Tag: Jack Kehler

LETHAL WEAPON 4 (1998)

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Directed By: Richard Donner

Written By: Channing Gibson 

Story By: Jonathan Lemkin, Alfred Gough, and Miles Millar 

Based On Characters Created By: Shane Black

Cinematography: Andrzej Bartkowiak

Editor: Dallas Puett, Kevin Stitt, Eric Strand and Frank J. Urioste 

Cast: Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jet Li, Rene Russo, Joe Pesci, Chris Rock, Kim Chan, Steve Kahan, Darlene Love, Traci Wolfe, Eddy Ko, Jack Kehler, Richard Riehle, Michael Chow, Roger Yuan, Mary Ellen Trainor 

With personal crises and age weighing in on them, LAPD officers Riggs and Murtaugh must contend with deadly Chinese triads that are trying to free their former leaders from prison and onto American soil.

This is the only lethal weapon movie so far that I have seen on the big screen. 

While satisfyingly, it closes out the franchise with a message of familiarity. This is definitely the most formulaic and cartoonish of the series. it feels like they are just adding things to make it relevant the formula, familiar and add some flavor so that the film comes fresh

The film also represents the aging of the characters as it shows Mel Gibson‘s character Riggs to have more weaknesses, and not be as sharp and invincible as he used to be . As well as becoming a new father and having a wife, which would actually give him more weaknesses than he is used to. In fact they are so much older that half the time they have to use laser pointers to aim their guns in a target.

Chris Rock seems out of place and thrown in here as he was a hot ticket at the time and added to help with the office and put butts in seats and give it some more flair with a side story is hard to believe and just adds to a sitcom sense of discovery And off-color humor. As he is barely in any of the scenes where action takes place.

Which kind of force is Joe Pesci’s character of Leo gets out of the picture as the main comedic relief though he is still here, and in the end is a dramatic moment, though he does actually have the best chemistry with Chris Rock throughout the film

Again, like the last film, this plays more comedic than dangerous or even action oriented as again this is more of a comedy with action in it. It seems like the first half of the series was more action with comedy. This half is more comedic with action sequences. 

The one addition that does make this film, memorable and come alive is Jet Li, as he is exciting as a villain, but other than his action scenes, he is left with nothing to do, though, is a good distraction, and a perfect adversary for Mel Gibson’s character (which with his gruff and viciousness in the past. You can see why fans at the time wanted him to play Wolverine if they ever made an x-men movie) and he actually wins most of the time in the fights on screen, as he truly comes across as invincible, almost like a machine with the speed of his moves Where you do wonder, how are they going to defeat this guy and with him.

I hate to say it, but he is really one of the only reasons to watch this film to see him in action. As this serves Moore as his introduction to Hollywood and a great showcase for him to star in action films, though this film managed to capture him unlike his other American or Hollywood films where he just seems so amazing vicious the only one that comes close that I can think of is unleashed, which also goes by the title Danny the dog

The comedy is just too broad and damn near almost takes over. Just as this film is definitely far from how dangerous Riggs his character was he was unpredictable and crazy. Now he’s still a little crazy yet more careful, and is showing his age. Though still manages to have a memorable chase sequence on the highway.

Just like the previous films, this film has at least one memorable action sequence, and a separate character scene that endears it and makes it can.

Though this film will certainly have a nostalgia and sentimental factor for those who are fans of the franchise and characters. As this Is their last hurrah together. Especially with the passing of directior Richard Donner. 

Grace: C

FATHER STU (2022)

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Written & Directed by Rosalind Ross
Cinematography: Jacques Jouffret 
Editor: Jeffrey M. Werner 

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Jacki Weaver, Malcolm McDowell, Teresa Ruiz, Jack Kehler, Aaron Morten, Cody Fern, Carlos Leal

Follows the life of Father Stuart Long, a boxer-turned-priest who inspired countless people during his journey from self-destruction to redemption. Based on a true story. 

