FREELANCE (2023)

Directed By: Pierre Morel

Written By: Jabob Lentz

Cinematograohy: Thierry Arbogast

Editor: Chris Tonick

Cast: John Cena, Alison Brie, Juan Pablo Raba, Christian Slater, Marton Csokas, Alice Eve, Sebastian Eslava 

An ex-special forces operative takes a job to provide security for a journalist as she interviews a dictator, but when a military coup breaks out in the middle of the interview, they are forced to escape into the jungle.

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A one and done entertaining enough to keep your interest, but never a desire to return or see it again 

All the ingredients are there for a typical run of the meal action comedy starring John Cena and the lovely Alison Brie who still looks ravishing with each role. 

One of the many problems here is, though they don’t have any real chemistry with one another, which helps power these films as the mismatched bodyguard and subject who don’t necessarily end up, romantically with one another, but have such polar opposite personalities that they are usually arguing with one another, but have great banter 

The action scenes try to be exciting, but they come across very basic but entertaining the most surprising thing about the film was that Cristian Slater has a supporting role that is smaller than it should be. Coming from action movie director veteran Pierre Morel (TAKEN, PEPPERMINT) One would expect something a bit better. Even if just visually. 

I wish I could say that there’s something that sets up this movie to be something different than your basic action film that has a male and female that don’t get along, but learn to respect each other and work together.

The only difference might be that their relationship doesn’t go where you expected to. Other than that, this is pretty much a paint by numbers, action comedy that is possibly enough to be entertaining, but doesn’t offer too much originality, especially with John Cena and the lead who does what the script calls for and while he does have the comedic chops and the action sensibility And the charisma the film, just please you don’t really feel anything.

It’s entertaining enough to pass away the 90 minutes in. Again Alison Brie as always is quite sexy in this movie though doesn’t really get to do much of the action .

In the film is more noteworthy for its comedic scenes rather than its action scenes. As that might be the film, saving Grace as other than that it’s brutally violent with a not necessarily memorable villain, 

I want fries, but can’t tell if it’s the visuals or the budget the direction but things just seem to be a bit off. I won’t let it overcome. It’s weaknesses

it plays simple enough for its audience. As a good time waster. 

Grade: C 

THE RENTAL (2020)

Directed by: Dave Franco
Written By: Dave Franco & Joe Swanberg
Story By: Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg & Mike Demski
Cinematography: Christian Sprenger 
Editor: Kyle Reiter 

Cast: Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, Toby Huss 

Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a new light.


This is a fascinating film, as at first, it seems like it will be a relationship movie mixed In as a thriller, but then in the third act it goes full-on horror film.

It is a film that is best to go blind into. As part of its charm are the surprises and twists. Which won’t be told but will be hinted at throughout this review. 

Like the nature of the film We sit back and just watch the characters. We are rescued to them more in the middle as they are coming upon this rented house. We start to get the feel of the characters and their relationships toward some another.

Which takes over the first half of the Movie. It becomes more claustrophobic when an action happens that ends up In a secret that two of the characters are desperate to keep. Which is where the terror starts. What could have easily been settled by calling the cops grows into more problems than pushes them apart and complicates the situation.

It also helps that there is a lot of set up’s that are hinted at before. As it gets deeper there is much more interference in the characters’ lives. 

I give credit to director and co-writer Dave Franco for making a film that most actors making their debut films Don’t do at first. It seems he is making a more melodramatic film. But then he ends up making a more popcorn audience-friendly film. That is a bit more commercial while being able to stick to its indie and dramatic roots.

The characters aren’t dislikable but do come off as a bit privileged and annoying. At least two In particular do the ones with the secret. Though the actors are all solid. 

Though not as gory or action-oriented as the collector films and franchises. This film does remind the audience of those films in the fact that it almost can easily be designed as a franchise or sequel. Though if there is one since the secret is out, they have rearrange the film to be surprising. 

Grade: C+

PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN (2020)

Written & Directed: Emerald Fennell 
Cinematography: Benjamin Kracun 
Editor: Frederic Thoraval 

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Adam Brody, Sam Richardson, Clancy Brown, Jennifer Coolidge, Laverene Cox, Max Greenfield, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Alison Brie, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon, Loren Paul, Christopher Lowell, Steve Monroe

A young woman, traumatized by a tragic event in her past, seeks out vengeance against those who crossed her path.


The film seeks to try to make its points over and over again that feel like overkill and preaching to a certain extent.

The film manages to surprise the audience using exploitation expectations though giving something else entirely.

This film would have worked fine enough if it was what one was expecting a revenge tale against so-called nice guys and bad guys alike.

Though the film addresses more and it tries to be a film that inspires discussion and becomes more of a think piece than necessarily Just a film. This is fine as long as it offers more arguments and evidence for what it seems to want to spark conversations. 

Some aspects are left vague as we never really See what happens once she is down with her encounters with these men and are never really told what happens after. Is it just confrontation as a kind of exposing and warning to them? Does she do anything violent to them and if the just warning does she really Get revenge and does she have a backup security measure if these guys decide to get violent?

Even with her little notebook which she seems to make markings in of another case or victim. What Is it all for?

