Heart of the Beast

Through the decades Hollywood has produced quite a number of survival films in which or in what scenario people are put in in order to survive, i.e. "127 Hours", "The Poseidon Adventure", "Alien", any of the apocalyptic films, etc. So, when I saw my first trailer of "Heart of the Beast", I felt this might be a bit different considering one half of those that were surviving was a dog, and I was correct. 

Surviving a horrendous plane crash, a former Special Forces officer, James Belmont (Brad Pitt) finds himself trapped in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness with his combat scouting dog, Odin (Uber). Together, they battle the elements and other animals in a harsh landscape that would likely kill any other man or dog. This is a story that emphasizes the old adage, "dog is man's best friend". Will they be able to traverse this harrowing terrain?

Others to round out the cast are J.K. Simmons as Watkins and Anna Lambe as The Woman.

This was directed with a grueling and wincing effect by seasoned veteran David Ayer ("Harsh Times" '05, "Street Kings" '08, "End of Watch" '12, "Sabotage" '14, "Fury" '14, "Suicide Squad" '16, "Bright" '17, "The Tax Collector" '20, "The Beekeeper" '24, "A Working Man" '25) plus TV, music videos and a regular video. As one can see by his resume, this filmmaker puts the 'I' in intensity. His staging, pacing and his ability to sequence a film is consummate. Truly, I know this would be amazing after it progressed considering it is difficult to hold the audience's attention when its about 90 percent of the film is between a man and his dog, and this was incredible in its direction. It was also brilliantly written well by Cameron Alexander (music videos and shorts). I was astounded when writing this review that Alexander has no feature film experience since this was written with such pathos, warmth, depth, and cohesiveness. Certainly his music videos and shorts have served him well, however this writer is still clearly a newbie, but a natural. Was this a fluke? Not sure, but we'll see as he will receive more feature film projects. He captured the plight of this soldier and his dog incredibly. This film certainly has one of the smallest cast I've ever seen. "Alien" back in 1979 had only 7 cast members, but this had half that many--and really only one...and a dog. 

This film had so many wondrous elements in it...drama, heart, fear, adventure, a little humor and redemption. The connection between James and Odin was portrayed in such a real and effective way. The Head Dog Trainer, Esther Murphy was as much the star of this as well. This is a great acting vehicle for Pitt, who could be up for that elusive 'Best Actor' nod this year. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                             Rated: PG-13                                     101mins.

The Weight

Period films are typically intriguing and crafted well, whether one is interested in the premise or not. But when you add an exemplary cast and direction, the outcome is an incredibly well crafted American film. This being set during the great depression, the story is intense and original.

In Oregon in 1933, four years into the Great Depression, Samuel Murphy (Ethan Hawke) is unjustly torn from his daughter, Penny (Avy Berry) and sent to a brutal labor camp. Considering his honesty and being a veteran, Warden J.J. Clancy (Russell Crowe) tempts him with early release if he smuggles gold through the deadly Oregon wilderness, but betrayal festers within the crew, and Murphy questions how far he'll go to see his child again. 

Others to round out the cast are Julia Jones as Anna, Austin Amelio as Rankin, Avi Nash as Singh, Lucas Lynggaard Tonnesen as Olson, Sam Hazeldine as Amis, George Burgess as Letender, Alec Newman George Taggert and Cameron Brady as The Man.

This was directed with incredible calculating intensity and amazing grit by Padraic McKinley (TV series). Unless this film was a fluke, this filmmaker is a natural considering this is his first feature film. Sure, he does have TV under his belt which has served him well, however, the nuances that this director showed in getting his actors to dig deep so as to convince the audience of the different personas involved was next to perfection. He will definitely receive more work. It was equally well penned by writers Matthew Booi ("Trench 11" '17) plus TV, and Shelby Gaines ("Wildcat" '23). As with the directing, was this flawless? No, but other than that of a couple of very small places of choppiness where it was a bit questionable, the script was spot on, especially considering the limited feature film experience. I predominantly went to see this due to the actors, Ethan Hawke and Russell Crowe whom are consummate in their profession, but Hawke truly shined here breathing life into a complex individual with a persona that ranged from a slow crawl to a gallop effortlessly. Crowe was his usual solid role, but as compared, he practically yawned through this. It was Hawke that was amazing 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                      Rated: R                                     112mins.

Daniel and the Fiery Furnace

Ever since "The Passion of the Christ" (2004) graced our screens and grossed a ton of money in the box office, religious or Christian films have only grown in popularity. We've seen many, whether well received or not, but now we are offered a new film based on Old Testament teachings titled "Daniel and the Fiery Furnace", based on the teachings of the book of Daniel.

