Lazy documentary about Andre Rand and the child abductions that led to his convictions. Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio share the director's chair--and not to mention, annoyingly, the unnecessary center of attention. Loses focus at the beginning--the title itself is merely a lead to the actual subject of Andre Rand and the kidnappings. Some call it unique and terrifying, winning the Audience Award at SINY Film Festival. One of the biggest problems with the film is that Andre Rand is painted--and arguably presents himself--as a simpleton, yet he clearly gives the run around to the directors all throughout the documentary. Delivers nothing more than a simple news report. What a joke.
Adaptation of 2008 creator-owned comic book of the same name, about a teenage boy (Johnson) who sets out to become a superhero. His actions are caught on camera, via witnesses' cellphones, and uploaded onto the internet, making him an inspiration. However, he soon gets pushed into the crossfire of an ongoing war between gangsters and ruthless vigilantes that are killing the thugs off one by one. The film starts out very promising, with real life obstacles as a major (and many times humorous) setback for the main character. However, what starts out as something comical and self-aware soon turns into a heartless tale of vigilantism. It's pretty much Marvel's answer to Christopher Nolan's Batman Trilogy, but it brings nothing new to heroism in the real world. The film soon begins focusing too much on the violence and cruelty of the world, rather than focusing on the main character's realization of why people choose not to become superheroes in the real world--an epiphany brought on by a more interesting sub-plot involving a crush who thinks he's gay. Still, the film hit the right spot for a lot of people, but not everyone. Just another example of why Marvel is inferior and shallow compared to DC.
The first installment to "The Night Chronicles" trilogy, inspired by the folktale "The Devil's Meeting". Five complete strangers (Arend, Novakovic, Marshall-Green, O'Hara, Woodbine) get stuck on an elevator, and the devil is amongst one of them. Each time the elevator lights blackout for a short period, one of them gets killed. Messina, a detective from the Philadelphia Police Department who's wife and child were killed by a hit and run driver, must keep them sane and calm while firefighters destroy the wall to get them out. The film makes all the right moves, yet the scares still seem underwhelming. O'Hara is the only drag amongst the otherwise solid cast. While there is room for more depth than delivered, if you're in the mood for horror/mystery/thriller, you'll be delightfully entertained.
