It is time for a round up of new films seen on streaming services other than Netflix this month.
We start this month with Amazon Prime:
Upgraded
Ana (Camila Mendes) is an ambitious intern, trying to impress her demanding boss, Claire (Marisa Tomei). When Ana is upgraded to first class on a work trip, she meets handsome Will (Archie Renaux), who mistakes Ana for her boss and she does not set him straight. Coincidentally, as is the case in films like this, the person who Ana’s company are doing business with is Will’s Mum. It is easy to be cynical about films like Upgraded and write it off as Hallmark type rom-com fodder. But, the plot does go in unexpected ways a couple of times and Mendes is terrific, remaining likable despite her character’s lies and Marisa Tomei has fun as her actual boss.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Ricky Stanicky
Peter Farrelly’s comedy stars Zac Efron as Dean, Andrew Santino as JT and Jermaine Fowler as Wes. They have been friends since childhood who created an imaginary companion, Ricky Stanicky, who they continue to blame for any bad decisions they make. When their exasperated wives demand to meet the mysterious chum, the men hire an out of work alcoholic actor named Rod (John Cena) to play Ricky at an upcoming family event. This is absolute dire stuff. John Cena showed at this year’s Oscars that he has great comic timing but he has nothing to work from here. The three friends are so immature that it made me angry on behalf of all other men.
Rating: 2 out of 10
Fast Charlie
There was a time that a film starring Pierce Brosnan and directed by Phillip Noyce would be a major cinema release, but Fast Charlie finds itself on Amazon Prime with barely a word of publicity. Brosnan stars as Charlie Swift, a hitman looking to avenge the killing of his boss. That may not sound like an original set up, and is isn’t, but Fast Charlie was an unexpected treat. It moves swiftly (pun intended), there are some funny moments as well as creative kills. Despite being in his 70’s now, Brosnan impresses in the action scenes and even a tentative romance with the younger Morena Baccarin, who is also really good, does not seem too icky. James Caan makes his final film appearance and unsurprisingly looks really frail and a foul mouthed Sharon Gless steals her one scene.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10
On My5:
A Scottish Love Scheme
This is yet another Hallmark film set in the UK and it has a very familiar plot. An American woman called Lily (Erica Durance) travels to Scotland, and is set up with a childhood friend, Logan (Jordan Young) by her meddling mother. Inevitably, her friend works in the whisky business which if course has financial difficulties and, amazingly, Lily is a marketing guru. Everything feels tired and stereotypical and there are numerous goofs that demonstrate that the screenplay was not written by a British person.
Rating: 3 out of 10
Hallmark seem absolutely obsessed with Jane Austen and doing the rounds on Movies24 are three films related to the author. Love and Jane stars Alison Sweeney as Lilly, a hopeless romantic and literary enthusiast, who gets the surprise of a lifetime when her favourite author, Jane Austen, comes to life. Sweeney is one of the best actors in Hallmark’s stable and she is pretty good in this flimsy but watchable romance.
In An American in Austen, Eliza Bennett plays a librarian who gets the chance to discover if any man can compare to Mr. Darcy when she is magically transported into Pride and Prejudice. There are a couple of reasonable fish out of water gags, but it outstays it’s welcome.
Finally they have also produced a straight-ish adaptation of Sense & Sensibility. Unfortunately it is badly acted with a clunky script. I kept expecting a young woman from the future to appear, and, frankly, it would have been a better film if they had. Watch the 1995 version written by and starring Emma Thompson as that remains the definitive telling of this story.
Love and Jane: 5.5 out of 10
An American in Austen: 4 out of 10
Sense & Sensibility: 2 out of 10
Finally, films that can be rented on the usual services
Jackdaw
Jack (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) is a former motocross champion who, having fallen on hard times and needing money to look after his brother, accepts a job to collect a package of drugs in the North Sea. But his payment is not made and his brother is kidnapped. Director Jamie Childs certainly has an eye for an arresting visual image and, with cinematographer Will Baldy, makes full use of the Hartlepool locations. However, his screenplay for this violent action thriller is laden with cliched characters and situations. Thomas Turgoose is a joy in a supporting role and Jenna Coleman makes the most of her cameo.
Rating: 5.5 out of 10
Miller’s Girl
This steamy thriller stars Jenna Ortega as a talented student who impresses her teacher played by Martin Freeman. Looking to experience something, she decides to seduce him. Freeman is excellent but there is little else believable in this over written and overwrought film from newcomer Jade Halley Bartlett. Ortega’s character, a books obsessed teen living on her own in a gothic mansion feels like an older writer’s wish fulfilment. Her wannabe slutty best friend and Freeman’s alcoholic wife, who spends most of the running time in a state of undress, also do not feel like real people.
Rating: 4 out of 10