November 29, 2014

Manny (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1778931/

A well done but somewhat incomplete documentary of the Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, the film covers his life and times to a few years ago. It does tend to gloss over certain elements of his life that might be seen as unflattering - infidelity, money scams, etc.- which makes it seem less documentary and more fan flattery. 

Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772264/

Also called Eliza Graves. So much potential in story and actors wasted in this mess. Ben Kingsley is in danger of becoming a caricature of the exotic psychopath. As for the others, they must as some point have realized this was off the rails, but they pulled it into the station, and then likely made haste for something, anything, else. 

November 23, 2014

Dracula Untold (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0829150/

Pretty terrible. Bad special effects, poor acting, and a lousy script all add up to two hours you'll never get back. 

November 17, 2014

The Babadook (2014)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2321549/

Creepy but ultimately ineffective story about a bad guy, a book and a strange house and family. The first half is pretty good but the ending is lame. 

November 8, 2014

War of the Worlds (2008)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407304/

This was pretty good, if a bit over the top. Some ridiculous bits and miraculous survivals but overall entertaining and pretty true to the original story. 

Livid (2011)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1727516/

Not great - creepy dark house, suspicious past, hidden treasure and lots of gruesome deaths.