SlingShot (2015) - 8 stars out of 10

SlingShot (2015) - 8 stars out of 10

Contrary to popular belief, the inventor of the Segway did not die by accidentally Segwaying off of a cliff; in fact, he is making great strides toward solving the world’s water problems.  “SlingShot” examines the life of Dean Kamen, a gifted inventor who has dedicated his life to improving the world for others.  This documentary highlights several of Kamen’s contributions to the medical field, his encouragement of science in the school system, and most importantly his goal to bring SlingShot to the corners of the earth where the mortality rate soars due to a lack of drinkable water.  The story is fascinating as we see that building a cost-efficient lifesaver is not enough to save lives.  Kamen sets off on a journey to find a distributor with the resources to provide these machines to those who need it most.  “Slingshot” is not an action-packed docudrama that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but it’s a great chance to get inside of the mind (and the totally awesome hosue) of an inventor as well as seeing how he hopes to make the world a better place.

[Pictured: Dean Kamen is a fascinating character that drives this documentary]

The Ghost and the Darkness - 5 stars out of 10

The Ghost and the Darkness - 5 stars out of 10

“Based on a true story” can mean a lot of things and in the case of “The Ghost and the Darkness,” it means an exaggerated account of a real event.  When you see this film, you are not seeing truth unfold before your eyes but you do have the opportunity to appreciate the bravery of Col. John Henry Patterson during his work on the Uganda-Mombasa Railway.  The film’s largest exaggeration comes in the form of Michael Douglas’s completely fictional character.  While the addition of his character adds emotion to the story and makes the hunting sequence more interesting, he actually cheapens the bravery of Patterson, who historically hunted these lions on his own.  The film is probably most notable for its graphic portrayal of lion attacks.  Their ferocity commands respect and you can certainly understand why the Kenyans were scared to work on this railroad.  Val Kilmer’s acting is about what you would expect from him (not in a good way) and is showed up by John Kani and Tom Wilkinson’s two scenes.  I don’t find Kilmer to be a very likeable actor so it is hard to connect with his character.  Still, the story carries high emotions from start to finish.  Or maybe it’s fear of these predators.  “The Ghost and the Darkness” isn’t the greatest African adventure I have ever seen but its graphic visuals and interesting story make it worth watching, maybe even twice.

 [Pictured: These lead characters are pretty awesome...]

[Pictured: But this film is all about the lion attacks]

The 'Burbs - 6 stars out of 10

The 'Burbs - 6 stars out of 10

“The ‘Burbs” is a late-80’s horror comedy whose stars are a bit larger than its script.  The story is simple and familiar: a new neighbor draws suspicion with unexplained nighttime activity and the rest of the neighborhood bands together to find some answers.  The film is good for what it is but when you bless it with star power like Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, and Bruce Dern, the expectation grows too large.  Add in Corey Feldman at the height of his career and this film goes from amusing comedy to must-see Hollywood blockbuster.  Expectation aside, the film delivers some good laughs.  Everything is over the top and the pairing of physical comedy with clever dialogue keeps the film moving.  The Klopeks are well-written and the story has a perfect conclusion.  “The ‘Burbs” is a quirky comedy with memorable characters and an amusing script, but its inability to rise to the level of its cast will likely leave you disappointed.

[Pictured: Everybody loves a classic motley crew!]

Labyrinth (1986) - 3 stars out of 10

Labyrinth (1986) - 3 stars out of 10

What do Jim Henson, David Bowie, goblins, and Jennifer Connelly have in common?  It may seem like the beginning of a bad joke and that the obvious answer is “nothing,” but these are actually the key components in the 1986 fantasy film “Labyrinth.”  Maybe this movie would seem better if it didn’t feel so “80’s,” but then entire thing is incredibly outdated and not in a fun, retro way.  The acting follows suit, with 15-year-old Connelly giving the performance that you expect from an inexperienced teen actress and Bowie giving the acting performance that you expect from David Bowie in goblin king costume.  Still, the music is really catchy and the artistry of the M.C. Escher staircase set is well done.  This film is important because it was Jim Henson’s last major motion picture and, though it falls way short of any of his work with The Muppets, it preserves his endless imagination and ability to create a new world without animation or special effects.  “Labyrinth” is nostalgic for the people who grew up with it but for everybody else, this comes off as another cheesy 80’s fantasy film.

