Tag: JOSH HARTNETT

FIGHT OR FLIGHT (2025)

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Directed By: James Madigan 

Written By: Brooks McLaren and D.J. Cotrona 

Cinematography: Matt Flannery 

Editor: Ben Mills 

Cast: Josh Hartnett, Katee Sackoff, Charithra Chandran, Julian Kostov, Marko Zaror, Juju Chan Szeto, Danny Ashok, Hughie O’Donnell 

A mercenary takes on the job of tracking down a target on a plane but must protect that target when they’re surrounded by people trying to kill both of them.

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I’ll be honest about this film. This is kind of a B movie version of the Brad Pitt action comedy thriller bullet train only without the All-Star cast is sort of like when straight to home. Video companies would take a title of an upcoming film. Let’s say snakes on a plane and then start making a similar titled film like snakes on a train that was really just a B movie version of that film plot.

Though I have to say even for a movie version of that Brad Pitt film, it sounds very entertaining and quite fun as long as you never quite take it serious. It has the required action that is done well and feels a little bit more realistic by putting the hero in peril a lot more and showing that they are not invincible And can be vulnerable

The assassins here are interesting and quirky, but we don’t spend as much time with them as this is not quite an ensemble film. The first third of the film plays a little mysterious before laying all of it cards on the table. 

This film is filled with double crosses, triple crosses, and goes places where you might not necessarily expected to go, though it does leave itself open to be a franchise 

This is obviously the year for Josh Hartnett between this and the M. Night Shamalayan movie TRAP is here. He is an action hero, but he gets to play into comedy a lot more also and he does it quite well. He is making a comeback and getting to show his range and play to his strengths.

There aren’t really as many or any other big names in this film, except Katee Sackoff as his former partner and superior. 

This is just a fun over the top action film that has the right measure of comedy, action thriller and maybe even a little camp though one can say it’s never boring and you get your moneys worth. It gives you just enough. As it never wears out, it’s welcome. Though it is darker then expected at times.

Like a true b-movie, it always feels not quite as sharp as it should be, and a little off-center, but here it works in its favor, though kind of reminds you of its origins and where in the past, it would have probably ended up now it’s straight to streaming

If looking for something a little more serious that makes sense. This is not your type of film. The film is pretty cut and dry. You’ll quickly be able to tell if this is your type of film or not. 

Grade: C+

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERE (2023)

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Directed By: Guy Ritchie 

Written By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies

Cinematography: Alan Stewart

Editor: James Herbert

Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Marsan, Max Beesley, Peter Ferdinando, Lourdes Faberes

In the film, super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed with some of the world’s best operatives,Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood’s biggest movie star Danny Francesco to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

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One is kind of surprised by this film as I have to say this is one of the more disappointing movies that Guy Ritchie has ever made, especially as it seems in his wheelhouse. One can see why this was buried and quickly forgotten. As it’s no one‘s best work.

The problem is that this film is just so many things at different times, but then never quite commits to any of them. It’s more of a comedy than anything else, but not with necessarily funny jokes, just situations are ridiculous, and so is the behavior at times, the film constantly feels like a misstep as it is more comedy than action

When there is action, it just feels so basic and not noteworthy, he doesn’t feel that strategic or catching. It just seems more means to an end. 

As you have Jason Statham in the film, and while there’s gunplay, it’s more or less guns than anything.

The film is more ensemble with Josh Hartnett, Aubrey Plaza, and Hugh Grant, so they have their scenes and roles in which they get to shine or show their worth, but again, they never hit the Mark because everything is so broad that there’s nothing that contains the story really.

once guy Richie took over he rewrote the script and still told the cast to pretty much improvised and it feels that way the technical aspects are there, but the dialogue is OK but not quite brilliant repartée

Then the villains are set up, but they keep switching, and none of them are really that effective, it’s almost like they spent so much money trying to get stars in the lead roles that they only had so much money and couldn’t get any other big names to play the villain role.

so watching the film, you know what’s going to happen; there’s no real suspense to anything. It’s sort of like watching the Equalizer films, where Denzel Washington, if you can take out a room and 17 seconds, what hope do the villains at the end have, or put up as a challenge, and it’s the same in this room 

So that this film it’s more of a time waster than anything as nothing quite sticks and plays, smooth and glossy and even every time they seem to set up maybe a character trait it’s quickly forgotten or not used as early in the film one of the reasons that don’t want to use Jason Statham’s spy, character or reluctant is because he seems to try to use excuses and sicknesses to get out of missions, But we don’t get introduced to any of those aspects

Aubrey Plaza’s character seems to have a flirtatious nature where she’s fallen for someone, but we’re never given any reason. Dialogue works for the script and characters. 

