Raul Castillo – Cut To The Chase

Directed By: Adam Randall
Written By: Brent Dillon
Cinematography: Eben Dolter
Editor: Dominic LaPerriere

Cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Lucy Fry, Raul Castillo, Alfie Allen, Megan Fox, Sydney Sweeney, Marlene Forte, Ash Santos, Jaren Mitchell

A college student moonlighting as a chauffeur picks up two mysterious women for a night of party-hopping across LA. But when he uncovers their bloodthirsty intentions – and their dangerous, shadowy underworld – he must fight to stay alive.

This feels like a film that is more interested in being cool and having street credentials. Rather than being good or at least entertaining.

Even when it is good, which is rare, it feels like it wants to be stylish over everything. One of the film’s few saving Graces is that style. Not to mention a likable cast.

Which includes a familiar cast as well as two cameos for no real reason but pads the cast list with some more recognizable names.

The story tries to do modern updates and add action. While also having a dive-read cast that makes it become more urban and offers an Us Vs. Them outlook. As the vampires are usually European in lineage and caucasian. Also, the differences seem more upper crust and prejudice against others, not of their lineage.

Whereas the vampire hunters are more people of color but also made more to look like gang members. Even though they are more the heroes of the film.

The film’s story is kind of a horror movie version of the film COLLATERAL. While the film is heavy on the action at times that seems more focused on the horror aspects. The film also feels more inspired by BLADE overall but not quite as good or original as that film. Maybe trying to offer one for a new generation of sorts to claim as their own.

The villain of the film played by Alfie Allen seems more like a brat and not as dangerous. Due to us more being told how bad and dangerous he is but rarely seen. Especially as he barks orders and threatens. Rather than take any Action.

The film seems to show more strength for a character who can only come with power overall. As it plays into too many Hollywood and nightlife cliches of hipness

In the end, the film feels like a time waster with barely a point other than everyone looks good. While also planting an obligatory love story.

Grade: D

Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Written by Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson & Marn Davies
Based on the film “LE CONVEOYEUR” Written By: Nicolas Boukhrief & Eric Basnard
Cinematography: Alan Stewart
Editor: James Herbert

Cast: Jason Statham, Josh Hartnett, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Andy Garcia, Scott Eastwood, Rocci Williams, Laz Alonzo, Eddie Marsan, Raul Castillo, Chris Reilly, Niamh Alger, Rob Delaney, Darell D’Silva, Deobia Oparei, Babs Olussanmokun

Mysterious and wild-eyed, a new security guard for a cash truck surprises his co-workers when he unleashes precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.

I didn’t know this was an American remake of a French film named CASH TRUCK. Which I haven’t seen, but even if a remake of this film is well done

This is pretty much your typical Jason Statham action movie. It’s ridiculous if you think too hard about it. Only this one has a lot less comedy and winking at the audience.

This is more hard-hitting even though buried in it is a revenge story. It’s a GOOD popcorn movie that keeps you entertained and emotionally interests you.

One of the reasons that this film might be a cut above. It is a reunion for director Guy Ritchie and star Jason Statham. As they have made a movie together since REVOLVER in 2005, which bombed pretty heavy

Here they both are in and out of their element just as darkly violent as their previous gangster movies, but this one is more conventional. Less interesting characters but still loaded with nicknames and again very little humor. Making every scene feel serious.

While at first, it might seem like a setback for Ritchie. Coming off his rather fantastic crime-action comedy THE GENTLEMAN. To do this which at first seems more like a basic studio job that feels a little beneath him at the moment, but he fills the film with his brand of Testosterone and mild quirks

What also helps the film is partially explaining and humanizing the villains. Showing the team isn’t necessarily heartless. More doing what they have to do and while absolving the one member of his unnecessary act. They are just as guilty for not punishing and seeking retribution. Especially in the final act where they seem more heartless.

They also remind one of the criminal crew from the film GANG OF THIEVES. Where we get to see them in normal Life and acknowledge they have families and are doing this for compensations and the thrill after being grounded from the military

The film offers very few surprises but it presents the elements of the story in an interesting way that keeps you invested. Even pretty early they show the audience and the characters that Statham’s Character is badass and hard to stop.

This film makes him come off as more ruthless than usual. As here he is more dead-eyed and less jolly. He is downright scary in this film. He also still looks good even in his minimalist wardrobe.

It seems to get that out of the way early so that the film can eventually offer other plot points and history of the characters and situations that have led to the current problem.

While at the same time presenting the problems they are mounting for one another.

I can admit I wasn’t thinking this would be as good as it is when first seeing the trailer. I can call this film a welcome surprise. It doesn’t rewrite the rules or anything, but if looking for a good action thriller. This one’s for you

Grade: B

Tag: Raul Castillo

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