THE BIG 4 (2022)

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Directed By: Timo Tjahjanto

Written By: Timo Tjahjanto and Johanna Wattimena

Cinematography: Batara Goempar

Editor: Dinda Amanda

Cast: Abimana Aryasatya, Putri Marino, Lutesha, Arie Kriting, Kristo Immanuel, Marthino Lio, Michelle Tahalea, Michael Kho, Donny Damera, Budi Ros

A by-the-book detective investigates the death of her father and follows a clue to a remote tropical island, only to find out his true identity as a leader of a group of assassins. Now hunted by his enemies, she has to team up with the crooks her father had trained – four retired, down on their luck assassins itching to get back in the game.

Directed by Timo Tjahjanto, like Director Gareth  Evans they bring beauty and energy to their Jaw-dropping and brutal action sequences. You generally know you are going to have a good time. 

You can never go wrong with either of them as director and as always promise an exciting Experience. You can tell the directors are having fun in their presentations and are thankful they get to keep making movies. 

Wish they would be allowed to make more projects with bigger budgets. Then again that might dilute their aesthetic and take away from Their inventiveness and originality. 

Timo Tjahjanto seems almost like a best-kept secret amongst film fans. Especially action die-hard fans 

As long as Netflix keeps showcasing him he is in for a good ride. His films have great stories and characters to go with them 

Action films for some like me come off as not as emotional. Except for base reactions that provide motivation for the characters or their reactions. Emotions are expressed In These films as an overall bonding experience of action dreams that the audience wishes they could experience with excitement, adrenaline, and hero worship like they were there. As they are like a rite of passage, a shared adventure. 

This film is the most intentionally comedic of all of his films thus far. The storyline might be dark for some. Though This is his most mainstream or as close as he has come so far and designed it seems to appeal to a broader audience with action and a bunch of comedy thrown in as well as a revenge tale. 

As this is an action film, jungle adventure, and island getaway all in one. That is openly comedic. The cliches are here yet updated and funky. 

The drugged high scene is amazing for how physically actress Putri Marino transforms herself and her demeanor 

The ultimate villain Might remind some of Takia Wahtiti’s Performance in the movie FREE GUY only here, actually physically dangerous. Though jsit as impeccably styled and over the top ridiculous that showcases how dangerous he can be.

It Makes you wonder sometimes If the assassins make so many mistakes because they have never seen or don’t realize they are in an action film. So they keep falling for diversions, tricks, and traps.

This film feels like a live-action comic book. It’s full of greatness and sees itself up for a sequel. 

Definitely more of an impressive PG-13 movie except for the graphic violence 

Grade: B

BALLERINA (2023)

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Written & Directed by: Chung-Hyun Lee

Cast: Jeon Jong-Seo, Kim Ji-Hoon, Park Yu-Rim

Grieving the loss of a best friend she couldn’t protect, an ex-bodyguard sets out to fulfill her dear friend’s last wish: sweet revenge.

This is not the JOHN WICK  Spin-off that people are anxiously awaiting with Ana de Armas starring but a South Korean action revenge tale.

Went in expecting more of an action film which it is but this one is backed more by a dramatic story 

It’s meant to make the action more personal and feel more as if the storyline includes a conspiracy or her taking down more of a small bit of a larger enterprise. 

Should have expected that when the film stars, Jeon Jong-Seo. who is more known for her dramatic work. Here she is playing an action-oriented role. She is believable and it helps her. As most of the other characters expect her to be weak.

Most of the male characters are in on this conspiracy and repulsive throughout. Showcasing the film to be more female-oriented and justified. 

The action sequences are well done. It includes the use of a flame thrower which is always a plus. 

The movie is unfortunately mostly typical to average with a colorful shaded filtered motif throughout. 

Though the film truly becomes more impressive and noteworthy in the final 15 minutes which it builds up to and seems to truly come alive in its somber tone. After all that build-up. 

In the end a revenge tale plain and simple 

Grade: C+

LUCY (2014)

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Written & Directed By: Luc Besson 

Cinematography: Thierry Arbogast 

Editor: Julien Rey

Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-Sik, Analeigh Tipton, Pilou Asbaek, Amr Waked, Julian Rhind-Jutt 

A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.

The film starts off as a Eurotrash crime story. That becomes an action-adventure revenge story then goes to a full Science Fiction movie.

So that it feels like an excessive superhero movie, before trying to be something more. Which eventually Makes little to nonsense or becomes philosophical though feels too convenient. As her needling abilities come to use anytime. In an impossible situation or fight.

