The Roundup with Jeff Stockton (Season 8 Round 9)

It's crazy to think that we are now headed into the final round of Season 8. Overall, I'd consider this past round to be a tad on the weak side. For more on that, here's The Roundup...

3. Margot Robbie
It's great to see her on the big screen again. Honestly, I really did not enjoy Adr1ft as a film, but more on that later. I want to focus on how magnetic Robbie is on the screen (not to mention how easy on the eyes she is).

2. Wishmaster
Who would have thought that Wishmaster would do as well as it did? While I recall liking the original when I was younger, it's not like it has big name value like Halloween or A Nightmare on Elm Street. What it does have, which the audiences must have responded to this time around, is a fun villain and concept that is full of horror potential.

1. Jesse Plemons
About damn time somebody gave this man a lead role! He is such a great talent, he was long overdue. He has a had a great career with LRF in supporting roles, but he makes the most of his chance to shine giving a chilling performance complete with some classic scenes. I would not be surprised if the scenes of him calmly writing out his letter after murdering his mother and wife end up on Chad Taylor's Best Scenes list (if he does one for this season, which I hope he does).

3. Allison Williams
Ugh! I cannot stand Allison Williams. It's been a while now since I have devoted time in The Roundup to talk about how much I hate someone, but here it is. I've hated her in everything I've seen her in. If Jonathan Rhys Meyers weren't so good in Wishmaster I would have walked out of the theater. She's just so smug in everything she does. There isn't an ounce of authenticity in any performance she's ever given. Clearly, nepotism has gotten her far...

2. The Tower
I loved the first half of The Tower. The focus was squarely on Jesse Plemons as Charles Whitman, as it should be. When the second half then focused on the various law enforcement personal on the scene, the quality and enjoyment level of the film sharply dropped.

1. Adr1ft
This is one of those films that started off strong. It gave us an mystery and a good looking leading lady. But as more and more of the mystery was revealed, the less satisfying everything became. The answers to the film's mysteries were pretty disappointing, and not nearly as exciting or interesting as I would have expected from a film directed by Alex Garland.