THE FIRE INSIDE (2024)

Directed By: Rachel Morrison 

Written By: Barry Jenkins 

Cinematography: Tommy Daguanno and Rina Yang 

Editor: Harry Yoon

Cast: Ryan Destiny, Brian Tyree Henry, De’Andre Aziza, Idrissa Sanogo Bamba, Adam Clark, Olunike Adeliyi, Chrystian Buddington, Lanette Ware, Sarah Allen 

Claressa Shields becomes the first American woman to win a gold medal only to learn that not all dreams are created equal.

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That is truly what the film is about the passion that fires inside that won’t let you quit for any reason even when you try to walk away, there’s something that keeps bringing you back to it. That is what the film and the filmmakers tried to instill in this inspirational true story.

Though the second half of this film is more eventful. As well as the achievements of the person in real life this film is based upon. The film set up a strong foundation. Which we see as the discovery and maintenance of her drive and passion.

The film offers a look at her personal life, and those that she seeks out to support and those who truly support her. As the route, no character is one dimensional they managed to turn themselves around or show their true colors. 

In that way, the film already plays against the traditional where all of a sudden one character stays the same throughout except for one scene or one final act where all of a sudden they change it kind of an apology or change for the worse. 

The film is very inspiring, even showing what happens after initial success, and all the hoopla dies down. It shows how to maintain and find meaning afterwards, as well as the power of community when it comes to support in all different ways. 

The film is a familiar story of sports discipline and training and saving someone from a bleak future by fighting against all odds .

The film doesn’t have as much fighting scenes as he would expect as it is more dealing with the day-to-day drama of her life, and her family unit parental child bonding with her coach and his family, and the jealousy provides in her family who seemed dysfunctional they were always changing and evolving Usually for the better though there are some trials and tribulations for the worse.

No truthfully, it’s that drama that keeps the film afloat and keeps the audience interested as this is a film of hope and what can be achieved with hard work, finesse, and belief in oneself 

Grade: B- 

NONNAS (2025)

Directed By: Stephen Chbosky

Written by: Liz Maccie

inspired by the life story of: Jody Scaravella

Cinematography: Florian Ballhaus

Editor: Anne McCabe

Cast: Vince Vaughn, Joe Maganiello, Brenda Vaccaro, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, Susan Sarandon, Linda Cardellini, Drea de Mateo, Michael Rispoli, Geoffrey Owens, Campbell

Scott

After losing his beloved mother, a man risks everything to honor her by opening an Italian restaurant with actual grandmothers as the chefs.

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First off will say that Vince Vaughn here plays more of an every man so if you’re expecting his motor mouth, fast talker type of character you’re going to be sadly disappointed.

The film is based on a true story and real restaurant that I did not know I thought this was a made-up story, but was happy that by the end you find out this is based on truth.

Interestingly, this was directed by Stephen Chbosky, who I mainly know as a novelist, for the film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, he also directed and wrote the adaptation. He wrote and Strites’ other novels, but he is also a practicing filmmaker, as he has also DORECTED made films DEAR EVAN HANSEN and WONDER. all family films of a sort.

Here this film automatically feels like a family film as the subject matter is clean, it revolves around the power of friendship and families, and there’s nothing offensive in the film, and you get to know most of the characters so that they’re not one-dimensional 

This is one of those films that you’re gonna be hungry after watching just seeing not only the preparation of the food but how it comes out just makes you so hungry so that it’s kind of like soul food or tortilla soup or big night all these films that center around food meals, the meanings of them the expression of making food can be an art of itself, and this is one of those films. It helps relieve or comfort, or it just makes everything OK

Does have a minor romantic, of course what else would you expect and also preserves that whole thing of Vince Vaughn‘s characters and every man where you would think given how strong and good of a character he would’ve been married already by now, but he was taking care of his mother and now that she has passed on and he’s pursuing something with passion for the first time that he’s had no female in his life to take care of or take care of him and at first, it seems like it will be that filling, but now he meets a woman and romance is on the menu so that he’s left in good hands with her and she’s left in good hands with him in the knives are there to approve andhelp nurture

