15 minute read
Film
from April 17, 2014
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Oculus
A crazy killer mirror causes problems for a family portrayed by a mix of awful and OK actors in Oculus, a muddled horror film that amounts to a couple of creepy moments surrounded by an incoherent mess. Kaylie and Tim Russell (Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites) lost their mom, dad, family dog and a bunch of houseplants in a strange incident that involved a mirror in their dad’s office. Their dad (Rory Cochrane) had started his own company at home, and was working out of the office most of the time. His behavior got increasingly strange, much like Jack Nicholson’s in The Shining, and much to the dismay of his wife, Marie (Katee Sackhoff). The film starts off years after the deaths, with Tim is leaving a mental health facility and Kaylie hatching a plan to “Kill the mirror!” that was in their dad’s office and seemed to have evil powers. Tim killed their suddenly insane dad—resulting in his hospital stay—and Kaylie is determined to prove that both Tim’s actions, and their dad’s strange behavior, were the results of the mischievous mirror, mirror on the wall. While we do see strange reflections in the mirror, ghostly apparitions with white eyes walking around the house and people behaving strangely, it’s never really apparent why all of this is happening. Kaylie’s research reveals that the mirror has been sucking up souls for centuries, but how and why? Well, who knows?
Kaylie and Tim return to their home and set up a bunch of Apple products to record their interactions in a room with the killer mirror. Gillan’s Kaylie makes a speech to the cameras to show that she has it all mapped out, and she’s going to get to the bottom of all this evil, dammit. She delivers a long-winded, hissy speech about how the mirror has killed people by Bob Grimm and how she plans to outsmart it. It was sometime during this speech that I started to not give a bgrimm@ crap about anything she had to say. newsreview.com Director and co-writer Mike Flanagan uses a lot of flashbacks to show us what happened to 1 the Russell family, and it’s all quite disorientating and unnecessary. I will say that the two kids (Annalise Basso and Garrett Ryan) are far more interesting than the adults playing the same characters, especially Basso. I found myself getting bummed out when the story would flash forward to the irritating adult actors. Sackhoff, who made a name for herself in such TV extravaganzas as Battlestar Galactica and 24 (which, coincidentally, co-starred Kiefer Sutherland, who starred in his own scary mirror movie, the aptly titled Mirrors), does decent work as the tortured mom. I will go ahead and dub her and Basso’s performances as the film’s best. The most annoying award goes to Gillan, who delivers almost every line with a snarky, “I told you so!” tone that grinds the nerves. Thwaites is required to carry some of the film’s heavier moments, and he drops said heavier moments down the stairs and through the floor and straight into Bad Acting Hell. The film does score a couple of OK scares and gross-out moments, one involving a light bulb that’s pretty hard to watch. The ghosts in the film, which I guess are the ghosts of prior people the mirror has killed or sucked in or whatever, can be a little chilling to the eyes. Since they occupy very little time in the film, I’m not going to allow them to boost my overall feelings for this turd. There’s a sequence involving a Boston Terrier where the doggie just runs out the door, never to be seen again. As a Boston Terrier owner, and major fan of that particular breed, I want to know what happened to that dog! As for the people in this movie, I could care less. Oculus leaves the door open for a sequel, but there’s really no need for such a thing. No need at all. Ω
It's just too terrible to see.
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4Captain America: The Winter Soldier Like Thor 2 and Iron Man 3, this movie shows us how an Avenger deals with life after saving New York City from an alien attack. Cap (an endearing Chris Evans) is just trying to catch up on modern culture now. His list of things to do includes watching Star Wars and Star Trek, trying Thai food and listening to Nirvana. He’s attempting to settle into a world after being frozen for fifty years. Of course, he’s not going to be able to just kick back and relax because evil still exists below America’s shimmering surface, and governmental wrongdoings are going to challenge Cap’s ability to remain loyal to the country he’s named after. After an attempt on the life of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson just Samuel L. Jacksoning it like only Samuel L. Jackson can!), attention is called to the likes of somebody called the Winter Soldier, a fighting machine with powers similar to Cap and identity that won’t be revealed in this review. Cap’s mission eventually leads him to the discovery of HYDRA, an evil movement controlling members of the government, started back in the Nazi days. With Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Falcon (a well cast Anthony Mackie) at this side, Cap looks to take down HYDRA, kick the Winter Soldier’s ass, and possibly work in a date somewhere during the whole mess. The film packs a solid action punch, and some decent dramatics to boot.
