Tag: THRILLER

AMERICAN ASSASSIN (2017)

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Director: Michael Cuesta 
Written By: Stephen Schiff, Michael Finch, Edward Zwick & Marshall Herskovitz 
Based On The Novel By: Vince Flynn 
Cinematography: Enrique Chediak 
Editor: Conrad Buff IV 

Cast: Dylan O’Brien, Michael Keaton, Sanna Lathan, Taylor Kitsch, Scott Adkins, Charlotte Vega, David Suchet, Shiva Negar 

Twenty three-year-old Mitch lost his parents to a tragic car accident at the age of fourteen, and his girlfriend to a terrorist attack just as they were engaged. Seeking revenge, he is enlisted by CIA Deputy Director Irene Kennedy as a black ops recruit. Kennedy then assigns Cold War veteran Stan Hurley to train Mitch. Together they will later on investigate a wave of apparently random attacks on military and civilian targets. The discovery of a pattern in the violence leads them to a joint mission with a lethal Turkish agent to stop a mysterious operative intent on starting a world war in the Middle East.

Director Michael Cuesta has come along way since his debut films L.I.E. And 12 & HOLDING. He has proved himself to be a journeyman director. As he has come from coming of age independent films to studio dramas and nor a full fledged action film. His first which seems to try to become a franchise but works as a one off also.

The film was being planned for a while as quite a few directors were attached such as Ed Zwick, Antoine Fuqua and Jeffrey Nachmanoff. Just as many actors were either offered or considered for the leading role such as Chris Hemsworth, Colin Ferrell, Matthew Fox and Gerard Butler.

The films action sequences are serviceable. They just seem to be violent more in one on one encounters. As the scenes try to be more intimate in the violence but feel broad. As the film truly wants to show blood and guts. So that it plays more like an 1980’a type action film starring an actor you wouldn’t think of or consider for this type of film. Played by Dylan O’Brien Which is what might make his character easy to underestimate or even suspect.

Equally impressive is knowing what the star Dylan O’Brien went through in real life to make a come back the screen in an action film. With plenty of stunts. After suffering a war fatal accident on another movie that left him hospitalized for quite a while.

The film is a mix of espionage and revenge thriller. No one nor any of the story truly makes too much of an impact as the movie pretty much plays by the numbers.

The film has female characters who are all attractive but really have nothing to besides that. They give one character an action sequence where she loses the battle and Saana Lathan’s character while one of the authority figures is only there to authorize and put plans together.

This film is pure action with little to no sex and seduction. Though the film does involve a gory torture scene that was too much for me.

Taylor Kitsch as the villain unfortunately has no presence his character is vague and never quite makes an impression and feels very non descriptive. Though he does take his shirt off a lot. Which weakens the film as then it feels like a battle of the heartthrobs. The tough sensitive one and the bad boy. Which then makes it seem more intended for teenage girls. 

Scott Adkins in a supporting role only seem to be late for scenes meant to show us how tough our lead is going toe to toe, skill to skill with him. Where as if that was what is supposed to be meant. Why not just make him the villain? Then again it seems best to have the heartthrobs against each other in the ends for a more violent tiger beat magazine stand off where only one can survive. 

Michael Keaton seem here for star power more than anything. Also to maybe create an iconic mentor for the main character. As he is believable but deserves better. He replaced Bruce Willis who dropped out.

The main character has nothing and no one to tie him down or wonder what happened to him. Which seems more convenient while trying to infuse his characters loneliness and why having someone taken away from him matters so deeply. Though he does live off a inheritance which also seems to be a huge convenience. That seems to give him a Batman type scenario only with taking down terrorist for the government.

Grade: C

SHADOW IN THE CLOUD (2021)

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Directed By: Roseanne Liang
Written By: Max Landis & Roseanne Liang 
Cinematography: Kit Fraser
Editor: Tom Eagles 

Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Beulah Koale, Taylor John Smith, Callum Mulvey, Benedict Wall

On a stormy night during World War II, a female pilot with top-secret cargo talks her way on board a bomber plane about to take-off. The crass all-male crew reluctantly agrees, but their suspicions about her identity and the mysterious cargo quickly grow. Just then a shadow appears in the clouds – was it the incoming Japanese fleet? Or caused by some other sinister stowaway?

