Capsule reviews for Jan. 22

Exposed

It’s preferable to prevent exposure to this generic urban cop thriller that apparently was so chopped up during a re-editing process that the director’s name is actually a pseudonym. Whoever claims responsibility for this incoherent mess, it stars Keanu Reeves as a New York detective investigating the death of his partner at the hands of street thugs. His story intersects with that of a Latino schoolteacher (Ana de Armas) who begins seeing ghosts after a spiritual transformation. The result feels like two disparate ideas scrambled together in a way that’s never convincing and seems borderline tasteless. The cast includes Mira Sorvino and rapper Big Daddy Kane. (Rated R, 102 minutes).

Martyrs

Indeed, you might feel like a martyr after sitting through this aimless remake of a 2008 French horror film that amps up the blood and gore for no discernible purpose. It follows Lucie (Troian Bellisario), a young woman who recruits a childhood friend (Bailey Noble) to help her get revenge on the cult members who abused her years ago. Although the story strays from its predecessor in multiple ways, that doesn’t mean it’s an improvement. In fact, there’s not much inspiration here other than recycling familiar staples of the torture-porn subgenre, handled by sibling directors Kevin and Michael Goetz (Scenic Route) with minimal visual imagination. (Not rated, 86 minutes).

Naz and Maalik

It’s rough around the edges, but this tender and heartfelt drama mostly steers clear of stereotypes in telling the story of Naz (Kerwin Johnson) and Maalik (Curtiss Cook) who are both gay and Muslim, two characteristics that get them into some precarious situations while they try to make a few bucks on the streets in contemporary Brooklyn. The leisurely paced film chronicles the clash between their romance and faith, and how intolerant perceptions make them an easy target when an FBI agent comes snooping around. Both performances are charming, and rookie director Jay Dockendorf compensates for some contrivances with a gritty and evocative visual approach. (Not rated, 86 minutes).

Prescription Thugs

The notion of a “war on drugs” is examined from a different perspective in this uneven documentary from director Chris Bell (Bigger, Stronger, Faster) that looks at the proliferation of prescription drug abuse and its potentially lethal consequences, implicating everything from trends to the media to pharmaceutical companies who pressure doctors. Bell combines these broader critiques of society with a personal story that stems from his brother’s death from an overdose of painkillers, adding a level of poignancy that resonates. The film lacks focus and depth in several spots, but it touches on some important topics in a way that’s both accessible and persuasive. (Not rated, 86 minutes).

Synchronicity

You can tell this low-budget head trip of a thriller was written by science geeks, for science geeks, because not only does its nerdy protagonist successfully build a time machine, but he also gets the girl. That’s not spoiling much in this story about a young physicist (Chad McKnight) whose invention eventually requires him to travel backward to save it from an alluring woman (Brianne Davis) who might be trying to steal it. Despite an amusing throwback vibe, the performances are uneven and the suspense is intermittent. The script by director Jacob Gentry features some intriguing science-fiction concepts overwhelmed by plenty of pretentious gibberish. (Rated R, 101 minutes).