[Pictured: It's worth watching for the creativity, but it really isn't that great]

Atari: Game Over - 8 stars out of 10

Atari: Game Over - 8 stars out of 10

“Atari: Game Over” is a telling of the history of the video game industry through the lens of “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” widely considered to be the worst video game ever made.  The scene is set by the beginnings of an excavation at a landfill in New Mexico.  Allegedly, Atari produced a game so bad that the only way to deal with its millions of unsold copies was to bury them in a landfill and cover them in concrete.  This documentary explores the rise of the video game industry, the big-name designers of the 80’s, and the circumstances surrounding the 5-week deadline to take the E.T. video game from concept to final product.  “Atari: Game Over” is informative, interesting, and exciting in its storytelling through unique characters.  Whether you are a video game junkie or merely someone who is interested in history, you will love the details of this quirky piece of pop culture.

[Pictured: The mere presence of this game on my blog makes me so happy]

Shanghai Noon - 5 stars out of 10

Shanghai Noon - 5 stars out of 10

“Shanghai Noon” is a Western/martial arts film.  It’s exactly what you expect.  Add in Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson as the lead actors and it becomes even more predictable.  The excellent play on words contained in the title is an overture for the comedy that follows.  The plot is simple but effective as two opposite men are placed into a situation in which it is natural for them to pair up to save the day.  Why not also represent the Buddy-Cop genre as they work together to save the day.  Fans of Westerns and martial arts films will enjoy the many tongue-in-cheek nods to these genres.  And fear not, they do mispronounce Princess Pei-Pei's name as Pee-Pee, but only once to keep it from getting old.  The acting isn’t anything special but it matches the expectation of a comedy.  Personally, I prefer “Rush Hour” but “Shanghai Noon” is a nice departure from Jackie Chan’s typical films.

[Pictured: Who doesn't love Jackie Chan?  Seriously!]

Z for Zachariah - 6 stars out of 10

Z for Zachariah - 6 stars out of 10

They probably could’ve called this movie by any other title because there are so few similarities to the original book by Robert C. O’Brien.  I generally expect (and welcome) small alterations in a movie adaptation if it will strengthen the story or help the story to translate better onscreen, but to take a story that only has two characters and add a third?  And completely alter the personality and actions of the first character?  And rewrite the majority of the events of the film… and rewrite the ending to be the complete opposite of the original?  I would say that, as an adaptation, this film is a complete failure.  As a standalone story, it builds great drama from its simplicity.  Well, except for the most sudden ending ever written, of course.  I would dare the screenwriters to leave an ending more open-ended but I’m pretty sure that it can’t be done.  Reading the synopsis of the book, you would swear that there is no possible way that this could be the same story.  Some helpful information (not as a spoiler, but something that is implied but never clearly stated), a nuclear apocalypse destroys the earth with the exception of a small weather pocket that preserves earth as it used to be.  The setting is well-developed and the characters display great depth.  Margot Robbie (the girl from “About Time”) commands half of the film’s screen time and accomplishes the transition from girl to woman.  I love anything with Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Chris Pine adds a complete contrast.  I really like the treatment of these characters and the way that their chemistry builds so much tension.  With three great performances like this, you would expect a 10-star rating but the vagueness of the story and severe departures from the original story create a distraction.  “Z for Zachariah” is a good dystopian drama but it unfortunately falls into a category with “The Giver” instead of “The Hunger Games.”

[Pictured: Three great acting performances don’t always equal one great movie]