This film had a very notorious beginning as one of disgraced Screenwriter Max Landis’s big-budget scripts being turned into a production. 

Though after much rewriting supposedly the film was eventually made. Though one wonders if the script was so pro-female before it was rewritten or maybe if he did write it that way as a kind of public apology against the charges he has been accused of. 

It also might also be an homage to the TWILIGHT ZONE movie which his father was infamously sort of even though he didn’t direct that segment of the film and also kind of a remake of the AMAZING STORIES episode THE MISSION directed by Steven Spielberg.

Either way, the film takes the premise of the classic Twilight zone episode terror at 20,000 feet and changes the situation to that of a fighter plane running a mission with an extra female passenger In the gunner galley who sees the gremlin at first. While the others think she has gone crazy, but also during this, they are being attacked by enemy planes and she is trying to keep a top-secret cargo mission from others.

So the film Is loaded and at first, it seems like this going to be a claustrophobic thriller mainly taking place with her in the gunner pit but then eventually it opens up to the whole plane. So that while it is still contained there is more to work with. 

The film stays entertaining though some of the twists are totally unbelievable and reminds you how much a production this is. Which also helps you to accept the more far fetched elements.

Especially one action Sequence where Chloe Grace Moretz is hanging out of the plane trying to retrieve her package and fight off the gremlin. This then adds the intrigue of a fighter place attacking At the same time and an explosion that has to be seen to be believed. As it is an impressive action sequence but totally laughable thinking about the physics of it and how it is played. 

The film offers a little bit of everything there is intrigue, action, war sequences, thriller a little bit of drama, and even a showcase of sexism from most of the males involved in this mission with her and how in the end she more than proves herself capable and above them. Being the bravest, strongest and most resourceful.

In the end, though they help at times as resources this is really Moretz’s action film to take hold of. As she is the hero and they are more the damsels in distress who help out a little.

It isn’t as pumped up as a similar world war II film OVERLORD but It’s a fun action film that uses history and injects something supernatural. So that they have to deal with these otherworldly elements with whatever resources they have that aren’t that advanced.

If anything this movie is an entertaining b-movie and a perfectly fun time waster. 

Grade: C

FEMALE PRISONER SCORPION: BEAST STABLE (1973)

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Directed by: Shun’ya ito
Written By: Hiro Matsuda & Tooru Shinohara 
Cinematography: Masao Shimizu 
Editor: Osamu Tanaka

Cast: Meiko Kaji, Mikio Narija, Reisen Ri, Yayoi Nanbara, Seiya Sato, Takashi Fujiki, Tomoko Mayama, Mitsuru Mori 

Sasori is outside the prison and on the run from the police, wanted for breaking out of prison and murder. She takes refuge with a woman who has a brother with a learning disability. The woman and her brother are also involved in an incestuous relationship. Both the police and an ex-prison mate of Sasori’s pursue her.

This sequel feel more like a closing chapter more than anything. As it feels final and with little else to go. It’s also a lot more somber than the previous films. 

Don’t get me wrong it is still outrageous but not as ridiculous. As scorpion is On the run again and it seems everyone has it in for her. So that she has to seek revenge in multiple characters. The film is inventive in how it all comes together with characters each passing into another’s story.

Though this film is much sadder than the others as throughout this film scorpion becomes a ghostly Angel of vengeance for other characters who are victims of the villains throughout. As well as haunting the villains who underestimate her at first.

The film still has many uncomfortable exploitive moments meant to add drama or provoke a reaction out of the audience. Especially when it comes to sex scenes. This film feels more scaled back when it comes to sex and nudity but does have a sympathetic character In an incestuous relationship.

By the end no one Truly wins. The character you expect to somewhat be saved or be on the road to a better life by the end is pretty much still left where she was at the beginning. Only more tortured, but at least made a connection with the scorpion.