The film tries to put in a mystery we learn and wonder with her through these situations and events. She is forced to be a drug mule and the compilation of drugs in her system allows her to strike back. 

The film is diverse as it has an international cast and seems to be the beginning of Scarlett Johansson as an action star. Again this leaves a stunning young lady as a Warrior amongst the chaos. Who never loses her beauty or a fight it seems In a Luc Besson production. 

The real social terror of drug trafficking and sex slavery internationally. The film tries to use the horrors of these social Issues and add into it an action-fantasy element. That borders also on a revenge story. Only she gets past the revenge and her enemies just want to destroy her after she has mostly forgotten about them. 

It seems to also be a retaliation against not only dumb blinders allusions but also skinny helpless damsels. Showing they can take care of themselves and then some and all the while gaining consciousness and awareness. 

To keep the film from being a typical action film shoot ‘em up it seems like that is the only reason the consciousness theme was thrown in. Also as an ultimate dream that taking enough drugs leads to spiritual bliss.

Entirely written by Luc Besson. He actually decides to direct this film also. He usually writes and produces these films and leaves a newcomer or protege to direct. While the film is sharp considering he decided to direct it. It should be a lot better than the final product. 

In the end, the film seems to be about finding consciousness and enlightenment and rising above it all. 

Grade: C

HOLY SPIDER (2022)

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Directed By: Ali Abbasi

Written By: Ali Abbasi and Afshin Kamran Bahrami 

Cinematography: Nadim Carlsen

Editor: Olivia Neergaard-Holm and Hayedeh Safiyari

Cast: Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Alice Rahimi, Soraya Helli, Arash Ashtiani, Mehdi Bajestani, Sohaib Quista, Forouzan Jamshisnejad, Maryam Taleb 

Female journalist Rahimi travels to the Iranian holy city of Mashhad to investigate a serial killer targeting sex workers. As she draws closer to exposing his crimes, the opportunity for justice grows harder to attain when the murderer is embraced by many as a hero. Based on the true story of the ‘Spider Killer’ Saeed Hanaei, who saw himself as on a mission from God as he killed 16 women between 2000 and 2001.

This Is a film that is better to go into blind and then read this review. It discusses a lot of subjects in the film and this is the type of film. You will want to talk about it afterwards.

Drama and tension-filled, what is more disturbing is the fact that it is based on a true story. 

The film begins with a typical night for one woman. As she puts her child to end after feeding them and washes for her night out. As we see her make her rounds as a prostitute. How she is treated. We are made to believe she might be our lead character. Then she is attacked and we hope after spending this time with her she will survive, but she quickly becomes a victim. (Sort of like the SCREAM films only with no celebrity and no excitement in the kill.)

This allows us to see her killer. So that the mystery is cut short and in his hands now. 

The mystery is when or if he will get caught and how as it seems only two reporters are on his tail and seem to care. As the film continues we see the female reporters attempt to interview and find the Killer. We get to know more about his personal home life. Around his kids and wife which is relatively normal except for some outbursts and his fanatical extremism.

The film does show him hunting, picking up, and killing the prostitutes. As well as a scene that shows him having sex with his wife and with one of his victim’s bodies hidden in the room before he can dispose of it. How he gets turned on while watching the dead body a few feet away. Which only he can see.

The film offers many close calls. As we hope each time the next victim will escape and survive. Even when the bodies are discovered the reporters are at their front and center and he is in the background.

Even once the culprit is eventually caught. It shows that many men especially approve of his crimes and might inspire some to commit the crimes themselves in the future. That is one of the scariest parts of the film and the people involved. As most around him supper him Even after he is arrested.

As even after he is arrested it seems like all the work in hunting him down and getting him arrested after a reporter barely survives an attack by him. 

Luckily the film isn’t cut and dry. It doesn’t end with his arrest. We go through the short trial and also get interviews with victims’ families. As well as his own after. 

The ending offers some kind of justice turning tables to show him whimpering and fighting against his decided fate just as much as his victims fought for their lives.

The film shows the scary chauvinistic attitude and misogyny that exists in men. As even the desk clerk. Who at first didn’t want to let her have a room by herself. First son tries to hit on her and then when rejected not only threatens but finds it necessary to demean her.

In the end, it still shows a majority of the male characters inadvertently seem to hate women or at least consider them second class while holding them on a pedestal. Yet still try to exploit them for the crime in their heads of attracting them. 

