Tag: THRILLER

SPREE (2020)

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Directed By: Eugene Kotlyarenko 
Written By: Eugene Kotlyarenko & Gene Mchugh 
Cinematography: Jeff Leeds Cohn 
Editor: Benjamin Moses Smith 

Cast: Joe Keery, Sasheer Zamata, David Arquette, Kyle Mooney, Mischa Barton, Frankie Grande, Sunny Kim, Jessalyn Gilsig 

Thirsty for a following, Kurt Kunkle is a rideshare driver who has figured out a deadly plan to go viral.

A kind of modern-day take on the French film MAN BITES DOG. That was about a documentary crew following a serial killer that blurs the lines in the last act but filled with dark humor.

This film is kind of like that only obviously more modern, American and has fewer victims and chooses to have no real responsibility. Where as it shows the horrible nature of his crimes we don’t wallow as much or feel as much sympathy for the victims.

This is a film like the recent thriller NERVE that is candy-colored and neon that plays everything as almost a game. That shows desperation to be popular.

A film that tries to condemn online Culture and social media. By showing how most of us have a dependence on it. What it might inspire. How far you might be willing to go for followers. How you feel like you don’t exist or matter.

How the main character has a dependence on it as he has no real friends or outlet and the few he does have are more popular and make fun of his desperation. So this is his way of fighting to be noticed and considered. So he can feel like he matters. Creating a happy go lucky sociopath. Who is egged on by some mysterious follower who promises him fame as he goes along and follows his instructions.

The film’s humor is dark but tries to keep a cheerful tone. As the film is full of energy and tries to stay inventive.

The film tries to make the lead less hateful and maybe a little likable by having his first kills be more unsavory characters. We won’t like so their deaths are more anticipated by the audience. If we aren’t already looking forward to them.

Though slowly the victims become a bit more innocent. Really only a few are sympathetic. The fishes seem to get what they deserve or at least a brand of karma catching up to them in it’s most lethal. Luckily? The more innocent character’s deaths seem to happen off-screen with only some of the aftermath shown.

This film shows that most of the characters are synch phonic and all are dependent on social media and at heart are bastards themselves to a degree.

The movie seems to think itself clever though while it talks a bunch. It never makes a clear point. It seems most of its points are to be cynical and take us on a joyride. While at the end the film presents an apology of an artist achieving fame they sought so hard for coming true only in the afterlife. While offering a meta ending.

The film does have a lot of energy but never quite goes as deep as it could and while offering more comedy. It does manage to hold your interest even in scenes where there is no death or killing. As the character seems to go on a suicide mission where part of the irony is that barely anyone is watching. So while he is practically sacrificing himself and randomly praying on other just to get viewers it backfires for the most part

Grade: C+

READY OR NOT (2019)

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Directed By: Matt Bettinello-Olpim & Tyler Gillett 
Written By: Guy Busick & R. Christopher Murphy 
Cinematography: Brett Juktkiewicz 
Editor: Terel Gibson 

Cast: Samara Weaving, Adam Brody, Andie Macdowell, Mark O’Brien, Henry Czerny, Melanie Scrofano, Kristian Brunn, Elyse Levesque 

Grace couldn’t be happier after she marries the man of her dreams at his family’s luxurious estate. There’s just one catch-she must now hide from midnight until dawn while her new in-laws hunt her down with guns, crossbows and other weapons. As Grace desperately tries to survive the night, she soon finds a way to turn the tables on her not-so-lovable relatives.

There are just some films you don’t have to worry about. As they end up being exactly what you were expecting in a good way of not exactly In The same rhythm or moods that you were hoping for, for me this was one of those films.

The film is technically a horror thriller but at heart, it is more of a dark comedy with plenty of violence. Though throughout it is played as mostly a game. That has a dark edge yet feels like the movie CLUE without the grand histrionics.

This is more a dark comedy dressed up as a horror film. Had this film been made in the 1970’s it probably would have been much darker. Though as it stands it is a rather fun movie that feels more like a survival adventure.

