‘Crisis’ studies U.S. opioid epidemic
A thriller exploring the nation’s opioid epidemic tops the new DVD releases for the week of April 20.
“Crisis”: Three separate stories collide in director Nicholas Jarecki’s examination of drug abuse in the United States.
The movie stars Gary Oldman, Evangeline Lilly and Armie Hammer, who has been at the center of multiple sexual misconduct claims and is under investigation by the
LAPD.
The film misses the mark, said Los Angeles Times critic Michael Ordoña in his review. “The movie is a multiple-narrative look at the misuse of the likes of fentanyl, oxycodone and heroin that, according to HHS, afflicted more than 1.6 million Americans in 2019. It’s a raging epidemic exacting a dreadful human toll, but ‘Crisis’ doesn’t share it in a meaningful, emotional way; it feels like research dressed as a drama.”
Despite some compelling storylines, Ordoña ultimately found the movie uninspired. “It’s heavily reliant on cliches, especially in its use of score, the lone-wolf cop and familiar devices to build tension.”
ALSO NEW ON DVD
“The Violent Heart”: A man finds himself falling for a high school senior 15 years after the murder of his older sister overturned his life in this drama starring Grace Van Patten, Jovan Adepo and Lukas Haas.
“Body Brokers”: An Ohio addict accepts a stranger’s offer to pay for his drug treatment at a Los Angeles facility. However the addict discovers the facility is actually defrauding the government out of millions. Written and directed by John Swab.
“Space Dogs: Tropical Adventure”: This Russian animated feature follows two pooches who are sent to investigate a whirlpool in the Atlantic Ocean, only to discover aliens are trying to steal the planet’s water.
“The Mortuary Collection”:
Written and directed by Ryan Spindell, this fantasy horror film finds an eccentric mortician recounting the history the fictional town of Raven’s End to a young girl.
OUT ON DEMAND APRIL 20
“The Legend of Hei”: This Chinese animated feature follows a cat spirit an a journey of self-discovery in a world where various goblins peacefully co-exist with mankind.
“Vanquish”: Morgan Freeman stars as a retired police officer who kidnaps the daughter of a woman with a dark past, played by Ruby Rose, in this crime thriller.