1Divergent Shailene Woodley stars as Beatrice, a member of an alleged post-apocalyptic society where people are divided up into factions: Abnegation (The Selfless), Erudite (The Intelligent), Amity (The Peaceful), Candor (The Honest) and Dauntless (The Brave). This is another tween action movie based on young adult novels (written by Veronica Roth), and it’s a super dud. Directed by Neil Burger, the whole enterprise is remarkably lacking in tension, humor, creativity, originality and focus. Kate Winslet shows up as Jeanine, an Erudite with a mysterious whiff of evil. I imagine she’s the Darth Vader of this silly saga. Miles Teller (Woodley’s The Spectacular Now costar) gets what feels like a tacked on role as Peter, a member of Dauntless who gives Beatrice a hard time. It’s hard to watch these two very talented performers slumming in such stereotypical, unexciting parts. It’s a muddled affair that looks downright bad at times. It’s a tween wannabe franchise completely lacking teeth with a good central female star in the lead. I have faith that Woodley can pull this one out of the fire and make it worthwhile in future installments. I also have faith that I never want to see this flat first chapter again, unless I have a really bad cold and need something to knock me out.
3Draft Day In a film that feels more befitting a TV series than a theatrical release, Kevin Costner plays Sonny, general manager of the Cleveland Browns. It’s draft day, and Sonny has some big decisions to make after he trades away his future for the number one pick, much to the dismay of his head coach (Denis Leary). This is all happening after finding out he’s having a baby with a member of his staff (Jennifer Garner) and shortly after the death of his dad. Directed by Ivan Reitman, who usually helms straight comedies, this is a more dramatic offering from the guy who gave us Ghostbusters. If there’s a big problem here, it is that we watch Sonny go through all of this stuff on draft day, and never get to see the fruits of his labors. The film ends after the draft day is finished, and we never get to see the team play. I’m doubting there will be a Draft Day 2, so I’m thinking this would’ve worked better as an HBO series or something like that. Still, Costner is good in the role, and Reitman has constructed something that is entertaining, while not altogether groundbreaking.
5The Grand Budapest Hotel Writer-director Wes Anderson does it again with another wholly unique, beautiful, quirky movie that could’ve only been made by him. In a performance that must be remembered come awards time, Ralph Fiennes is magically hilarious as M. Gustave, the concierge at the infamous fictional hotel named in the film’s title. Gustave has a penchant for older woman, much older woman, and his life takes a drastic turn when he is suspected in the murder of an elderly lover (Tilda Swinton in super heavy makeup). Stolen art, scary train rides and a high speed chase on skis ensue, with Anderson even employing stop motion animation at times, as he did with Fantastic Mr. Fox. Supporting performances by Jeff Goldblum, Adrien Brody, Jude Law, F. Murray Abraham, Willem Dafoe, Harvey Keitel, Saoirse Ronan and many more make this a can’t miss film. There’s something so joyous and fun about the way Anderson makes movies. This is a remarkable, tremendously enjoyable achievement.
