Tag: Arianna Rivas

BLACK PHONE 2 (2025)

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Directed By: Scott Derrickson

Written By: C. Robert Cargill

Based on the Short Story “THE BLACK PHONE” by: Joe Hill 

Cinematography: Par M. Ekberg 

Editor: Louise Ford 

Cast: Mason Thames, Madeline McGraw, Demian Bichir, Ethan Hawke, Miguel Mora, Arianna Rivas, Jeremy Davies, Maev Beaty 

As Finn, now 17, struggles with life after his captivity, his sister begins receiving calls in her dreams from the black phone and seeing disturbing visions of three boys being stalked at a winter camp known as Alpine Lake.

When I was younger, I remember going to the movies with my friends to go see the conjuring. It was a movie. I really was not at all that hyped or really that interested to go see, as at that time, I felt like I was a film, know it all, and had superior taste almost like a cinematic insider in my own mind, but they all were going with or without me and being a movie fan and wanting to hang out and not go home. Ended up attending with them gave the movie a chance, ended up, loving the film and the experience.  it was pretty much story wise what I expected, but the film in itself was a surprise for me how enjoyable and entertained one was by the end. Please don’t ask me about the sequels or the franchise in general, but that first one remain a special memory for me.

These days it’s very rare that I am surprised by a movie. I don’t get to go out to the movies as much with friends and their whims anymore to go see films that I didn’t necessarily plan to in the first place. The first black phone movie might have been one of the last of those types where I didn’t overwhelmingly not want to see it, but had limited interest where I felt. I could wait by the end. I truly enjoyed the film as it felt like a film of the time period that it was sat in as it wasn’t cookie cutter. It was brutal. It was violent. It wasn’t looking for sympathy. It was a matter of fact with not necessarily likable characters, though some of them didn’t deserve the fate that was doubt, and it only had a hint of the supernatural.

Now, while the sequel is a continuation of this seems to focus more on the supernatural aspects of the character, story and film, where the formula seems to be

Take 1 part STRANGER THINGS, 2 parts A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET , mix in a little of THE SHINING and you get BLACK PHONE 2. The sum of its parts. It Feels like the filmmakers took what they were fans of and what they were watching at the time. As well as what was popular and made this film. Which has great style but is a bunch of build up. Yet feels rather thin and stretching. It feels like it was obligated and this is the best they could do with the time. It’s somewhat creative but ultimately disappointing. Especially compared to the first film. While being a sequel and prequel of sorts 

The film isn’t bad. It’s just disappointing and less than the original I guess living up to it being a sequel. This film stays more remote in its location and feels more like a production because of it with limited amount of characters. Who seemed to just be there for dressing as they are small pieces of the puzzle there to represent certain emotions or ideas rather than being true characters like the ultra religious lady who works for the camp who seems only to be there to accuse characters and just generally be a deterrent so that later in the film when she’s abused and the constant verbal abuse that one character gives her seems well warranted, and her husband just seems to be there. He doesn’t really play that much of a role.

Even their father returns for the film, but he seems just as ineffective as before. 

As I presented before and what it feels like the formula for this movie, there is a more Freddy Kruger element for Ethan Hawke’s character who comes back to haunt, and it works as a sequel and a prequel, as it is a continuation of the character from the first film, but it also gives us a look into the past of the villain from the first film. 

With the characters being haunted and psychic and teenagers being the main characters is where you get the nightmare on Elm Street, but also the Stranger Things elements.

The film is stylish as ever and that’s one of it saving grace as the rest of the film does feel as of the time. Period but it also fails as it just feels like it’s a very thin and stretching. I don’t know if it’s meant to be a continuation or another piece in a franchise, but while it might offer some scares, it doesn’t offer much of an interest for the audience and last doesn’t feel like it really needs to be made if anything more feels like fan service that comes out of nowhere as I doubt anyone was thinking there was much more to the story to be made, but we’re glad to come back and be reunited with the characters. It’s not a horrible movie and maybe it’s just me and fans of the first film we love this or at least like this film, but while it offers a different type of horror and scare, it just doesn’t feel like it was ever needed.