This is an epic live-action biblical drama that brings the origin story of the prophet Daniel (Mena Massoud) to life against the backdrop of exile in Babylon. As Daniel rises within a powerful and unforgiving empire, a ruthless king, Nebuchadnezzar (Elijah Alexander) issues a decree demanding absolute worship under penalty of death. When three faithful men, Shadrach (Sunjay Midda), Meshach (Adam Lahraoui) and Abednego (Zaki Ali) refuse to bow a knee, they choose to be cast into a blazing furnace rather than betray their God. In the face of impossible odds, their defiance ignites a miracle that is seen around the world along with the king seeing, what looked like and angel or the Son of Man. 

Others to round out the cast are Roberto Zenca as Jeremiah, Sophia Decaro as Susanna, Jeremiah's sister, Mahir Pandhi as Habakkuk, Chandan Roy Sanyal as Ashpenaz, Jazz Lintott as Zaid, Zachary Coffin as King Jehoiakim, Saurrabh Kushwaha as Jehoiachin and Yukta Shah as Ayana.

This was directed with pathos and grit by Matthew Kooman ("E for Everyone: The Mouse and the Elephant" '08, "She Has a Name" '16) plus TV, a short and a video and Daniel Kooman ("The Story" '12, "She Has a Name" '16) plus TV and videos. These guys certainly work well together being brothers, and should continue to do so. Some of the staging was a little stiff, but once the film proceeded, it became much more fluid. They simply need more work which they will in the form of "Dream: Find Your Significance" which has been completed. It was also well crafted by writers Matthew Kooman (video) and Daniel Kooman (TV series). Considering this is these brothers' only feature film to their credit, this was incredibly well written. First of all, it was definitely written with painstaking accuracy in that not only did they follow the bible and the scriptures from the book of Daniel, but even many smaller aspects were also within the script which was impressive. And secondly, the sequencing of the events that led up to Daniel's friends being thrown into the fiery furnace was accurate and crafted well where the audience was pulled right into this powerful story. Certainly, if this is these two writer's first feature film, I am curious to see what they write next, and there will be a next time, because of the raw talent these guys possess. They also edited the film as well which helps in that they know exactly where to cut it per their need and want. 

Certainly if one is a Christian, you will feel right at home with this, but even if you're not, there's something for everyone here. It's a story about what led up to the well known biblical story of Daniel and the fiery furnace, however it was told in a way that was informational, adventurous, entertaining, and even convicting, 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                         Rated: PG-13                                    108mins.

The Uprising

One aspect about films based in medieval times is that they are typically heavy on the violence, but considering the time in which people lived, this was, unfortunately, an extremely perilous time. So, when "The Uprising" was being released and Paul Greengrass directing. who is into reality, his films have that tendency to be violent if the film warrants. 

Ploughman (Andrew Garfield) becomes the leader of a ferocious rebellion including John Ball (Jamie Bell), Wat Tyler (Cosmo Jarvis) and Alyce (Thomasin McKenzie) against the tyranny of King Richard II (Woody Norman). Set against the true events of the Uprising in England 1381 that helped inspire the legend of Robin Hood, he forms an army of the people to face the King's might in a fight for justice. 

Others to round out the cast are Katherine Waterston as Countess, Mark Redhead as Lord Peterborough, Tom Hollander as Treasurer Hales, Stephen Dillane as Archbishop Sudbury, Stanley Townsend as Chief Justice Belknap, Sam Chapman as Tax Collector and Sky Yang as Scribe.

This was directed with intensity and super realism that he can do so well by Paul Greengrass ("Resurrected" '89, "Open Fire" (TV movie) '94, "The Theory of Flight" '98, "Bloody Sunday" '02, "The Bourne Supremacy" '04, "United 93" '06, "The Bourne Ultimatum" '07"Green Zone" '10, "Captain Phillips" '13, "Jason Bourne" '16, "22 July" '18, "News of the World" '20, "The Lost Bus" '25) plus TV and other TV movies. This filmmaker puts the 'D' in detail--just check out his "United 93" and you'll know what I mean. "United 93" was so realistic it was a tough sit, however directed with crystal clear precision. If you like his brand of directing, his "Test Drive" is in pre-production. It was also effectively written by Paul Greengrass ("Bloody Sunday" '02, "United 93" '06, "Jason Bourne" '16, "22 July" '18, "News of the World" '20, "The Lost Bus" '25) plus TV and TV movies. Surely he is a much accomplished director more than a writer, but considering he is consummate behind the camera, he is still a fine writer. Really, other than a couple of very small places of choppiness and continuity issues, this script was amazing. He had to cover a great deal of territory as far as what this uprising was about and how much it got completely out of control, but he did pull it off. The cinematography by Pal Ulvik Rokseth, fnf was simply stunning in that he was able to create a frenetic feeling when it came to the battle scenes and during one fighting scene at night, his lighting, which only had torches and a bonfire for lighting was amazing and incredibly realistic. 

