The tale of “Red Dawn” was always nothing but a Reagan era fantasy film to begin with, so the remake of the 1984 action film wasn’t going to be looked upon as anything but fiction pure and simple. It’s a shame that director Dan Bradley’s remake of “Red Dawn” was shelved for a very long time. All things considered, while it does have its inherent flaws, it proves to be much better than the original. The element that Director Bradley improves upon is turning the Wolverines less in to overnight commandoes, and more in to human beings fighting for a cause that may spell doom for them if they’re not careful. And it does this by turning the conflict over on its head and turning the Wolverines in to a terrorist group that is operating underground.
Director Jared Skolnick’s “The Earth Rejects Him” is one of the most surreal horror films I’ve seen in a very long time. It’s not often I can watch a movie with a baffled expression and still recommend it as a great film. Not many indie directors know how to direct child actors, and director Skolnick brings out the best in his young cast. Ellis Gage gives a very memorable performance as this young boy who finds himself in an extraordinary predicament and has no idea how to handle it without becoming homicidal.
In many ways, director A.T. Sayre’s “Whatever Makes You Happy” is an accomplished romantic drama that builds on interesting conflicts. And while it may be rough around the edges in many respects, beyond its flaws there is a really good movie here. Reminiscent of “About Last Night” in certain elements, “Whatever Makes You Happy” focuses primarily on the character of protagonist Anna who spends most of her time in the safe bosom of her apartment and books. One day during a date with her boyfriend she meets the more rugged and daring aspiring musician Alex.