MOVIE REVIEW: THE EMPTY MAN

 

On the trail of a missing girl, an ex-cop comes across a secretive group attempting to summon a terrifying supernatural entity.

Director: David Prior

Cast: James Badge Dale, Marin Ireland, Stephen Root, Ron Canada, Robert Aramayo, Joel Courtney, Sasha Frolova

Release Date: October 22, 2020

Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror

Rated R for violence, disturbing images, language, some sexuality and nudity

Runtime: 2 h 17 min

Review:

The Empty Man is surprisingly engaging horror film that echoes The Ring with dashes of A Nightmare on Elm Street.  David Prior lets his film’s mystery unfurl organically allowing it to slowly wrap you into the central mystery.  There are a few tantalizing hints dropped here and there to keep you engaged.  Thankfully this horror film doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares with only a handful used for maximum effect.  As the twist and turns reveal themselves and the characters make for a fun watch.  James Badge Dale leads the film, initially stoic but he loosens up as the film moves along.  As the audience’s proxy he’s a believable and likable lead even with the film’s dark tone.  The rest of the cast is made up of recognizable character actors and fresh faces which let the story be the central focus.  It’s to the film’s benefit that the mystery is good fun and it’s wrapped up in a solid and satisfying way.  This film marks the final 20^th Century Fox release after the Disney merger.  The Empty Man has been quietly released during the current pandemic with little to no fanfare, it’s a shame since it’s a well made film that will likely become a hidden gem once it hits VOD and Bluray. 

B

MOVIE REVIEW: GET OUT

A young African-American photographer (Daniel Kaluuya) is nervous at the thought of meeting his white girlfriend's parents (Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford) for the first time during a trip to the latter's country estate. However, his anxiety soon turns into outright terror when he discovers that the family's seemingly idyllic community is hiding a sinister conspiracy, one that involves the disappearance of several black people in the area. Jordan Peele, one half of the comedic duo Jordan Peele, makes his directorial debut with this horror thriller. Allison Williams, LaKeith Stanfield, and Caleb Landry Jones co-star. ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi

Director: Jordan Peele

Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root, LaKeith Stanfield, 

Allison Williams

Release Date: Feb 24, 2017

Rated R for Language, Bloody Images, Sexual References and Violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 44 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

Get Out is a fine debut for Jordan Peele even if it isn’t a landmark horror benchmark some have made it out to be.  Get Out plays more like a comedic satire of classic horror movie tropes with a racial slant.  As it plays out, it’s clear that Jordan Peele is a fan of classic films like Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Stepford Wives.  On the downside there are few surprises for anyone who’s watched any of these films, resulting in a few jump scares but very little in the way of tension.  Thankfully, there’s a fair amount of laughs as the increasingly uncomfortable weekend unfurls for our protagonist.  Daniel Kaluuya is solid as the lead even if he isn’t given much to do outside of act uncomfortable and mildly terrified.  Allison Williams, and her dead eyes, is perfect for what the role calls for, which is very little.  Bradley Whitford and Catherine Keener are given fun roles, which they clearly relish, but there is practically mustache twirling unsettling from the get go.  As a result, there is a very little surprise about where any of these characters end up.  LaKeith Stanfield is given the best role in the film as Chris friend who spends the majority of the film telling him there’s something seriously off about the situation.  It’s a credit to Jordan Peele’s talent that he can make you overlook these short coming and deliver an enjoyable film.  Get Out isn’t a hallmark in horror filmmaking, the majority of hardcore horror buffs may walk out disappointed, but it’s a solid debut.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE MIKE & DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES

Director: Jake Szymanski

Cast: Adam Devine, Zak Efron, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Stephen Root

Release Date: Jul 08, 2016    

Rated R for crude sexual content, language throughout, drug use and some graphic nudity.    

Runtime: 1 hr. 38 min.    

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates is a breezy R rated comedy that hits most of the right beat even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel.  Its cast is loaded with excellent comedic actors.  Adam Devine and Zac Efron’s on screen chemistry is readily apparent which really helps the film along.  Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza are just as funny even if they aren’t quite believable as the characters.  Kendrick in particular seems to have to a hard time taking to the role but she’s still pretty funny through out the film.  There aren’t many surprises throughout the whole thing since it follows a pretty predictable path but you shouldn’t be expecting some massive innovation in the genre.  Still it does it’s main job and makes you laugh during most of it’s economical run time.

B