FLIGHT RISK (2025)

Directed By: Mel Gibson

Written By: Jared Rosenberg 

Cinematography: Johnny Derango 

Editor: Steven Rosenblim

Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Dockery, Topher

Grace, Leah Remini, Maaz Ali, Paul Ben-Victor, Eilise Patton, Monib Abhat 

A pilot transports an Air Marshal accompanying a fugitive to trial. As they cross the Alaskan wilderness, tensions soar and trust is tested, as not everyone on board is who they seem.

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to be honest, this phone plays like a TV movie from the 80s or 90s though what makes it worthy of the big screen is that it’s directed by Mel Gibson and that it stars Mark Wahlberg, whose idea of stretching to play a villain was making his character partly bald 

As most of this phone takes place on a small carrier plane where reluctant witness is going to testify against the mobster with an FBI agent as his chaperone and the pilot who ends up not being who he supposed to be, but actually a hitman 

Even when he is taken down, but not killed, they have to figure out how to fly the plane to safety, as well as finding out who exactly they can trust and who the mole might be in the organization largely off screen, so we only hear their voices, though as soon as I heard Leah remini’s voice. I knew it instantaneously.

The film is cut and dry though it tries to stay suspenseful with some shocks and a bit of action. Even though for the most part the film is pretty predictable.

It’s one of those film Where you wonder why the cast and director of Gibson’s stature decided to make this film. Which seems simple even by Netflix standards. 

Was he trying to sharpen his directing chops or was this a favor to someone he owed. As that can be the only explanation for Mark Wahlberg’s involvement as a favor to Gibson and try Playing a heel in a movie he didn’t suspect many would see or just for fun and the film Doesn’t totally rest on his shoulders. 

If you are looking for a movie with low stakes or just to play in the background that is pure blockbuster popcorn. This might be the film for you. As it is very lite and unassuming.

Grade: D+ 

HERETIC (2024)

Written & Directed By: Scott Beck & Bryan Woods 

Cinematography: Chung-Hoon Chung

Editor: Justin Li 

Cast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe East, Topher Grace, Elle Young 

Two young religious women are drawn into a game of cat-and-mouse in the house of a strange man.


This is a film. One wishes they could’ve made it as at first it seems so simple, but as it goes along, you realize how twisted everything is and that it also exists on a delicate balance

The script is intricately written and can go a million ways at any moment. Luckily it stays on a certain path makes it all the more intriguing. 

There will be many who will be In Tune with its debates and theories. At least in the first half of the film. 

It’s a tight thriller that sues its Location inventively and makes it claustrophobic. As with the design of the location the Film, characters, and story offer up their mazes to try and solve. The camerawork by Chung-Hoon Chung makes the spaces seem sumptuous and a world unto themselves. 

Hugh Grant finally gets a role where he doesn’t have to play off either his public persona or what audiences know him for he gets to play a role with the recent villain role, which gives him some really good meat on which to chew and show off his skills and remind you that he is a good actor.

As he shows the human equivalent of mansplaining. That most women will identify with if ever had a date, friend, or family.

A member who wants to show off his smarts and theories and is truly trying to impress about a subject you are not necessarily interested in but must show superiority in. 

It’s not perfect in the third act. That is where the film gets a little wobbly and brings the film back down to earth and reality. It is impossible to keep up the momentum Of the first half completely without having to offer some Explanations. as well as offer the audience the release that they desire. To make it mroenofna crowd pleaser. 

I won’t call it a fun ride but one that keeps your interest throughout and will want to have conversations about after. Even if not as shocking as you might expect. 

The writer-directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods have truly made a film worth investing your time and attention. Much better than their previous films, A QUIET PLACE which they wrote and 65 Which they wrote and directed and this film Is leaps and bounds above the special effects-laden 65 starring Adam Driver. 

Grade: B 

SPIDER-MAN 3 (2007)

Spider-man3

 

Directed By: Sam Raimi
Written By: Sam Raimi, Ivan Raimi & Alvin Sargent
Screen Story By: Sam Raimi & Ivan Raimi
Based On Characters Created By: Stan Lee & Steve Ditko
Cinematography: Bill Pope
Editor: Bob Murawski 


Cast: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, Topher Grace, Thomas Haden Church, James Franco, J.K. Simmons, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rosemary Harris, James Cromwell, Theresa Russell, Dylan Baker, Bill Nunn, Elizabeth Banks, Ted Raimi, Bruce Campbell, Becky Ann Baker, Willem Dafoe, Cliff Robertson 


Peter Parker has finally managed to piece together the once-broken parts of his life, maintaining a balance between his relationship with Mary-Jane and his responsibility as Spider-Man. But more challenges arise for our young hero. Peter’s old friend Harry Obsourne has set out for revenge against Peter; taking up the mantle of his late father’s persona as The New Goblin, and Peter must also capture Uncle Ben’s real killer, Flint Marko, who has been transformed into his toughest foe yet, the Sandman. All hope seems lost when suddenly Peter’s suit turns jet-black and greatly amplifies his powers. But it also begins to greatly amplify the much darker qualities of Peter’s personality that he begins to lose himself to. Peter has to reach deep inside himself to free the compassionate hero he used to be if he is to ever conquer the darkness within and face not only his greatest enemies, but also…himself

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UNDER THE SILVER LAKE (2019)

Written & Directed By: David Gordon Mitchell
Cinematography: Mike Gioulakis
Editor: Julio Perez
Music By Disasterpiece 


Cast: Andrew Garfield, Riley Keough, Topher Grace, Riki Lindhome, Grace Van Patten, Callie Hernandez, Zosia Mamet, Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Jimmi Simpson, Lola Blanc, Sydney Sweeney, Summer Bashil, Don McManus, Patrick Fischler

Sam is a disenchanted 33-year-old who discovers a mysterious woman, Sarah, frolicking in his apartment’s swimming pool. When she vanishes, Sam embarks on a surreal quest across Los Angeles to decode the secret behind her disappearance, leading him into the murkiest depths of mystery, scandal and conspiracy in the City of Angels.

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