Film also provides material and characters for Lorraine Brocco,  Talia Shire, Brenda Vaccaro, who still work, but you don’t see in major releases as much as well as I’m putting the queen of playing older female roles, Susan Sarandon as the more flirtatious and vivacious of the Nonnas, who of course makes the sweet stuff the desserts and the revealing outfits

While the others are more traditional, Lorraine Bracco, the angriest and volatile one of tradition Talia Shire is more of the shy one with a secret, and Brenda Vaccaro is more of the traditional grandmother who misses her husband and doesn’t have that much to do 

Just these women provide their specialties in cooking. They also provide what cooking has always meant to them, which is an expression of love and care for their families whoever they’re serving food to so that they feel like fam and that’s what this film also feels like an expression for the audience out there who might be feeling off or might miss family and friends this film is meant to bring you in and either remind you or fill you with that feeling of love that comes from family.

As the restaurant with a love letter to the cooking and to his mother and family, the screenplay written by Liz Maccie is a love letter to her family, and her husband Stephen Chbosky has said that this is a love letter to her him directing the film

It’s a tearjerker, a family film for all ages that I wish didn’t talk down to its audience. It doesn’t mean to, but it is also just that simple, what you see is what you get, the title alone. Tell you everything you need to know, it’s a nice warm fun little movie. Not offensive and not too many stereotypes.

That of course plays on Netflix streaming, but definitely could’ve made it mark in theaters, even if it doesn’t have that many locations nor is the story that big.

Grade: C+

A DOG’S WAY HOME (2019)

Directed By: Charles Martin Smith 

Written By: W. Bruce Cameron and Cathryn Michon

Based On the novel by: W. Bruce Cameron 

Cinematography: Peter Menzies Jr. 

Editor: David S. Clark, Debra Neil-Fisher and Sabrina Pilsco

Cast: Ashley Judd, Jonah Hauer-King, Alexandra Shipp, Edward James Olmos, Barry Watson, Wes Studi, Chris Bauer, John Cassini, Brian Markinson, Patrick Gallagher 

As a puppy, Bella finds her way into the arms of Lucas, a young man who gives her a good home. When Bella becomes separated from Lucas, she soon finds herself on an epic 400-mile journey to reunite with her beloved owner. Along the way, the lost but spirited dog meets a series of new friends and manages to bring a little bit of comfort and joy to their lives.

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These are the perfect family films as they are filled with innocence cute show, survival and loving, as well as offer adventure.

They are also manipulative as hell because they want you to get emotionally invested in the film. This is in a film you watch for the filmmaking necessarily or even the story but you will find yourself emotionally involved no matter how long you watch the film.

Especially as they usually focus on the dogs as they know that it is a weakness for the majority of the population to fall in love with these films, or find them more personal or personable.

No, like most of these films this one is based on a novel it still is more about a dog. The people who is a fax and who effect it has every scene seems to be introduced to new characters and get their story and leaves at the right moment, to affect their lives, and more positive ways.

Will admit that these films are guilty pleasures, even for me, and I’m not a dog owner, but I continuously watch the sermons once in a while and find myself charmed, even though I know the tricks, and I know better. They are even diverse and to reach each possible member Of a demographic of the audience.

Which then makes her feel all the more designed rather than natural

at least this one is directed by Character actor, and veteran Director, Charles Martin Smith, which might be why I give this one just a little bit more credit than it deserves.

Grade: C+

FREAKY TALES (2025)

Written & Directed By: Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck

Cinematography: Jac Fitzgerald

Editor: Robert Komatsu

Cast: Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis, Ben Mendelsohn, Normani, Dominique Thorne, Angus Cloud, Too $hort, Ji-Young Yoo, Jack Champion, Kier Gilchrist 

Four interconnected stories set in 1987 Oakland, CA. will tell about the love of music, movies, people, places and memories beyond our knowable universe.

