MOVIE REVIEW: GRETA

Frances finds a handbag on the New York subway and promptly returns it to Greta, an eccentric French piano teacher who loves tea and classical music. Having recently lost her mother, young Frances strikes up a seemingly harmless friendship with the lonely and kindly widow who enjoys her company. But when Greta's behavior becomes increasingly erratic and obsessive, Frances does whatever it takes to end the toxic relationship before things spirals out of control.

Director: Neil Jordan

Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe, Colm Feore, Stephen Rea

Release Date: March 1, 2019

Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery

Rated R for some violence and disturbing images

Runtime: 1h 38 min

Review:

Greta is one of those odd ball thrillers that pulls you in because of the talent assembled but never provides anything new or groundbreaking.  Neil Jordan’s film is wonderfully shot which makes it look far better than it deserves.  So it has a nice glossy veneer that elevates the subject matter even when it’s at its most ridiculous.  Isabelle Huppert is a decorated actress fully capable of playing this role in her sleep and she makes the entire thing run even if you do wonder why such an acclaimed actress is slumming it in such routine Fatal Attraction/Single White Female knock off. Chloë Grace Moretz is solid overall even though her and Huppert’s characters are so thinly written that there’s very little depth to either of them.  Maika Monroe makes the most of her supporting role even making more nuanced as the film moves around.  Ultimately, Greta is one of those films that pops up on cable down the road and is just interesting enough to keep you from changing the channel.         

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: UNDERWORLD AWAKENING

IN THEATERS

UNDERWORLD AWAKENING 3D



The Underworld franchise continues with this fourth film, bringing the action horror hybrid franchise into 3D for the first time. Kate Beckinsale returns to the series after taking the third outing off. Filmmaking duo Mans Marlind and Bjorn Stein (2010's Shelter) direct from a script by John Hlavin and J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi

Director: Bjorn Stein, Mans Marlind

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Stephen Rea, Michael Ealy, India Eisley, Sandrine Holt

Release Date: Jan 20, 2012

Rated R for strong violence and gore, and for some language

Genres: Action/Adventure, Horror

Review:

Somewhere along the long it might strike you how strange the entire Underworld franchise is. Kate Beckinsale somehow became an action star after seemingly being set on a career in forgettable rom-coms. The first Underworld was the brain child of a soon to be director (Len Wiseman), former stuntman (Kevin Grevioux) and Danny McBride. It’s became a certified hit for a variety of reasons including the fact that Beckinsale looks quite fetching in latex and blue contacts. I’ve been a fan since the first film and I’ll never claim it’s anything more than derivative flotsam, albeit enjoyable. This far into the series you know what these films are about, a loose mythology with more slow-mo action than you can shake a stick at. Whether you enjoy any of it will depend on whether you enjoy the previous ones, as mindless fun its quick loud and bloody. Character development in this new one never bothers with things like motivations or explanations, supporting characters simply help Selene because the script says so. In all honesty all that story malarkey tends to slows down the proceedings but luckily the directors keep the film moving at a steady pace throwing up some fun action sequences, the 3D rotates from unnoticeable to impressive to frenzied, which keeps the eyes and ears fairly entertained. Before you know it you’ve reached the end, personally I was surprised at it’s good sense of fun. Like decent candy, it’s not good for you all the time but occasionally a taste can really hit the spot.

C+