The film is predictable somewhat but you go along for the ride. While it throws twists and turns yet stays inventive. That is as playful and dangerous as the game it shows.

The film already makes lead actress Samara Weaving standout as she is dressed all In White in her wedding dress with bright blonde hair being hunted by her in-laws all In Dark colors and all brunette except for a white-haired aunt.

The film feeds into the new conspiracies and theories of the rich being Satanists and through a deal with the devil to be rich and successful and most remember what they owe by making sacrifices every once in a while.

The film feels familiar a bit as it has Samara weaving playing a lead in a film that is based around a game inside that sadistic and leads to chaos just as the films she has been in previously MAYHEM and GUNS AKIMBO only here she is more the innocent victim. Though this is as pulse-pounding and intense as those previous films.

Though the film is smaller scaled it might remind you of survival fo the fittest movies such as SURVIVING THE GAME, THE HUNT, THE RUNNING MAN, and HARD TARGET the same Cynical stance with humor only without the action movie edge.

She is beginning to become somewhat of a scream queen. It’s a showcase to her talents that even in similar films. She is always different never repeating herself though the films all endorse the theme of the haves versus the have nots.

The shocks in the movie are heavy but usually meant to be humorous and while most of the cast are more types you kind of wonder what their stories are or how they got involved In the family in the first place. Not to mention what games did they need to play to join the family.

The film So directed by the team of Matt Bettinello-Olpim & Tyler Gillett who are noteworthy short filmmakers and made the extraordinary short in the VHS anthology that really stood out in that movie. Here the film has its style of humor, but not as many stylish tricks though it does have plenty of styles.

It’s hard to take much seriously in this film But you aren’t me at to except for the thrills. This is a film to more experience than anything else 

Grade: B

THE TAX COLLECTOR (2020)

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Written & Directed by: David Ayer
Cinematography: Salvatore Totino
Editor: Geoffrey O’Brien

Cast: Bobby Soto, Shia Lebouf, George Lopez, Cynthia Cardona, Jose Conejo Martin, Cheyenne Rae Hernandez, Cle Sloan, Elpida Carrillo, Lana Parilla, Neomi Gonzalez, Gabriela Flores

David Cuevas is a family man who works as a gangland tax collector for high ranking Los Angeles gang members. He makes collections across the city with his partner Creeper making sure people pay up or will see retaliation. An old threat returns to Los Angeles that puts everything David loves in harm’s way.

This film is very disappointing and it didn’t have to be. As the filM has some good elements the cinematography and the violence is over the top and brutal.

Though the story is typical and the characters are very thin and so is the story. They are more skit there to connect the things the film Seems More interested In The violence and more the machismo and rules of the streets.

Which at this point Writer-director David Ayer has made his career off of though on other projects the street code seemed more to go with the film. Here he more chooses to bathe the whole film in it. Even though it might not be as necessary except to tell a kind of gangster tale told more by the characters who are enforcers more than the boss.

It gives Shia Lebouf a role to play vicious and threatening as he does come off as imposing but it also feels very punched up. As we see how intense he is and even how threatening he is a bit we rarely see his character actually be violent and dangerous. It also feels like he is more chewing the props in as far as he calls attention to himself in the movie.

There is a scene with him dragging a body and him in a hazmat suit that takes place in the ost and is supposed to show how much of a butcher and mad man he is. We only see him dragging a body and smoking afterward. It seems there for no real reason or at least makes no real impact maybe if it was an imitation or done on the day’s events it would have made one. 

It boils down to where is this character is supposed to be memorable if not iconic but we never see him actually do what seems promised eventually. So that there is all this build-up and no real follow through a tease. Which is how this movie also comes off.

He seems to be maybe a David Ayer stand in as a caucasian who grew up around people of color and was taken in by them so he comes across as one of them and has similar characteristics. As David Ayer has said in the past he has. Though lebouf is not the stR of the movie and more comes across as a name star to put in the movie and help get funding. As it works he gets to stretch as an actor and only ends up being a smaller supporting role rather than the lead and it doesn’t rest on his shoulders. He is shocking at first int he roe bit settles Down.