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I’m Going to say this right now that this room is best to go into blind, as that is the best way to experience it, and might offer you more of a surprise or surprise is there anything. As even if you seen the trailer there’s still enough mystery to not know exactly what you’re getting into.

One thing that can be said Is that the film doesn’t really live up to its title as there are tails I don’t know how freaky they are, rather than just tales of an anthology. The film feels more like short stories, that take place around one another in the bay Oakland, California, as characters do cross paths with each other in different tails, but each one has its own kind of genre in story. It feels very Tarantino ask the light and more of a wannabe.

The thing that connects them might be violence and Oakland legends like Tom Hanks in Too $hort you are treated like legends in this film, and Too $hort has a cameo as well as being betrayed by someone else in one of the stories.

The stories here, pretty much cut and dry. They don’t offer that much in the way of surprises. One story focuses on punks versus Nazis and we get to know some of the characters involved. The next story is about two young African-American women going into a rap battle. The next story is a tale of redemption in the past in the last tail is more of a revenge tail inspired. It feels like by game of death the Bruce Lee movie.

Truthfully, the first tale could’ve been its own film in itself exploring the characters a bit more, but maybe it was in case of been there done that no not offering up as much of a diverse characters in the Punk cultural scene. 

The film fall short as it doesn’t really live up to its title and what are the stories, eventually connect your left, wanting more or expecting more from it, especially with the angle of this green substance, that really only comes into play effectively in one tale, but does work to connect or let the audience know Somethings about to happen. it’s a harbinger.

One wishes, the film was much better as it definitely has the creativity and talent involved. It just builds to a certain level and never goes past it even when it seems like it has the strength to go further and be better.

It’s around the 80s which gives a kind of a nostalgic, feel where you can look back and laugh at the fashions, but I also remember them as that was what was cool at the time as well as the culture.

The film Does offer plenty of cameos throughout the film

No, it isn’t mirable as it still keeps too similar themes but like a true short story collection, it has different types of tails where one can be more comedic. One can be more dramatic. It’s the same here, whereas one tail, or at least two tails are pure, more action territory. Another could just be a kind of a slight more success story.

Wow, the film has trouble living up to its title. It is still worth checking out.

I Grade: C+

HAMMETT (1982)

Directed By: Wim Wenders

Written By: Ross Thomas, Dennis O’Flaherty and Thomas Pope 

Cinematography: Joseph Biroc

Editor: Janice Hampton, Marc Laub, Robert Q. Lovett and Randy Roberts 

Cast: Frederic Forrest, Peter Boyle, Marilu Henner,  Richard Bradford, Roy Kinnear, Elisha Cook, Lydia Lei, Michael Chow, R.G. Armstrong, Sylvia Sidney, Jack Nance, Samuel Fuller, David Patrick Kelly 

Fictional account of real-life mystery writer Dashiell Hammett, and his involvement in the investigation of a beautiful Chinese cabaret actress’ mysterious disappearance in San Francisco.


This is a strange film that unfortunately commit the worst crime of all it feels a bit bland and basic by the end 

It feels like the film is trying for a recreation as it takes place on sites that you can tell are sets.  which only adds to the artificiality of it all, which is deliberate but also as we are being placed in a story, and the main character is a writer of such stories living them out we can never quite tell what is true and what is being made up. A world of stylization and an homage to studio bound detective thrillers. As well as being in a world of imagination. 

This is a production that could’ve been filled with more imagination and inspiration as it just seems to go along. Another touch might have been if it had been filmed in black and white to make it feel more of the period that it takes place in and timeless.

Though Wenders is listed as the official director of the film, the film doesn’t seem to fit his style as his films are filmed the more creatively the film is rumored to have been shot by Francis Ford Coppola who produced the film under his American zoetrope studio afterward to be more conventional. 

So that the behind the scene story itself or rumors about this film are more fascinating than the final project unfortunately

The film isn’t a biopic of famed writer, Dash Hammett but the story of a writer caught up in one of his own detective story plots as he works as a private eye on the side and seems to get inspiration from his cases.