4Joe Nicolas Cage is in “good” acting mode and dons a decent hairpiece as the title character in the latest drama from director David Gordon Green. Cage’s Joe is a strange sort, showing a maximum amount of restraint and responsibility on the job with his tree killing company. When on site with his men, Joe is not only an in-control boss, but a friendly, mostly well modulated man. Off the job, it’s a different story. He drinks heavily, frequents whorehouses, taunts the police and does overnighters in jail. In one of the film’s more amusing sequences, he gets fed up with a hooker’s dog, and decides to allow her dog to meet his dog. Cage’s acting in this very scene is his best since going nuts in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call-New Orleans. Joe winds up hiring Gary (Tye Sheridan), a teenage boy, and his troublesome father Wade (Gary Poulter). Gary is a good worker, and he and Joe strike up a friendship. As for Wade, he’s a nightmare, unproductive on the job and threatening towards his son. Wade’s not invited back, and when Joe finds out Wade is prone to beating and robbing his son, he goes on the protective prowl. Poulter was an actual homeless man hired off the streets for the film, and he is a terrifying, tragic presence in this movie (he died, still homeless, before the film finished production). Sheridan, so good in Mud and The Tree of Life, is equally good here. This is one of those films where Cage reminds us that he’s more than just a paycheck actor. (Available for rent on VOD, iTunes and Amazon.com during a limited theatrical release.)
4Noah Whether you are religious or not, the Bible is, no doubt, a pretty sweet platform for over-the-top cinema. With Noah, director Darren Aronofsky has concocted a totally crazy, darkly nasty disaster film befitting those few pages in the book of Genesis. In his best performance to date, Russell Crowe plays the title character, a good, passionate man in a not particularly good time. The people outside of Noah’s family circle have turned Earth into a place of carnivorous debauchery. “The Creator” (this film’s go-to name for God) intends to wipe all humanity off the face of the Earth with a great flood, and Noah is tasked with saving all of the innocent animals on a huge ship to be built by him, with the help of large rock monsters. The movie, as spectacle, is quite good, although its CGI has a few moments of weakness. The flood itself is a frightening sequence, with a horrifying moment involving screaming people outside of the ark getting washed off a big rock by waves. I’m actually surprised this movie pulled a PG-13 rating. It struck me, very much, as an R-rated film due to its violence.
1Nymphomaniac: Vol. II As much as I hated Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac: Vol. 1, I hoped that Vol. II, released nearly in conjunction with the first film, might improve upon the first part and allow the whole mess to make sense. Nope. This one picks up where the first film left off, and it’s actually more tedious than the previous chapter. Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) continues telling her story to the man who found her bloody in an alley (Stellan Skarsgard), a sordid tale about her crazy sex life and criminal activity. The whole story basically leads up to why Joe wound up in the gutter. Along the way, we discover that she had a baby, and become a debt collector for a crime boss (Willem Dafoe) using S&M techniques instead of breaking arms. It is all so … incredibly … lame. Both films played out like big, long, unfunny jokes told by a jerk with a lousy sense of humor. The punch line is both crass and uninspired. Seriously, I want von Trier to retreat from provocation in his next venture, and perhaps make a film about puppies and ice cream. (Available for rent on VOD, iTunes and Amazon.com during a limited theatrical release.) 90 Auto Center Dr.
