george.schmidt Reviews

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

"The Larry Sanders Show" meets THE EXORCIST

[8/10 · 25 March 2024]

LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (2024) *** David Dastmalchian, Lauren Gordon, Ian Bliss, Faysal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Josh Quong Tart, Georgina Haig (Narrator : Michael Ironside). Found footage horror flick about a fading '70s late night talk show host (Dastmalchian in his finest hour) who attempts a ratings gag on Halloween with a live-on-tv-broadcast of an exorcism that leads to deadly consequences. Written and directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes the production values of the era is spot on as well as the behind-the-scenes squabbling mixed with the unerring feel of dread through out comes across as "The Larry Sanders Show" meets THE EXORCIST.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Lacking in laughs and scares but nice to see the old gang again.

[7/10 · 25 March 2024]

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (2024) ** Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O' Connor, Logan Kim, Emily Alyn Lind, James Acaster, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, William Atherton. NYC is in deep freeze when an ancient orb harboring a malevolent demon is hellbent on destroying the world - so who ya gonna call? Right. The new and old regime reunite to fight the good fight but fail to find much mirth or laughter in a lackluster CGI lightshow that also fails to spark any scares but it's nice to see the OGs back in uniform despite the misgivings by Gil Kenan's listless direction and his collaborated script with Jason Reitman attempting to breathe new life for the franchise.

Knox Goes Away (2023)

Keaton has a field day behind and in front of the camera.

[9/10 · 17 March 2024]

KNOX GOES AWAY (2024) ***1/2 Michael Keaton, James Marsden, Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden, Ray McKinnon, Joanna Kulig, Dennis Dugan, Suzy Nakamura. Keaton, who also skillfully directed, stars as an aging contract killer whose diagnosis of a rapidly degenerative form of dementia sets a time clock involving a botched hit, a dogged police detective, and his adult estranged son, while attempting to keep his wits about him as his downward spiral drastically takes affect. Well written with a scalpel's precision by Gregory Poirier and the use of its sound design and blurring cinematography documents its protagonist's dilemma with alacrity. Keaton gives one of his best, low-key turns in ages.

Remembering Gene Wilder (2023)

Vivid valentine to the beloved comedic icon with bittersweet joy.

[10/10 · 17 March 2024]

REMEMBERING GENE WILDER (2024) **** Gene Wilder, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Alan Alda, Harry Connick, Jr., Carol Kane, Eric McCormack, Alan Zweibel, Burton Gilliam, Ben Mankiewicz, Peter Ostrum, Rain Pryor. Ron Frank's valentine of a documentary on the beloved comedic actor focuses on Wilder's theatrical and cinematic career with fond recollections by friends, family and collaborators with voice over narration provided by the late icon's audiobook biography audio mixed with clips and vintage photos of the past. The film's success is in capturing Wilder's Mona Lisa smile, mischievous glint in his eyes and utter charm and warmth by being both meek and, well, wild.

Stopmotion (2023)

Creepy and disturbing with a fine turn by Fraciosi.

[8/10 · 25 February 2024]

STOPMOTION (2024) *** Aisling Fraciosi, Stella Gonet, Tom York, Caoilinn Springall, James Swanton. Creepy psychological horror film centering on a troubled stop motion animation artist (Fraciosi, who resembles Jessica Harper circa SUSPIRIA, balances vulnerability with determination) attempting to struggle with her finding her own voice in the wake of her mother's declining health with the help of an odd little girl (Springall) whose idea of a new story to tell opens her up to new possibilities, as well as dire consequences. Director Robert Morgan - who co-wrote with Robin King - manages to keep unnerving visuals and distorted sounds with pin-pricking moments of genuine dread largely due to the eerie puppets created for the project.

Silent Night (2023)

Mute. Pause. Hit. Repeat.

[6/10 · 8 December 2023]

SILENT NIGHT (2023) ** Joel Kinnaman, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kid Cudi. John Woo's disappointing action revenge flick with Kinnaman seeking vengeance on gangbangers who accidentally killed his son on Christmas has so much potential but is squandered in its hole-laden script by Robert Archer Lynn (i.e. Namely the sadly misused talent of Sandino Moreno as the spouse who basically just passively cries while her husband for months on end is holed up in their basement preparing for war). While Kinnaman's character is literally silenced due to his being shot in the throat renders him mute and his impressive implosive performance can't make up for the pedestrian trope-laden story (i.e. The police not doing their job). A few decent set pieces sadly cannot make up for a half-baked update on DEATH WISH and its ilk.