The film is enjoyable, offering Frederick Forest, the rare leading role and he does well with it as well as Marilu Henner as his name she should’ve gotten more films as she had the looks in the talent to go further in her career as she is one of the other bright spots in this well-stocked movie 

The film ultimately is a success as long as you’re not looking for more than your typical detective starring murder mystery that stays more small scale but includes all the cliché so much so that it just feels like a typical 1940s detective story only made in the early 80s, supporting cast so many classic All-Star character actors

Grade: C 

THE ESCAPE ARTIST (1982)

Directed By: Caleb Deschanel

Written By: Melissa Mathison and Stephen Zito

Based on the novel by: David Wagoner

Cinematography: Stephen H. Burum

Editor: Arthur Schmidt 

Cast: Griffen O’Neal, Raul Julia, Desi Arnez, Joan Hackett, Jackie Coogan, Hal Williams, M. Emmett Walsh, Harry Anderson, Elizabeth Daily, Teri

Garr

The young and self-confident Danny bluffs at the local police-station that he will escape out of prison within one hour. What follows is a flashback about his childhood with his uncle and aunt, which are ‘vaudeville’-artists themselves. We also follow the problems of Danny with the corrupt son of the mayor.

There’s a film I knew about thanks to all the video guides which I wish they still had just to get recommendations from as now with message boards and social media and feels like always getting recommendations of the same films that are more modern. He’s older films are hard to find.

This film is disappointing for what could’ve been rather than what it was. As watching it, Juan was hoping that it would get better as it went along. It never quite does.

As it feels too playful with nothing really going on and it feels too slow for kids and too silly for adults.

The film plays like an early Amblin movie and adventurous film with a kid as the star who goes on a journey or adventure. We see it more from their point of view and the Child characters can actually be in True Danger only hear there’s not much fantasy happening, and Amblin films are usually made more for a preteen audience. It does make one long for when they made these types of movies for an audience looks like took more seriously.

This film unfortunately has no feeling of fun things play, but they also just seen that happen with little to no fan fare. Though it is very detailed.

Maybe because it was made under AMERICAN ZOETROPE studios, where the films made, and that matured there were more willing to be experimental

Griffin O’Neal who plays lead, never makes an impact as he Has no charisma in the role and he never seems quite lively or fun. Which makes it easier for him to blend in as a supporting characters are more lively and interesting.

So it seems like maybe concessions were made off of his name and his famous father and sister.

The film keeps in innocence about it as it never goes over the line nor does it ever dirty. It’s south, or the audience with anything exploitive, or too risqué.

This was The last film of Desi Arnaz Sr. one wonders why he even took a role in this as the role he has is Pedro but it’s not that show stopping and there’s not Too much to it.

Raul Julia in his role seems a little too often wacky almost like a cartoon character for how moody he can be one minute and silly the next.

Well, it has a sense of wonder what film quite often is dull. It should be better considering the talent behind it.

It does Seem like a film, where seeing it on the big screen would maybe increase the audience enjoyment. No, the script still would need to be stronger and a bit busier.

Which would give the audience a reason to not only watch the care.

This is one of the few films that was directed by legendary cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel. 

One rarely says this, but this feels like a film that should be remade only with more fun lore and adventure.

Grade: C

SUNTAN (2016)

Directed By: Argyris Papadimitropoulos 

Written By: Argyris Papadimitropoulos and Syllas Tzoumerkas

Cinematography: Hristos Karamanis

Editor: Napoleon Stratogiannakis

Cast: Makis Papadimitriou, Elli Tringou, Dimi Hart, Marcus Collen, Giannis Tsortekis, Pavlos Orkopoulos, Yannis Economidas, Milou Vancroesen, Hera Katseeli 

Kostis is a 40-year-old doctor that finds himself in the small island of Antiparos, in order to take over the local clinic. His whole life and routine will turn upside down and fall apart when he meets an international group of young and beautiful tourists and he falls in love with Anna, a 19-year-old goddess.

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This film is truly disturbing. This is one of those films you watch and observe  rather than watch for entertainment. As this starts off simple and then becomes a nightmare.