Not to mention afterwards though it seems to happen around the same town and area. It never comes back to her until the film needs it to, which comes off as a bit too convenient.

The film offers interesting twists but while there is a certain level of guilt. We still might wonder why she takes on this mission. 

Her revenge schemes are thought out, cruel, and make their points. Even though most men are made out to be villains throughout there are some women who are just as guilty in their ambivalence.

The film seems to make a point against nice guys being as bad or worse than predators. As they see themselves above it all and defend or support women. Though deep down they hold the same attitudes as those predators and believe because of their other good deeds that they are somehow owed love or a woman. Even as these nice guys already seem kind of predatory or at least douchey beforehand. 

Especially by casting actors, we have seen as the nice guy nerdish characters in other films and television shows. Who here makes cameos or has a scene or two Then disappear. That truly only one character actually does surprise me.

This also gives the film a whiff of superiority as it comes off more about issues than character. Which for some might feel for some

Preachy and while a film about the issues it presents are welcome. The film isn’t as good to back it up, Or be a good example.

Nice to see comedian Bo Burnham Giving more of a meaty supporting role. 

This is a revenge tale that takes comfort in being in and having the rules but acts like it is better than them. When it actually might be a little smarter and more discreet in its handling And treatment of the Material.

Which helps the film not be as exploitative. As the character and scenes aren’t made erotic or sexualized. It comes off as more of a new normal get more through a feminine gaze. Though strangely in its set-up and backgrounds it feels almost like it’s taking place on a kind of dreamland as it is real but feels artificial, more pretty than anything. 

The design of the film is remarkable and quite brightly colored to offset the dark behaviors and characters.

The film’s strength is more in its surprising and unpredictable third act. 

This is also a movie that loses some points due to hype. As ever since hearing about the film before it Came out wanted to see it and heard nothing but good things to the point of it’s Multiple academy award nominations And win for best original screenplay. But not after finally seeing it. That hype hurt the film in my eyes. 

Even when trying to put that aside others might have Been lucky to Discover it to admire it for what it is. (The best way To see any film) But coming into the film with preconceived thoughts. It doesn’t live up to the prose exactly. As it isn’t horrible but not as good as expected though better than average. 

It feels like a lifetime movie due to the can be anywhere, Polished no violence but always a threat of it and actions mostly Done on theory with big histrionics and a cast more known for appearances on television. 

The film even introduces an idea that might even work as a sequel 

GRADE: B-

GET HARD (2015)

gethard

 

Directed By: Etan Cohen
Written By: Ian Roberts, Etan Cohen & Jay Martel
Story By: Adam McKay, Jay Martel & Ian Roberts
Cinematography By: Tim Suhrstedt
Editor: Michael L.Stale 


Cast: Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Edwina Findley, Alison Brie, Craig T. Nelson, Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris, Paul Ben-Victor, Ron Funches, Matt Walsh, Greg Germann

When obscenely rich hedge-fund manager James is convicted of fraud and sentenced to a stretch in San Quentin, the judge gives him one month to get his affairs in order. Knowing that he won’t survive more than a few minutes in prison on his own, James desperately turns to Darnell, a black businessman who’s never even had a parking ticket – for help. As Darnell puts James through the wringer, both learn that they were wrong about many things, including each other.

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HORSE GIRL (2020)

horsegirl

Directed By: Jeff Baena
Written By: Jeff Baena & Alison Brie
Cinematography: Sean McElwee
Editor: Ryan Brown 


Cast: Alison Brie, Molly Shannon, John Ortiz, Debby Ryan, Toby Huss, Angela Trimbur, Paul Reiser, Aaron Stanford, Robin Tunney, Matthew Gray Gubler, Dylan Gelula, John Reynolds, David Paymer, Jay Duplass 

Sarah, a socially isolated arts and crafts store employee, finds herself more content in the company of horses and supernatural crime shows than people. But when a series of strangely surreal dreams upend the simplicity of her waking life, Sarah struggles to distinguish her visions from reality. A darkly humorous psychological thriller about a woman’s search for the truth, however abstract it may be.

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THE LITTLE HOURS (2017)

the-little-hours-dave-franco

Written & Directed By: Jeff Baena
Cinematography By: Quyen Tran
Editor: Ryan Brown 


Cast: Dave Franco, Aubrey Plaza, Alison Brie, Kate Micucci, Nick Offerman, Jemima Kirke, Molly Shannon, John C. Reilly, Paul Reiser, Fred Armisen, Paul Weitz, Lauren Weedman 


On the run from the battle-seasoned Lord Bruno for sleeping with his wife, the handsome and willing servant, Massetto, flees to the safety of the woods during the warm and peaceful summer of 1347. There, after a chance encounter with the always boozy but merciful Father Tommasso, the young charmer will find refuge into his convent’s sanctuary, on one condition: to pretend he is a deaf-mute. However, Massetto’s tempting presence will unavoidably upset the already frail balance of things within the sexually-repressed female realm, as nun after nun desperately seeks an escape from their tedious way of life and an extra reason to molest the charming handyman. In the end, will those cloistered Sisters finally find out what they had been missing out on all these years?

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