GRADE: A +

A HERO (2021)

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Written & Directed By: Asghar Farhadi

Cinematography: Ali Ghazi and Arash Ramezani

Editor: Hayedeh Safiyari

Cast: Amir Jadidi, Mohamed Tanabandeh, Sahar Goldie’s, Faresheteh Sadorafaei, Ehsan Goodarzi, Sarina Farhadi, Maryam Shahdaei, Alireza Jahandideh 

Rahim is in prison because of a debt he was unable to repay. During a two-day leave, he tries to convince his creditor to withdraw his complaint against the payment of part of the sum. But things don’t go as planned.

This story and film show that one lie inevitably leads to another. How he can stain or destroy all those clothes or who chooses to believe in you or it.

As we go through the film, the lead character is Denver entirely likable. He seems to blame others for his own failures and still feels he is owed. Even if at times, you can see his side to things, and that his punishment might be a little excessive, he does himself no favors.

We see how people treat him and turn on him. Something simple. Seems like it’s on a stack of dominoes, falling all in a Row one behind another.

Attention, as usual, is thrown out for something that seems so simple but cuts to the very heart of us all morally which is the strength of filmmaker Asghar Farhadi

Most of his films rely on moral dilemmas, that are easily identifiable for most of us where empathy can only go, so far before we are truly challenged to make choices

As with this film, it all boils down to honesty, survival, and ego, as well as responsibility and exploitation, and how no matter our intentions, how well-meaning they may be if not honest or honorable police can leave behind a certain stain, not to mention take on a life of their own

The film is more of a character study that involves many who are all affected by the actions of the main character.

This film shows the worst that could happen behind a good deed, and that the world is cynical that there might be Cash behind good honesty, but also if it helps you out or you take advantage of the outcome. It asks if is it still as honest.

What the film does honor and many can appreciate is that there can be many truths.

GRADE: A

ABOUT ELLY (2009)

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Written & Directed By: Asghar Farhadi 

Story By: Asghar Farhadi and Azad Jafarian

Cinematography: Hossein Jafarian

Editor: Iman Rahimi and Hayedeh Safiyari

Cast: Golshifteh Farahani, Shahab Hosseini, Taraneh Alidoosti, Sajjad Dolati, Merila Zare’i, Mani Hachighi, Peyman Moaadi, Ra’Na Azad, Ahmad Mehranfar, Saber Abbar 

A group of friends leave Tehran for a long weekend on the Caspian Sea. A young kindergarten teacher named Elly is invited along to join the good friends and family. The reason is soon made apparent: she’s being set up with a recently divorced man. Over an easy-going holiday, tensions rise until a crisis point is triggered, and Elly goes missing.

This film is tricky as eventually, it becomes a mystery, though at first, it seems more like a reunion drama.

It quickly becomes melodramatic as friends come together and celebrate a vacation that brings a newcomer. Eventually not only is her feet under investigation but also who she was.

This all begins to tear, not only the friends apart, but also the couples and relationships. As she might have been there for some ulterior motives, that only Sam knew about.

We learn about her as most of the characters do as they keep getting pulled in Dever, as it goes along and more is revealed

This film is full-scale storytelling surrounding events in the friend’s fall out, As questions are slowly answered plenty of mysteries are introduced and still remain

The film is a morality play from different points of view, which is what the Director Asghar Farhadi, excels at painting, a full picture and making sure that you are paying attention to all the little details in focus

Not necessarily, a murder mystery, but a mystery nonetheless, as lies and secrets lead to more trouble it’s not as melodramatic as one, I think as it stays sharp and we become more invested trying to see where it will go 

The film mostly takes place in a single location that while small becomes epic 

This all leads to a haunting and haunted, ending, showing the damage of their lies, and what it has done to their lives, which would also allow for answers

Grade: B

THE ZONE OF INTEREST (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Jonathan Glazer 

Cinematography: Lukasz Zal 

Editor: Paul Watts 

Cast:: Sanda Huller, Christian Friedel, Freya Kreutzkam, Ralph Herforth, Max Beck, Ralf Zillman, Imogen Kooge, Lilli Falk, Stephanie Pertrowitz 

The commandant of Auschwitz, Rudolf Höss, and his wife Hedwig, strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden next to the camp.

This is a film that is best to go into blind. Even after explaining it, I’m not sure it will still be understandable. As this is definitely a film more to be experienced on a big screen. As it is if anything cinematic. Though more of an art piece to admire. 