As it seems to be almost a middle aged fantasy that takes a wrong turn. Simply as the character takes it too far and instead of being loose and treating it as flirtation. He expects real results and lifetime commitment. Even as he should know better.

It can look like the you get characters are evil, but while annoying they are more innocent. As they Don’t know their own strength and whip at times taking advantage of the main character. They Don’t know that they are building a monster or playing with a bear so to speak.

As they take advantage of his vulnerability at first.

On one level it be can see hey he falls or is seduced by the 21 year old Anna who is gorgeous and practically a goddess to him actually is willing to show him attention. Who treats him nicer then any of her friends, but it soon becomes evident he is more only being nice to them to get closer to her. She even gives him a chance and he blows it a bit and treats it too nonchalant for him. That is when he b owns territorial 

Though we see him as lonely and the island he works for doesn’t offer many singles of any age. Though in the summer season there are mroe age appropriate women for him to pursue. He becomes obsessed with the one. Even as he manages to get with someone else physically. He fixates on Anna 

The film seems to set out to make the audience uncomfortable. As it increasingly becomes more cringe worthy, awkward and volatile as to goes along. Especially in the second half. 

Everytime you think you know what’s going to happen. The film throws a realistic twist. At first everything seems a bit awkward more because he is a shy introvert. So the first half of the film you feel a bit embarrassed for the main character.

Then the second half becomes a full psychological thriller horror film for him. A she breaks down and seems to become an alcoholic and lose touch with his responsibilities and sanity.

At first you have some sympathy for him, but soon he bypasses all of that. Not even listening when others warn him. Like the townfolk.

Now the kids aren’t innocent, but Don’t deserve their fates. As after all they are young and Don’t necessarily know any better nor the power they have over him. As it seems they were using him. But also maybe Had some kind of feelings for him no, never any loyalty.

As One can admit. You can see why he becomes obsessed with the young lady, but also he should know better and practice better judgement. As even when he gets his chance his fantasy he blows it. So to speak, though that seems to be the point of momentum as he has gotten a taste and wants more chances to partake like an addict.

Though obviously he takes it too far

You have hope, but a single action ruins, everything, and in the middle of his downfall he doesn’t quite realize it’s happening to him.

The film has the character start out innocently and then ruining everything Essentially for a fling with a Tourist, and turning his back on the town people, he knows, and is surrounded by an actually support him. That is the depth of his loneliness. We do get hints of a dark past. When he runs into an old colleague. which should be a kind of warning that he has serious issues that are not being talked about or shown, but he still should know better.

The last scenes are especially disturbing where he finally seems to remeber who he is.

Hated the ending. Though it seems to bring him back to reality of what his oath is supposed to be, helping people and trying to heal their wounds. 

The film becomes a character study as the nice guy character who he should be rooting for, becomes the villain of the film, which makes it all the more shocking and scary.

The title of the film can be taken as a metaphor since they are on a tropical island in the summer or you go to the beach you wanna get a nice tan, but you have to be careful when it comes to tanning to little no one sees any difference too much end up getting burned. So you have to find that right balance in between and unfortunately for the main character, he doesn’t maintain that balance

This is definitely a conversation starter and a film her to dissect and talk about with others but it’s also a cruel movie and what some might call. A feel bad film.

Grade: B+

BREAKING GLASS (1980)

Written & Directed By: Brian Gibson 

Cinematography: Stephen Goldblatt 

Editor: Michael Bradsell

Cast: Hazel O’Connor, Phil Daniels, Jon Finch, Jonathan Pryce, Peter-Hugo Daly, Mark Wingett, Nigel Humphreys, Gary Tibbs, Charles Wegner 

A rock singer is determined to rise to the top of the profession, letting nothing stand in the way of that goal.

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Don’t know how I never heard of this film before recently. As for me, this is an instant classic. The storyline resembles a star is born and even the rose no, it’s different elements, one would say more of THE ROSE, for its lead character kind of achieving theme and going a bit crazy because of it.