The film Doesn’t offer anything you haven’t seen before. It does offer representation but unfortunately, all the characters are gangsters or work for them in an illegal manner. So there is very little positive here except that the lead character is religious and a man of god. So he does have a belief system that is practically spelled out in the beginning.

The film feels like a big waste of time. If it had been more structured or offered something different or original the film Might be worth it, but it is bathed in cliches and things we have seen way too much. The closest it gets to different is by having stand up comedian George Lopez play a dramatic role as a street boss. 

The first half of the film plays more like a gangster tale the second half plays more like a revenge tale. Now if that is what you are looking for plain and simple this is the film For you. As this is David Ayer making. A smaller-scale project after SUICIDE SQUAD and BRIGHT. As this is more in the vein of HARSH TIMES. These are the films he seems to prefer to make. At least there aren’t as many cops as he usually has in his films usually. As this is a straight-up organized crime only. 

Again do this offered something different this would be welcome but all this ends up being. Is an action gangster tale. Nothing more nothing less other than some credible cinematography and tough talk and brutal violence.

Either way somewhat entertaining as you watch though might have some problems

With it and once it is over quickly forgettable.

Grade: C-

THE HUNT (2020)

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Directed By: Craig Zobel
Written By: Damon Lindelof & Nick Cuse
Cinematography: Darran Tiernan
Editor: Jane Rizzo

Cast: Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, Ethan Suplee, Emma Roberts, Ike Barinholtz, Glenn Howerton, Amy Madigan, Wayne Duvall, Sturgill Simpson, Reed Birney, Macon Blair

“Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are — or how they got there. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, ruthless elitists gather at a remote location to hunt humans for sport. But their master plan is about to be derailed when one of the hunted, Crystal, turns the tables on her pursuers.

This movie is full of action and a rather surprising amount of violence. Though keeps a dark sense of humor throughout and flips the script a little. 

As the victims trying to survive the hunt are more Americana types who are usually villainized on social media and the hunters are emote the liberal elites who seem to find everything somehow insulting and must be corrected. 

The film doesn’t seem to take any side but shows there are good and bad in both and this is all taken to the extreme. The second scene is great as far as setting the tone. As we see familiar actors and types of characters who we assume will be the hero and then we see some of them taken down and through the first 30 minutes, we are never quite sure who to follow, trust, or believe. 

We are kind of put into the similar mindsets of the hunted characters constantly questioning what is going on. So enough our hero or anti-hero played by Betty Gilpin who stays a badass throughout and whose character had the same kind of sarcastic swagger that most male Action heroes have. Luckily at no point does her look or attractiveness has anything to do with her survival or getting the upper hand. This is a tar making role and she handles it well.

The film is over the top violent that after a while it becomes a joke itself as well as feels ridiculous at times.

Though there is mention of minorities. The film still doesn’t have any amongst its cast which is a lost opportunity the film seems to want to avoid. As that may make the film Have to more make a decision. Though it might have also given more of a point of view. 

Hillary swank as the villain would have been more interesting seeing her in the heroic role but that might have been too expected. It’s nice to see her in movies again. I only wish she was getting bigger roles. Though her hand to hand fight with Gilpin is the third act and one of the best action sequences in the Film. 

The film never quite slows down. As when it comes to the ending it feels like barely any turn has passed. So that this film feels like a breath of fresh air. 

Directed by Craig Zobel is shocking as his films are usually more humanistic dramas and comedies. This is the first more action-oriented mainstream movie he has made and he passes with flying colors. Showing himself to be more a journeyman director. 

The fact ironies in this movie are Intentional. As showing how all of this started. This is a worst-case scenario of what it seems like is going on in the world when it comes to personal politics. This is more a satire that fits in with movies such as BATTLE ROYALE, THE PURGE, MAYHEM, and THE BELKO EXPERIMENT. Though this film not as dark in the spirit, it might more remind or be a companion piece to THE RUNNING MAN or SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST.

