Now Playing

Here's a look at the new movies I saw this week.

Riddick
Starring: Vin Diesel, Katie Sackhoff, Jordi Molla, and Matt Nable
Synopsis: In 2000, writer/director David Twohy delivered a somewhat memorable drama with “Pitch Black.” Vin Diesel played a convict on a transport that crashed in a remote location that was plagued by fierce creatures. The film worked because it felt like a low budget horror film that worked before such things were trendy. Naturally, since Hollywood can’t let anything that works stand alone, the film earned a big budget sequel in 2004. “The Chronicles of Riddick” didn’t work at all. The budget was bigger, the story was lamer and the whole production felt like a mistake. “Riddick” pays homage to the films that came before it. While the film feels like more of a return to the tone and style that made “Pitch Black” a cult hit, “Riddick” still takes time to tie back to what came before in the underwhelming “Chronicles of Riddick.” It also takes time to do something all its own. Clearly Diesel and Twohy feel like the character of Riddick is more culturally iconic than he is. The first part of the film feels like the Riddick version of “Cast Away,” with the titular hero surviving on his own, finding his own Wilson and talking to himself. But Diesel is no Tom Hanks, and the segment drags. It is painfully boring to watch at times, and also somewhat confusing. Then the film quickly transitions to more of the feel of “Pitch Black” when the bounty hunters arrive. First Riddick is challenging his would-be captors, then fierce creatures are challenging them all. It’s not hard to guess where the film is going, but at times it’s incredibly hard to care. “Riddick” works better than its immediate predecessor because it feels more like the first film. But that’s part of the problem. We’ve seen this film before, and there is nothing compelling about the retelling. Aside from Sackhoff, who is a sci-fi icon, none of the new characters are developed. They have no personality and don’t really bring anything to the film. And Twohy and Diesel have a much higher opinion of the magnetism of Riddick than I do. He is mildly interesting, but not enough to carry a film — especially one that spends 30 minutes with him alone trying to survive in the wilderness. He’s practically monosyllabic and non-emotive. That doesn’t work. Once the other characters arrive the film gets mildly better, becomes ultra violent and remains visually dull. Twohy might have had an epic idea in his head and on the page, but it doesn’t translate in this film. “Riddick” feels like the definition of an unnecessary sequel.
Rating: R for strong violence, language and some sexual content/nudity. Enter with caution.
Verdict: One star out of four.

Teach

Synopsis: This was a documentary on four public school teachers that aired on CBS last Friday night. Davis Guggenheim offered us the best documentary a few years back with "Waiting For Superman," which took a tough look at the public education system and some of the young students it leaves behind. "Teach" is another honest and compelling look at our education system — this time focusing on the teachers who will do anything to keep those students from being left behind. It doesn't always work as they hoped, but it's a compelling journey to watch.

Verdict: Four stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:

Friday, September 13 — "Insidious, Chapter 2," "The Family"

Friday, September 20 — "Rush," "Prisoners," "Battle of the Year"

Friday, September 27 — "Baggage Claim," "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2," "Don Jon"