The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

The Taking of Deborah Logan

The Good:
The abstract connection drawn between possession and Alzheimer's is frightening because of the real world loss of self that happens with the disease and with caretakers. This, although executed for a horror movie, is an interesting theme.
The story was interesting and does take a turn from sad to more horror-oriented in a way that seems pretty fluid.
Deborah, Jill Larsen, was the driving force in the movie. She was creepy and sympathetic and believable.
Generally, the special effects were subtle, which worked for the film.

The Bad:
Some of the acting was not amazing - you find this a lot in the false documentary style films.
Parts of the movie, particularly the false documentary inside this false documentary felt fake.
Black snakes?

Overall: If you are looking for a good and interesting twist on the exorcism film, this one will fill your belly with some decent devilish pea soup. Give it a taste.

Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road

The Good:
Are you looking for an action movie? Look no further! This film is serious, high octane (pun intended), speed-freak-style, crazy action from start to finish. I think it lets you take a few tense breaths here and there, but don't worry, you won't notice.
The scenery was perfect. Not only did this film capture the imagined dystopian future through the lens of the 1980s, it made it look cool... ok, not cool, but just weird enough to be disturbing, but not weird enough to be unbelievable.
I had heard that there were some strong female characters in the film, and there definitely were. I enjoyed the fact that even the damsels in distress were badass and being saved by another badass woman.
The music fit the film like driving glove.
The special effects, and practical effects, were great.
I like that Max was silent for most of the film.
The Warboy (Nicholas Hoult) with the women was an enjoyable character, I didn't like him at first, but he really grew on me. That is the mark of good acting, in my opinion.
On acting, Theron and Hardy were both quite good.
There was a strange, yet somehow believable, mythology constructed in it.

The Bad:
I would have liked just a little more background, but that is just the curious side of me.
I did not find Theron's prosthetic arm realistic, I don't know why.
Some of the things that the people were wearing I was convinced would cause them to have instant heat stroke.
Some of the decisions made were suspect, but they caused the plot to advance. So, I suppose I can forgive them.

Overall: I would give it at least 8 gallons of gasoline and one solid explosion! I would watch it again!

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

The Lazarus Effect (2015)

The Good:
The cast was decent, all playing their roles well and believably, for the most part.
The actual concept behind the movie was not terrible.
The first third or so of the film develops pretty solidly. There is a precursor story to the "main" story with a dog that is much more interesting than the main plot.
Olivia Wild is easy on the eyes.

The Bad:
The last two thirds of the movie moved too quickly. I understand that there is a finite amount of time in an 83 minute movie, but had the film been say 2 hours, it could have been infinitely better. The major portion of the film seems to happen in like 3 hours... had it taken place over a few days, it might have been more engaging.
The music... blah.
Too much use of a "jump scare" throughout.
Boring and kind of dumb deaths.
The end. Then the later end.

Overall: It was as if Flatliners decided that it should try to be Carrie, then it failed miserably. I'll give it 5 pints of blood out of 10.

Quick Thought: "The Renfield Theory" for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

So, early today I came up with a way for me to find Jesse Eisienberg's portrayal of Lex Luthor more palatable. I think that if viewed as a "Renfield"-style of character in a larger story arc, this Luthor is much more understandable. His actions, mannerisms, philosophy, and even dialog create a vivid echo of Dracula's thrall from Bram Stoker.

His short, jerky actions mimic that of psychiatric patient in an asylum. Short babblings that lead nowhere, his super jumpiness, and the odd Jolly Rancher incident, all say "crazy". His movements recall more of Brad Pitt in 12 Monkeys than any other Lex Luthor from the past.

The philosophy that he explains and extols when referring to the painting on his wall, sound like the way Renfield refers to his master, glorious and dark.

And his dialog, ESPECIALLY his last portion of dialog, sounds like it was taken directly from Dracula.

Then there was this:

So, yeah.

Though I don't like him as Luthor.... as Renfield, he was pretty damn good.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

The Good:- First and foremost, Gal Gadot stole the show in ever scene she was in. She was a commanding presence whether as the poised Diana Prince or the Amazonian warrior Wonder Woman. She was delightful. I cannot wait for her solo film!
- Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne was pretty good. I believe him as Bruce. Batman... meh.
- The cinematography was beautiful. It told the story better than the plot itself (see below).
- Jeremy Irons was wonderful. He made a smart, and on-point Alfred who you wanted to have your back.
- The nods to both The Dark Knight Returns and The Death of Superman story arcs from the comics were appreciated.

The Bad: - Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of the Joker was spot-on. It came off somewhere in-between the strange, clownish insanity of Nicholson and the odd, weirdo vibe of Heath Ledger, even down to the hair. But his portrayal of Lex Luthor was awful. The smart, confident, in-control genius of Lex is lost. I am not a stickler for staying the same, but this departure is ridiculous and add nothing to the plot. Eisenberg's portrayal is single worst Lex ever.
- I mentioned plot above. The incoherent plot must be a hallmark of Snyder's film-making. I thought it worked in some of his earlier films, but the lack of a story-driven, or character-driven, plot was noticeable.
- The music was not good. I thought the "rocking" feel of the big fight scene was terrible.
- It was too long. Much of it could have been cut out.
- The dream sequences were subpar. The foreshadowing was heavy-handed and not at all subtle in the way Marvel eased one into the grand plotting of the huge arc.
- The fan service appearances of the other heroes were uninspiring. And the appearance of Flash in the armor just looked really bad. Give me the TV Flash any day of the week!

Overall: It falls well below the bar set by the Marvel cinematic universe... but, I am willing to follow them on the journey, especially if Darkseid is the destination. Like I said, I would give it a 5.5.