This is the last film of the franchise directed by Shun’ya Ito, which might be why this feels more like a finale than the eventual final sequel that stars Meiko Kaji in the role of the scorpion. Before eventually producers decided to revitalize the franchise without any of the original team involved.

All the male characters are evil and deplorable. Most are disposable also as cops, henchmen, or depraved men looking for sex or to exploit women.

One of the villains in the film Katsu seems more like a villain. Suited for the more outrageous previous films especially with her wardrobe and make up. As she comes across as campy almost she is cruel but the right amount of ridiculous as the previous films. Luckily as the film Goes along her development goes from scared to haunted to absolutely crazy with guilt. That she eventually matched the paleness of the make-up on her face naturally.

The film shows that the purgatory of prison was just as bad as the outside. At least prison only took up a certain amount of space. As the harsh reality of freedom seems to make the female characters natural prey. As it is so unpredictable. Whereas in prison you knew who to trust who not to.

The film shines a light on the harsh reality for the character after the more psychedelic freestyled previous films 

GRADE: B-

THE RECRUIT (2003)

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Directed By: Roger Donaldson
Written By: Robert Towne, Mitch Glazer & Kurt Wimmer
Cinematography By: Stuart Dryburgh
Editor: David Rosenbloom 

Cast: Al Pacino, Colin Farrell, Ron Lea, Bridget Moynahan, Gabriel Macht

In an era when the country’s first line of defense, intelligence, is more important than ever, this story opens the CIA’s infamous closed doors and gives an insider’s view into the Agency: how trainees are recruited, how they are prepared for the spy game, and what they learn to survive. James Clayton might not have the attitude of a typical recruit, but he is one of the smartest graduating seniors in the country – and he’s just the person that Walter Burke wants in the Agency. James regards the CIA’s mission as an intriguing alternative to an ordinary life, but before he becomes an Ops Officer, James has to survive the Agency’s secret training ground, where green recruits are molded into seasoned veterans. As Burke teaches him the ropes and the rules of the game, James quickly rises through the ranks and falls for Layla, one of his fellow recruits. But just when James starts to question his role and his cat-and-mouse relationship with his mentor… 

The film could have been a good espionage spy film. If it had made any sense. This is one of those films that starts off well then wants to be different than the rest of these types. So that it induces a twist into the plot then another one, Then another one. Soon there are so many double-crosses that you forget who is on whose side. There is no reason to justify any of the double-crosses.

When the film ends it tries to tie everything together in a neat little bow. Hoping you forget all the nonsense that went on before it and just say the plot was all a conspiracy. If the point of all of the confusion was to make the film and characters’ paranoia seem truthful and make the audience question everything then it had achieved what it set out to be. 

Though it is not exciting at all with Basic runoff the mill action sequences. The shameful this is that this movie could have been good. You have a director Roger Donaldson who hasn’t had any luck with Hollywood films (The Getaway) but is actually a skilled director (The Bank Job). 

He shows a great deal of talent with his projects that are independently funded, but here he just makes things look sharp and nice but with no real input. It has the feel of an espionage film and the look. The film just falls short so that you stop caring due to confusion and what ends up not making any sense. 

At first, what is interesting in the film becomes tedious as the movie goes on. Colin Farrell is what I consider his blue period where he made a bunch of Hollywood projects in roles that any actor could have played. He was a struggling actor who was thrust into the limelight and was taking any lead that was offered to him. He has tremendous talent, yet he brings nothing really to the film or role. He is just going through the motions. 

Strangely this film feels outdated watching it now. As it seems to be trying to stay in step with what was cutting edge at the time.

This is especially strange when watching a film meant to be an espionage tale. As usually they are more sharp. Understandably they wanted to fit in with the current trends and technology but in the long run hurt the films future and legacy. Truly making this movie feel all the more disposable.


The shocking thing is that the script was written (And I suspect heavily rewritten) By 3 Highly talented Screenwriters and script doctors. I don’t know what went wrong exactly but other than the clever Kurt Vonnegut references the film is heavily disappointing. 

