Freelance

For so many years, action films--script wise--seem to have comic overtones to them.Think about it; with films such as "Kindergarten Cop", "Demolition Man", "The Suicide Squad", "Zombieland", "The Lost City", "Bullet Train" and the like, these are basically action films laced with a ton of humor. So, with "Freelance", we have a similar thread running. 

Ex-special forces operative Mason Pettits (John Cena) is stuck in a dead-end desk job when he reluctantly takes on a freelance gig he got roped into from his former ops buddy, Sebastian Earle (Christian Slater), to provide security for washed up journalist Claire Wellington (Alison Brie) as she interviews the ruthless--but impeccably dressed dictator, Juan Venegas (Juan Pablo Raba). When a military coup breaks out just as she's about to get the scoop of a lifetime, the unlikely trio must figure out how to survive the jungle AND each other in order to make it out alive. 

Others to round out the cast are Alice Eve as Mason's wife, Marton Csokas as Rebel Leader, Julianne Arrieta as Avery Alderson, Molly McCann as Casey, Mason's daughter, Sebastian Eslana as Jorge, Daniel Toro as Jorge's aide and Roberto Cano as Lavato. 

This was helmed by director Pierre Morel ("District B13" '04, "Taken" '08, "From Paris with Love" '09, "The Gunman" '15, "Clan of the Cave Bear" (TV movie) '15, "Peppermint" '18, "The Ambush" (TV movie) '21) plus TV, and observing his resume, is surely within his comfort zone. His staging and pacing were delivered in a way that gave the audience that feel of what to expect next. The emotions ran the gambit with his actors, but, then again, they were supposed to. If you appreciate this filmmaker's brand of directing, his "Canary Black" is in post production. This was surprisingly well written by relative newcomerTJacob Lentz (TV). Even though this film is Lentz's debut for feature films, this was incredibly well penned. Was it an Oscar contender? Absolutely not. Was it terrible? Absolutely not. Considering the lack of feature film experience that Lentz has, he certainly has proven that with more work given him, he will improve with each project he writes--this was an amazing start. Some of this was a bit predictable, and there were a couple of very small areas of choppiness, but, all in all, it was a film that kept one's attention. Both Cena and Pablo Raba were cast amazingly well and gave believable performances. I realize that this film has been panned, but after viewing this, I'm not sure what those other critics were looking for. This was fun, entertaining and a great way to spend the better part a 2 hours. 

If you are an action junkie, this is the film for you. This was humorous, entertaining all the while the heroes are attempting to save the day. It has an underlying message of family and priorities which we all could think about a bit more in our lives. It's a great popcorn film, so have fun with this. I sure did. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                        Rated: R                                            109mins.

Killers of the Flower Moon

So much of the time films based on a true story can be stranger than fiction, and "Killers of the Flower Moon" definitively proves that. One would think that this being based in the 1920's, a certain amount of morals and values would reign certainly more than in today's society. Undoubtedly there was more of a morality back then as compared to present day, but this story brings out a certain amount of evil that looks shocking by even today's standards. 

Based on David Gann's broadly lauded book, "Killers of the Flower Moon" is set in 1920's Oklahoma depicts the serial murder of members of the oil wealthy Osage Nation, a string of brutal crimes that came to be known as the Reign of Terror. William K.Hale (Robert De Niro), who is a prominent local figure reunites with Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) after Burkhart's stint in WWI attempting to unravel what's happening to the Osage Indians back then--who is committing these murders and why? Burkhart subsequently marries Mollie Brown (Lily Gladstone), a member of the Osage Nation, only putting that relationship into compromise. Ultimately a federal agent, Tom White (Jesse Plemons) comes out there to investigate the continued murders when beseeched  from Mollie to come to Oklahoma to help her people. 

Others to round out the cast are Jason Isbell as Bill Smith, John Lithgow as Prosecutor Leaward, Brendan Fraser as W. S. Hamilton, Cara Jade Myers as Anne Kyle Brown and Tantoo Cardinal as Lizzie Q. 

