HEADS OF STATE (2025)

 

Directed By: Ilya Naishuller 

Written By: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Harrison Query 

Story By: Harrison Query 

Cinematography: Ben Davis 

Editor: Tom Harrison-Read 

Cast: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Paddy Considine , Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sharlto Copley, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle 

When the UK Prime Minister and US President become the targets of a foreign adversary, they’re forced to rely on one another to thwart a global conspiracy.

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With John Cena in the cast, you already kinda know what this film is going to be good as long as you go in with that frame of mind you’ll be perfectly entertain as at least this time he shares the action with Idris Elba, and it’s not another film where you just watch John Cena be the ultimate action hero who’s unstop Now he has Idris Elba, and together their unstoppable, as well as with their costar Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The alter two instill the film And their characters with a suave charm. 

The villain is pretty disposable other than his ruthlessness and it’s surprising how many recognizable character actors are in this film and relatively small roles but you’re happy to see them.

As the film comes off better than expected and better then it should be. 

Though it’s billed as an action comedy, I didn’t expect it to be as actually funny as it is, which is what differentiates it from most of its elk whereas if it had just been an action film, this really wouldn’t have been that interesting, but with the comedic elements it at least stays fun and rises above the cliché somewhat

It also helps that some of the humor comes from unexpected places than what you can see coming and some are even just stylistic comedic choices though luckily for the film, even though it’s predictable, it still manages to keep you on your toes to see how it’s going to get where it gets to.

As even the action sequences are a bit more memorable and noteworthy than the usual fair of straight to streaming films. The fighting farm scene is one of the more impressive scenes of  film. As well as one of the more impressive action sequences seen recently. 

Plus the henchman, though they don’t have many lines just come across is unlikable and reprehensible, but then again looking at the main villain, you can understand why they are the way they are, though with the villains actions it does make me wonder why anybody would really want to work for other than the obvious money, which is then made me fonder whether he pays them in cash or check and is it on a weekly or biweekly basis or maybe it’s crypto since it has to be more underground and do you work until he gets his payday and that’s when you get your haircut or is he paying you for the work done and then it maybe if it goes through he’ll give you a bonus but then again if he successful, he could just keep the money because what court are you gonna go to even if you have the skills in the guns?

If anything this movie would go great on a double bill with the film WHITE HOUSE DOWN as at least here all the action takes place overseas and on more European streets that are more narrow and cobblestone so it’s not in some random American city where you would expect to see the action so that adds a different element to the proceedings.

Though he has been in many action films before it’s nice to see Idris Elba be more of a bad ass action hero in the film rather than the villain or a sidekick. Though with this film and starring in the film beast, he is proving to be not only an all-around leading man, but also quite a believable action hero lead.

Grade: C+

THE GUNMAN (2015)

Directed By: Pierre Morel
Written By: Sean Penn, Pete Travis & Don McPherson
Based on the Novel By: Jean-Patrick Machette
Cinematography By: Flavio Martinez Labiano
Editor: Frederic Thoraval

Cast: Sean Penn, Javier Bardem, Idris Elba, Mark Rylance, Ray Winstone, Jasmine Trinca, Peter Franzen 

A sniper on a mercenary assassination team kills the minister of mines of the Congo. Terrier’s successful kill shot forces him into hiding. Returning to the Congo years later, he becomes the target of a hit squad himself.


This seems like Sean Penn trying to be like Liam Neeson. Where after having a career doing more dramas here late in his career and in shape deciding to do an action movie. Only here more involved as he co-writes and produces this film.

At this point in his career, it seems like he has tried it all so why not an action hero? While also showing macho charisma while being the sensitive hero at the same time. While it is a change of pace. Sean Penn slides right in like he has been doing it forever. He does get to show off his body and the film includes some of his well-known Past times such as surfing that find their way into the film. 

If you notice this review mainly revolves around him. As truly he is the only noteworthy thing about this movie.

