P.S. (2004)

 

Solid acting in an ok film. Laura Linney was good too as the older seductress. 

Rating: C

Enemy Of The State (1998)

 

When I watched this in 1998, the tech was all new and sophisticated. Now, I have more capability in my cell phone than everything shown in the movie. It feels painfully outdated when they are using rolodexes, VCRs, pay phones, land lines, and pagers. The video recordings are in freaking black and white for crying out loud. 

Add to that unrealistic plot devices and plot holes, and the film just doesn’t hold up. I still can’t get over Will Smith locking himself in a hotel linen closet, starting a fire, and within seconds, 3 fire trucks arrive to rescue him before he burns alive. 

Rating: C  

Ballerina (2025)

 

Another surface level John Wick universe shoot-em-up. Little in the way of creative storytelling. Typical action movie tropes. Non-sensical plot devices. They make these girls study ballet for years, but never provide rational justification. It’s not like the boys are becoming licensed plumbers as part of their training.

Time is only a concept. Wick appears to be just up the road; able to hop on a 30 minute train ride to the big finale when called upon, despite the lair being a super-secret remote village. It’s lazy writing that most action films subscribe to. 

How terrible is this assassin cult at their job of assassinating if one fly weight ballerina can dispatch their entire village in one evening? 

Rating: D+

Hereditary (2018)

Dark, depressing, and disturbing. Not my type of horror film. 

Rating: D

Assault on Precinct 13 (2005)

I actually did see the original, which is pretty cool, and these two films are very different. I wouldn't call it a remake at all. I appreciated the intensity and high-level of violence. That's what kept me watching, since there wasn't much of a plot. Not bad if you are in the mood for some action.

Rating: C

The 33 (2015)

A retelling of the Chile mining rescue. Sadly, these accidents happen around the world almost daily, and most of the stories are left untold because they don’t have as happy an ending as this one did.

Some parts are overly dramatic. Others were unnecessary and should have been edited out. The movie picks up once contact is made and the world comes together to get them out. It’s quite remarkable how long these poor men managed to stay alive underground, which makes their rescue all the more emotional when they finally got out.

Rating: C

Ghost Ship (2002)

That opening scene was just disturbing. Unfortunately shock value was all this movie had going for it. Plot and acting were crap.

Rating: F+

Spider (2002)

I was curious about this latest David Cronenberg film with Ralph Fiennes. It starts out Slllllloooooowwwwww, and keeps that pace for most of the movie. When the story is finally revealed, I didn't really care. Not worth the trouble.

Rating: D

Dead Man (1995)

Dead Man, with Johnny Depp, is beautifully shot in black and white. This odd story set in the old west combines an all star cast of strange characters into a sweet and dark tale.

Rating: B-