Richard's worst of the rest movies of 2013
I tend to only go to movies which I have a major interest in. That said, most of these were seen at home so the disappointment was cushioned some. This is a list of movies that just missed the mark and rated 6 stars and some just down right terrible that rated 4 stars.
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- DirectorHarald ZwartStarsLily CollinsJamie Campbell BowerRobert SheehanWhen her mother disappears, Clary Fray learns that she descends from a line of warriors who protect our world from demons. She joins forces with others like her and heads into a dangerous alternate New York called the Shadow World.This film just barely missed being a 7 and making in the best of the rest list. That said, it was OK, but I found myself being indifferent about the film in general. It can't quite escape the Twilight comparison, or being seen as just another YA book to movie.
- DirectorKimberly PeirceStarsChloë Grace MoretzJulianne MooreGabriella WildeA shy girl, outcast by her peers and sheltered by her religious mother, unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom.Another film which was close to being in the best of the rest list. I thought the updates they made were well done and the casting was spot on. They actually do a good job of presenting her powers, more so than the original. But in the end, the movie follows note for note the original movie, while not having much in the way of scares, and that was a disappointment.
- DirectorRichard LaGraveneseStarsAlice EnglertViola DavisEmma ThompsonEthan Wate longs to escape his small southern town. He meets a mysterious new girl, Lena Duchannes. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history, and their town.Yet another entry in the YA book to film genre. This one, it had its positive elements; normal guy and supernatural girl for a change. Southern setting. But in the end, the Twilight comparison comes to the forefront and it just doesn't distinguish itself much.
- DirectorAndrew NiccolStarsSaoirse RonanMax IronsJake AbelWhen an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder risks everything to protect the people she cares about.There is a wealth of interesting elements that are at play with this film. However, it was one of the most bland, soulless, boring films I saw all year. I don't know anything about the source book for which it is based. I would hope it is not as vanilla as the film is. Let me just go on record as saying I am burnt completely out on love triangles.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsJason BatemanMelissa McCarthyJohn ChoMild mannered businessman Sandy Patterson travels from Denver to Florida to confront the deceptively harmless looking woman who has been living it up after stealing Sandy's identity.I just did not find this film that funny. McCarthy's schtick after awhile just plays out. There are moments that are funny, but the trailer pretty much gives you the bulk of the comedy. In the end, you are left with what amounts to a kind of dark, sad story.
- DirectorRoland EmmerichStarsChanning TatumJamie FoxxMaggie GyllenhaalWhile on a tour of the White House with his young daughter, a Capitol policeman springs into action to save his child and protect the president from a heavily armed group of paramilitary invaders.The second of the White House under duress films of 2013. It is definitely inferior to Olympus, but still better than the latest Die Hard that it is a son of. I think what makes this film inferior to Olympus is the uneven tone. It jumps from serious and jokey within seconds, sometimes in the same scene. Tatum and Fox are likeable enough, but the chemistry is just not quite there. 6 out of 10 stars.
- DirectorDon ScardinoStarsSteve CarellLuke VanekSteve BuscemiA veteran Vegas magician tries to revive his career after his longtime partner quits, he gets fired from his casino act, and an edgy new "street magician" steals his thunder.The thing about this film, you can feel the makings of a really fun film at the core. But it never quite gets there. The tone is hard to figure out at times. The early parts of the film are the best. Once it gets to the 2nd act, that is when things get real uneven fast. A shame, this has a fantastic cast and they are not bad, it is just one of those cases of a near miss. 6 out of 10 stars.
- DirectorJohn MooreStarsBruce WillisJai CourtneySebastian KochJohn McClane travels to Russia to help out his seemingly wayward son, Jack, only to discover that Jack is a CIA operative working undercover, causing the father and son to team up against underworld forces.All those people who cried afoul when Live Free or Die Hard was PG-13 and supposedly because of that was inferior, I give you evidence that you don't know what the hell you are talking about. The evidence? This film. The franchise returned to an R rating. What did that get you? The least attended, least entertaining, least everything film in the franchise. Get McClane the heck back to the U.S. and get him in a confined place and let him do what he does best. Willis looked like he was sleep walking through this whole movie. It was so bad, as much of a completest that I am, this will not be added to my movie collection which does have the first 4 Die Hard films.
- DirectorFede AlvarezStarsJane LevyShiloh FernandezJessica LucasFive friends head to a remote cabin, where the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to unwittingly summon up demons living in the nearby woods.Evidence of what is absolutely wrong with horror. All gross and no real scares. This is the next to worse film of the year that I saw. I can think of nothing redeeming about this film. It is an epic fail across the board.
- DirectorMalcolm D. LeeDavid ZuckerStarsSimon RexAshley TisdaleCharlie SheenA couple begin to experience some unusual activity after bringing their lost nieces and nephew home. With the help of home-surveillance cameras, they learn they're being stalked by a nefarious demon.The absolute worse movie I saw this year. Being a fan of the last two films in the franchise, I was looking forward to this film. However, with the absence of series stalwart Anna Farris, this film lacked laughs, lacked a coherent direction. Pretty much lacked everything a film needs to entertain.