises that he's alone except for an android, holographic displays and other technical wonders that are on the decline. He then, suffering from loneliness and a creeping awareness that something's wrong, awakens another passenger, Aurora, and they try to make the best of their situation together on the vast ship for a time, until the reality of the ship's problems and the circumstances surrounding Aurora's awakening threaten to drive the couple apart and their situation grows more dire. There is some good drama and chemistry between Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence at times, but the story puts them in an uneasy corner; is it OK to love someone who not only gained an unfair advantage over that other person (by accessing her private data while she was still in hibernation) but then condemned her to his own fate to stave off his loneliness? Perhaps the viewer isn't meant to ponder the implications of what he did, but that's part of their relationship challenges and whether they overcome that decision-and his initial lie regarding her awakening. Theirs is difficult voyage, in more ways than one. The happy ending seemed a bit too on-the-nose, for this reviewer, anyway.

Erik M.

5th Jan 2020

Year of the Dog (2007)

In this comedy-drama, Molly Shannon plays an animal lover who's grief for her recently-deceased canine companion leads her to extraordinary lengths that transform her life while increasingly alienating her friends and co-workers in her overly-spirited attempts to include them in her newfound cause! Laura Dern, John C. Reilly and Regina King also star. Offbeat and sympathetic to the sorrow driving the main character and ultimately her wanting to help animals. OK for a once visit, but tough on replay value.

Erik M.

5th Jan 2020

Glass (2019)

The sequel to M. Night Shyamalan's Unbreakable and Split, Glass brings Bruce Willis' heroic Dunn, James McAvoy's monstrous and demented Horde and Samuel L. Jackson's intellectual and tormented villain Mr. Glass together for a showdown-after a lengthy bit in a secure psychiatric center were shady individuals "process" such aberrations as themselves. Here, the whole notion of Superheroes and Supervillains gets dissected, and the story takes some twists-but this is a somewhat slower ride than Split, and towards the 4th act, one is left a bit weary. By introducing a third column involved at nearly the end, the movie calls for a sequel which might never be, despite it being a financial success at the box office. Watch with that last caveat.

Erik M.

5th Jan 2020

Split (2016)

Split is a thriller-horror tale that focuses on James McAvoy's ability to play a multiple personality-afflicted psychopath who, among his twenty-plus alternate personas, is a savage man-beast that is immensely strong, hard to hurt, kidnaps and feeds upon teenage girls, and is judgmental in an almost Socio-Darwinian way. The audience catches up with the twisted Kevin as he's snatched and confined 3 latest victims. Over the course of the film, the audience learns about one of the girls and slowly doles out bits concerning Kevin and his most frequent alternate personalities until things get increasingly disturbing/horrifying until strange and terrible truths are revealed. Fans of both McAvoy and Anya Taylor-Joy-as one of the victims-will not be disappointed! M. Night Shyamalan is in true form with this film.

Erik M.

Unwilling to let this franchise rest, MIB: International is a forced, mildly entertaining and unnecessary sequel that follows Agents H and M (Chris Helmsworth as Henry and Tessa Thompson as Molly) as they try to stop shape-shifters and a race that conquers planets by merging their DNA with the conquered. Blink and you'll miss cameos by the worms and the pug dog. Changing the location of the story to outside the USA adds some accents and a hint of a British sensibility but not even the inclusion of Liam Neeson and Emma Thompson can help this dry and tame tale.

Erik M.

The third installment in the Starship Troopers franchise is much like the prior 2-the voracious and driven alien insects battle the expendable human soldiers while each tries to gain an advantage, developing new tactics and weaponry. Charismatic Casper Van Dien returns to lead the troops, while Jolene Blalock plays an attractive but merciless captain. Here, closer to the books upon which the series is based, the humans get to use mechanical suits. There is an element of religion that shows up, absent from the prior films, otherwise it's almost a made-for-video rehashing, for the most part, that's fine enough for major fans but others might grow a bit bored.

Erik M.

The battle between humanity vs the bugs rages on, and this time a small group of soldiers are trapped in an overrun facility while a new, deadly tactic by the murderous insects threatens to give them a decided edge! Mostly more of the same guns, blood, and bursting bits with gun-ho combat, with the added element of isolation and possible infiltration. Can the least trustworthy among those humans there actually help turn the tide? Watch and see.

Erik M.

Starship Troopers is a science fiction action-warfare film that has a satirical edge-the fascist and TV-addled humans and a vicious species of insect are locked in a brutal, unrelenting battle for supremacy and survival as colonization expands further outward into space. The story follows a dedicated group of young warriors as they go deeper into enemy "bug" territory and try to eradicate the menace who turns out to be smarter, deadlier and more driven than they had imagined. Fun for fans of Casper Van Dien, Denise Richardson, Michal Ironside and Dina Meyer among others as well as anyone who'd enjoy a bloody near-nonstop brawl between monsters and people.

Erik M.

2nd Jan 2020

Brightburn (2019)

Brandon Breyer is not your average teen. His ominous arrival at Brightburn, Kansas starts out as a fulfilled wish for his adoptive parents but soon after he reaches puberty everything changes and their family dream becomes a terrible nightmare in this horror-thriller that takes the premise of "Superman" and churns out a gory, vicious tale of a killer child whose abilities make him a mean menace! From the people who made Super, but minus any humor. Enjoyable supervillain run amok movie.

Erik M.

