The Devil Is In The Details..."Incarnate"

Incarnate (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Aaron Eckhart, Carice van Houten, Catalina Sandino Moreno, David Mazouz, Matt Nable

Directed by Brad Peyton

The Story:

Dr. Ember (Eckhart) has developed a way to enter the subconscious mind of an individual. He does this to cast out demons who have taken over control of their hosts. He's not into religion, he treats this as science. However he is on a personal mission of revenge to find Maggie, the demon that killed his family.

Competent thriller that keeps you engaged for the duration.

Naturally, your tolerance of movies about exorcising the demon-possessed will go a long way on how, or if, you judge this one.

I still shudder when I think about watching the Exorcist many years ago, so I often approach these films cautiously, if at all.

: )

However, Peyton keeps you guessing throughout the film, even when you think you know how everything is going to turn out, right or wrong, with films like this, you second guess yourself every step of the way.

Eckhart is always a reliable lead in any film, and he doesn't disappoint here as a man who has lost everything, yet channels his rage to go on with life.

It's a different take on the genre, and that is always something to welcome.

Final Grade: C+

A Great Reason To Move..."San Andreas"

San Andreas (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario, Hugo Johnstone-Burt, Art Parkinson, Paul Giamatti

Directed by Brad Peyton

The Story:

Los Angeles Fire Rescue pilot Ray Gaines (Johnson) grabs a chopper and heads north to San Francisco when a series of earthquakes shakes the San Andreas fault line and threatens to personally kill Ray's daughter (Daddario).

And when it's Mother Nature vs. Dwayne Johnson...

My money's on The Rock.

:)

Look, if you like popcorn disaster movies, you're going to have a pretty good time here.

The special effects are pretty good, and crazy scenarios aside (bay area boat race, I'm looking at you) it's all pretty good stuff.

The strained marital relationship seems a bit contrived simply to set up the damsel in distress scenarios, but it is what it is.

Everyone does a great job with their roles, no tongues planted in cheeks, this is straight-up end of the world how do we survive chaos.  Giamatti excels in his role as one of the scientists that finally comes up with a program that can predict earthquakes...

Just in time to see his machine go absolutely crazy with the mother of all quakes!

If you want to see more disaster on screen than you've seen since the last Roland / Emmerich production, look no further.

Final Grade: C+