Movie Review - Gone Missing

Gone Missing

2013

The Cast

I have to say that this has to be one of the better TV movies on offer.  Not only does it have a good storyline, which is both plot and character driven, but it has a really good cast and is very well directed.

The story is set around the disappearance of Kaitlin (Davidovici) and her friend Matty (Golightly) while on a family supervised Spring Break.  The story is set in real time but we get flashbacks which tell the tale of the vanishing girls, through the eyes of the witnesses who met them that night.  I'm not a fan of "the flashback", however, the director Miele handles them brilliantly and interweaves them into the story effortlessly.  

Though what makes this such a good story and film is the characterisations of the mothers.  Rene (Zuniga) is Kaitlin's mum and is constantly looking over her daughter's shoulder to make sure that she is safe and well.  This can result in her being overcontrolling at times.  As a result, she's the one who worries the most and at the earliest opportunity.  Whereas Lisa (Bowles) is a little bit freer with her daughter, she's the one that buys her condoms - her thought system is that you cannot look out for your kids all the time, but you can try and keep them safe.  So when the girls go missing she's not too overly worried as she believes they've just been out partying all night.  She remembers what it was like to be eighteen and on spring break.  These two different characters work well off of each other.  The two women have been friends since high school, though this night is going to test their friendship to its limit.

The next good thing is the story.  This is well written and is filled with believable characters and authentic situations and narrative.  There are a couple of scene's which are a little hard to swallow as you can't fully believe them - but it is a couple, so they are easily overlooked.  What really helps this film is the fact that as the story progresses and unfolds you never really find out the complete tale until the climax of the movie.  This is a great thing as it keeps the viewers glued to the screens with anticipation.

As for the actors and actresses, I cannot fault them at all.  They each give a realistic portrayal of their characters.

I would gladly recommend this film to everybody who likes thrillers and mysteries as it's packed with both.

I give this a vanishing 7.5 out of 10.

The Trailer

Movie Review - The Mystery Cruise

The Mystery Cruise

2013

Production Company:  The Hallmark Movie Channel

This made for TV movie had the potential to much better than it turned out as it was based on Santa Cruise By Carol & Mary Higgins Clark.  Unfortunately, the film suffers from everything.

The acting is mediocre at best, irksome at the worst.  Since there are some credible and experienced actors in the cast I have to deduce it comes down to the director's decision and vision of the movie.  Even the leading ladies aren't excluded from this, there are some times when Gail O'Grady actually looks lost and confused.   A lot of the actors were wasted on this production; and I would have loved to have seen Larry Miller, who always brings joy to every one of his characters, actually have a different role than that of a stumbling, bumbling, loveable husband, father, or uncle - he has this style of role down pat, it'd be nice to see him in a darker and meatier character.

Not having read the novel I cannot fairly criticise the adaptation though, for the most part, the story works.  I think part of the trouble is in the title because it deceives the viewer into believing this is a whodunnit.  Though what the audience gets is no mystery at all.  Though the two "lady sleuths" - one a real detective, the other a mystery whodunnit genius - are guests aboard a murder mystery cruise when it becomes evident that a real murder might be committed and the duo set out to stop the killer before she can kill.  That's right I said she but this isn't a spoiler as we are shown this right from the start.  This is a story which shows the viewer how the killer is caught.  Unfortunately, with this type of story, you need good direction and acting to keep the audience involved, which as I stated previously isn't here.

As for the direction itself, I would put this at below standard even for TV movie.  A lot of the shots are lazy and unimaginative, though there are quite a few scenes where these could have been improved.  There were also times when lighting and music could have helped with building atmosphere, for example, the cruise is set in old west times and the guests are in costumes, it would've been nice to have a piano player on board and they could have gone the whole hog and used lanterns - this could just be me going to far, but if you watch the film you'll see it needs something.  Then you have the pace of the film, which is just a little too slow and feels as though the story is crawling.

This isn't the worst movie ever made it is pretty average though, but if you're off sick and it's wet outside and this is the only thing on TV that you've not seen then you can give it a go.  It'll pass an hour and a half.