Godzilla Minus One (2023)

One of the year's best films - a must see for franchise fans of the iconic sci-fi monster that entertains on every level. Utterly fantastic!

[10/10 · 1 December 2023]

GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023) **** Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Sakura Ando, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasake, Hidetaka Yaoshioka, Yuya Endo, Saki Nakatani. Director Takashi Yamazaki's Herculean efforts of reviving the Kaiju franchise is effortlessly awesome and absolutely top-tier filmmaking with the origin story of the gigantic monster showing up off the shores of post WWII Japan as it engages a full-tilt invasion of Tokyo and its environs with atypical destruction and death. Key to the film's strength is the plot involving ex-kamikaze pilot Kamiki (suffering arguably cinema's most poignant PTSD) and love interest Hamabe as a make-shift family attempting to survive with the thread of a palpable redemption narrative laced with surprisingly heartfelt emotion. The clean visual f/x propel the radioactive creature is jaw-droppingly astounding with some neat extras (his spiny back igniting as it re-charges its nuclear energies is eye-poppingly epic). One of the year's best films.

Napoleon (2023)

Ridley Scott's impressive biopic of the famous historical figure is buoyed by excellent production resoursces and superb performances by DynamicDuo Phoenix & Kirby.

[8/10 · 1 December 2023]

NAPOLEON (2023) *** Ridley Scott's epic biopic of the historical conqueror of France with a low-key yet inner turmoil infused turn by Joaquin Phoenix as the titular career soldier whose thirst for power and acceptance is only buoyed by his deeply love affair with his betrothed, Josephine (a truly captivating, still-waters-run-deep performance by the incandescent Vanessa Kirby). Deep bruised and defused palette by cinematographer Dariusz Wolski consistently underscores the utter decay and violence as well as Arthur Max' impressive production design, fantastic costumes by David Crossman and Janty Yates, with a comprehensive and dense screenplay by David Scarpa keeps the story consistently intriguing in spite of the rise-to-acclaim-downward-spiral of its protagonists.

Thanksgiving (I) (2023)

If you put SCREAM, HALLOWEEN and even, FINAL DESTINATION into a CuisinArt and hit puree you'd get this by-the-numbers, all-the-tropes genre flick served on a silver platter

[7/10 · 18 November 2023]

THANKSGIVING (2023) **1/2 Patrick Dempsey, Neli Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, Milo Manheim, Addison Rae, Karen Cliche, Shailyn Griffin, Jenna Warren, Mika Amonsen, Gabriel Davenport, Joe Delfin, Gina Gershon. Patient horror fans have waited 16 yrs from its GRINDHOUSE teaser 'trailer' and Eli Roth FINALLY delivers its holiday centered slasher flick with dank élan and plenty of second helpings of gore with the vengeance seeking John Carver masked killer a year after a Black Friday melee resulted with deadly results. While the characters are cookie cutter ass-hats, douchebags and cowards the stalking and menacing echoes Craven, Carpenter and yes, even DePalma in each dispatching. If you put SCREAM, HALLOWEEN and even, FINAL DESTINATION into a CuisinArt and hit puree you'd get this by-the-numbers, all-the-tropes genre flick served on a silver platter (and if they do the inevitable sequel I suggest the tagline of "And This Time We DIDN'T Forget the Gravy!")

The Killer (2023)

David Fincher's stark yet underwhelming adaptation of Alexis Nolent's novel

[7/10 · 6 November 2023]

THE KILLER (2023) **1/2 Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Chris Parnell, Arliss Howard, Kerry O'Malley, Sophie Charlotte. David Fincher's stark yet underwhelming adaptation of Alexis Nolent's novel - screenplay by his SE7EN compatriot Andrew Kevin Walker - focuses on a hit man (seemingly miscast Fassbender) who seeks vengeance for the brutal beating of his girlfriend with a certain code of ethics and a predilection for pop culture (a Smiths' fueled playlist and sitcom character aliases). Bathed in the blue/green and blacks of cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt make for effective filmmaking with a post neo-noir vibe.

The Holdovers (2023)

Excellent reunion of Payne & Giamatti in this hilarious and poignant holiday dramedy - one of the year's best films.

[10/10 · 6 November 2023]

THE HOLDOVERS (2023) **** Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston. Filmmaker Alexander Payne and Giamatti reunite in this funny and surprisingly poignant Christmas holiday themed dramedy about a curmudgeonly history professor at a prep school circa 1970, who is tasked in taking care of a student (newcomer Sessa) who is suddenly without family for the duration on campus resulting in a mix of troubles and revelations in the process. Fine support by Randolph as the school's chief of the kitchen who is grieving the recent loss of her only son to Vietnam and a vintage jukebox of period tunes keep things grounded in its core realities. Giamatti and Sessa give good thrust and parry with the former at the top of his game and the latter a talent to watch for years to come. One of the year's best films.

