The 'Not-So-Critical' Critic:
on A BLAST OF RECENT DVD / BLU-RAY RELEASES Part
3
SECRET IN THEIR EYES (2015, 111 minutes, PG-13)
The Quick of It -
Writer / director Billy Ray, known for THE HUNGER GAMES and
CAPTAIN PHILLIPS, has a great story to tell and has a trusted lead actor,
Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 YEARS A SLAVE, CHILDERN OF MEN, AMERICAN GANGSTER), at the
helm. You cannot go wrong with this
one. The drama is intense and builds as
you follow Ray Kasten’s (Ejiofor) investigation and experience all the horrific
reveals to this procedural flick. Julia
Roberts and Nicole Kidman secure their grounded roles with great
performances. SECRET does not deserve
the level of hate it received from critics for this moody American remake.
SISTERS
(2015, 118 minutes, R)
The
Quick of It -
SISTERS
was a letdown for me. I will say they deliver
exactly what they promise, but it is a rehashed plotline. The Ellis sisters, a stereotyped goody-goody
(Amy Poehler) and reckless (Tina Fey) pairing, want to throw one last party
before their parents sell the family home.
I could almost confuse this film with a TV comedy, shown as an extended
episode. The gags seemed forced and
very reminiscent of an 80’s trope parody.
There are some giggle moments but not enough for me to say worth a
second watch to be sure of my opinion.
(The funniest but oddest moment for me was the realization that their
mother was played by Dianne West, also the mother in THE LOST BOYS.)
Grade:
C-
THE
NIGHT BEFORE (2015, 101 minutes, R)
The Quick of It -
For a double feature of comedies, I watched this in hopes to
cheer up a dull evening. The crew of
Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Seth Rogen, and Anthony Mackie seemed like a descent
choice. But my risk was without reward. The funniest moments are in the trailer,
folks. Again, another trope comedy with
very little new to offer the audience.
Unlike my usual ‘hating’ on Rogan, he shined the most in his drug-crazed
shenanigans. The other actor to offer
any entertainment and stole the show was Mike Shannon (Mr. Green). His character was worthy of a stand-a-lone
movie, one I would gladly watch.
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