Movie Reviews, Digital HD Reviews, and Television Reviews

Reviews By Judith Raymer

Here at FlickDirect, our goal is to provide up-to-date reviews on theatrical, home entertainment, and television series. Check out the scoop on upcoming films or programming, and even our take on the classics.

Ben-Hur

(Judith Raymer) 8/18/2016 9:06 PM EDT
A quick recap for the rock valley dwellers out there...Ben-Hur is a cinematic soap opera spinning betrayal, prejudice and forgiveness; in which a prince, Judah Ben-Hur (Jack Huston), is forced into slavery after his adopted brother Messala (Toby Kebbell) falsely accuses him of treason. Fans of the "original" Charlton Heston Ben-Hur ... Read More

Money Monster

(Judith Raymer) 5/12/2016 11:02 AM EDT
I was a little apprehensive about tackling this one... having George Clooney and Julia Roberts in the same flick. There are exceptions, but the good majority of their films are vehicles for box office draws. Even their serious work can come off as a polished Hollywood tale wrapped with that film gift bow (read: guaranteed money maker).&... Read More

The Big Short

(Judith Raymer) 12/21/2015 11:01 AM EDT
A (less than) funny thing happened on the way to the keyboard. Under my usual rock, I had no clue what the The Big Short was about (don't ask), much less what names would appear on the marquee (Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling, Steve Carell, Brad Pitt...). Not 10 seconds into the trailer, I knew I had to see this film. I had to write ... Read More

Vacation

(Judith Raymer) 7/28/2015 10:03 AM EDT
Once upon a time, my late cousin Alex effortlessly hit comedic treasure (in our small world) forever turning a simple word, pantalones, into an instant trigger for laughter. Similarly (though on a much larger scale of recognition), John Hughes forever changed a simple word...Vacation.Some scenes do push attempts at dark and raunchy a little o... Read More

I'll See You in My Dreams

(Judith Raymer) 5/20/2015 11:26 AM EDT
Eloquently understated and poignant...I'll See You In My Dreams.There are no grandiose overtures to lure the audience in, but as soon as the film starts rolling, the trance begins. The plot is incidental; the story profound.At a time when our elders are undervalued, and not fully respected as individuals, writer/director Brett Haley (The New Year; ... Read More

The Longest Ride

(Judith Raymer) 4/10/2015 9:20 AM EDT
If grey is too gloomy for you, try 50 (or 100) Shades of Blush. I did! But, before we get to those hot and glistening details...What you need to know about Nicholas Sparks' latest novel turned Hollywood blockbust... er... uh... hopeful...There are some acting gems in this film. Disclosure: I became a lifelong Alan Alda fan upon meet... Read More

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

(Judith Raymer) 10/10/2014 9:35 AM EDT
Watching Kelly Cooper (Jennifer Garner; Alias) navigate the daily grind of parenthood, I couldn't help but feel like the inspiration for this film (as many a mother/father out there will feel when watching it themselves). Watching her bike through traffic in a race to reach Dick van Dyke before a (mis)reading of a children's book remi... Read More

The Expendables 3

(Judith Raymer) 8/14/2014 2:38 PM EDT
The night the lights went out on…Lincoln Road. A power outage affected the entire block. In the theatre, The Expendables 3 continued to play. Like the proverbial cockroach. Except for the sound. The sound had cut out, and the crowd agreed that the film had just improved ten-fold. Should Stallone be bored e... Read More

Guardians of the Galaxy

(Judith Raymer) 7/31/2014 9:56 AM EDT
Marvel Studios does it again! Cliche? Yes, and yes. About that...We begin by meeting Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) as a young boy (not) coping with his mother's death, and abducted by an alien ship. Rather than deliver him (to whom, we have yet to discover…his extraterrestrial father, Jason, or one of his foes, perhaps)... Read More