31st Dec 2019

Cats (2019)

Cats (2019) is a big-budget film based upon the long-running musical about a group of felines that live together and long for a chance for rebirth. Despite a cast that includes such names as Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Francesca Hayward and Rebel Wilson, this Cats fails to land on its paws and falls, hard. Sadly, even a re-release that attempts to clean up unforgiving CGI mishaps might not save Cats from being dated, dull and misguided. Taylor Swift tries to elevate the film but she's not given enough screen time for such a herculean labor. Even fans of the original musical will wonder at this poor production and struggle to find something redeeming. Stick with the original.

Erik M.

Rogue One is an interesting story that fills in a gap between Episode III and IV-telling a tale about the heroic efforts of the Rebellion before Princess Leia's message seeking help from Obi-Wan Kenobi reached Luke Skywalker on Tantooine. Felicity Jones plays Jyn, a young woman who suffers tragedy as a child and becomes an important-if less known-figure in the efforts to thwart the evil Empire! Like all of Disney's Star Wars stories to date, it is more darker, desperate and violent than its predecessors. Some of the spirit is missing, and there's something eerie about Peter Cushing's return as Grand Moff Tarkin via CGI. This is still a worthy installment into the Star Wars legend and should be watched even if it doesn't have the iconic main cast of characters and possesses a darker tone.

Erik M.

28th Dec 2019

Hellboy (2019)

Hellboy (2019) is much like reading a favorite comic book series that's been drawn and written by a guest artist and writer-in other words, most of the elements are there, but everything is just a bit different to rankle the true fans. Here, a weary and scarred Hellboy must stop another supernatural menace in the form of a powerful supernatural referred to as the Blood Queen, with the help of soldier-turned -were-jaguar and a young psychic he rescued as a child from malevolent fairies. Gorier than the prior films, this reboot of the franchise relies heavily on CGI creatures and chaos but lacks the kittens and soul that made the earlier films enjoyable. Ron Perlman's subtle nuances are replaced by David Harbour's struggle to balance hammy with depressed and pained, while Milla Jovovich's casting as the villain never touches the hem of Maleficent's gown. It could have been a good film, but for all the splatter and violence, you won't be distracted from noticing M.I.A. characters such as the erudite amphibian Abe Sapien or the tense pyrotechnic Liz. For die-hard Hellboy fans in need of a fix, but not much there for anyone else to fully enjoy.

Erik M.

20th Dec 2019

Star Trek Beyond (2016)

Star Trek Beyond is an energetic and sometimes funny action-sequel that delivers on several levels while saying goodbye to the original Mr. Spock as well as potentially the last appearance of Chekov (Both characters actors having passed away). In this feature film, the Enterprise is drawn to a remote and hostile world while responding to a distress call and is viciously attacked by a relentless swarm of ships. Many of the crew are killed or taken prisoner under the direction of a villain capable of draining life from his victims, Krall. Captain Kirk and what remains of his crew are left to face this enemy and his minions while attempting to rescue those captured and stop an even greater threat Krall poses. Can they and their newfound ally, Jaylah, stop the destructive Krall? Star Trek Fans may have fun with this film, as will some fans of the action, but a paint-by-the-numbers script might be a bit too familiar for some. Give it a look.

Erik M.

10th Dec 2019

X-Men 3 (2006)

X-Men 3 (or X-Men: The Last Stand) concludes the first trilogy of mutants vs humans stories without director Bryan Singer while still trying to capture his beats. In this film, a "cure" for mutants is available, which divides loyalties and causes Magneto to again seek war against humankind. Cue appearances by Angel, Psylocke, Juggernaut, Shadowcat, Callisto, Multiple Man and others to jump in just in time for their 15 mins of fame and a big, noisy climax as Jean Grey embraces her dark side and becomes Phoenix! With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, can the heroes save the day? Not without some sacrifices and a few wasted characters, sadly. Some good elements, but not the best way to end the series...a bad turn which repeats itself again unfortunately in 2019's Dark Phoenix.

Erik M.

10th Dec 2019

X-Men 2 (2003)

X-Men 2 is Bryan Singer's bigger, better X-movie where he has Professor Xavier's mutant heroes team up with Magneto's Brotherhood to stop a mutual threat in the form of Colonel Stryker, a compelled Lady Deathstrike and his son, who is a powerful mutant. Joining in is Nightcrawler, and many cameos that if you blink you might miss them such as Kitty Pryde, Jubilee, Dani Moonstar, and Siryn. Generally better written and more entertaining that the first film, though teasing about the Phoenix was a tad cruel to fans. Still fun to see after 16 yrs.

Erik M.

8th Dec 2019

X-Men (2000)

X-Men is the first in the series of major X-Men films and it presents a strong start pitting good mutants Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Storm, Professor X and Wolverine against bad mutants Sabretooth, Toad, Mystique, and Magneto. Caught in the center is Rogue, who meets Wolverine but then is subsequently captured and used by Magneto for his own plan to end the threat humans pose to mutantkind. Director Bryan Singer introduces the characters and their abilities with some style and skill in this first try, and it's a fun movie, if a little clunky at times. See who you think steals the show, and watch for cameos by other characters who just pass through.

Erik M.

8th Dec 2019

Logan (2017)

Logan is the definitive gritty, dark wrap-up story to the cinematic saga of Wolverine of the X-Men, and it presents the world-weary, razor-clawed hero as caring for an ailing Professor X as well as young Laura-a genetic "daughter" created to be a weapon who has no-one else to turn to. With his teammates gone, Logan aka Wolverine must battle through a bleak near future while vicious cyborg mercenaries are in hot pursuit. Both Logan and Laura deliver deadly action while a relentless Pierce and his commando cronies badger the grim Canuck aided by...well, I don't want to give everything away. This is the hard-hitting sendoff that some fans felt Wolverine should have been like since X-Men (2000). It's a bittersweet goodbye for Wolverine fans.

Erik M.

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