MOVIE REVIEW: NO ESCAPE

An intense international thriller, NO ESCAPE centers on an American businessman (Wilson) as he and his family settle into their new home in Southeast Asia. Suddenly finding themselves in the middle of a violent political uprising, they must frantically look for a safe escape as rebels mercilessly attack the city. Directed by John Erick Dowdle and written together with his brother Drew, NO ESCAPE stars Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan and Lake Bell.

Director: John E. Dowdle 

Cast: Owen Wilson, Pierce Brosnan, Lake Bell, Sterling Jerins.

Release Date: Aug 26, 2015

Rated: R for strong Violence Throughout, and For Language

Runtime: 1 hr. 41 min.

Genres: Suspense/Thriller

Review:

John E. Dowdle’s No Escape feels like a mash up of The Purge: Anarchy, The Warrior and Hostel.  It’s a tense mess of a film that really hits all the worse clichés of the dangers abroad genre.  Dowdle’s direction is fairly strong as he ratchets up the tension to insane levels particularly during the first half of the film.  Sadly, there’s little to no characterization of any of the characters and only the thinnest and cheapest of explanation about the coup that sets off the action.  Pierce Brosnan appears disappears, reappears and disappears for good from the movie remaining the most interesting character in the whole production.   Owen Wilson and Lake Bell deliver solid work hitting all the panicked notes you can think of.  They’re continually frazzled and on edge but seemingly have time for some family discussions regardless of whatever is going on.  There’s logical plot holes left and right even as the film beats its message over your head with it literally spelled out for you.  And then, just like that, it’s over since the escape route was conveniently close and far enough to keep the film rolling.  

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: AS ABOVE, SO BELOW

Miles of twisting catacombs lie beneath the streets of Paris, the eternal home to countless souls. When a team of explorers ventures into the uncharted maze of bones, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead. A journey into madness and terror, As Above, So Below reaches deep into the human psyche to reveal the personal demons that come back to haunt us all.

Director: John E. Dowdle 

Cast: Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge.

Release Date: Aug 29, 2014

Rated R 

Runtime: 1 hr. 0 min. 

Genres: Documentary, Suspense/Thriller 

Review:

Being a fan of the horror genre can be hard from time to time.  Sure you do get the occasional surprise but there’s a lot of garbage out there as well.  It’s a common problem with films that can be made on the cheap.  Add to it the “found footage” subgenre and you’ll have to deal with a lot of subpar films.  As Above, So Below is a rather frustrating film because it does have an interesting premise and it could of turned into a rather impressive Dante’s Inferno type film.  Sadly, it only touches on its potential, it randomly hits some solid notes especially in its frenetic finale but never maintains its.  Add to it that you don’t care about any of the character especially when they make the stupidest decisions possible at evey turn.  As Above, So Below is one of those horror films that loses any semblance of horror so quickly that it becomes a laughfest as you watch idiotic characters do idiotic things, thankfully it’s over quickly.

D

Movie Reviews: QUARANTINE

Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Movie Reviews: QUARANTINE
ON DVD

QUARANTINE


Television reporter Angela Vidal (Jennifer Carpenter) and her cameraman (Steve Harris) are assigned to spend the night shift with a Los Angeles Fire Station. After a routine 911 call takes them to a small apartment building, they find police officers already on the scene in response to blood curdling screams coming from one of the apartment units. They soon learn that a woman living in the building has been infected by something unknown. After a few of the residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape with the news crew in tow, only to find that the CDC has quarantined the building. Phones, internet, televisions and cell phone access have been cut-off, and officials are not relaying information to those locked inside. When the quarantine is finally lifted, the only evidence of what took place is the news crew's videotape.


Cast: Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, Jay Hernandez, Johnathon Schaech, Columbus Short

Director: John E. Dowdle

Opened October 10, 2008.

Runtime: 1 hr. 29 min.

Rated R for bloody violence and disturbing content, terror and language.

Genres: Horror, Psychological Thriller, Sci-Fi Horror

Review:

Quarantine isn’t the type of movie that will redefine the horror genre but that doesn’t mean it’s not a solid piece of horror. Shot in the first person, this film doesn’t break any new ground. It travels through some very familiar territory, the aforementioned first person aspect, the female protagonist and what amounts to a zombie movie. This film works because it gives you an interesting and sometime thrilling ride that is as fun as it is short. Director John Dowdle delivers a nearly shot for shot remake, sans the ending, of the Spanish film REC. Fun little techniques like using the camera as weapon and action flying by you is just great fun. Once the film moves past the intitai getting to know stages it really takes off, hitting a downright frenetic pace during it’s most inspired moments. The cast is game and delivers fairly solid performances. In the lead, Jennifer Carpenter is likeable and believable for the better part of the film. Sadly, as it heads into the home stretch Carpenter’s character degrades into screaming whimpering mess. Her character goes from being sympathetic to simply grating, mainly because the transition is lighting quick, one second she’s composed the next she’s a mess. Steve Harris does fairly well as the voice holding the camera, giving a believable performance throughout. Jay Hernandez is also solid as the firefighter left in the chaos trying to find a way to survive. The rest of the cast is there for fleeting moments before they become fodder for the film’s resident infection. Bloody gory and pretty damn enjoyable Quarantine is a thrilling little ride that really didn’t deserve having some of its better moments ruined by the advertising. This may not be not the most original piece of film making but enough of it works to keep it enjoyable throughout.

B-