What makes this film so different is that it was found during the upheaval in England, so it makes it a time capsule as to the politics, and what was going on in the streets at the time, even if Over the storyline.

The other quality, and that puts it in a herd of other films of its elk is that it doesn’t really feel like there’s too much acting in this room. It almost feels like a documentary, or Lisa docudrama, as everyone is so believable and committed in their performance that it never feels fake. 

It’s one of those dark 1980s movie about the music industry and how you start out, Ernest and all the little compromise. You have to make to achieve popularity and fame while still trying to stay true to yourself and as creative as you once were but also how it’s not only changes you, but it changes the people around you.

As there is a love story of source of her falling for her manager, who believes in her and comes with her to the Fame, but he becomes too controlling, and once he’s lost control of everything, he’d rather quit, then compromise, whereas the female lead falls for more the polished producer who see something in her, but it might be more for his a claim in again to be in control over her

So the film presents an interesting conundrum, where neither of these so-called love interests or people who are supposed to care about her have really her best interest at heart they’re more interested in controlling her and the film seems like she needs that has her energy is all over the place but when she’s being controlled, at least she has direction.

As much as I enjoyed this film, I found out that I saw the American version which is a slightly different cut, whereas in the original version it shows more of her mental breakdown along the way, and in the end, spoiler alert, she ends up in an asylum here the film ends with her, giving her all during a performance in the film ends anonymously, where we don’t know what’s going to happen, or what’s next it just ends.

The songs are catchy and well written, and Hazel O’connor gives an absolute stunning performance in each, and every time she performs in the musical scenes songs in which she wrote. They are just so stellar in iconic that it’s a shock. This film didn’t do more business or is it more popular, even in cult film circles?

As it is a once in a lifetime performance, she appeared and other films and television, but nothing as strong or as big as her starring role here in which you audition, for it was chosen over 3000 others and never expected to have the League she would’ve been happy with just a smaller or supporting role in here. She ended up the lead and she gives her all dressed as a character does.

One believes that once this film is seen by more people, she will enter the lexicon of memorable, female singers in movies wAHO become disillusioned or become legends and inspirations, such as the characters in the films TIMES SQUARE played by Robin Johnson and LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THE FABULOUS STAINS played by Diane Lane and STARSTRUCK 

As with any older films, it’s fun to see certain known character actors of today play smaller, supporting roles in this film, though luckily, it doesn’t take you out of the phone, and still stays as gritty and hard hitting. Truly nihilistic to a certain degree. Though it gives off so much energy that you can’t help but have a reaction to it. It’s a musical about a band trying to make it in the 1980’s 

Surprised to find out Brian Gibson Directed this who directed musical biographies such as WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT, THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY as well as the music comedy STILL CRAZY (My first known Bill Nighy film appearance) as well as the thriller THE JUROR. So while his other films were more well known. His best film is the one that seems to be the least known. 

Grace: B+

ETERNAL BEAUTY (2019)

Written & Directed By: Craig Roberts 

Cinematography: Kit Fraser 

Editor: Stephen Haren 

Cast: Sally Hawkins, David Thewlis, Billie Piper, Alice Lowe, Myfford Clark, Rita Bernard-Shaw, Robert Pugh, Paul Hilton, Penelope Wilton

This movie follows Jane who, after being left at the altar, had a breakdown spiraled into a chaotic episode of schizophrenia lasting 20 years, in which love (both real and imagined) and family relationships collide. Things change when she begins a darkly-comic romance with Mike, a failed musician and fellow lost soul.

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Though it got no major release. Sally Hawkins’s performance in ETERNAL BEAUTY is amazing. Better & bigger than the movie, but the movie is what she needed to truly show her talents and as a showcase. Give the movie a chance. A deep look at mental illness.

The film isn’t bad but it feels like the runway for her character and performance to launch off. It works as a kind of case study file but where we get to see the outside influences that have helped to contribute to her mental illnesses. 