Book Review - A Shot In The Bark

A Shot In The Bark

By C A Newsome

2013

9.5 / 10

Don't be fooled that this is a story about canines solving murders.  No; this is a well crafted and structured mystery whodunnit novel, which I wasn't expecting after I read the blurb on Amazon.  Boy, was I happy to be surprised(?)

I usually don't choose a book if I don't like the opening sentence, then the opening paragraph, as I believe this should give the reader an insight into the story they are holding.  To be honest, I did pick the book for the silly cover and the possibility that the story might raise a smile or two... and hopefully a laugh.  Just recently I've been in serious need of both, so I clicked on the novel's cover on my Kindle...

It was the prologue that gave me the insight the novel may be just a little bit darker than I was expecting as it's the psychopath's viewpoint and the reason behind a previous killing.  This was a wise and daring move by C A Newsome as it adds a deeper element to the story.  In fact, without this reoccurring ingredient, the story would have been a lot weaker.

However, Carol Ann Newsome's lighthearted style of writing helps to keep the reader interested and reading at a steady pace.  As the story progresses she grows and enriches the characters making them more realistic and believable.  To this outcome, I really liked how she gives the reader expanded details of the work which her main character, Lia Anderson, undertakes.  As a son of an artist, this brought me into the story a little more and I could relate a bit more to Lia... as well as giving me a sense of warmth and happiness at remembering my father - Thank you.

Even though this is categorised as a Lia Anderson Dog Park Mystery I loved how Newsome left the detective work to the detectives.  Lia doesn't become an amateur sleuth being helped by her wonder dogs.  The dogs are only secondary to the story, they add a realistic and relatable element... and yes at times you may find yourself "Ahhh"ing.  As for the Dog Park itself, this is where the murder is committed and therefore all of its patrons are potential suspects and witnesses.

I must admit I didn't like the opening paragraphs of the story as they felt a little trite and the flow was slow and awkward, as she introduced Lia to her readers.  This, however, is short lived as by the time you reach the next part of the chapter Newsome has found her footing.  The climax of the story feels rushed, though this could be because of the previous space which encompasses the rest of the novel and I'd grown used to.  Plus in real life, things have a way of creeping up on you and then exploding so fast they appear to have happened in mere seconds.  However, it would have been nice had Newsome slowed down the pace to build tension and suspense which I think the scene needed, instead of speeding it up to build excitement.

Then there's the conclusion which quite a few people didn't like...  Once again, for me, it added another sense of reality and I wasn't disappointed by it at all.  To the contrary, I applaud Newsome for making the decision to go this route.

I would gladly recommend this book to everybody who likes murder mystery whodunits.  Though be forewarned you may not agree with or like the conclusion of this story.

Free Kindle Book - A Shot In The Bark by C A Newsome

Movie Review - De@th On Live

De@th On Live

2013

AKA: Channeling

Strategic Film Partners : Ace Entertainment Films UK

6 / 10

Once upon a time, there was Google Glass, which allowed you access to social media via a headband and a projector just above your eyes.  It also allowed you to take photo's and shoot videos.  The story that writer and director, Drew Thomas, gives the audience is one of the possible progressions of that technology.  He crafts an interesting tale that not only shows the positives but some of the many negatives for this type of tech, as it is directed more towards social media.  What would you do to increase viewers, ratings, and sponsorship?  Especially when more viewers gives the user more sponsorship money...

Wyatt Maddox (Taylor Handley) is out to have fun.  He and his partner Tara (Kate French) "Borrow" cars for races, which are aired live through Wyatt's eye-cam.  During one of these races, something goes wrong and Wyatt ends up dead.  This prompts the return of Jonah (Dominic DeVore), Wyatt's older brother who was serving overseas.  It's not long before he realises that all is not right with his brother's death and starts to investigate, by pretending to be Wyatt.

Though the story is intelligent and gripping there are times when the film falls flat.  These are mainly when the movie changes from action mode to drama.  I'm not saying that Thomas cannot film dramatic scenes as one of the best scenes stars Skyler Day as Jonah's and Wyatt's sister Ashleigh who has an epiphany about her use of the tech and her followers.  Skyler Day is also the strongest actor in the cast, definitely someone to keep an eye on.  However, Thomas is clearly more at home directing the action sequences as these are more powerful and controlled, as the trailer proves.  I also loved the opening sequence of the fake advert, which would really work well if you were watching on telly.

