Colson Baker – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Paul Feig

Written By: Rob Yescombe

Cinematography: John Schwartzman

Editor: Brent White

Cast: Awkwafina, John Cena, Simu Liu, Sam Asghari, Ayden Mayeri, Becky Ann Baker, Michael Hitchcock, Leslie David Baker, Colson Baker (Machine Gun Kelly), Seann William Scott, Dolly De Leon

In the near future, a ‘Grand Lottery’ has been newly established in California – the catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot.

This film feels like a live-action version of Michael Jackson’s SPEED DEMON, a music video only here with more details. Which should tell you how random and cartoonish this movie is throughout.

If you can get past the ridiculous setup, you find yourself in a film that is never boring and has entertaining popcorn fare.

That seems to throw some action and comedy into each new scene that comes along.

Truthfully, you will probably forget most of this film after you finish watching it.

a film directed by noted director Paul Feig who keeps things moving, but offers many scenes that would be memorable if they were just a bit stronger at heart.

The cast is strong as both Awkwafina and John Cena seem to be Hulu channel original stars as each seems to have a movie or two come out on the channel each year and are usually a buddy comedy. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Chris Evans, and Ryan Reynolds seem to be Netflix original stars to mix and match throughout their productions. It seems the scripts and stories come later than the big names they can get to be attached.

This is the same kind of high-concept 1980s script that comes across as basic and could have made it to theaters but might leave many disappointed if they had to pay to see it. Even though what you see is what you get from the trailers alone.

Aquafina while funny gives a good performance. It feels like the role could’ve been played in any way it doesn’t give her room to do anything special or new.

John Cena always seems enthusiastic in his performances and his hair usually tells you all you need to know about the characters he plays and where it might be going.

Ayden Mayri is a stand-out amongst the supporting cast. As she is hilarious, deadly, and believable.

The comedic cameos throughout don’t hurt the film, but they don’t help much except for the audience to take them in and be done with them, just as fast as they appear.

What helps the film coast along is in a pleasurable way is that the action sequences are so good while also managing to be organically funny.

Grade: C+

Directed By: Henry Joost & Ariel Schulman

Written By: Mattson Tomlin

Cinematographer: Michael Simmonds

Editor: Jeff McEvoy

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Dominique Fishback, Rodrigo Santoro, Courtney B. Vance, Colson Baker, Amy Landecker, Tait Fletcher, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Kyanna Simpson

When a pill that gives its users unpredictable superpowers for five minutes hits the streets of New Orleans, a teenage dealer and a local cop must team with an ex-soldier to take down the group responsible for its creation.

The film tries to distinguish itself from other superhero films. That tries to preach against having absolute power and also how drugs can be dangerous to you and leave you being out of control and hurting those you never planned to.

Then the movie shows that the only way to fight fire is with fire. Where the heroes aren’t junkies but need these powers to defend and defeat those who do.

While also trying to be a little more gritty and somewhat realistic over other hero tales. That tries to be a little thriller dressed up with minor fantasy elements.

The film tries to be more realistic and show the danger of too much power and how it can feel like a drug or like an addiction either way corrupting those who use it too much.

The film comes across as more conspiracy driven throughout. While also being overly stylish. It throws you off with the realism but then once the fantasy elements come in they then feel too outlandish.

Jamie Foxx doesn’t use the drug until the end when it is convenient and has this omega power that is stronger than most.

The film set up a villain only for there to be another few more actually who are rather weak after the one we are introduced to and aren’t as engaging. They actually come off more as random.

The film feels derivative as it is obviously made mroe for a younger urban audience. It lacks a moral or lesson that most superhero films have and worse it feels by the numbers and convenient most of the time.

In the end it rubs rather basic except for it’s more rundown surroundings than I try to give the film more personality as well as attitude. Though at least it tries to have a positive ending.

GRADE: C

Tag: Colson Baker

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