Come back and watch it if you must as it doesn’t lessen the strength or power of the first film, but this while it doesn’t come across as a get rich, quick scheme idea it does make one question what was the intention in ideas behind this sequel otherwise?

Grade: C

A WORKING MAN (2025)

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Directed By: David Ayer

Written By: David Ayer and Sylvester Stallone 

Based on the book “Levon’s Trade” by: Chuck Dixon

Cinematography: Shawn White 

Editor: Fred Raskin 

Cast: Jason Statham, Jason Flemyng, Michael Pena, David Harbour, Arianna Rivas, Merab Ninidze, Maximilian Osinski, Cokey Falcon

Levon Cade left his profession behind to work construction and be a good dad to his daughter. But when a local girl vanishes, he’s asked to return to the skills that made him a mythic figure in the shadowy world of counter-terrorism.

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Jason Statham and his movies are becoming almost an annual offering to audiences and cinemas 

They are usually the same type of action thriller with a similar character who has a dark past and is seeking vengeance or justice for someone close to him. He is usually trying to live a normal life, but forced to use his past skills. 

One of the reasons why these films are successful as they fulfill a niche sort of like in the past when Liam Neeson would have his older character action thrillers or even when we have had we weaknesses for certain stars like Jackie Chan and his family, action, comedy errors or imports that were usually filmed in Canada and heavily voiceover or when jet Lee had a bit of a resurgence in the United States and he starred in a bunch of disposable action thrillers that made respectable box office

what helps with Jason Statham is there even though he plays the similar roles he also showed in spy in a general that he has a sense of humor about himself and other than these movies he seems to stay away for media. It’s rare that you see him being interviewed on a show you don’t see him out and about at public events offering sound like that could get him judged or he seems to keep to himself so that he remains a mistake that no matter what side of the political spectrum you’re on you don’t mind him.

he’s the action hero that most men wanna be especially older men who just want their action, film, simple and violent and for women he provides to look of an older handsome in shape, gentleman, daddy, so to speak the strong and silent type who has a British accent, so makes him a little bit of an international Playboy also 

this is all to say that this film plays pretty basic and like the usual Jason Statham action thrillers only this is more disappointing because there doesn’t seem to be a sense of fun about it. It’s pretty straightforward and for all it’s dark elements. It never seems to show it in execution 

most of the characters that he encounters along the way, even the villains are kind of forgettable. He seems to be facing kind of the same villains that Denzel, Washington faced in the equalizer, the Russian mob only again whereas in the equalizer, they were really no threat to Denzel and he disposed of them without breaking a sweat here Jason Statham it’s a little moist, but still breaks. No sweat eliminating not the entire rushing but a fraction of it.

Due to them, kidnapping his bosses daughter, as part of a sexual trafficking ring, and then killing anybody who comes into his path, a few of whom are Russian mob family members 

The action sequences here are more gunplay than hand to hand combat that Statham is more known for. We also get a glimpse of his past and that his character suffers from PTSD so that this adventure actually helps solve it because he can get out his frustrations and feelings through the violence..

David Harbour earns his check and a supporting role that is more as a friend and advisory than him actually seeing any action sequences himself so that he fills out the role of another big name being in the cast that also usually accompany Jason Statham movies. Such as his character  having a child. Usually a daughter.

so as you can see this film is not only a by the numbers, action film, but also a buy the numbers for adjacent Statham film. It hits all the familiar beats. You know what’s gonna happen before it does and ends pretty much as expected so it really offers no surprise and as long as you’re fine with that, you shouldn’t be disappointed , but looking for more this is not the film for you

he pretty much takes on all the action other than when he finally does fine the daughter she gets to have a bit of her own revenge, but even the usual flashy henchman in this home who do you think are gonna be bad asses and being a final fight with Statham, they are dispatched so quickly and so easily. It was like they were giving a grand presentation only to be barely a warm-up at it reminds one of the assassins and Keanu and how ridiculous ridiculously over the top they were.