Certainly if you're a Greengrass fan, you'll love this. The photography and acting by Garfield, Bell and Jarvis in particular was effective and worked well off of one another. Greengrass' realism is trademark here and with this element being as distinct as ir is, it will leave its audience breathless. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                         Rated: R                                      128mins.

Runner

Buddy films are about as much a Hollywood staple as are sci-fi flicks. We've seen a number including the Lethal Weapon franchise, "Midnight Run", the Rush Hour franchise, and others. All were crowd pleasers and all profited. So, when "Runner" was released, I felt, and still do feel, that this will do well in the box office due to it being a thrill ride from first frame to last.

A former Navy SEAL, Hank Malone (Alan Ritchson) is thrown into a brutal race against time when a critical medical delivery makes him and his unlikely partner, Ben Bishop (Owen Wilson)  the targets of a ruthless cartel, headed up by leader Damian Zaldivar (Rodrigo Santoro). As the mission spirals into a deadly manhunt, every detour, delay, and bullet pushes them closer to failure. With betrayal closing in from every side, they must survive the chase and deliver their cargo to save the life of a little girl, and relieve her very worried mother, Kate Baker (Leila George). 

Others to round out the cast are Peta Sergeant as Nurse Julie,  Kate Box as Dr. Ainsley, Goran D. Kleut as Luke Robbie, Cecilia Toussaint as Donna Zaldivar, Geraldine Hakewill as Monica, Gyton Grantley as Iggy and Scarlett Crabtree as Ellie.

This was directed with amazing intensity and grit by Scott Waugh ("Act of Valor" '12, "Need for Speed" '14, "6 Below: Miracle on the Mountain" '17, "Hidden Strike" '23, "The Expendables 4" '23) plus a short. As far as the pacing and timing, this film is reminiscent of the film "Speed" '95, whereas there was non=stop action very close to frame one until the end. As soon as something was solved, something else harrowing begins to make the situation more haphazard. It definitely kept its audience on the edge of their proverbial seats. It was equally well written by Miles Hubley (Shorts) and Tommy White (Shorts). While neither of these writers have no feature film experience, their first time out as film writers is amazing. Their script was tight, concise and cohesive which is more than I can say for a number of seasoned writers. Their ability to hold its audience attention is captivating as well as it is entertaining. If you like their style of writing, their "The Shave" is being written at this time. Hopefully that film is as interesting as this movie. 

If you like high-pulsating, adrenaline ridden, 'buddy films', this is the film for you. This film pulls its audience right in and doesn't let go until the end. As with "Speed" which I liked, this was a movie that keeps one riveted from frame one until the end frame and you walk away with an exhausted feeling only because of the adrenaline it creates in the moviegoers. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                           Rated: PG-13                                           98mins.

By Any Means

We've all seen FBI and CIA films many times, and we've all seen films that center around the mafia and hitmen, but it's not very often when we are privvy to the combination of both. Well, with "By Any Means", we are offered that combo and it hums along like a well oiled machine. 

Based on a true story, a young black FBI agent, Wayne Strider (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is sent into 1960s Mississippi to investigate a wave of brutal killings targeting civil rights leaders by FBI Special Agent Roy K. Moore (David Strathairn). Forced to work alongside notorious mafia hitman Greg Scarpa (Mark Wahlberg). he finds himself pulled into a deadly hunt where justice and vengeance begin to blur. When the system is broken, two men divided by everything agree on one thing: the law has limits. They don't. While investigating the killing of Civil Rights leader, Vernon F. Dahmer (Giancarlo Esposito), Strider and Scarpa get a little more than they bargained for. 

Others to round out the cast are Nicole Beharie as Allison Strider, Wayne's wife, Josh Lucas as Special Agent Everett Rhodes, LisaGay Hamilton as Ms. Rebecca Brewer, Ethan Embry as Sam Bowers, LaChanze as Hattie Dahmer, Vernon's wife, Will Brittain as Billy Roy Pitts, Biko Eisen-Martin as Special Agent Archie Crawford, DeVere Jehl as Edgar Ray Killen and Zach Lane as Clive Styles.

