January is the dregs, the absolute dregs for new movies! I am not sure it’s even safe to leave your house. This week: A time travel story and a murder-mystery.
Project Almanac
A group of teens solve the mystery of time travel when one of them stumbles on a home video of their seventh birthday and notices… his future self in a mirror’s reflection. At first the group has fun gaming the system, each with a “fresh start” to redo their earlier life experiences . The teens’ untouchable feeling fades when they realize that their life re-dos upset the natural order of the world, inadvertently causing the “butterfly” effect (so key to most time travel lore.) The struggle arises between leaving the world for the worst or keeping their “better” lives.
Perfect For: This is aimed squarely at teenagers, without being too risqué or too square.
What the Critics Say: There aren’t many reviews, but the Playlist writes: “While "Project Almanac doesn't exactly blaze a new trail, the movie is smart and knowingly acknowledges both its place in the time travel subgenre and its formal limitations as a found footage movie.”
Our Take: The concept is worn out, and it’s no Back to the Future, but time travel stories always have a certain charm.
Watch the Trailer:
The Loft
A group of guys are gifted with a key to a penthouse loft, a swanky place away from prying eyes, where they can party, bring girls, and not raise the suspicions of their wives and girlfriends. Their little pleasure party gets busted when one of them shows up and a woman is found dead in the loft. Starring James Marsden, who is way too good for this schlock.
Perfect For: It’s R-rated, ostensibly it’s for grownups, but the premise is childish.
What the Critics Say: No reviews, which means it’s pretty bad.
Our Take: Marsden is pretty, but not that pretty.
Watch the Trailer:
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