Tag: Nathalie Emmanuel

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

THE INVITATION (2022)

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Directed By: Jessica M. Thompson 
Written By: Blair Butler 
Cinematography: Autumn Eakin 
Editor: Tom Elkins 

Cast: Nathalie Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Sean Pertwee, Hugh Skinner, Carol Ann Crawford, Alana Boden, Stephanie Corneliussen, Courtney Taylor 

After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie takes a DNA test…and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the unsettling intentions behind their sinful generosity.

This film was spoiled a bit by its own studio with a trailer that pretty much told you all you needed to know. A lot of the major story points. 

This film is giving an early 2000’s vibe. Especially the soundtrack. It is essentially a popcorn film and never truly tries to sell it as anything more.

The only reason I had any major interest in the film is its star Nathalie Emmanuel and this film is one of the first and only times I have seen her playing a lead role.

She looks great in every scene. Even if the film leaves her with not too much to work with, that could be seen as challenging. 

As the film tries to have some meaning and ends up having no depth or reason. As it seems to know its place and is nothing more or less.

You know it will be playing on cable, television, and streaming repeatedly as filler.

The film looks good, Shining, polished, and expensive. As it feels at times almost like a harlequin English romance. Like the epitome of class even if simple and stereotypical. As it tries to be about race but seems to be more about class 

Though loved the character of her best friend played by Courtney Taylor, needed more of her. Luckily the filmmakers knew that and rightfully brought her back.

The film offers African Americans in major roles in a horror film and offers a person of color in the lead.

Watching this movie it’s obviously made for younger audiences. Like it works It’s way around more mature subject matter for teens. As we never quite see too much, only the aftermath and hints or glimpses. Even if as a PG-13 movie there is only one use of the F-Word. At least it goes with a good line. 

The action could be a bit more exciting. Though it tries to stay as a thriller more.

The film is fashionable but never quite stands out. As it tries to be modern Victorian at times. 

The film offers characters reading into other people, particularly beautiful ones. How you want or expect them to be. 

The film at times seems more race-based. As the film slightly treats her like she is a slave or an escaped one. Even with a lack of characters of color other than two actresses.

Though it does leave the audience to cheer more for her as a person of color. Many seeing representation on screen take it a little more personally.

Grade: C

ARMY OF THIEVES (2021)

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Directed By: Matthias Schweighofer
Written By: Shay Hatten 
Story By: Zack Snyder & Shay Hatten
Based On Characters created by: Zack Snyder 
Cinematography: Bernhard Jasper 
Editor: Alexander Berner 

Cast: Matthias Schweighofer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan, Jonathan Cohen, Noemie Nakai, Christian Steyer 

A prequel, set before the events of Army of the Dead, focuses on German safecracker Ludwig Dieter leading a group of aspiring thieves on a top-secret heist during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse.

A prequel that could have easily worked without being tied to ARMY OF THE DEAD the original movie or even including zombies in the background.

If anything, the ties of being in this franchise leave us knowing the main character’s fate. So we all know the ending, but this gives us an ending on a happier note. The film offers us some history of him. As well as letting us see more of a fan-favorite character. That also allows for world-building purposes in the franchise and the zombies give a kind of ticking time clock and a chance to see how the world deals with what seems like the American zombie outbreak. 

This film comes off as more highbrow and sophisticated. Definitely less violent and feels more creative and fun.

This film is more of a caper comedy and feels like an adventure with Less objectionable material. That feels more energetic and fun.

It definitely has a lot more fluff than anything of substance. Though it is overlong for no particular reason. you generally don’t Feel it

The film has minor stakes so you never can quite take it seriously. Nor does it ever become melodramatic. As the focus here is more sleight of hand and less testosterone-fueled action.

The film offers an interesting look at the typical action hero. Here the protagonist is more nerdish, awkward, and seen as feminine. Whereas though he might not be physically strong he at least is brave. Whereas the more common action hero proves to be emotionally weak and easily jealous which might lead to his downfall.

Nathalie Emmanuel prices to be the perfect femme fatale and general badass. Where you wish she was more of the lead here. Or at least wish there was more to her character than her outfits and vague history of her character. 

The caper sequences are sharp and exciting with the requisite tension. 

The film feels like it would be quite at home in an earlier decade. As it has the exuberance down, but never quite feels authentic or that it has any roots. It feels like an extension made for money and the life of the franchise rather than Actually being needed. It easily could have existed outside of the ARMY OF THE DEAD universe 

In The end One only wishes the film packed a tighter punch. As it more feels like practice jabs or at least felt more meaningful. Thought of looking for something more fluffy and entertaining this is the film for you. 

Grade: C+