The movie isn’t as compelling as his other thriller THE INTERPRETER though that worked as it had a More sure hand direct by it with Sydney Pollack and worked more as a thriller and at least felt more like an ensemble while he starred in it.

This film seems to be more of an action film but it actually more an espionage film involving spies. Which should make it more intriguing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t In fact, the film seems more devoted to showing off Krav Maga as a fighting style.

It’s easy to get lost in espionage films as to the actual plot once it is finally uncovered. Though it does offer a mystery to be uncovered.

This seems like a film made for an older crowd. As it takes it’s time and offers up mostly older seasoned characters and not the hot young things. So that you know the characters are veterans and skilled. Not naive and learning along the way.

It has all the basic ingredients. As the action scenes are more in the second half and are pretty basic. It seems to hit all the required points but still comes off as dry. Though it seems to be more self-important and spread some kind of message before it becomes more centered on the action.

The love story in the middle of the film seems a bit lame but adds a little skin to the film as well as stakes. Plus can’t blame the filmmakers as this is based on a novel.

The film has some respectable actors shows g up in the film. Even though Idris Elba doesn’t appear until the third act. The film also seems to age funnily by putting up a red herring for a villain amongst the bigger names of the cast.

It seems the recognizable names in these types of films. Are here for easy paychecks and either to be red herrings as the main villain not end up being the surprise third act main bad guy.

Although the film was produced by veteran action producer Joel Silver, Silver was removed from the editing room after one visit, and the final cut of the film was supervised by actor Sean Penn and director Pierre Morel. Which would explain why this seems like Sean Penn porn as he seems all over and able to do everything and anything in this starring role. As it seems if he is going to crossover he wanted to truly make it worth it for him.

When it comes to Javier Bardem’s character you can understand his motivations but it feels so sappy and ridiculously is for a man in his line of work and position. So that even if not the main the film tries to make him seem noble but he comes off more as pathetic.

Grade: C

GHOST RIDER: SPIRIT OF VENGENCE (2012)

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Directed By: Mark Neveldine & Brian Taylor; Neveldine/Taylor
Written By: David S. Goyer, Scott M. Gimple & Seth Hoffman
Story By: David S. Goyer
Cinematography By: Brandon Trost
Editor: Brian Berdan

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Johnny Whitworth, Violante Placido, Anthony Head, Cirian Hinds, Idris Elba, Christopher Lambert

Johnny Blaze, a man who made a deal with the Devil who called himself Roarke at the time, is on the run trying to make sure no-one is harmed by his alter ego, The Ghost Rider. He is approached by a Monk named Moreau who tells him that he can help be him free of the Rider, but first, he needs Johnny’s help to protect a boy, whom Roarke has plans for.

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FAST & FURIOUS PRESENTS: HOBBS & SHAW (2019)



Directed By: David Leitch
Written By: Chris Morgan & Drew Pearce
Story By: Chris Morgan
Based on original characters created by: Gary Scott Thompson
Cinematography: Jonathan Sela
Editor: Christopher Rouse 


Cast: Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Kirby, Idris Elba, Helen Mirren, Eiza Gonzalez, Eddie Marsan, Cliff Curtis, Eliana Su’a, Rob Delaney 


Lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity. This film is a spinoff for the most popular characters from the series who started off as villains and then became fan favorite heroes.

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THOR (2011)

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Directed By: Kenneth Branagh
Written By: Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, & Don Payne
Story By: J. Michael Strazynski & Mark Protosevich
Based on the Comic Book By: Stan Lee, Larry Lieber & Jack Kirby
Cinematography: Haris Zambarloukos
Editor: Paul Pubell 

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Rene Russo, Idris Elba, Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgard, Clark Gregg, Colm Feore, Ray Stevenson, Jaime Alexander, Adriana Barraza 

The reckless Thor, son of Odin, challenges his brother Loki’s claim to the throne of Asgard. To teach him humility, Odin casts the young warrior down to Earth to live amongst humans. Robbed of his powers, Thor falls in love with scientist Jane Foster. While Loki usurps the throne of Asgard for evil gain and plans revenge, Thor’s love for Jane and his lessons of humility turn him into the true hero and legendary and immortal warrior-defender of the people of the Earth, saving them from destruction.