This was directed with stylish grit and intensity by Elegance Bratton ("Pier Kids" '19, "The Inspection" '22, "Hell Fighter" '24, "Move Ya Body: The Birth of House" '25) plus TV and shorts. Even though this was a violent and bloody film, this filmmaker was able to bring a certain slickness to its format. He was able to send us a 'stylish' feeling to an otherwise rough and tumble male flick oozing with an over abundance of testosterone. His staging and pacing was also slickly executed as well. It was executed well by writer Sascha Penn (" Creed II" '18, "Main Justice" '18, "1992" '22) plus TV. Even though he is not a seasoned writer, what he has written along with his TV projects has served him well. Other than a couple of very small places of choppiness, this story was riveting as well as informative. Really, this guy simply needs more work since he has potential of being a great writer. The cinematography by Ante Cheng was very interesting in that it gave a subtle 'grainy' look as though one is peering into a film dating back to the 60s. And this newer actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II definitely has a future in feature films. He's strong, quiet and can certainly hold his own. And Wahlberg is always a perennial favorite. These roles are the roles we typically think of when it comes to him. 

Certainly if your favorite genre is that of drama, FBI with crime, you'll be in film heaven. It has it all: drama, intensity, racial tension, even some humor to help with the violent moments in the film. This isn't one for the kids--too many F-bombs and violence, but does have an interesting premise. After all, it isn't titled "By Any Means" for nothing.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                      Rated: R                                         106mins.

The Dog Stars

Apocalyptic, dystopian films are becoming a fascination with filmmakers and audiences alike. With films like "The Omega Man", and its follow up, "I Am Legend", "The Book of Eli", "District 9", "Elysium", "28 Days Later", "Fahrenheit 451", and others, we've become, for probably differing reasons, fascinated with such a dark topic. So, to add to that ever growing and popular list, we have been offered "The Dog Stars".

Set in a post-apocalyptic world in which a virus (a flu) has wiped out most of humanity. Survivors are being terrorized by roaming scavengers called 'Reapers'. The protagonist is Hig (Jacob Elordi), a pilot who survived the flu that killed everyone he knew, his wife included. He lives in the hangar of a small abandoned airport with his dog, Jasper and his only neighbor--a gun-toting ex-Marine, Bangley (Josh Brolin). Hig sometimes heads off in his 1956 Cessna, where he can fish and pretend things are how they used to be. When he attempts to find a better life, he comes across two other people, Pops (Guy Pearce) and his daughter, Cima (Margaret Qualley). Soon, when Hig receives a random transmission that somehow beams through his radio, the voice ignites a hope deep inside him that a better life might exist if he flies a bit further. He risks it all to chase a possible haven in Grand Junction. 

Others to round out the cast are Allison Janney as Darlene, Benedict Wong as Aaron, Ewen Bremner as Crossbow Hunter, James Craze as Logan, Sam Spruell as John, Sai Bennett as Melissa, Sebastian Rokison-Woodall as Ben and Alara-Star Khan as Matilda.

This was directed with cutting-edge precision by veteran Ridley Scott ("The Duelists" '77, "Alien" '79, "Blade Runner" '82, "Legend" '85, "Thelma & Louise" '91, "White Squall" '96, "Gladiator" 2000, "Hannibal" '01, "Black Hawk Down" '01, "Matchstick Men" '03, "American Gangster" '07, "Body of Lies" '08, "The Counselor" '13, "The Martian" '15, "Alien: Covenant" '17, "The Last Duel" '21"House of Gucci" '21, "Napoleon" '23, "Gladiator II" '24) plus many other films, TV, shorts, videos and music videos. This filmmaker has certainly proved himself as a fine, talented director. He simply knows how to work with his actors so as to have them dig deep into their respective characters in order to convey that the characters they are portraying are convincing. If you like his brand of directing, he has several films in pre=production, namely his "It's What I Do" and "The Color of Lightning". It was penned well by seasoned writer Mark L. Smith ("Seance" '06, "Vacancy" '07, "Vacancy 2: The First Cut" '08, "The Hole" '09, "Martyers" '15, "The Revenant" '15, "Overlord" '18, "The Midnight Sky" '20, "The Marsh King's Daughter" '23, "The Boys in the Boat' '23, "Twisters" '24) plus TV, based on the novel by Peter Heller. This, as with other apocalyptic films are typically with a grim premise, although with Hig's unrealistic form of optimism, it does bring in some lighter moments. There are well defined characters and all with a distinct personality, but other than a couple of small places of continuity issues, this story was fascinating. There were a couple of places where you saw Hig with his wife, Melissa, however, later it was learned that she had passed away from the virus, so there was some rethinking involved. The cinematography by Erik Messerschmidt, asc was incredible and definitely enhanced the production. 

Certainly if you like the films of Ridley Scott, you will have hit a home run. He knows his craft well. And all the different stars in this were believable and played off each other effectively. The direction, acting and cinematography surely shined in this and we are the victors of it.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                     Rated: R                                         118mins.