Hugh Grant seems to be having a ball with fun villain characters as with more recent roles, he seems to be at least he’s trying to do something different but ultimately it feels like it’s there for no reason . 

While Josh Hartnett is part of the cast and he helps add to the stars name in the cast while also letting him play more comedic role than he has in the past he seems to be in the mission that’s why he’s there but then he’s given very little to do except ask questions and stand around so maybe get some expositional information Then give him or drag him into action sequence car chase really and his character has an about face and that at first you could see as being one-sided, but I guess in the end it kind of makes sense. as it does help open up the film to a new demographic

End it so much once they take out the villain it’s like it feels like there should be more but that’s pretty much it now let’s try some more comedic high jinx.

It just feels like everyone is not necessarily out of their element, but not given anything really to do even though the film seems to want to use their image or public image and talent to help poor or lift the material as otherwise this just comes off as a bland espionage story and script that could’ve been starting and made by anyone there’s nothing quite that special to it.

Now this film did come out when there was a pandemic, though it was filmed after the pandemic. It was postponed for release and finally did in 2023, luckily for it and quickly got released on streaming and was forgotten as this film just feels like a well-funded, but sorry excuse for entertainment, though seems to fit perfectly along with other streaming films as there doesn’t seem to be any passion or much originality

It’s not a horrible film as it is watchable, but it’s just so basic and bland that there’s very little reason other than, again, a time-waster popcorn movie.

Grade: C- 

DIE HART (2022)

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Directed By: Eric Appel

Written By: Derek Kolstad

Cast: Kevin Hart, Nathalie Emmanuel, John Travolta, Josh Hartnett, Jean Reno, Brandon Quinn, Milana Vayntrub, Kenneth Trujilio

Kevin Hart – playing a version of himself – is on a death-defying quest to become an action star. And with a little help- he just might pull it off.

This is a movie that has been edited together from the episodes of the Roku series that Kevin Hart had for 1 season. You can easily tell when each episode begins and ends throughout the film. So it should be no surprise that the film is episodic.

The film is also really bad, as it tries to be meta which is really hard for it to work when you have recognizable actors like Josh Harnett play themselves but you have more recognizable John Travolta play a totally different character.

It also doesn’t help that Kevin Hart plays himself. The themes for his character are pretty much the same as most characters he plays in other films.

This film is bad, John Travolta seems to not only be over-acting but giving a career-worst performance so far, as he oddly seems to curse funny and have a kind of way of speaking that is ridiculous.

The only bright spots in the movie are Nathalie Emmanuel and Josh Hartnett playing himself. The action sequences are passable but never quite exciting or stunning and the film stays pretty much only using a few sets. So there isn’t much to look at.

I would only suggest this movie if you are a Kevin Hart completist. Though at this point he has so many movies coming out one after the other. No one will blame you if you miss this one.

Grace: F

HALLOWEEN: H20 – 20 YEARS LATER (1998)

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Directed By: Steve Miner 
Written By: Robert Zappia & Matt Greenberg 
Story By: Robert Zappia 
Based on Characters Created By: John Carpenter & Debra Hill
Cinematograpy By: Daryn Okada 
Editor: Patrick Lussier 

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Harnett, Michelle Williams, Jodi Lyn O’keefe, Adam Arkin, LL Cool J, Adam Hann Byrd, Janet Leigh, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Branden Williams

On Halloween in 1963, Michael Myers murdered his sister, Judith. In 1978, he broke out to kill his other sister, Laurie Strode. He killed all of her friends, but she escaped. A few years later, she faked her death so he couldn’t find her. But now, in 1998, Michael has returned and found all the papers he needs to find her. He tracks her down to a private school where she has gone under a new name with her son, John. And now, Laurie must do what she should have done a long time ago and finally decided to hunt down the evil one last time. 