The Exorcist: Believer (2023)

Yet another unnecessary chapter to the iconic horror film.

[7/10 · 11 October 2023]

THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER (2023) ** Leslie Odom, Jr., Lidya Jewett, Olivia O'Neill, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Ann Dowd, Raphael Sbarge, (Cameo: Linda Blair) Unnecessary chapter in the fledgling franchise this time with a double tap possession of two young girls (Jewett and O'Neill getting in touch with their inner Linda Blairs) and their parents' attempts to cast the demons out while enlisting legacy character Chris MacNeil (Burstyn, in little more than a glorified cameo shot, still brings the brittle and steadfast spirit of her iconic character at the age of 90!)to help their dire circumstances. While the affectionate salute to the late, great make-up wizard Dick Smith the practical f/x/prosthetics do mirror eerily his scary good creations, the film checks off all the boxes of a run-of-the-mill sequel. Filmmaker David Gordon Green once again plunders a beloved horror classic and essentially grave robs it of its spirit in spite of a wink and a nod to 'Tubular Bells' and Spoiler Alert: Blair's anticipated one shot.

A Haunting in Venice (2023)

Third time's the charm for Branagh

[7/10 · 25 September 2023]

A HAUNTING IN VENICE (2023) **1/2 Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Emma Laird, Ali Khan, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill. Third time's the charm with Branagh reprising his franchise role of Agatha Christie's sleuth Hercule Peroit (as well as helmsman) this time in a reclusive self-retirement to be coerced by his friend, author Fey, to a Halloween party to solve the possible murder of a young girl only to find yet another death in her wake that evening. While Michael Green's competent screenplay keeps things lively with a supernatural tinge undercurrent the proceedings are a bit stiff with an underwhelming supporting cast largely bland and forgettable. Gorgeous and haunting cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos and John Paul Kelly's atmospheric production design are the true stand-outs for the film itself.

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Washington continues to excel and astound in his signature role for a well executed franchise.

[8/10 · 3 September 2023]

THE EQUALIZER (2023) *** Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, Remo Girone, Andrea Scarduzio, Andrea Dodero. The final chapter in the trilogy of the adaptation of the '80s tv series with Washington's Robert McCall attempting retirement in a Sicilian sleepy village where he finds the locals under the threat of the drug cartel led by Scarduzio which leads to a personal vendetta with copious bloodshed and retribution. Nice to see the MAN ON FIRE reunion of Washington and Fanning as a fed helping to snub out the gangsters. Washington is in fine form as the stil-waters-run-deep assassin whose dexterity never continues to surprise nor its ingenious gory outcomes. A fitting last dance (for now) directed with brio by Antoine Fuqua who helmed the series with aplomb.

Retribution (I) (2023)

Disappointing to say the least.

[6/10 · 31 August 2023]

RETRIBUTION (2023) ** Liam Neeson, Noma Dumezweni, Lilly Aspell, Jack Champion, Embeth Davidtz, Matthew Modine. By-the-numbers suspense crime drama with Neeson as a family man facing an extreme crisis - his car is fitted with a bomb and he must save his children in the process before time runs out. The set pieces are vastly predictable and has the feel of a direct-to-video vibe with Neeson looking painfully strained to do this subpar auctioner with surprisingly practically no ass-kicking as which he's been accustomed to in his later career choices. Disappointing to say the least. (Dir: Nimrod Antal)

The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023)

Atmospheric, interesting take on the oft told tale of DRACULA

[8/10 · 25 August 2023]

THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER (2023) *** Corey Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmachian, Chris Walley, Jon Jon Brione, Stefan Kapicic, Martin Furulund, Nikilai Nikolaeff, Woody Norman, Javier Botet. Intresting take on the oft told tale of Bram Stoker's DRACULA with this adaptation of the chapter of the captain's log of the titular vessel carrying its lethal cargo to London with a doomed crew and passenger in deep water perils with the nosferatu. Swiftly directed by Andre Ovredal and a solid screenplay by Bragi F. Schut & Zak Olkewica makes an affective horror fim replete with a superb score by Bear McCreary, dank cinematography by the team of Roman Osin and Tom Stern, top notch production design by Edward Thomas and particularly Goran Lundstrom's make-up design in the creation of his truly heinous monster.