The acting is above average and most of the actors get behind their characters, though there are times when Kate French seems bored and uninterested at being there.  This along with the inconsistencies in pace does wound the movie.  However, it's worth at least one watch should you like mysteries, science fiction, or action thrillers.

  

Movie Review - Closed Circuit

Closed Circuit

(2013)

Focus Features / Working Title Films : Universal Home Entertainment

6.75 / 10

This movie tries to work on the audience's paranoia by showing them that the government, or a greater power, has control over everything and sees everything... you are nothing but a pawn in their game... should you try to challenge them then you are expendable.

It comes close to succeeding until you realise the amount of manpower surveillance on this scale would take.  It's just not feasible.  Though forget that and you have a pretty decent conspiracy theory movie about a bumbled MI5 operation and the lengths they will go to correct their error.

Eric Bana proves his acting talent once again by giving a good portrayal of a lawyer dropped into the mess.  Scared and worried about the outcome, not just for himself but ex-girlfriend and colleague, Claudia Simmons-Howe, and the child of the suspected terrorist whose lives are at risk.

Though Eric Bana gives a good performance as Martin Rose, along with Jim Broadbent as the Attorney General, it's Rebecca Hall as Claudia that lets the story down.  I'm not sure if it's her acting or the director's vision of this character.  I like the idea of Claudia not fully understanding the situation she's gotten into and later having to rely on Rose for help and to keep her alive as he is the savviest of the pair.  She comes across as too weak and I cannot believe she achieved the position she holds.

The story is a little convoluted at times with twists, hints, and allegations being brandished about.  The concept of Trust No One is very evident in this film and you have trouble figuring out who to believe and who not to.  This hinders the story somewhat because you know what the story is about right from the start it's just the journey to a satisfactory ending you're on and you better fasten that seatbelt... it sure is a bumpy ride.

This one is a must for the conspiracy theory nuts, of which I am one, though be warned it's not a smooth ride.

Movie Review - The Frozen Ground

The Frozen Ground

2013

The Cast

  

This is the story, based on true events, of Alaska State Trooper Jack Halcombe's search and conviction of serial killer Robert Hanson, who killed women in the late 70's and 80's.

There's a lot of crammed into the 105 minutes runtime. Though, on the whole, it's satisfactorily presented and keeps the viewer entertained and entwined.  The direction by Scott Walker, who also wrote the story, is tight and well crafted.  He does a great job of recreating the eras, both in sound and vision.

Nicholas Cage portrays the trooper Jack Halcombe, and though we know he can really act, Adaptation, Matchstick Men, World Trade Center, and Joe, here we have the usual Nicholas Cage being Nicholas Cage (though I have to say I am a fan of his work as his films are enjoyable).

John Cusack gives a subdued performance as the killer Robert Hanson.  Though, this makes the character more believable; on the outside, Hanson is a quiet man with a family who goes to work to provide - an ordinary man,  Though on the inside and in private moments he allows the psychopath to take the reigns.  Cusack does a good job of showing the frustration, anger, and desperation caused when the police net draws in closer.

The best performance is that of Vanessa Hudgens, who plays Cindy Poulson, the only survivor of Robert Hanson.  She expertly shows us Poulson's vulnerability, confusion, anger, distrust, and fear of her life.  There is a lot going on in this character's life as she's a runaway become prostitute.  Hudgens deftly handles the complexities and develops a believable character, giving the viewers someone to relate to.

Brad William Henke does an outstanding portrait of a criminal thug, come, henchman, Carl Galenski.  His formidable size is foreboding.  You would not want to go up against this man.

The rest of the cast also do a great job of keeping the feel of this movie, though I do think that Radha Mitchell, who plays Jack Halcombe's wife Allie, is much underused.  She's a talented actress, but here she only has a few scenes.

The story is a strong one and needed to be told.  The story does not glorify anything at all and in this case, it works well.  Everything is nitty gritty truth and reality.  No character shines above any of the others; this is not a Nicholas Cage film; it's not a John Cusack film.

I really enjoyed this movie and would watch it again.  If you like true tales of crime and justice this is for you.

I give this a truly entertaining 8.75 out of 10.

The Trailer