It’ s happening in
ACTIVITIES KIDS ACTING
Learn to act while gaining self-confidence and poise. W, 4/235/28, 4-5PM. $45. Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. (775) 353-2385
ART ADVENTURES
Watercolor, pastels, mixed media and more! Th, 4/24-5/29, 4-5PM, $45. Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. (775) 353-2385
PAINT THE MASTERS
Create masterpieces inspired by the art of master classic and modern painters. Th, 4/24-5/29, 5:15-7:15PM, $85. Alf Sorensen Community Center, 1400 Baring Blvd. (775) 353-2385
FREE PESTICIDE DISPOSAL
Get rid of those old, unsafe pesticides. Sa, 4/26, 10AM-2PM, free. Rail City Garden Center, 1720 Brierley Way (775) 355-1551
SCHEELS KIDS KLUB: MAKE MOM HAPPY
Make something that shows her how much you love her! M, 4/28, 6PM, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700
CROCHET CONNECTION
Learn to crochet or share tips with other crochet enthusiasts. Th, 4-5:45PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway (775) 424-1800
CLICKETS KNITTING GROUP
Jean Peters guides this class for knitters of all ages and levels. Yarn and needles are available. First and Third Su of every month, 1:30-3PM, free. Spanish Springs Library, 7100A Pyramid Lake Highway, Spanish Springs (775) 424-1800
SCHEELS RUNNING CLUB
Run with expert pacers and enjoy running in a group Tu, 6:30PM through 12/9, free. Scheels, 1200 Scheels Dr. (775) 331-2700
FOUR SEASONS BOOK CLUB
The book club meets the first Saturday of each month. Call to find out each month’s book title. First Sa of every month, 1-2PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200
CONVERSATION CAFE
The drop-in conversation program meets on the first Saturday of each month, 2-4PM, free. Sparks Library, 1125 12th St. (775) 352-3200
PERFORMANCE AND MUSIC
DJ BOBBY G
DJ Bobby G rocks The Cat’s Meow at Bourbon Square Friday & Saturday nights! 8PM. No cover. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177
COUNTRY NIGHT
Thursdays, 6:30PM – 10PM, free. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177
BUDDY EMMER
4/18-4/19, 8PM, free. Bourbon Square Casino, 1040 Victorian Ave. (775) 997-7177
STEPPIN’ OUT
ICDA Charter High School Dance Program presents an elegant evening featuring talented performances of dance, acrobatics, and song. F, 4/25, 5:30-8PM, $7-$30. Sparks Christian Fellowship, 510 Greenbrae Dr. (775) 331-2303
SUSPECT ZERO
Sa, 4/19, 9:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030
JERRY BOWDEN AND THE SOUL ROCKERS
Sa, 4/19, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711
ROBERT CRAY BAND
Sa, 4/19, 8PM, $49. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300
6TH ANNUAL RENO UKELELE FESTIVAL
What began as a small event in 2009 has grown into the largest festival of its kind in the West. Headlining night one of the Reno Ukulele Festival, are the Leftover Cuties and Seinfeld’s Heidi Swedberg with Daniel Ward. F, 4/25, 8PM, $32. Daniel Ho, the Grammy Award-winning virtuoso on piano, guitar and ukulele, performs on the second night of the Reno Ukulele Festival. Sa, 4/26, 8PM, $28. Free admission to public stage. John Ascuaga’s Nugget, 1100 Nugget Ave. (775) 356-3300
DANNY BUTLER AND JOE STANLEY
F, 4/25, 8PM, no cover. Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711
TOM RUSSELL
M, 4/28, 7PM and Tu, 4/29, 7PM, $20-$25.Great Basin Brewing Co., 846 Victorian Ave. (775) 355-7711
LIVE MONDAYS WITH TANY JANE
Open mic night every Monday at 8PM, hosted by Tany Jane. M, 8PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030
ERIKA PAUL
Enjoy Louisiana-style food and the soulful, breathtaking jazz sounds of Erika Paul on keyboards and vocals. No cover. Th, 6PM, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr. (775) 657-8659
BLACK AND BLUES JAM
Tu, 8:30PM, no cover. Sidelines Bar & Nightclub, 1237 Baring Blvd. (775) 355-1030
LIVE JAZZ
Vocal and instrumental jazz from “The Great American Songbook”, performed by First Take featuring Rick (SAX) Metz. Fridays, 6PM through 12/27, no cover. Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 1180 Scheels Dr., Sparks, NV 89441 (775) 657-8659
KARAOKE
Th-Sa, 9PM, no cover. Bottom’s Up Saloon, 1923 Prater Way (775) 359-3677
Th, 7-10PM through 4/24, No cover Elbow Room Bar, 2002 Victorian Ave. (775) 356-9799
Sa, 8PM, no cover. 50 Yard Line Bar & Grill, 400 S. Rock Blvd. (775) 358-8848
THis secTion is pRoViDeD as a pUBlic seRVice BY THe Reno neWs & ReVieW anD is noT FUnDeD oR aFFiliaTeD WiTH THe ciTY oF spaRKs