Grade: B-

HAYWIRE (2011)

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Editing, Cinematography & Directed By: Steven Soderbergh
Written By: Lem Dobbs

Cast: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum, Bill Paxton, Michael Angarano, Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas

Freelance covert operative Mallory Kane is hired out by her handler to various global entities to perform jobs which governments can’t authorize and heads of state would rather not know about. After a mission to rescue a hostage in Barcelona, Mallory is quickly dispatched on another mission to Dublin. When the operation goes awry and Mallory finds she has been double crossed, she needs to use all of her skills, tricks and abilities to escape an international manhunt, make it back to the United States, protect her family, and exact revenge on those that have betrayed her.

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THE ASSIGNMENT (2016)

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Directed by: Walter Hill. Written by: Walter Hill & Dennis Hamill Cinematography: James Liston. Editor: Phil Norden

Cast: Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shaloub, Anthony LaPaglia, Ken Kirzinger, Caitlin Gerard, Zak Santiago, Anthony Griffith

After waking up and discovering that he has undergone gender reassignment surgery, an assassin seeks to find the doctor responsible.

In the past this films plot might have been considered high concept, but now while a kind of interesting idea. It ends up becoming more of a who cares situation. That other then it’s

Story the rest feels heavily cliched and hard hitting just to go through the motions. Where after awhile you don’t care about anything happening.

it’s a shame Michelle Rodriguez finally Seems to have found the right role. Even with a well known action director Walter Hill. As she seems to be more interested in action roles in her career and ends up usually being a supporting player. Here she has the lead role.

Though it offers her nothing new or that strong as far as material or quality.

As for the sex change her character goes through. Even before she looked like she was in. Make drag and had a supposed chiseled chest and body hair. Once she has the sex change in the movie it just looks like she shaved and grew a chest. Which makes the scene when she meets up with an old conquest who barely recognizes her all the more u intentionally funny.

It seems interesting in these films the worse punishments the main characters go through is to be forced to love life as a female. The film tries to present that as only cruel considering the character but the movie seems to have that attitude.

The film plays somber and never seems to have enough energy to keep the audience interested. As it tries to have a jazzy mood but comes off as more a typical straight to streaming thriller.

The progressions which are animated to make us beleive they are in bigger major Cities and locations seems inspired by the dvd cut of his move THE WARRIORS. Which have animated inserts during scenes.

The film Seems to want to be a frantic character price with a thriller impact but feels tone deaf. That tries to be different and wants to say something but feels so misguided

Michelle Rodriguez speaks liek she is InnA 1940’s gangster film which only shows that the film is aspiring for many things and is making no sense and not in a bar shit crazy way but in an embarrassingly bad way.

Sigourney Weaver seems to be a one not villain whose beliefs and actions seems there only because there has to be a reason for all of this and writing it off as an experiment seems so trivial.

Largely, the film s boring as when there are action sequences they go by so quick and without any excitement. Even towards the end, With such an esteemed cast one would expect better.

Grade: F

THE IMITATION GAME (2014)

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Directed By: Morton Tyldum. Written By: Graham Moore. Based On A Book By: Andrew Hodges Cinematography: Oscar Faura Editor: William Goldenberg Music score: Alexandre Desplat

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Keira Knightly, Mark Strong, Matthew Goode, Rory Kinnear, Allen Leech, Matthew Beard, Charles Dance

Based on the real life story of legendary cryptanalyst Alan Turing, the film portrays the nail-biting race against time by Turing and his brilliant team of code-breakers at Britain’s top-secret Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park, during the darkest days of World War II.

Just like when the film is set. The film plays like a spy film Filled with espionage and thriller elements. For what the film might lack in action for some. It leaves the audience with a more devastating aftermath of emotions.

The thrills are given in a much more intelligent battlefield as the action is more a meeting of the minds and trying to outsmart one another.

Throw in a story of a great inventor and his everlasting invention. That was itself a journey to build with plenty of naysayers and challenges.

There is also a kind of love story at it’s heart but maybe not the one you are expecting. Not to mention a focus on the injustice and prejudice of homophobia and anti-gay rights.