Al Pacino is clearly having fun as Colin’s Machiavellian mentor who is chewing the scenery left and right with his overacting. Al Pacino has been doing this overacting schtick. So long he has turned it into his own art form. That only he can do. It’s like a one-man show. It used to be just his acting now his hair and all of its different outrageous styles and size are just as distracting. I respect him he is still a good actor who shows the talent we all know he has once in a while.

I guess as he gets older if he knows the project is beneath him or is just really a paycheck. He doesn’t really bother giving it his all he just has fun with it. It just seems like he is damaging his brand, His career is legendary and once you could always give a movie the benefit of the doubt if the film was bad you could rely on his performance being good. Now it is all a wild card. 

 Skip it 

 GRADE: D

THE GHOST WHO WALKS (2019)

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Directed By: Cody Stokes
Written By: Cody Stokes & Ben Bostick
Cinematography: Michael Lockridge 

Cast: Garland Scott, Frank Mosley, Alexia Rasmussen, Gil Darnell, Dasha Nekrasova, Nattalyee Randall, Peter Mayer 

After five years in prison, guards lead Nolan to his freedom. But Nolan’s ticket out came courtesy of ratting on his former boss. A death sentence for any man. His goal: find Lena and Amy-his ex and their five-year-old daughter he’s never met-and get them out of the city, to a new life together, before the ghosts of his past can track him down and kill him.

I Hadn’t heard anything about this film and decided to take a chance Was pleasantly surprised. 

This film doesn’t have a cast of well-known actors. Which leaves the audience not necessarily having any expectations. It’s nice to go into certain films blind from time to time. Though makes it more thrilling than anything goes. There are no rules. No one is safe. 

The film is a done and dirty pulp tale of love, escape and revenge. While it doesn’t offer much you haven’t seen before it does hold your interest and wishing the lead character the best.

The film feels like a film that was adapted from a short story or a graphic novel. As there seems to be much more left unsaid or hinted at than shown at times. That gives the audience a hint that the material is deeper than what we are presented with. 

Everyone the main character comes across or comes into contact with and actually helps him. Seems to pay their own price.

The action scenes feel realistic and not too glamorous or showing off. Though oddly they do contain a bit of humor. The only time the film seems to show any.

The film, like the main character, gives it a try and is successful more times than not. Even as the villains feel familiar and one-note, but you can understand most of the character’s points of view and motivations.

The film is impressively done with a more limited budget. What is achieved is good even in the middle of the film’s Limitations and of him, bonding with others helps the film feel more earnest at times. As it takes time to build moments and characters. 

Though familiar the film never feels monotonous. Though it is a dark and bleak tale as by the end it truly shows itself to be a tragedy. 

Grade: C+

SLEEPLESS (2017)

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Directed By: Baran Bo Odar
Written By: Andrea Berloff 
Based in the film “NUIT BLANCHE” Written by: Frederic Jardin, Nicolas Saada & Olivier Douyere 
Cinematography: Mirai Malaimaire Jr.
Editor: Robert Rzesacz

Cast: Jamie Foxx, Michelle Monaghan, Dermot Mulroney Jr., Scoot Mcnairy, Tip T.I. Harris, David Harbour, Gabrielle Union 

Undercover Las Vegas police officer Vincent Downs finds himself trapped in a web of corrupt cops, internal affairs and violent gangsters. When a failed heist leads to the kidnapping of his son, Downs must race against time during an intense and restless night to save him and bring the criminals to justice.

I can admit this film already seemed D.O.A. When the trailers for the film hit. As nothing in the trailer came across as new or even exciting and watching the film it pretty much felt the same. While plenty of things happen on screen and in the story. It still all feels basic and familiar and the film, not performances add any excitement to it.

I will admit I liked the French original version of this film SLEEPLESS NIGHTS very much, but in the American translation, a lot of fresh and maybe foreign cultural elements are dropped. Making the film come across as more of a big-budgeted longer episode of a police procedural. 