This was consummately directed by Martin Scorsese ("New York City...Melting Point" '66, "Mean Streets" '73, "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" '74, "Taxi Driver" '76, "Raging Bull" '80, "The King of Comedy" '82, "The Color of Money" '86, "Goodfellas" '90, "Cape Fear" '91, "Casino" '95, "Gangs of New York" '02, "The Aviator" '04, "The Departed" '06, "Shutter Island" '10, "Hugo" '11, "The Wolf of Wall Street" '13, "The 50 Year Argument" '14, "The Irishman" '19) and many others, plus a TV movie, shorts and videos. This director seizes to amaze me with his innate ability to extract just the most effective emotions to bring these characters to life, His relationship with his longtime editor, Thelma Schoonmaker ace is one that should never be split up since she simply knows how to cut his films with expertise and clarity. It was effectively written by veteran writer Eric Roth ("To Catch a Pebble" '70, "The Drowning Pool" '75, "The Concorde...Airport '79" '79, "The Onion Field" '79, "Memories of Me" '88, "Forrest Gump" '94, "The Postman" '97, "The Insider" '99, "Ali" '01, "Munich" '05, "Lucky You" '07, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" '08, "A Star is Born" '18, "Dune" '21) and others, plus TV movies, TV and shorts and Martin Scorsese ("New York City...Melting Point" '66, "Mean Streets" '73, "Goodfellas" '90, "Casino" '95, "My Voyage to Italy" '99, "A Letter to Ella" '10, "Silence" '16) plus TV movies, TV and shorts, based on the book by David Gann. The exhaustive research in the recreating of this film about the Osage Nation was incredibly delineated, which definitely added to the realism of the story. Other than a couple of very small places of slowness and some very small continuity issues, this script was extraordinary. The running time was almost three and a half hours and simply moved right along and allowed the audience to see what this people went through. 

Certainly if you're a Scorsese fan, this is quintessential Scorsese replete with, not only De Niro, but DiCaprio as well. And if you have to see this up, close and personal, it is also presented in an IMAX format as well. If you are a person that has a tough time sitting for a while, you might want to rethink in seeing this in the theater. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                        Rated: R                                   206mins.

She Came to Me

When it comes to romantic comedies, Hollywood is king, even though they are often predicable and unoriginal. However, given the same genre to an independent film company, and unoriginal and predictability takes a back seat. "She Came to Me" is actually a drama/comedy, but still has that romcom feel to it. This project coming out of an independent company allows quality to trump the usual formulaic format. 

This is a truly modern romantic comedy, a multi-generational love story set against the iconic backdrop of New York City. Composer Steven Lauddem (Peter Dinklage) is creatively blocked and unable to finish the score for his big comeback opera. At the behest of his wife, Patricia (Anne Hathaway), formally his therapist, he sets out in search of inspiration, which he finds after a chance encounter with an unusual woman, one, Katrina Trento (Marisa Tomei), and what he discovers is much more than he bargained for or imagined. Then this is intertwined with a couple of bright teenagers who fight to prove to their parents that young love can last forever. And for a successful therapist who seemingly has it all, love arrives in the most unexpected of ways. 

Others to round out the cast are Evan A. Ellison as Julian Jessop, Harlow Jane as Tereza Szyskowski, Brian d'Arcy James as Trey Ruffa, Chris Gethard as Carl, Joanna Kulig as Magdalena and Dale Soules as Aunt Moxie. 

This was soulfully directed with pathos and with underlying emotions by Rebecca Miller ("Angela" '95, "Personal Velocity" '02, "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" '05, "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee" '09, "Maggie's Plan" '15, "Arthur Miller: Writer" (TV movie) '17). For the many decades that this filmmaker has been producing movies, there isn'r necessarily a plethora of experience, however, she has a definitive amount of quality. Interesting that it took her six years to release this film from the last release, but the pandemic could've played into that. She definitely know how to encourage her actors to emit the emotions needed for any certain scene involved. This was also written by Rebecca Miller (see above resume plus "Proof" '05). Assuredly the characters in which Miller created were written purposely to coincide with the premise, however, other than the two young teenagers, the rest of the characters were deeply troubled. It was extremely difficult to feel sorry for anyone else. The issues they all obtained were stunning, but, then again, this had to be purposed in order to have a film. There was a bit of choppiness in the script--such as having a bit more polish when connecting all of the relationships in the script, and it did have a small amount of continuity issues, otherwise it was interesting. The best aspect of this was the fact that the premise was much more original than that of the typical romcom fare. 

As stated prior, if you're into romcoms, this definitely is more meaty that what a typical Hollywood romcom could come close to producing. It's original, unpredictable, quirky and, in some places, a bit bizarre. The actors certainly were believable in their respective roles, however nothing Oscar worthy. But,then again, it probably wasn't made to win a best picture award, and that's fine with me. 

Out 4 Stars: 2.5                                  Rated: R                                         102mins.

Shelter in Solitude

Through the course of decades of prison films that have come out of Hollywood, there have been ones based on a true story and those strictly written as fiction. "Shelter in Solitude" is one such film based in fiction, however is created with a feel that it could have been based on a true story or person. 

