Redemption Day (2021)
Directed by Hicham Hajji this film stars Gary Dourdan, Serinda Swan and Andy Garcia. A US army captain has to save his wife from kidnappers in Algeria.
With a highly basic plot there is not much to shout about here. Even the direction is disappointing as when we finally get to them most of the action sequences are way too dark to see what is going on. The music in the opening sequence is pretty good but otherwise terribly over the top and out of place.
1/5
As I Am (2019)
Directed by Guy Davies this film stars Joshua Glenister and Kim Spearman. With the end of school on the horizon a teenage boy dreams of a way out of the small town he lives in.
Typical coming of age stuff that unfortunately never quite settles on an appropriate ending. The ending we do get really comes out of nowhere and I am not sure fits the film. There are parts of this film that really hit home so it is a disappointment it never coalesces into something whole.
2/5
The Burnt Orange Heresy (2019)
Directed by Giuseppe Capotondi this film based on the novel of the same name stars Claes Bang, Elizabeth Debicki, Mick Jagger and Donald Sutherland. An art critic is enlisted by a collector to help him steal a painting from a reclusive artist.
I found this film to be fairly enjoyable, mainly through its Italian setting more than anything else. The plot is a little bit arty farty, possibly a reflection of the subject matter. Not overly original but you do get to see Mick Jagger in a film so that is something I suppose.
3/5
Armour's Electric Trolley (1897)
Directed by James H. White this is an early short film. We see a train pass by the camera at an industrial yard.
There is not a huge amount to this short clip, no doubt it has some historical value even if it lacks in entertainment to the modern eye. The train does look pretty cool if you are into that sort of thing. I do not think this is one of those early films I would recommend given what it lacks.
2/5
Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)
Directed by Dean Prisot this film stars Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter and Kristen Schaal. Years after we last saw our heroes they have still not fulfilled the prophecy and time is running out on them.
As much later sequels/reboots go this film is decent enough, fitting in well with the modern trend of such films. I was never a huge fan of the previous films but this one fits in decently enough. There is something hinting at an exploration of midlife crisis about the plot even if the film never really connects with the subject deeply.
3/5
Take Back (2021)
Directed by Christian Sesma this film stars Gillian White, Michael Jai White and Mickey Rourke. When her past catches up with her a married woman has to save her step daughter.
If you were being unkind you would say this is the African American Taken (2008). Unfortunately the film is poorly written, I mainly watched it because it had a short run time yet it still managed to seem too long. Even the action sequences are not well done.
2/5
Reunion (2020)
Written & directed by Jake Mahaffy this film stars Julia Ormond, Emma Draper, John Bach and Cohen Holloway. A pregnant woman returns home to her abusive parents.
At times I found this film a little hard to follow, the direction and editing make it difficult to tell what exactly is real at times. As horror films go this is a fairly decent one if not overly original. There are definitely echoes of some of the genres big names in here.
2/5