As the original film Offered complications that felt essential and consequential. Here the film just seems to throw complications that seem more here to be filler than anything. Else 

Scoot McNairy’s villain is the only memorable thing in the whole film. Who would have been great in a better movie? 

The film feels like for a recognizable cast who do try there is really Little effort put into the film at all to feel special or set itself apart. So that by the end it feels basic yet disappointing. Which is a shame as Jamie Foxx has proven to be a versatile and charismatic actor who can be funny, dramatic and tough when he needs to be and this film offers only the later but like most of the roles. Never feels specific enough to their talents so that virtually anyone could have played these roles.

The only Element that felt somewhat exciting was the ending that leaves room for a sequel or alludes to an even bigger conspiracy. 

This just feels like a lost opportunity. Where all this film seems to offer is more a stylish music video technique to the story without really adding anything worthy dramatically or even character-wise. 

It just simply he’s out all the originality out of the original. Truly making this a Hollywood byproduct. If anything it feels like an audition for the director to show what he can do with so little. 

Grade: F

THE PAPERBOY (2012)

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Directed By: Lee Daniels 
Written By: Lee Daniels & Pete Dexter 
Based On The Book By: Pete Dexter 
Cinematography By: Roberto Schaefer 
 Editor: Joe Klotz 


 Cast: Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, Matthew McConaughey, David Oyelowo, Macy Gray, John Cusack, Scott Glenn, Ned Bellamy

Eldest son Ward Jansen is a star reporter for a Miami newspaper and has returned home with close friend Yardley to investigate a racial murder case. Younger brother Jack Jansen has returned home after a failed stint at university as a star swimmer. To help give his life some direction, Ward gives Jack a job on their investigation as their driver. But into the mix comes the fiancée of the imprisoned convict who stirs up confusing feelings of love and lust for the young Jack. Meanwhile, Ward and Yardley’s investigation stirs up
deep-rooted issues of race and acceptance which could cause serious consequences for everyone involved.

This film that deemed to start out as a thriller, Quickly seems to spiral into a no man’s land that resembles more of a misguided Grind-house film more than anything else. The sad part is what seems at first to become earnest filmmaking quickly delves into some kind of camp classic

As the film continues the outline is about proving a man might be innocent. It mostly focuses not only on the politics, but the coming of age tale of Zac Efron’s character. It also concerns itself with building and defining the characters.

Now I am not the biggest fan of Lee Daniels as a Director yet, but watching this film. Just like in PRECIOUS. It feels like he puts in too many surrealistic seeming camera tricks and angles that become distracting and unneeded when the film could have just told the story.

It feels like a person just out of film school. Who feels the need to how off or insert things that aren’t really needed in a way to impress. Like a college student writing a paper with too many big words misused trying to impress. I see it as him trying and learning new things behind the camera thinking the audience will be amazed as much as he is using them. The other problem is it plays like a drama then wants to be a thriller, but only at certain times and wanting to represent race relations of that period.

In fact the film begins with Macy Gray playing a maid who is being questioned about a book dedicated to her. now it feels like an interrogation that is really used to give her character a reason to voice over the film. Other then that the opening scene amounts to nothing later in the film. No real reason to be there. There are a bunch of scenes like that throughout the film. Some are what help to bring out the ridiculousness of the film. This film could have been a sort of hard-boiled thriller and mystery if it didn’t seem to get distracted by becoming a Coming of Age film that has the look of a WONDER YEARS episode while parading Zac Efron around in his underwear. I am sure what might have worked on the page here comes off more silly and misguided. The film often times seems confusing or confused itself.

Pedro Almodóvar was several times approached to helm this project and seriously considered to make it his first English-speaking feature. He finally declined but, allegedly, he participated in early versions of the script. He might have been the one to balabce the camp with the drama and thriller elements without making it laughable.

Just as it could have been more believable if John Cusack’s character wasn’t as physically repulsive as he morally.

Alex Pettyfer was first choice for the role of Jack.