Another factor that leads to further disappointment with this film is there a David Ayer directed it now he didn’t write it. He is more of a noted Screenwriter and director who usually offers more gritty action in crime films. This seemed more by the book and slick then actually having anything noteworthy. 

This film actually makes their last collaboration, the beekeeper a damn near masterpiece. as at least I fell offered up what was expected, but had a hint of fun. This is more dour than it needs to be.

But that is also the magic of Jason Statham‘s longevity that usually there will be a couple of really bad films, but then he’ll shock you with one that’s genuinely decent or even good that it renews your faith in him.

What is surprising is that not only was this shot back to back? Was David Ayer and Jason Statham’s film THE BEEKEEPER but at this film was also written by his former costar Sylvester Stallone and David Ayer together. As this was supposed to be the start of a franchise based on the character from writer, Chuck Hogan’s book series based on the character, Levon Helm.

That Sylvester Stallone originally won to produce as a television series before they decided to make this film, even with state of not even being their first choice Liam Neeson was

Grade: C

PROM DATES (2024)

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Directed By: Kim O. Nguyen

Written By: D.J. Mausner

Cinematography: Bradford Lipson

Editor: Daniel Reitzenstein 

Cast: Julia Lester, Antonia Gentry, Kenny Ridwan, Jordan Buhat, JT Neal, Zion Moreno, Terry Hu, John Michael Higgins, Chelsea Handler, Arianna Rivas, Emery Kelly 

“Prom Dates” follows best friends Jess and Hannah, who made a pact at 13 to have the perfect senior prom. Despite the impending changes that college will bring over the next four years, the two are committed to honoring their prom pact. But with only 24 hours left before the big event, everything falls apart when they break up with each of their dates. Jess and Hannah are left with one night to find new dates and live out their middle-school fantasies.

Automatically other films will come to mind while you watch this film most likely BOOKSMART. as it has a kind of similar structure of seemingly two days and one wild night in between with two best friends seemingly on a mission that they are united in, but slowly reveal their insecurities and problems they separate goes in their own direction.

Booksmart is probably a better well-made version of the story. This film is the more over-the-top gross wacky, comedic brand that is actually pretty fun and funny. This might be considered a low-rent version, but it is still enjoyable. 

It comes across as more sexual also while having an open-minded pro-LGBTQ plus characters throughout. With a wild night of partying, booze, drugs, and sex in between yet, the film never becomes too exploitive and still manages to be over the edge and funny.

The two leads are great Antonia Gentry is the more conventional pretty girl who for some odd reason always comes across as desperate, even though she should be in control and Julia Lester as her best friend, the kind of tomboy lesbian who gets all the best physical comedy scenes also more of the gross humor, but becomes the most identifiable character throughout.

Throughout the film, they run into challenges, but failures that do help define the night and them, and truly show the resilience of the characters.

Even though the ending is a little unexpected and offers a few little twists that one didn’t see coming, but still makes the film worthwhile and feels a little more realistic and its depiction. 

A subplot that involves one of the character’s brother and a secret hook-up or romance is needed to help flesh out his character, but also just seems tacked on and unnecessary. 

I can definitely give the film points for having a diverse cast. even having comedian Chelsea Handler in an unnecessary cameo role that helps add star power to the film, but at least gives parental representative throughout other than the principal played by John Michael Higgins.

The main characters’ parents are largely absent throughout the film, which also seemingly gives them room to really have no boundaries as there is no nagging looking for them or wondering where they are, which is one of the only parts of the film that might feel a little bit unrealistic parts of the film that it tries to present.

This is definitely a modern film, but it kind of feels like a throwback, it doesn’t offend, but it also seems like the film isn’t afraid to for a scene to work.

It’s definitely worth checking out as you will definitely have a laugh with this coming-of-age film, but it’s not necessarily things you haven’t seen before.

Grade: B-