When it comes to filmmaker Jonathan Glazer is one of these filmmakers who is like an heir to Kubrick whereas he takes his time when his films are made. Several years between projects. Not to mention he never makes a decision or makes judgements on the characters portrayed on screen.

What usually causes a stir are technical marvels that are a challenge for the audience to sit through but stunning visuals. 

This is why this film is odd as it keeps the horrors off screen we hear it more than we see anything which is worse as it sets our imaginations loose of what we know. Bro only that bothers that the family at the center of it, sees this all as normal and is treated with no real judgment except when the wife who seems to stay out of politics threatens her Jewish maid late in the film. The fury comes so swift yet so natural

We watch this family’s day-to-day which is why it’s hard to tell where the middle and end of the film are exactly. The film is disorienting as there isn’t really too much of a narrative. So you never know what is coming next. There is a lack of close-ups, mostly middle and wide shots so that we are never tight on anybody or with any of the characters. So they are always distant and kept at a distance. Which is the same that can be said about the movie and its characters.  So much is said in silence and nothing is truly ever explained. 

Glazer’s films and especially this one are technical marvels that are more to be seen, studied, and theorized over than felt that much 

So much is unspoken and spare. That is what it delivers. Like everyone, the movie is keeping a secret even at times from one another. It is a holocaust movie at heart. Where we see more of the side of the soldiers running the camp, their home lives, and hinting at the horrors they witness day to day and inflict. Even as they discuss their plans for the future they never acknowledge the human element or any empathy towards the inhabitants. In one scene his wife unleashes a verbal threat that is more chilling than we have ever even seen her husband do. 

The film is experimental and Chilling never knows what is going to happen next. Honestly, this film is going to be an endurance test for most of the audience. 

Grade: A- 

BABYLON (2022)

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Written & Directed By Damien Chazelle

Cinematography: Luis Sandgren

Editor: Tom Cross

Cast: Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jovan Adepo, Lukas Haas, Jean Smart, Olivia Wilde, Samara Weaving, Flea, Max Minghella, Li Jun Li, Jeff Garlin, Katherine Waterston, Tobey Maguire, Ethan Suplee, Kaia Gerber, Joe Dellesandro, Patrick Fugit, Eric Roberts, Rory Scovel, P.J. Byrne, Bob Clendenin 

Hollywood, 1926. Nellie LaRoy is trying to catch her first break as an actress. Manny Torres wants to do something in movies, anything as he believes filmmaking is the ultimate profession. Sidney Palmer is an unambitious young trumpeter who is happy to go wherever the music takes him. Jack Conrad is Hollywood’s #1 leading man. Their lives and careers are about to be intertwined in the maelstrom of ambition, breakthroughs, disappointments, changing technology and audiences, and decadence.

Next to WHIPLASH, this might be Director Damien Chazelle‘s best film. It’s another film like his previous film LA LA LAND, exploring the history, tragedy, and beauty of Hollywood and the unending industry of dreams.  He tackled this after a journey literally to outer space with the film FIRST MAN. 

This reeks of a passion project, and while it has a lengthy running time it truly is an epic. Where are you? Don’t notice the running time though you can feel the 3 act structure. A sprawling epic of mythic proportions. As after all, it is Hollywood. 

The film offers, a dazzling, beginning, where we are quickly brought into the debauchery of the era, which sets us Avenue for how low, and how dirty the characters will go throughout, The characters and the Director guide you through with interest as to what’s going on around you and offer you little intros, hints, and suggestions

The lead in our story, played by Diego Calva, is of Mexican heritage. He seems as if he is a stand-in for half the film, not strongly involved, necessarily, letting the film focus on other things and other than the main one. After all most of the other supporting characters are played by movie stars, whose characters stars or become movie stars. The main character gets more involved in it all in the second half as he rises up the Hollywood ladder, and the other two main characters played by Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie are falling for various reasons

An interest in film history and classic movie Stars will help when it comes to any audience member’s interest in the film. It plays like a dash of DAY OF THE LOCUST and Hollywood Babylon, with a refreshing SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN way of working next to each other, though, don’t necessarily share many scenes together, and as the film shows how Hollywood is moving to talkies and sound from silent films.