Tobey Maguire was cast as Ward but dropped out because of scheduling conflicts. Luckily for him.

Nicole Kidman replaced Sofía Vergara. Which might have pushed it into a more straight to DVD title though the lust factor would have been more understandable. Though explaining her characters origin and why a so called racist would correspond with her would take more then a bit of explaining.

It plays like camp, but tries to be taken seriously which makes it even worse. Though Nicole Kidman seems to be the only one who realizes or is comfortable with having fun and sending it all up, While trying to create a realistic character.

scenes like

Nicole Kidman peeing on Zac Efron to combat his jellyfish stings.

Nicole Kidman masturbating in a jailhouse visit to John Cusack who also masturbates and we see the aftermath of

The film just feels dirty and unnecessary as it’s based on a hard-boiled mystery novel that seems to forget it’s premise. The film feels all over the place, for all of this ridiculousness and shocking scenes that come once on awhile between it is really dull, though gives Zac Efron no real reason to run around constantly only in underwear.

The film gives John Cusack a chance to embarass himself by looking really bad and dirty. Inhabiting a bad caricature of a character.

Matthew McConaughey’s character has an interesting arc that is shockingly Introduced then slightly dropped or pushed out of favor.

The key defining point of this tawdry tale is Nicole Kidman and her character. She gives the role her all and is impressive as a trashy femme-fatale. Overly made up with make up that looks like it was applied by herself an it is messy. She is a scary, but also a scene stealer. She deserves a oscar nomination for her determination and grounding as she stays true to the character throughout and somehow finds a way to fit in.While actually creating a character to care about

The film you think would be ripe for camp, bit it is so underplayed and then serious there isn’t room to enjoy it on a camp level.

In the third act the film revs up to be a thinker then just runs out of steam and ends with no great drama. Leaving us with a whimper.

While I can’t really recommend the film. I will say it is a film to see. To see something hopefully one of a kind. Some might find entertainment from it. Which is why I can’t completely fail it. I believe it shows lee Daniels a former film producer is still leading as a director At least he is trying unlike some directors

 Grade: D

THE LITTLE THINGS (2021)

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Written & Directed By: John Lee Hancock Cinematography: John Schwartzman  Editor: Robert Frazen 

Cast: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto, Terry Kinney, Chris Bauer, Natalie Morales, Judith Scott, Michael Hyatt, Isabel Arraiza, Jason James Richter, Frederick Koehler, Maya Kazan

Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a killer who is terrorizing the city. Leading the hunt, L.A. Sheriff Department Sergeant Jim Baxter, impressed with Deke’s cop instincts, unofficially engages his help. But as they track the killer, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

The film’s main selling point seems to be its bleakness throughout. It stays dark NOT visually exciting SEVEN dark but it makes you think and pay attention. Almost like you are a detective with these characters. As the film ends up being more a character study dressed up In neo-noir

The film is set in 1990, that is also when the screenplay was written and it feels like an old screenplay dusted off and by luck given major talent. It also gives an excuse for a film and story devoid of losers technology that would have cut short the film and it’s lingering questions or would have had to be updated and rewritten.

The film has a padded cast for what ends up being dull, subpar material. So that it comes almost like a marvel movie where you feel the cast is better than the material. At least in name.

Denzel Washington is the major attraction for the movie and at times he seems bored but his stardom and personality fill out the role and film.

Jared Leto is actually the most entertaining piece of the whole movie. As he is the only one who brings some joy and playfulness to his role. Even if again in the process of method action or the characterization he is made to look guilty and like one would imagine a serial killer to look like. 

Rami Malek comes off as heroic but ultimately comes across as weak in his performance. As he seems off as the film goes along. Especially when his character shouldn’t be at that point.

As the film seems to be all about the looks also. As the film continues we are made to question things we have seen. Details form scenes that have been played before. 

The only real action or excitement comes In The opening scene where a young girl is attacked by an unseen assailant. Other than that there is a scene late where Denzel must escape from an apartment he’s not to be at. 

