I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)

The world's most patient killer waits another year before striking again, following their victims halfway across the world to the Bahamas, for some weird reason. Immediately jumping the shark, the survivors from the first film go through the same shit all over again. Any way you slice it, it's a shameless cash-in sequel, from a clever title to an uninspired retread that essentially amounts to cheesy '90s kitsch. You might find some enjoyment if you hold a particular fondness for that era, or just wish to revisit it for old times' sake.

1½ dreadlocks out of 5

Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)

While there's more characters of note, for my purposes right now I'll mention the two kids, two teenagers, two adults, and two pensioners who are each attempting to make some kind of sense of the peculiar hand that life has dealt them. Their struggles strike a perfect blend of mundane but quirky, evident mostly when the stored hopes of each one spill out into the visible world for all to see... provided anyone is even looking in their direction.
The nuances will strike a chord with some, events will engage or alienate, but there's no doubt that Dir. Miranda July has an eye for details, and the acting from everyone is as good as it could be - even the kids are excellent.

3½ back and forth out of 5

The Driftless Area (2015)

In this quirky and understated crime drama, people on the fringe of not only society but reality itself are involved in a relatively simple story. The bare bones plot is slathered in BS filler in the form of reoccurring discussions on the metaphysical nature of the future and predetermined fate. In his feature-length directorial debut, Zachary Sluser achieves an intriguing tone. There is an obvious passion behind the performances but nary a raised voice. Even when shit gets heavy, there's still a calmness to the action. Anton Yelchin and John Hawkes are particularly anemic. There are times when it's difficult to decipher where each character stands; in life or in death, but I believe it adds to the whimsical mystery of the film.

3 lucky rocks out of 5

EVEREST [2015]

With an ensemble cast of this many well-known names, it's pretty obvious that director Baltasar Kormákur's true story survival thriller, Everest, was aiming for some serious attention come awards season.
A harrowing screen adaptation of the tragic 1996 expedition up Mount Everest that left eight dead, the film's greatest strength is the powerfully dizzying photography that begs to be seen on a proper IMAX screen for maximum effect.  It's biggest weakness is the large number of characters thinly spread throughout the narrative not leaving a whole lot of time for in depth introductions.  However the acting (particularly Clarke & Knightley) and key scenes are strong enough to let you bypass that and get back to the frightening battle of man against planet.
After the vertigos worn off, I can honestly say I have no interest in enduring such a task as experiencing this sort of torture to my mind, body and soul.

3½ flags out of 5

LIFE OF CRIME [2013]

One knows what to expect when it comes to an Elmore Leonard film adaptation: am ensemble cast, petty criminals galore, snappy dialogue and a single crime that spirals wildly out of control.
So if you're a fan, then director Daniel Schechter's Life Of Crime should supply some decent Sunday afternoon entertainment.
A prequel of sorts to Leonard's Rum Punch, the film features many of the same characters just getting started in their lives of crime with a kidnapping plan gone terribly awry.  While it doesn't quite stand up to the precise quality of Jackie Brown or Out Of Sight, it certainly is light years better than overly slick Get Shorty.  Here it's the cast that sells the film right off the bat.  While John Hawkes and Mos Def are wonderfully entertaining, it's surprisingly Jennifer Aniston and Will Forte who steal the show with well-defined and subtle performances that let the funny slip in at all the right moments.

3 holes in the wall out of 5

WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY [2006]

Wristcutters: A Love Story is a romantic black comedy road trip flick from Croatian short film director Goran Dukić.

It takes place in a miserable afterlife world inhabited only by people who have committed suicide.  As dark & twisted as the unique idea is, it somehow comes off as charming and cute as well with an underlining melancholy thoughtfulness to give it brains.  It's filled with interesting characters both leading and bit parts, strange fantasy elements and stark photography.  It's greatest weakness is the third act which gets a bit messy but ties it up nicely by the final moments.

3½ black holes out of 5

THE SESSIONS [2012]

Director Ben Ewin's The Sessions tells the story of Mark O'Brien's struggle to lose his virginity as he's paralyzed from the neck down due to polio.

The always fantastic John Hawkes takes the role of O'Brien and soars with it, while being restricted to only performing using only his face.  Helen Hunt brings a comfortable warmth to her performance with a gentle touch that I'm sure many would find difficult to portray the way she does.  Even the though the film brings some great soft-hearted laughs and tears, it's still pretty light on depth and dramatic arcs.  It's purely a performance driven film that is thoughtful and life re-assuring but doesn't pack the punch it could have.

3 cats on the iron lung out of 5

LINCOLN [2012]

After being spoonfed emotional fluff in War Horse it's nice to see Steven Spielberg go back to the thinking man's historical drama for Lincoln.

Daniel Day-Lewis delivers an informative, warm performance that is both commanding and sensitive resulting in a poignantly powerful execution.  Spielberg assumes the viewer is already well versed in their historical knowledge and spends no time explaining things to the uneducated, so anyone not unaware of the events surrounding the story will be lost in it's dryness and long scenes of dialogue.  The few historical inaccuracies can be forgiven as the meaning and purpose is met by the final reel.  

4 Bixby Letters out of 5

IDENTITY [2003]

Director James Mangold crafts Identity into a wild, twistin' & turnin' mystery/thriller that is more fun than it is intelligent.  

A dark and stormy night at a creepy old motel screams out Psycho but throw in an ensemble cast of characters who all share mysteries of their own and you have deliciously evil whodunnit on your hands.  It's not high art but it runs in, does it thing and leaves you without a bitter taste.  

3 washloads of death out of 5

WINTER'S BONE [2010]

Jennifer Lawrence and John Hawkes turn in some brilliantly subtle performances in this dreary adaptation of Daniel Woodrell's country noir novel Winter's Bone.
A quiet little thriller that doesn't resort to car chases or much violence but still manages to flourish with believable tension, dread and the haunting backdrop of a poverty-stricken rural, drug-addled area of Missouri.
It effectively captures the feeling of hopelessness, community and depression without trying to be flashy or overly stylish.

4 Nightmare Squirrels out of 5

Contagion (2011)

A new strain of flu virus breaks out (similar to H1N1) killing victims within days causing global pandemic. The movie mostly involves A-list actors walking around with really serious faces trying to figure out the cause and a way to stop it. Focuses primarily on the bureaucratic end of the spectrum and doesn't get too wrapped up in emotions. The frightening thing about this plot is that it's entirely plausible and we are all susceptible, pretty much helpless against the elements. The moral of the movie: Wash your hands!

3 germophobes out of 5