A detective crosses Europe on the trail of serial killers responsible for his daughter’s death. Tickbox post-Lecter thriller (from a James Patterson novel) held together by Jeffrey Dean Morgan and – initially – some strong moments. It collapses, though, under the weight of ho-hum twists and a throwaway ending.
Here’s the trailer.
An Egyptologist becomes obsessed with a tomb discovery. Stolid adaptation of Stoker’s The Jewel of Seven Stars, here retooled to emulate the success of The Omen series. Great Jack Cardiff cinematography and some keen location work, and it’s good to see Heston in unsympathetic mode, but this a duff, unscary movie nevertheless. Blood From The Mummy’s Tomb is another version.
Here’s the trailer.
Also, the full movie, legally and for free here.
A reclusive ex-cop is hired as a PI to help an alcoholic TV star accused of murder. Slightly baggy adaptation of Howard Michael Gould’s fun Hollywood comedy-thriller: casting is spot-on (though Mel Gibson could have done more to lean into his reputation), but flat direction means the zip isn’t there to make this fly.
Here’s the trailer.
A marionette is given the chance to become a real boy. Still-dazzling Carlo Collodi adaptation (only the Monstro sequence doesn’t quite work), with impressive visuals, some great songs used deftly, and more than a few adult gags sneaked in. A pop culture touchstone for good reason. Remade by Disney in 2022.
Here’s the trailer.
Survivors of a capsized cruise liner attempt to escape. Somewhat perfunctory and loose third adaptation of the Paul Gallico novel, with the feel of a much bigger film cropped back to 90 minutes as its own rescue attempt. Doesn’t add anything to the 1972 version bar some updated effects and a couple of impressive stunt moments.
Here’s the trailer.
A girl with pyrokinetic powers is on the run from the authorities. Perfunctory second adaptation of the Stephen King novel, unsure quite what to do with the source material. At its best, it apes the previous version, no classic itself. A throbbing John Carpenter score helps some.
Here’s the trailer.
A professor and friends seek to trek to the Earth’s core via a volcano. Tatty Spanish-made version of the Jules Verne classic, with a slumming Kenneth More and a few threadbare puppet/man-in-suit monsters. Livens up later when the creatures show up, but this is talky, penny-pinching stuff throughout.
Here’s the trailer.
A family is invited to become caretakers of a haunted country house. Solid and entertaining second version of the story, balancing the 1972 original and Antonia Barber’s source novel The Ghosts. No surprises, perhaps, but Gatiss’s control of the material and his affection for it is well in evidence throughout.
Here’s the trailer
A grandfather reads a fairy story of true love to his ill grandson. Excellent distillation of the William Goldman novel, with the right balance of thrills, jokes, well-sketched characters, and a cast that knows exactly the movie they’re in. Lots of fun throughout.
Here’s the trailer
A woodcutter’s son journeys to find hope to save his father and his kingdom. Very straightforward festive origin fantasy shamelessly lifted structure-wise from The Princess Bride. A decent cast helps no end: the flick relies on professional support for its scant charm.
Here’s the trailer.
![Where Time Began [AKA Journey to the Centre of the Earth] (1978, dir. Juan Piquer Simon)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2022/02/where-time-began-poster.jpg?w=300)
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