Not that Ms. Hawkins hasn’t Had plenty of great roles and performances since seemingly being introduced with the film HAPPY GO LUCKY. Thougbbshe had been in plenty of movies, television and theatrical productions prior. That film seemed to be her breakout role 

The film takes a Look at her paranoid schizophrenic character with a horrible family who only seems to inspire her condition to make it worse with their indifference or Using her  Where only one Family Member truly seems concerned but that character is influenced more by the rest of the family. To look the other way. Which also causes problems within her marriage. 

The first half plays out like a tragedy and the second act is more of a romance where the colors get richer and the style of the film becomes a little more surrealistic. It also becomes a bit happier though still downtrodden but hopeful 

It helps if the material is strong enough for them to base a performance on mention as they get older more is expected of them or a certain legacy is on them, and it is hard to live up to especially when you were just trying to do the work and work and more and more you’re not getting the roles you used to and the writing isn’t as strong. 

As the film goes along we learn that each of her family members has their drama  And dysfunctions as the film doesn’t  Seek to villainize any characters but shows them as human beings fallible 

The film is Advertised more as a romantic comedy between two people with mental illnesses it is deeper than that as it was kind of bait to hook More mainstream tastes seem more conventional for audiences. 

Grade: B

BLACK BAG (2025)

Directed By: Steven Soderbergh 

Written By: David Koepp

Cinematography: Peter Andrews

Editor: Mary Ann Bernard 

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Naomie Harris, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Rege-Jean Page, Pierce Brosnan, 

When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband – also a legendary agent – faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country.

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One can admit when it comes to spy and espionage movies sometimes I don’t get everything the first time through so that one need to watch it a second time to fully understand or maybe go back through it to see the things I might’ve missed .

This is one of those films, It’s truly admirable with this film for how it relates espionage and spying with a relationship more importantly a marriage at first it seems like the main theme of it is how you do it simultaneously like MR. & MRS. SMITH only with veterans and less action.

This film tries to tell, not only an espionage story but also shows how marriages can work in the same way. Because being a spy is all about relationships and networking and identities, false and real. It’s all about gaining and selling information and using it to your advantage. This film seeks to portray how in a marriage you have your coworkers, your friends, you have your little secrets, and Devotions that mix, measure, and influence. Almost like you must perform and present.

 How sometimes there’s information that you must keep to yourself for the safety of all or just your partner and if there is a betrayal, it hurts the whole system and creates little holes that could gather and rock the foundation. It also focuses on who you can trust, betrayals, and in the end true love 

I will admit, when I first watched this film, sitting through it at first I thought it was good, but nothing spectacular, but after the film and thinking about the film, that is when it started getting to me and laying down its bones in my mind. It’s a beautiful film to look at the costumes stylish, as well as the location,  filmmaking, and mood. It comes off as very cold and non-erotic but exciting and it is way old school it does it tightly in under 100 minutes giving you enough details for you to follow and keep continuing the story.

No, truthfully wouldn’t expect any less from Director Steven Soderberg, especially as he stays being his cinematographer and editor as well as being the Director, of course.

As once again, he dismantles the genre and filmmaking and then put it back together. Minus a few parts but make it efficiently and put the focus on aspects most studios or filmmakers wouldn’t. They do it with a story that has mass appeal, or might be recognizable becoming at it in a different way. Luckily, this isn’t one of his more experimental films

The actors are all marvelous, Convincing, and concocting, As at times it does play off like WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOLFE in spies clothing and with a larger cast 

It’s not a film that everyone is going to love or

like. If you’re looking for action scenes and sequences and a lot of violence. This is probably not your film. The little that is shown in the trailer is more meant to entice. It’s not a major part of the film just goes to show consequences.

If you want something that is an adult drama that keeps you intrigued and stays a little playful. I would recommend this film. Unfortunately, they rarely make films like this anymore.

In the end, I will say that if this has been a spy novel, it feels like this might’ve been one of the side stories and another factor of the things that is truly enjoyable about the film is that you’re never quite given 100% details of anything so what you think you know You might be surprised to find out you don’t know or only got part of the story.

It’s a star story but it’s also for all that’s at stake,  a small story.  not a blockbuster, but found like one

Grade: B