Margot Robbie gives a truly iconic performance, where she truly gives her all and shows the appeal of her character, especially in her low moments. She is the battery of sorts. While The scandals that pepper, the background well her character will do anything to be a star while living up to her nickname in the film

Brad Pitt plays in the movie star who has tons of ideas for future productions, but as his time is coming to a close, he ends up losing confidence even as he is the one who has helped build or added to the industry at the time and has made many crews comfortable, but as times change his own is limited And he can’t stand being a laughingstock or even being thought, less than

Tobey Maguire‘s appearance seems to be meant to be like Alfred Molina‘s in Boogie Nights cause a ruckus and adding a bit of danger to an already volatile situation, and while he does incomes closest to a villain other than his degrading look, he doesn’t make as much of an impression though he is definitely scary

The film is like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, only it doesn’t rewrite history but takes its time telling stories

Add heart the film is a love story in there for people, as well as others art Hollywood life but also with the Darkside th thrown in as kind of what you have to go through to get there, what you have to deal with to stay there

The film and its title can be seen, Like Hollywood Babylon, where its title seems to come from, so it’s a kingdom that slowly comes down and wild rice, and again had the purge itself

Like the Ryan Murphy Limited series, HOLLYWOOD, this film tries to add color in minorities to the history of Hollywood yet unlike that project, this doesn’t try to rewrite history and please all who are involved instead it offers details like it is to a degree showing the ugly truth.

Now Jovan Adepo, as a jazz musician in this, feels a bit forced as his storylines come to nothing really other than representation but nothing is done with it and it could’ve been so much more. The same with Lady Fay Zhu character. Who is of Asian nationality. Though it does fit the episodic nature of the film. Though quickly drops these characters of color 

Who even has a relationship with a major character and leaves to be A mere background character. It feels like it wasn’t phased out or cut out. He just feels a little like pandering for inclusion. At least the film and the Director, Damien Chazelle tries just not enough entirely.

The founders have rapid editing in the beginning that is a little distracting like the film Moulin Rouge, though as it settles and sets up who we are mostly going to follow and becomes confident and takes, it’s time 

It’s a strong film for an audience. I only wish I had seen it on the big screen because that is what it deserves as it is pure Cinema. 

The film was unfairly picked on, and the result of bad press as watching it now it comes across more as an underrated gem, and a kind of lost opportunity for film fans. As it does come across as an informative film, lovers dream of Hollywood history.

The characters cross, each other’s pass, but offer each other no real goodbyes, which might be why the ending hit so hard. 

Grade: A-

DE-LOVELY (2004)

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Directed By: Irwin Winkler 
Written By: Jay Cocks 
Cinematography: Tony Pierce-Roberts 
Editor: Julie Monroe 

Cast: Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce, Kevin McKidd, Kevin McNally, Allen Corduner, James Wilby, Keith Allen, Taylor Hamilton, Angie Hill, Natalie Cole, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello, Robbie Williams, Alanis Morrisette

Inspecting a magical biographical stage musical, composer Cole Porter reviews his life and career with his wife, Linda.

This was a film it has taken me a while to watch. As I knew more about the soundtrack than the movie. It’s one of those I always meant to watch it eventually type of movies where you feel you have to be in a certain mood to watch or can never think of when specifically needing something new to watch. Not has it ever truly been recommended to me by anyone. So I finally decided to take the plunge.

The film feels like how I described it. It’s on and certainly entertaining and thinks of itself as smart. Though it never truly elicits any true emotions from the audience. So it never truly connects and comes across more as if you were watching a visual biography that tries to be flashy and inventive.

As the film and story are preset like Cole Porter is creating a musical of life and constantly having to deal with a director who has his own vision or wants even the harder more private stuff to be part of it. As they both look back upon his life from the director’s Chairs in the audience. 

The film is presented as a love story between Cole and his wife. Even as he is bi-sexual or more homosexual.

Kevin Kline shines in the main role. He is truly what makes the film Memorable. As he seems to go above and beyond to make it work. He already is usually one of the crowning achievements in any film. Only wished he would have had more starring roles when he was younger. Though it always seemed hard to find a place to put him in films. Which might be why he stuck more to theater over the years. He has a theatrical way of speaking at times, but so does John Lithgow, and look at how many legendary roles he held down. Though maybe only a few as the leading man. 

As they go through the numbers some are more stage-bound and others more in life outdoors. Though always feeling staged. As it stages at least half of its scenes in theaters of some kind. 

The film reminds the audience of ALL THAT JAZZ. Only that movie was based on and directed by its subject Bob Fosse. This film never quite ends up as warts and all, dramatic or hard-hitting. That film unfortunately never as inventive either. 

