Deep Water

 

       Action director Renny Harlin returns with a new disaster/survival thriller.  He manages to keep the tension and excitement level high with not just an intense plane crash into the middle of the Pacific Ocean but also with the addtion of hungry sharks surrounding the survivors among the wreckage.

        The shark behavior is amplified to enhance the story and there are enough emotional subplots to tug at your heart strings. There is, of course, a completely obnoxious passenger who is the villain of the film and it's only a matter of time until he gets what he deserves.

         Aaron Eckhart and Ben Kingsley star as the pilots of the doomed plane. Co-starring are Molly Belle Wright as Cora and Elijah Tamati as Finn, the requisite kids in danger.  Also co-starring are Angus Sampson as Dan, the obnoxious passenger, as well as Lucy Barrett, Rose Zhao, Lakota Johnson, Ramian Newton,Madeleine West, Mark Hadlow, and Kelly Gale.

          Mr. Harlin's direction keeps the action level high, first with the crash and then, with the surviving passengers and crew having to contend with the sinking wreckage, blood thirsty sharks and infighting among themselves.

           You get what you expect with this "popcorn" thriller. No more, no less.

          

The Devil Wears Prada 2

 

       Twenty years later, we get more fashion, more glamour, pretty much more of everything people loved about the first film. Directed again with much flair by David Frankel, the film will certainly not disappoint fans of the original.

      This time however, the red hot devil represented by Miranda Priestly has cooled off as the film seeks to find her humanity. Meryl Streep, like putting on a favorite dress, easily slips back into the character. As her counterpoint, Anne Hathaway returns as Andy Sachs, now a veteran journalist who finds herself out of work until "Runway" magazine comes calling needing a new features editor. She is as cheerful as ever.

      Also returning is Emily Blunt as Emily, Andy's nemesis, now working at Dior but still finding ways to sling a good barb in Andy's direction. And as Miranda's stalwart right hand man, Stanley Tucci returns as Nigel Kipling, who just about steals the film with his perfect style and grace. 

      Joining this time are Justin Theroux as tech billionaire, Benji Barnes who is smitten with Emily, Kenneth Branagh as Miranda's new husband, and Lucy Lui as  Benji's ex-wife. Rounding out the cast are B.J. Novack, Tracie Thoms, Simone Ashley, Tibor Feldman, and Patrick Brammell. While Mr. Brammell is a fine actor, he's merely there to include a completely unnecessary romance for Andy. Of course there are also too many fashion icon cameos to mention as well as other celebrities including a particular female superstar (a fashion icon herself) who even gets a musical number.

      Underneath all the glitz and glamour, the script tries to make some points about the threat of digital and AI on the media as well as corporate acquisitions displacing the workforce and tearing at the soul of beloved companies.

      It's a light and breezy sequel that is enjoyable but like a glass of sparkling champagne that's been sitting on a tray too long, it does start to lose it's bubbles after a while.

Hokum

 

          Writer/director Damian McCarthy's ("Caveat" and "Oddity") most ambitious horror film yet doesn't disappoint. With a style all his own, Mr. McCarthy creates an atmospheric sense of dread and a creepiness that grabs you early and doesn't let up.

           The film stars Adam Scott (perfect for this role) as a writer who returns to the Irish hotel where his parents spent their honeymoon years ago. This is a classic haunted house story with McCarthy's signature twists and turns. Simple visuals alone may give you nightmares.

            Co-starring are Peter Coonan, David Wilmot, Florence Ordesh, Will O'Connell, Michael Patric, Brendan Conroy and Austin Amelio.

            The music by Joseph Bishara compliments the spooky visuals and horror elements and Brian Phillip Davis's editing provides many a jump scare.

            Mr. McCarthy is three for three and I can't wait to see what he does next.