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OBSESSED (2009)

obsessed

Directed By: Steve Shill
Written By: David Loughery
Cinematography By: Ken Seng
Editor: Paul Seydor 


Cast: Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba, Ali Larter, Jerry O’Connell, Christine Lahti, Scout Taylor-Compton, Bruce McGill

Derek Charles is a hard working man, employed as a asset manager in a private company. He is very happy with his beautiful wife, Sharon, and only son, and because of his hard work he just got a huge promotion. But suddenly he gets a temporary worker who is both attractive and smart, and Derek is understandably impressed with her and also finds himself physically drawn to her. However, this new girl is desperate to get close to him – at any cost

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THOR: DARK WORLD (2013)

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Directed by: Alan Taylor
Story By: Don Payne & Robert Rodat
Written By: Christopher L. Yost, Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely
Based On The Comic Book By: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby & Larry Lieber
Cinematography By: Kramer Morgenthau
Editor: Dan Lebental & Wyatt Smith 


 Cast: Chis Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Idris Elba, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Tom Hiddleston, Rene Russo, Christopher Eccleston, Kat Dennings, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgard, Jamie Alexander, Zachary Levi, Ray Stevenson, Alice Krige

There are nine realms of Asgard and once every 5,000 years they align. Earth happens to be one of these realms. These realms create portals between the worlds during the alignment which is called “Convergence”. On Earth, in London, Jane Foster believes she and her crew have discovered one such portal. Foster, while investigating the phenomenon, is transported to another realm and comes in contact with a substance called Aether. Upon coming into contact with the substance, it draws Thor from Asgard back to Earth. Thor takes Jane to Asgard to be cured from the Aether. Unfortunately in doing so it draws more than just Jane to that world. Another being called Malekith wants to use the Aether to destroy Asgard. Devising a plan with his brother – the war criminal Loki, Thor heads to “The Dark World” to destroy the Aether and save Asgard. But can Loki be trusted?

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STAR TREK BEYOND (2016)

star-trek

Directed By: Justin Lin
Written By: Simon Pegg & Doug Jung
Based On Characters Created By: Gene Roddenberry
Cinematography By: Stephen F. Windon
Editor: Greg D’Auria, Dylan Highsmith, Kelly Matsumoto & Steven Sprung 


Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Zoe Saldana, Idris Elba, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, John Cho, Sofia Boutella, Lydia Wilson, Danny Pudi, Doug Jung

After stopping off at Starbase Yorktown, a remote outpost on the fringes of Federation space, the USS Enterprise, halfway into their five-year mission, is destroyed by an unstoppable wave of unknown aliens. With the crew stranded on an unknown planet and with no apparent means of rescue, they find themselves fighting against a ruthless enemy with a well-earned hatred of the Federation and everything it stands for. Only a rebellious alien warrior can help them reunite and leave the planet to stop this deadly menace from beginning a possible galactic war.

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ROCKNROLLA (2008)

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Written & Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Cinematography By: David Higgs
Editor: James Herbert 


 Cast: Gerard Butler, Mark Strong, Tom Wilkinson, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Thandie Newton, Toby Kebbell, Jeremy Piven, Ludacris, Karel Roden, Jimi Mistry, Matt King, Gemma Arterton

Lenny Cole, a London mob boss, puts the bite on all local real estate transactions. For substantial fees, he’s helping Uri Omovich, a Russian developer. As a sign of good faith, Omovich loans Cole a valuable painting, promptly stolen off Cole’s wall. While Cole’s men, led by the dependable Archie, look for the canvas, three local petty criminals, the Wild Bunch, steal money from the Russian using inside information from his accountant, the lovely Stella. Meanwhile, a local drug-addled rocker, Johnny Quid, is reported drowned, and his connection to Cole is the key to unraveling the deceits and double crosses of life in the underworld.

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