QUICKIE VIDEO REVIEWS
Here are some video releases now available that I had an opportunity to view.
SKIN TRAFFIK, R for violence throughout, language, sexual material and some drug content, DVD, 1 hr. 37 min., Drama, Crime, Action
Here’s a very violent film that has a lot of energy and a recognizable cast that works hard to make the action drama work. Things that prevent it however, are the uneven direction and a story that you’ve probably seen in a number of movies. The saving grace on this one however, comes with the twist ending hiking the letter grade to average.
Hit man Bradley (Gary Daniels) takes a job retrieving a computer disk and thumb drive from crime boss Vogel (Mickey Rourke) who resists. Not wanting to upset his boss (Eric Roberts) by not getting what he came for he threatens to kill Vogel’s daughter if he won’t comply and the ploy works. On the run Bradley comes across a sex trafficking ring and helps one of the harlots Anna (Dominique Swain) get away. Falling for her charms she tells him her sister Jessica (Sarah Coyle) is in grave danger at a branch brothel where the traffickers are holding her. The two team up to try and free Jessica and then flee the country.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The script is lame and cliched but if you like violent films this one has a lot of that. (C )
I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE III, Not Rated contains violence, nudity, rape, language, Blu-ray/DVD, 1 hr. 31 min., Crime, Horror, Thriller
If you are looking for something to turn up the violence level then look no further than I Spit on your Grave III. This is one film you really don’t have to know what happened in the previous two. It gives you the gist of it right away and in some of the horror in flashbacks that follow. However, if you did see the first film than you’ll know why this woman is out to get everyone in town. I liked the film for the acting and directing, but the direction could have been better.
Angela (Sarah Butler) still has nightmares about how she was raped by several men and a cop and left her to die. It’s been sometime and her therapist (Harley Jane Kozak) wants her to attend a group therapy meeting to witness others who have found themselves without a way to recover. At the meeting she meets Marla (Jennifer London) a hardnosed woman who has been able to live with her problem by insulting males and turning to other females for comfort. The two are like a poison trying to figure out what to do for revenge. When Cassie (Megan Raich) a teenager opens up to the group that her stepfather has been forcing sex on her, Marla and Angela go on the warpath.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Good acting and directing save this sequel and make it a good horror flick for the spooky season ahead. (B)
PEOPLE PLACES THINGS, R for Language including some sexual references and brief nudity, DVD, 1 hr. 34 min., Comedy and Romance
Now for something enjoyably different, a complicated romantic comedy that will surprise, challenge and let you indulge in sentimental love. The film has three important factors, good acting, able direction and a fun storyline. Not a family film, but perfect for ladies who love romantic novels and like the unfamiliar.
Will (Jemaine Clement) walks in on his wife Charlie (Stephanie Allynne) during their twin daughters Clio (Aundrea Gadsby) and Colette’s (Gia Gadsby) fifth birthday party catching her with Gary (Michael Chernus). She simply says she’s board with her life and wants to move on with Gary. A year later and we find divorced Will in his classroom teaching Comic Book story writing to a High School class. He’s not kicked the delusion that he still loves his wife and finds himself drawing out his life since the divorce as a comic book. To make matter’s worse Charlie informs him that she is pregnant and wants to get married to Gary. When Will finally emerges from his shell and becomes interested in Diane (Regina Hall), one of his student’s mother, things really start to get complicated.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A wonderful little film that’s full of romantic comedy twists. (B)
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