Throughout we get to know the past of Denzel’s character little by little until it all makes sense as to why he is the way he is. He also sees a kinship with the other detective played by Rami Malek and sees why a lot of his old colleagues are shocked to see him again and mostly don’t want to see him. 

It takes its time while it fills in the past of characters. Taking it’s time to get to even know the protagonist.

Makes the film feel more old school and dramatic. As again it feels like a Film from the time it takes place In and was written for at the time. 

The film is different whereas it doesn’t try to play like a typical thriller. It tries to focus more on the detectives not the kills and less on the criminals or the actual crimes in action.

It still feels a bit routine and tries to build interest in the tiniest details and ideas. 

The film goes about keeping you guessing. Especially with Its ambiguous ending leaving the audience to come away with their own judgments and interpretations.

Even though a smaller story this feels like a movie that needs a director who will pay particular attention to it and try to decipher and communicate the films vision and themes. That are dark but also make you think. This film need an auteur who can leave a somewhat Personal style on the film. As much as the killer in this film dies with his victims

In the end, while the film seems to want to play games with the audience and relies heavily on Christian themes and symbolism throughout. This almost feels like a waste. As it feels like much ado about nothing. 

Grade: C-

BREAKING IN (2018)

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Directed By: James McTeigue 
Written By: Ryan Engle 
Cinematography By: Toby Oliver 
Editor: Joseph Jett Sally 

Cast: Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral, Christa Miller, Jason George 

A woman fights to protect her family during a home invasion.

This movie plays like the second half of PANIC ROOM. Where instead of trying to protect her family while criminals are trying to break in. She is trying to break in to save her family.

The film is a thriller but isn’t as action oriented as it appears. As going in was kind of hoping this to be Gabrielle Union’s PASSENGER 57 type action film.

Unfortunately with this film everything is so basic that one wishes it at least had a stylistic director to set it apart or make it seem special in some way. Though this film is still Better than Halle Berry’s thriller KIDNAP.

Still it feels like a lifetime movie only with a minor edge to it and more violent. Even though throughout there is barely any blood in it. It’s low budget but works well within it.

This film has many roll your eyes moments of ridiculous actions and rationale. One truly unbelievable moment after another that feels unexplained which is like most of this movies details vague.

Though will say the movie makes Gabrielle Union a believable hero. While looking great and going up against stereotypical garden variety villains. (The leader, the vicious one, he one who is on the fence as far as morals go and the technical person.) As she shows a mother’s devotion and what happens if they threaten them.

Now while the film is swimming in cliches that are predictable. Which are forgivable as I don’t want to pick on the film for it’s simpleness, but you know what kind of film you are going to get from the trailer and while the film isn’t trying that hard it provides a certain level of entertainment. It’s a thriller really the whole family can watch and enjoy.

One of the few of only black female action heroines even if it is a thriller. A nice start, wished it could have been Angela Bassett. As she was robbed of an action career in the 90’s as she is in shape and can act too.

One stereotypical character makes you wonder if actor Clifton Collins jr. Was too old for the role or maybe turned it down or wasn’t available. As it seems his usual type of role.

There is a third act mini twist that isn’t believable but I will say offers a surprise. That the film doesn’t earn. Shocked it was Directed By James McTeigue as usually his films are much more visual and atmospheric as well as visceral.

This film also seems to include the cliche in African American themed thriller where the Caucasian female friend is of course one of those most viciously slaughtered. In What seems like a glorified bit role usually as these films need a Caucasian victim other then the villains eventually and is a sharp turn on when in action films and thrillers the black character usually very few in the film if any. Is the first one killed or gave up their life to save others.

This film takes place in one location a sprawling estate. As the film introduces plot elements to move story along quicker the. Forgets about those elements time to time.

This is a female empowerment film as most of the villains keep bringing up their thoughts that women are weak, meek, stupid and emotional. Not that the characters seem like they would respect women otherwise.  