The film obviously speaks to the beliefs and sensibilities of the two stars of the film Mark Wahlberg and Mel Gibson. It’s a truly inspirational story that ends up redeeming itself in the end. 

The film takes a while to get started and Mark Wahlberg looks a bit old for the leading role, but he does what the role Calls for, staying self-deprecating.  yet charismatic and quite funny. Not to mention gets to play an extraordinary human character. 

Mel Gibson plays his father in a mode he is becoming quite familiar with. That is usually ex-alcoholic and/or white trash. Here he has a chance at a more dramatic role. Where at times he is thrown into stereotype and at others you truly can feel him as the character.

The romance angle is perfectly handled as it takes its time and by the time he has finally gotten what he wanted. Yet still hasn’t made a complete change a tragedy happens that makes him devote his life to god. 

What truly sets the film and story apart is that after that tragedy another tragedy is revealed and while it gives the film a curve from the by-numbers way it seems like it was going. It also adds dramatic depth that the film had already given us an abundance of, but then finally and truly felt.

Truthfully the film that seems lively at first truly doesn’t come alive and exciting until that second act when he is truly trying to strive for bigger and better things. Even throughout the film, his character seems to be searching and trying for something new to fulfill himself and change his life for the better.

Based on a true story you can only do so much, but this film is an uplifting story and a crowd-pleaser. It is hard to knock it, but it is definitely not a film I could imagine watching more than once.

Grade: C

LOVE, LIZA (2002)

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Directed By: Todd Louiso
Written By: Gordy Hoffman 
Cinematography: Lisa Rinzler 
Editor: Katz & Anne Stein 

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Bates, Jack Kehler, Stephen Tobolowsky, Erika Alexander, Sarah Koskoff, Kelli Garner 

Following the unexplained suicide of his wife Liza, a web designer turns to gasoline fumes and remote-control airplanes while avoiding an inevitable conflict with his mother-in-law.

Philip Seymour Hoffman takes a stoner character who could have easily been more a comedic performance on any other film. Despite the tragedy that surrounds him and makes him heartfelt and all too human that is recognizable. 

It’s a poignant performance where we find out the cause of his addiction. We see the beginnings and the depths he goes through to feel numb to hide from fears and emotions. After the death of his wife.

It’s a mesmerizing performance that brings an extra sadness knowing his own tragic end in life. Making you wonder how parallel it close might have been to this performance. 

We see his mother-in-law’s emotional reactions. She wants to be nurturing but is also falling apart and is looking to him to help her grieve but finds nothing. 

At times the film veers close to seeming like it will be a quirky slice of life that will teach the character life is worth living and appreciating for so many unpredictable reasons, but the film is smarter than that and brings him back to reality after time to time finding peace on a lark. Like his developing friendship with a fellow recluse. 

The film explores how the world reacts and moves on as normal, but he is stunted or held back in his grief. Whereas his addiction is as odd as it is. Seems to be the only way for him to move forward. Even if in destructive ways. 

It’s a film built more on performances and the strength/Charisma of the lead actor than a conveniently plotted three-act structure.

It’s a lonely journey barely populated but it does certainly meet the characters. Who brings a little definition to a wide-ranging performance and film that likes to wander with no clear path. It constantly feels strong yet singular as one of the fears of the main character is that he caused his wife’s death or he wasn’t good enough for her when she needed him.

These darker films are built on characters and performances. Seems to be like most actors more the type he preferred. That offers a more intimate experience and more richness for an actor to offer. Performances that feel more lived in, like in the film JACK GOES BOATING that can come off as tragedies.

A tragedy, desperation not a movie to see cinematic beauty necessarily more organic. At one point it becomes a road trip movie 

In the end, the film actually does have a symbolic ending. Starting over a new at first thought we should never find out what was in the letter left for him that he carries throughout  but by actually revealing the contents of the letter it allows for closure and an ending of sorts 

Grade: B-