MOVIES THAT SUCK: “Explorer from Another World.” / “American Outlaws.” / “Amorous.” / “10th & Wolf.” / “Johnny 316.”

<>“Explorer from Another World” (2024, Amazon Prime) indie comedy. On a Friday night in the early 1960s, an unexpected visitor arrives in rural Indiana. Unlike anything mankind has ever faced before, this grotesque stranger wreaks havoc throughout the idyllic county. 

       I give it a high-five on the parody level, which is exactly what it is. A play on alien thrillers although this farce is far from thrilling. Director Woody Edwards, with co-writer Stu Fastback, gives us more than enough pulled entrails, flood of icky human blood, and blown up skulls to laugh at. That’s it. 🎥💻📽

“American Outlaws” (2023, Amazon Prime) action drama. Three siblings facing the possibility of prison take matters into their own hands with a cross-country crime spree of epic proportions. This movie is based on the GQ article "The Whole True Story of the Dougherty Gang" by Kathy Dobie,” about criminal siblings Dylan, Lee-Grace and Ryan Dougherty. 

       Yes, a true story. All three are currently in jail for their own hands with a cross-country crime spree of “epic proportions,” as wiki puts it–although I don’t think their little saga can be categorized as “epic.” All three young actors Emory Cohen (as Dylan), India Eisley (as Lee-Grace), and Sam Strike (as Ryan) are fine actors. But the movie, written and directed by Sean McEwen, lacks imagination. Forget it. 🎭👎🎬

“Amorous” (2014, Tubi) British romantic drama. Plot: In an English cottage, four young people from London move in together, seeking to challenge social conventions and their own tolerances by engaging in scheduled partner-swapping. The durability of their new living arrangements is tested by the arrival of an outsider who fails to get in tune with the foursome's radical spirit.

       First, this movie (also titled “Hide and Seek” won the Michael Powell Award (whatever that was) at the Edinburgh International Festival. Major reason why I don't believe in “awards” anymore. Liberal subject matters or progressive themes, regardless of the work as craft per se, are now surefire winners.

       “Amorous” is a boring example. I don't need to type the name of the director and writer. 🎭👎🎬

“10th & Wolf” (2006, Sling) crime drama about a crime family and based on an actual mob war in South Philadelphia. The movie stars James Marsden, Giovanni Ribisi and Brad Renfro, and features appearances by Dennis Hopper, Val Kilmer, Piper Perabo, Lesley Ann Warren, and Tommy Lee. Yes, Tommy of Motley Crue.

       I don't question James and Giovanni's performance here but this little movie is nothing but a creatively bankrupt runabout of gangster tropes. And that Val Kilmer cameo? Mawkish. To think that director Robert Moresco co-wrote the excellent and Oscar-winning “Crash” (2004). 

       Next! 🎥💻📽

“Johnny 316” (1998, Tubi) independent drama. A preacher without resources spends his days reciting Bible verses. One day he meets a young jobless girl who wanders on Hollywood Boulevard. An impossible love story begins. 

       In case you have seen Vincent Gallo in “Buffalo ‘66” (1998), “The Brown Bunny” (2003) and “Essential Killing” (2010), you'd agree with me that this dude, who is also an accomplished painter and musician, can act. He showed some of his acting brilliance in this movie. Talks less but the expressively surreal face says a lot.

       Sadly, this movie by Erick Ifergan doesn't deliver. Interspersed with Bible passages and docu-styled monologues (or interviews) and Nina Brosh's over-acting excess (sic) this visual mischief appeared like a badly-made MTV. 

        Forget that remarkable veterans Seymour Cassel and Louise Fletcher are this excruciating theatrics of the absurd. 🎭👎🎬