Grade: C-

WAR OF THE WORLDS (2005)

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Directed By: Steven Spielberg
Written By: Josh Friedman & David Koep
Based On The Novel By: H.G. Wells
Cinematography: Janusz Kaminski
Editor: Michael Kahn

Cast: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins, Justin Chatwin, Miranda Otto, Yul Vazquez, Rick Gonzalez, Lisa Ann Walter, Lenny Venito, David Alan Basche 

An updated version of H.G Wells’ seminal sci-fi classic about an alien invasion threatening the future of humanity. The catastrophic nightmare is depicted through the eyes of one American family fighting for survival.

This film is not great it’s barely good if you can work your way around it, you can maybe call it entertaining.

The few things I liked about this movie were this instead of a big-budget earth vs aliens action epic it more showed how an alien invasion affected a family in a small neighborhood. Not some paramilitary character doing  on stop stunts and slaughtering aliens along the way

The action that there is, is spectacular action sequences and the scenes we do get are amazing and it astonishes the audience with the volume of people involved in those scenes all the stunts and coordination is such an undertaking that one must give director Steven Spielberg respect. He is a gifted filmmaker and this truly shows where his talents lie and can be beautiful, but then again here come the problems.

The film Goes on for too long. There are the usual with Mr. Spielberg three places where the film could have ended. One of the few admirable elements is that we learn what is going on and the fate of the world through stories of various survivors and the few glimpses of the media.

The film doesn’t make the main character played by Tom Cruise too much of a hero either. He’s a lazy dead beat dad. Who just wants to survive and protect his family. He makes some right decisions and makes many wrongs. The only thing he seems to be sure of is that he wants to return the kids to their mother. One must give credit to Tom Cruise who usually plays not only macho bit with few flaws. Finally, play someone who is nowhere near perfect. Is certainly a stretch for his ego.

 As his character’s plan is as usual to take little responsibility and put the kid’s welfare more in the mother’s hands. As he isn’t doing it out of love for her. This is also the film where it seems to have all started going down for him box office and maybe even personally. The box office this was his last bonafide hit outside of a franchise.

The film has no true villains some people do bad things out of a need for survival they weren’t despicable Before. Especially when Tim Robbins comes into the picture who seemed to be reprised by his role from MYSTIC RIVER that he won an Oscar for the year before or at least keeping the accent. Only here more annoying. A favorite moment in the film is what ends up happening to him. I felt like cheering even though it is an emotionally conflicted moment for Tom.

The narration by Morgan Freeman was a bit much. Was there a two for one sale on narrations with this and MARCH OF THE PENGUINS. It was unnecessary.

What truly is disappointing is the tacked-on implausible happy ending. How did his son live when that hill he was on was annihilated Tom let his son go why because he asked politely? When he has yelled at him throughout the film. Was he knowingly sending him to his death? Letting him be a man and accept his own fate?

One has an idea while watching this film that could have made this film better or at least a little more original and different than most of those alien invasion films. 

Like, kill off Tom Cruise and his son. Preferably at the turning of the ferry or kill just tom (killing off the star? What is the audience to do? We then follow either his son and daughter as they figure out how to survive this and get reunited with mom at the End or have Tom sacrifice himself or just killed when he and his daughter are abducted by the aliens and continue the film after that as we watch the aliens start to die off and the reactions of the survivors. That might have been a more powerful ending that offers surprises. 

 As the aliens die down then at the end we see the mother praying the kids are alive and come back to her and there is a knock on the door and Dakota fanning comes running in crying straight into her mother’s arms. As the mother is about to leave to go into town to see if anyone has seen the kids. she runs into Dakota who has been harbored by some other survivors. The end. 

So that it is just a story of victims and survival not necessarily heroic. Instead of the action hero ending, we get where Tom does it all and completes his mission and promise.

The only reason To let the child survive in this ending is because Dakota Fanning gives the only good to believable performance in the film. Even with all my complaining there truly is nothing wrong with the film and only one person who could have made a film with this vision of modern look yet classic feel.

Don’t let the poster art fool you nor the trailer which makes it look like a good film, as it is misleading

Grade: C