This film could work as a Broadway show all Its own. Though it never quite comes across as grand as it should. 

As it is based on a true story and biography. We all know what is going to happen. It telegraphs its moves at times in true dramatic cliches. Though comes across as quite elegant as a prestige film.

Irwin Winkler is the director and he isn’t bad here he just unfortunately makes the material feel basic. It never quite has the flair of the person it is based on. 

It’s a prestige project that tries to be playful. That is more meant for awards season. Yet not of that caliber. Though it is fun to see music superstars of the time period, singing classic songs. 

It’s a good presentation but never quite feels deep enough. For us to care or to be moved. Once it finally hits home and hard is at the end. You will come out of the film humming and singing and wanting to hear more of his songs.

Grade: C+

GUILTY BY SUSPICION (1991)

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Written & Directed By: Irwin Winkler
Cinematography: Michael Ballhaus 
Editor: Priscilla Nedd 

Cast: Robert DeNiro, Annette Benning, Patricia Wettig, Chris Cooper, George Wendt, Adam Baldwin, Tom Sizemore, Martin Scorsese, Barry Primus, Sam Wanamaker, Luke Edwards, Ben Piazza, Stuart Margolin, Roxann Biggs, Allan Rich, Illenana Douglas, Stephen Root, Jon Tenney, Jonathan Ames 

David Merrill, a successful director, has spent the last couple of years working on movies overseas. He returns right in the middle of the McCarthy-era Communist witch-hunt that was sweeping through Hollywood. When first approached by the ‘inquisitors’ he rebuffs them, not realizing how much influence they have. He soon finds that he can’t get work, having been blacklisted for failing to cooperate. However, if he will just tell them what they want to know, he can go back to work.

This might be a career-best for director Irwin  Winkler. This Is obviously an in-house passion project for Robert DeNiro and his production company bringing in friends to help make and be in the movie (Martin Scorsese and Barry Primus) it offers Scorsese one of his very few acting roles.

The film dramatizes the Hollywood blacklist from a deeply personal level of the characters who were not only involved but destroyed by it and the different ways and levels the government was going after them. 

The destruction of the blacklist even though it was truly ultimately a witch hunt that didn’t truly amount to much except for the lives it destroyed and upped the standing of certain politicians. Maybe even allowed the government to punish the stars and studios for having more of a moral code.

The film comes across as an artifact, seeing so many well-known actors of today who play smaller supporting roles.

This ends up being like a ROCKY movie in the way the House of unAmerican Activities keeps stalking Deniro’s character and questioning any of his employers or anyone he associates with. So you anticipate once he finally is in front of the committee.

We see how it destroys his career and his friends around him. As they either are willing to betray, sell out, or drop out ultimately. For something many didn’t even take seriously in their past. Some even used it as leverage for revenge against others who they feel wronged them. 

The film is a drama that at times works more like a thriller. As it is just as chilling as it happened in real life. It’s scary and no physical weapons are used just hints and accusations. 

It hit home with me as with so many characters who thought Deniro’s character would be a team player. He cares more about movies particularly his than anything or anyone around him. Even though most people in his life seem to like him and be in the business. 

The FBI agents following him seem like the agents in THE MATRIX emotionless and remind the audience of Deniro’s roles in crime pictures as they seem to relentlessly stalk him just trying to find any little thing to nail him or put him away. It offers DeNiro one of his most affable roles. 

The character of Bert Alan, a producer played by Barry Primus seems out of place as he seems more like a 1980s mobster in 1950’s Hollywood.

Watching how an old female ingenue discovery goes from seduction to scared to disgusted. Before trying to finally bribe him to go away. Shows how powerful and scary the blacklist was in its heyday 

The film tries to be an epic on the subject from the point of view of a victim’s point of view but not An overview. 

This also brings one back to a time and place when movies looked like they might have been prestige but were also made due to the lead actor’s strength and popularity as an actor. Guaranteeing that there will be an audience for the film. Not so much based on popularity it metrics of money-making.

Really a power move trying to spank those who are more successful and who they feel have more influence. Feeling like they are putting them in their place and saving the American people from the influence of the powerful they actually believe to be anti-government. Like they wouldn’t be after being persecuted for nothing really. The betrayal of friends begging him to let them inform on him to save their own skins by naming someone.

In the end, it still leaves time for a powerful speech. This is my kind of history movie.

GRADE: B