Talk to Me (I) (2022)

"Don't hassle the dead boy; they have eerie powers..."

[8/10 · 3 August 2023]

TALK TO ME (2023) *** Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji, Miranda Otto, Marcus Johnson, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio, Alexandria Steffensen, Ari McCarthy. "Don't hassle the dead boy; they have eerie powers..." - Homer Simpson to Bart. Compelling and well-acted supernatural chiller about a grieving teen (an excellent Wilde) who finds herself drawn into a parlor game with her friends involving a ceramic (and cursed) hand which draws its participant into an unearthly bond with its other-worldly hosts which lead to deadly repercussions. Written and directed by Australian sibling team Danny and Michael Philippou mixes pure dread with teen angst in a cocktail blend of THE SIXTH SENSE by way of STIR OF ECHOES with a dash of "The Twilight Zone"'s Be Careful-What-You-Wish-For ethos masked in the trappings of 'The Monkey's Paw', yet highly original and occasionally hits the right marks of shock and awe. Wilde, who suggest the love-child of Susan Sarandon and Taraji P. Henson, with her saucer-eyes, cowed disposition, and the weight-of-the-world on her shoulders body English is a revelation conveying true poignancy and utter despair in her sudden thrust into an occult-tinged nightmare and familial closure with her departed mother. Crafty practical effects and fantastic make-up designs thanks to Josh Head and Rebecca Buratto (and her team of artists) and Aaron McLisky's spooky cinematography raise the level of expectations tenfold.

Cobweb (2023)

Echoes of BARBARIAN, MALEVOLENT and THE SHINING.

[7/10 · 23 July 2023]

COBWEB (2023) **1/2 Lizzy Caplan, Antony Starr, Cleopatra Coleman, Woody Norman, Luke Busey, Aleksandra Dragova. Disjointed domestic horror film about a troubled boy (a fine Norman) who discovers a terrifying family secret when he begins to hear noises within his home's walls that unfold ultimately into a deeper, more disturbing web of lies and deceit. While the acting is uniformly strong and Samuel Bodin's affective direction is sturdy the screenplay by Chris Thomas Devlin ends its final act rather abruptly with far too many questions than answers. Echoes of BARBARIAN, MALEVOLENT and THE SHINING.

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Cruise Control at its finest - make sure to see it in IMAX ; one of the year's best films!

[10/10 · 18 July 2023]

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - DEAD RECKONING - PART ONE (2023) **** Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Lementieff, Henry Czerny, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Frederick Schmidt, Mariela Garriga, Cary Elwes. The latest entry in the supercharged espionage franchise is at full tilt with Ethan Hunt (Cruise control at his finest) facing the odds of global collapse no thanks to a suddenly sentient AI energy hellbent on wiping out humanity with perilous hurdles to jump and strong support from a new unlikely ally (hello slippery yet engaging thief Atwell!) and his stalwart team (avuncular Rhames and cagy Pegg on all cylinders) and lethal love interest Ferguson (all by the way at the top of their respective games). Filmmaker Christopher McQuarrie has cobbled a well-crafted and high octane script with Erik Jendresen and giving a shot of adrenaline in the highly entertaining adaptation of the Bruce Geller's classic series with current events rising and jaw-dropping set pieces (the leap of faith motorcycle sky fall HAS to be witnessed in IMAX!) filled with hair-breadth escapes from high speed chases, close quartered fighting and knife wielding battles. Kudos to the film's not-so-secret weapons in its skillful blend of girl power including Lementieff's inner Harley Quinn forthcoming as a martial arts villain and a welcome return of Kirby's smoky-trilled arms dealer. One of the year's best films.

Asteroid City (2023)

Everything's connected but nothing's working

[7/10 · 18 July 2023]

ASTEROID CITY (2023) **1/2 Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Stephen Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hang Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Grace Edwards, Jeff Goldblum. Wes Anderson's latest look at angst and anomie set in 1955 in the trappings of a play-within-a-film narrative with a collection of unique oddballs gathered for an annual science fair in a desert hamlet on the outskirts of its fictitious title involving an alien visitation, contemplation of the meaning of life and real estate values. Dry as toast and anemic demeanor thru out often dampens its loosey goosey disjointed collection of misfits and eccentrics with standout performances by Schwartzman as a recently widowed father of four and Johannson as an on-the-verge-of-depression actress who somehow bond thru their sudden quarantine.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)

It's not the years; it's the mileage - personified - a fitting swansong for Ford's indy.