The film tries to write a check that it can’t cash. The film seems to try to say this is the Halloween sequel you have been waiting for. We even get Jamie Lee Curtis coming back to reprise her historic role. IT is worth it to see her again. They even brought in the hot screenwriter at the time of SCREAM to write it. Unfortunately, it oddly feels watered down or weak considering what the original 2 films were. 

This feels more like a homage that is more teen-friendly. I like the fact that it plays more on scares though only with one victim do we see the chase and the slaughter as most scenes are the chases or surprise appearance then we go to another scene and the discovery of the butchered body. The film does keep the promise of the series with a stark opening. It matched SCREAM with the killing of a star in the opening. The studio sold this film to the audience who never read the fine print. It is directed by Steve Miner director of films such as FRIDAY THE 13TH PART 2 & 3-. No great horror opuses. 

The film was started as and idea by Jamie Lee Curtis who wanted to return to the role and work with director John Carpenter again. Carpenter declined but Curtis was still interested in doing the film. Originally the film was supposed to be in continuity with parts 4 -6. Scenes were filmed that acknowledged it until it was better to be a continuation of the original film and its sequel. Kevin Williamson the star screenwriter at the time of Scream and Scream 2 wrote a very detailed treatment that the screenwriters followed the details of closely. It was rumored he actually completed a draft of the screenplay in close collaboration with Jamie lee Curtis. That included a detective role that was to be played by Charles S. Dutton who filmed some scenes but were ultimately cut out of the film. 

Janet Leigh makes a return to the silver screen for the first time in 18 years. I’m sure it helped to convince her to return to the screen having her daughter star in the film. This was the first Halloween movie to not involve Dr. Loomis What follows throughout this movie is a sanitized version of a horror movie. With violence only when the film is in danger of getting boring. 

This is like a starter horror film for the squeamish. It has plenty of winks and nods to the audience. Jokes without being an intentional comedy or actually funny. The film has plenty of false scares and the relentless Michael Myers pursuit hiding in the shadows. He even displays a bit of carnage. but the film seems more pinpointed. Not really for teenagers, but preteens with some objectionable material. This is also one of the movies that unleashed Josh Hartnett onto an unsuspecting public. 

I saw this film in a movie theater on opening night and the woman who was sitting next to me had never seen a horror film before and screamed at even the little stuff. That was scarier than anything in the film. The only reason this movie works is Jamie Lee Curtis’s realistic performance. 

 I have read the original script and treatment for this film. It could have been worse and Mrs. Curtis decided to do this film supposedly to help end the series. She filmed the ending here and another end which ended up being the beginning of the next film of the series. I believe she just wanted out once and for all. Either way Her killing of him, or him killing her. It’s a shame at the end of an iconic female character.

I like that at times the film tries to go more psychologically by having Curtis’s character have visions of him that she doesn’t know if they are from her drinking or just hallucinating from the time of year around Halloween which she seems to still constantly have. 

They set the location at a school but have everyone go away on a trip so that there are only a few people around left to be slaughtered. Instead of a grand blood bath. The confrontation scene between the two is pretty big and monumental as a fan of the films. Too bad the film falters and doesn’t support it. 

The film seems like a studio tried to mix everything that was successful in the films at that point and put it into this film. Even if it had no reason to be there just mash it up. Of course, they advertised this as the final film. They lied. 

So it feels like an insult even though we all suspected it. In this series of movies we all know that they are more supernatural than anything else with this maniacal killer who can’t die, but then to supposedly kill the character off so easily in the end and make us believe it is insulting as is the sequel which takes twists and turns when all along the series has seemed to be focused on Michael Myers going after and killing his family members and murdering anyone who gets in his way.

Though no answer is given to what happens after he achieves the goal or why. It is assumed he will be at peace. I just wonder then will he kill himself or go after distant relatives. Does he do investigations like a detective though his appearance will be sure to scare those in places where he can get paperwork and he has no interview technique to get testimonies. Does he have like a spidey sense to know where all his relatives are.

GRADE: C