CinemAddicts Reviews: ‘Mountains,’ ‘Skincare,’ ‘Consumed,’ ‘My Penguin Friend’

Episode 255 of CinemAddicts features reviews of movies coming out for the week of August 16, 2004. The four featured reviews are “Mountains,” “Skincare,” “Consumed,” and “My Penguin Friend.” Other movies covered include “One Fast Move,” the Jean-Pierre Melville classic “Army of Shadows,” and the horror-thriller “Cuckoo.”

“Mountains” centers on Xavier (Atibon Nazaire), a demolition worker in Little Haiti, Miami who is determined to improve the life of his immigrant family. The multi-generational drama, directed by Monica Selle, hits theaters August 16th.

Selle won the Someone To Watch Award at last year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards and the feature has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. “Mountains” hits theaters August 16 and arrives on digital September 24.

Eric Holmes does not recommend “Mountains,” but Bruce Purkey absolutely loves it (he gave it 4.5/5). Listen to their review on CinemAddicts:

Directed and co-written by Austin Peters, “Skincare” centers on Hope Goldman (Elizabeth Banks), a hard working aesthetician who is launching her own skincare line. Her business is threatened when a rival facialist named Angel (Luis Gerardo Méndez) moves right near her Hollywood store. Hope’s friend Jordan (Lewis Pullman) helps her figure out if Angel is the culprit. Rounding out the ensemble is Nathan Fillion (as a smarmy anchorman) and Michaela Jaé (MJ) Rodriguez as Hope’s assistant.

“Skincare” was a disappointment for me, even though I’m usually in the bag with psychological thrillers. The good news is that both Bruce Purkey and Eric Holmes enjoyed the movie and recommend “Skincare.” The feature hits theaters August 16. Check out our review below:

The creature feature “Consumed” centers on a married couple (Courtney Halverson, Mark Famiglietti) who are trying to survive their recent camping trip. Devon Sawa is a mountain man who may be their only chance for survival against this monster who might be a Wendigo. Directed by Mitchell Altieri and produced by Phil Flores (they are known as The Butcher Brothers), “Consumed” is a well executed indie horror flick.

“Consumed” features a locked in performance from Halverson, and this horror film is surprisingly life affirming. The feature hits theaters and On Demand August 16.

I really enjoyed this movie, check out our episode for my “Consumed” review.

“My Penguin Friend,” inspired by a true story, centers on the friendship between a sad, introverted farmer named João (Jean Reno) who nurses a penguin back to health. Oscar nominee Adriana Barraza co-stars as João’s wife, and she is concerned her hubby might be too over attached to penguin.

Running at 97 minutes and rated PG, “My Penguin Friend” almost made me tear up, meaning the movie is manipulative and effective. Bruce Purkey and I recommend this feature. “My Penguin Friend” hits theaters August 16.

Bruce Purkey also does a spoiler review of the first rate horror/thriller “Cuckoo,” and Eric and I recommend the Prime Video feature “One Fast Move.”

If you are in Los Angeles this weekend, give the Jean-Pierre Melville feaure “Army of Shadows” a shot. The 1969 French Resistance feature was not seen in the U.S. until Rialto Pictures released it stateside by Rialto Pictures. Starring Lino Ventura, Paul Meurisse, Jean-Pierre Cassel and Simone Signoret, “Army of Shadows” is an hard driving suspense feature that packs a punch. It’s a total masterpiece and my favorite Melville flick.

We will be reviewing “Army of Shadows” next week on CinemAddicts.

Catch the 4K Restoration of “Army of Shadows” at Laemmle’s Royal in West Los Angeles and Encino’s Town Center.

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