Extra Ordinary

Co-Directors Mike Ahern and Edna Loughman’s Extra Ordinary is a charming indie feature from Ireland with humor ranging from tongue-in-cheek to over-the-top.

A one-hit wonder singer (Will Forte), with a mansion in a in a back-water Irish town, has made a pact with the Devil to revive his fortune by sacrificing a virgin.

The only defense is Rose Dooley (Maeve Higgins), a driving instructor, who has been hiding her supernatural abilities because she believes she was responsible for her father’s death, when she bumbled an invocation as a child.

This is a broad comedy that works because the actors really go for it.

I give Extra Ordinary a 4 out of 5.

The Roads Not Taken

Writer/Director/Editor/Composer Sally Potter’s The Roads Not Taken is one of those “Why?” films, as in “Why was this made?”

Here, she had Javier Bardem, Elle Fanning, Salma Hayek, Branka Katic and Laura Linney giving their best in a story that is suitable only if you want the extra push to commit suicide.

So, if you’re looking for entertainment, it would be best to stay away.

Sally has considerable talent and, hopefully, she will apply it to something worthy of being seen.

I give The Roads Not Taken a 2.4 out of 5.

The Invisible Man

Writer/Director Leigh Whinnall’s The Invisible Man is a gripping thriller about an abused woman (Elisabeth Moss), who escapes from her lover (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) and becomes terrorized by him after it is presumed he has committed suicide.

With no one realizing the inventive boyfriend has created a suit that makes him virtually invisible, the initially meek escapee has to learn how to fight for her freedom once everyone believes she is crazy.

This is not a horror movie.  It is a thriller. And, it is an on-the-edge-of-your-seat event.

I give The Invisible Man a 3.9 out of 5.