[9/10 · 10 July 2023]

INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY (2023) ***1/2 Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Mads Mikkelsen, Antonio Banderas, Karen Allen, John Rhys-Davies, Shaunette Renee Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore. It's not the years; it's the mileage - personified - with Ford giving his swan song as the titular, globe-trotting archaeologist with this rousing, rip-roaring return to form for the franchise as his retiring professor is reunited with his goddaughter (flinty & feisty Waller-Bridge giving as good as it gets) facing Nazis (them again!) when an ancient artifact is sought after by an old foe of Indy's (Mikkelsen dryly perfectly cast) which may change history as we know it. Set circa 1969 with set pieces and grand chases from WWII Europe to NYC to Sicily to Morocco and clever CGI de-aging for Ford in the opening salvo as well as some touchstones from the past (hello Sallah!) Kinetically directed by James Mangold (who co-scripted with Jez Butterworth, Joh-Henery Butterworth and David Koepp) the film slam bangs with precision and verve. Ford's iconic hero is given a shot of pathos, vulnerability, gravitas and finally, reverence which is all any one could want for in the long run.

The Flash (I) (2023)

DC goes all meta ala Marvel with a dexterous turn by Miller and a welcome back reprise from Keaton

[8/10 · 25 June 2023]

THE FLASH (2023) ***1/2 Ezra Miller, Michael Keaton, Sasha Kalle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdu, Kiersey Clemons, Jeremy Irons, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot. Miller gives knew meaning to the word dexterity as the dual (or actual triple) roles as Barry Allen and his titular alter ego whose burden of attempting to prove his father's (Livingston) innocence in the murder of his mother (Verdu) which culminates in his ability to time travel via his gifts of super speed whereby the parallel universe proves to indeed be a trixy paradox but gets able support from his 'other me' and Bruce Wayne (Keaton reprising his iconic role after 30 years and providing enough full body chills for the film's inception) to stop General Zod (Shannon) from wiping out the Earth's populace (again). While the visuals are often hit/miss (more on the hit but there's some dodginess particularly the 'baby shower' set piece)and eye-popping when viewed in IMAX the simple giddy pleasures of seeing Keaton's Dark Knight returning full impact with Danny Elfman's 'Batman March' is pure cinematic Heaven's Delight. (Dir: Andy Muschietti)

The Boogeyman (I) (2023)

Not remotely scary adaptation of King short-story

[7/10 · 16 June 2023]

THE BOOGEYMAN (2023) ** Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, David Dastmalchian, Marin Ireland, Madison Hu, Maddie Nichols, Leeann Ros, Rio Sarah Machado, LisaGay Hamilton. Fair adaptation of a Stephen King short story about a grieving family plagued by a shadowy creature unleashed unwittingly in their home facing their own demons in the process. So-so CGI and only one genuine jump scare does not a horror movie make in spite of a fine performance by Thatcher as the eldest daughter battling her wits and monster to boot. Not even remotely scary or compelling. (Director: Rob Savage)

Master Gardener (2022)

Third in filmmaker Paul Schrader's 'man in a room' trilogy with stellar performances

[9/10 · 16 June 2023]

MASTER GARDENER (2023) ***1/2 Joel Edgerton, Sigourney Weaver, Quintessa Swindel, Esai Morales. Third in filmmaker Paul Schrader's 'man in a room' trilogy (after FIRST REFORMED & THE CARD COUNTER) focuses on Edgerton (excellent) as the titular character employed by rich bitch Weaver who also tasks him into taking her troubled grandniece (Swindel; equally good) under his wing as an apprentice on her grounds which causes tensions to build and his dark past to come to surface. Slow-burn and long boil but worth the wait in this morality play about redemption and inspiration in the unlikeliest places (and people).

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Family is Every(THING) in this franchise refreshener with blood & moxie to spare thanks to the f/x and Sullivan/Sutherland.

[8/10 · 21 May 2023]

EVIL DEAD RISE (2023) *** Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Gabrielle Echols, Morgan Davies, Nell Fisher, Jayden Daniels, Mark Mitchinson, Bruce Campbell (uncredited voice) Filmmaker Lee Cronin's take on the supernatural franchise adds a fresh mix of blood and mayhem when two estranged sisters (Sullivan and Sutherland having a field day) and their family unwittingly unearth The Book of The Dead releasing its demonic force of death and destruction at full, fierce force. Buckets of blood and hair-raising f/x blend effortlessly with the action packed events as they unfold and the main actresses give blood turns with aplomb. The only thing lacking is some humor but again it's a new day and age for the series so that's fine too.