So this film has it all, likely Oscar bait but for once. One with some bite and thrills that come out of nowhere and could have been a simple period drama, but comes out and is actually exciting though some might find it to be a little like a British version of the movie A BEAUTIFUL MIND. Though much is going on all the parts for precisely together.

The performances are off the charts. Keira knightly as the Love interest and top code breaker still has to deal with sexism and domesticity as her parents expect her to be a good wife and find a husband before she can use her skills and brilliance.

Mark strong as the mysterious Mi6 agent and liaison is devious and powerful.

Benedict cumberbatch really shows his range as he can be the awkward outsider o e minute, the pretentious snob and know it all but also the heartbroken and doomed. That you want to save him, but can’t

A film that is built like a drama but plays more like a thriller, with room enough for drama. As on one point he works to get his invention to work and then on another keeping his sexuality a secret. Even though he seems rarely to find interest in others. Even though a romance or more partnership does develop.

Even when he is black mailed on all sides and slowly starts to make friends as others finally get used to him and his polarizing personality that one could easily label it as partially inspired by BIG BANG THEORY with the character Sheldon from that show.

We get to see what makes him tick or inspires him to imagine. as the project keeps something alive in him a kind of hope, love and memories.

How it can be greater Than anything in life. Including your own. The object takes the place of a lost love that could never be. So he builds something his great creation as a kind of loving memory.

How all this history is revealed from just a breaking and entering case. Leaving the detectives in the hunt for supposed treason and spies turns into a heartbreaking story that destroys his whole life because of a detectives insistence over being dismissed and talked down to by him and who has no idea what he will cause and never meant to.

How our actions can have deeper ramifications then expected and can’t be taken back.

The title seems to come from code breaking, imitating the enemies code system to read and understand their messages. It would also be used for the main character who always knew he was different.

So he tried calling initiate others to fit in to a point that no one would really notice and if he couldn’t replicate her would keep people away. More like push, so they never really got to know him.

GRADE: A

STRANGE DAYS (1995)

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Strange-Days-1

Directed By: Kathryn Bigelow
Written by James Cameron & Jay Cocks
Cinematography: Matthew F. Leonetti
Editor: Howard E. Smith & James Cameron 


Cast: Ralph Finnes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott, Vincent D’Onofrio, Glenn Plummer, Brigitte Bako, Richard Edson, William Finchter, Josef Sommer, Nicky Katt, Michael Jace, Todd Graff 


A former cop turned street-hustler accidentally uncovers a conspiracy in Los Angeles in 1999.

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ALENA (2005)

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alena-jpg

 

Directed By: Daniel Di Grado
Written By: Daniel Di Grado, Kerstin Gezelius & Alexander Onofri
Based on the Graphic Novel By: Kim W. Andersson
Cinematography By: Simon Olsson
Editor: Linda Jildmalm 


Cast: Amalia Holm, Molly Nutley, Felice Jankell, Rebecka Nyman, Fanny Klefelt 


When Alena arrives at her new elite boarding school, Filippa and the other girls start to harass her. But Alena’s best friend Josefin won’t let her take anymore beating. If she won’t strike back, Josefin will do it for her. Hard.

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THE ROOMMATE (2011)

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THEROOMMATE

 

Directed By: Christian E. Christiansen
Written By: Sonny Malhi, Nick Bylsma, Chris Bylsma & Richard Robertson
Cinematography By: Phil Parmet
Editor: Randy Bricker 


 Cast: Minka Kelly, Leighton Meester, Aly Michalka , Cam Gigandet, Daneel Ackles, Frances Fisher, Billy Zane, Nina Dobrev, Kat Graham, Matt Lanter

Fresh from Des Moines, Iowa, Sara Matthews has just landed in Los Angeles as a college freshman studying fashion design. She meets handsome Stephen, party-lover Tracy, and roommate Rebecca. Rebecca is nice, sweet and ready to share everything with Sara. It could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship. But Tracy is convinced that there’s something seriously wrong with Rebecca and bad things start happening to everyone close to Sara. If Sara is to have a normal college experience, she’s going to have to get to the bottom of what’s up with Rebecca and quickly get out of her clutches.

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