The year is 2020, just as the covid-19 pandemic is just starting. With only 10 days left until his execution, a prisoner Jackson (Peter Macon) on death row reluctantly develops a bond with a washed up country singer turned prison guard Val Fagan (Siobhan Fallon Hogan) and the warden Dwayne Fagan (Robert Patrick), who also happens to be Val's brother. Since the pandemic shut her local bar, she was desperate to work, so as one of the guards resigned, she decided to take his place, little did she know about what it's like working on a death row section of a prison. Val's persistence finally breaks the ice with Jackson and she learns so much more than meets the eye. 

Others to round out the cast are Dan Castellaneta as Sam, Peter Munson Hogan as Ofc. Chris Sullivan, Michael Oberholtzer as Kevin, Patricia Scanlon as Clara and Sinead Hogan as Jenny, the hippy.

This was directed with such reality and soberness by Vibeke Muasya ("Levinden" (TV movie) '04, "The Take-Away Bride" '05, "Lost in Africa" '10, "A Dog's Life" (TV movie) '13, "Rushed" '21, "Grethe Meyer: The Queen of Danish Design" (fiction scenes directed) '22, "Twisted" '22) plus shorts. This filmmaker definitely knows how to stage and pace his actors in achieving a realistic look at people who are in a difficult situation, whether it be capital punishment, the starting of covid-19 pandemic and certain bias'involved. It was delineated with such precision by a relative newcomer to the writing realm, Siobhan Fallon Hogan ("Rushed" '21) plus TV. The remarkable aspect of this writer is that besides the one and only other film she has written, she has only worked for one other TV series for a limited amount of episodes. This film was constructed in a concise, cohesive and sequenced in a way where the fluidity of the script seemed effortless. Hogan is clearly a natural and will definitively go far as a screenwriter. Even though she is an actor, writing is a much a talent with Hogan. I can't wait to see what she writes next, and there will definitely be a next. 

Even though there was an element of humor in this film, the message was clear and sobering. The writing, directing and acting was consummate. It's sad that we can't see more of these films that are artistically crafted well, but this being an independent film automatically equates with a well-honed movie. Whatever side one is on when talking about capital punishment, this is a film that will cause all to think about their position.

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                         Rated: R                                         92mins.

The Creator

I've said it before and I'll say it again, why are the apocalyptic films so grim? I realize that something that is apocalyptic isn't going to be a bed of roses, however, they can be expressly depressing. As with, "The Creator", which is set in the 2060's to the 2070's, it's about the very survival of mankind--aren't they all. 

This is an epic sci-fi action thriller set amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of AL (Artificial Intelligence). Sgt. Joshua Taylor (John David Washington), a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife, Maya (Gemma Chan), is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war...and mankind itself. Joshua and his team, including Drew (Sturgill Simpson), Shipley (Robbie Tann), Daniels (Ian Verdun), McBride (Marc Menchaca) and others, of elite operatives journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI occupied territory...only to discover the world-ending weapon he's been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child, Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). 

Others to round out the cast are Allison Janney as Colonel Howell, Ken Watanabe as Harun, Ralph Ineson as General Andrews, Amar Chadha-Patel as Omni, Michael Esper as Captain Cotton, Veronica Ngo as Kami and Daniel Ray Rodriguez as Hardwick. 

This was directed as though a bomb was ticking feverishly by Gareth Edwards ("End Day" (TV movie) '05, "Monsters" '10, "Godzilla" '14, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" '16) plus TV and a short. Obviously, this filmmaker is right in his comfort zone with this--look at his resume. He certainly knows his way around, not only with large film productions, but his ability to extract the emotions from his actors to bring his audience to the edge of their seats is amazingly effective. It was cleverly written by Gareth Edwards ("End Day" (TV movie) '05, "Monsters" '10) plus a short and Chris Weitz ("Antz" '98, "Nutty Professor II: The Klumps"2000, "About a Boy" '02, "The Golden Compass" '07, "Cinderella" '15, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" '16, "The Mountain Between Us" '17, "Pinocchio" '22) Plus TV, based on a story by Gareth Edwards. Interesting that Edwards received top billing between the writers with much less experience. But, considering that this film was Edwards 'baby', Weitz must have given him that billing slot even though Weitz clearly has the lion's share of the experience here. Actually, other than a section where two of the pivotal characters are killed in a bomb-related incident and seemingly survived it, and there were a couple of choppy areas of script, this was an interesting concept. The one film I could loosely compare it to would be that of "The Terminator" '84--what with the machines and mankind killing one another. Gareth Edwards decided to take a different approach with the visuals and talked a virtual reality studio into letting him film without green screen,and filming on-location, using smaller cameras, using  guerrilla-filming techniques, employing ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) and then adding in the sci-fi elements later.  This not only made the visuals more realistic, but also more effective. 

If you like sci-fi films where the premise is definitely fighting the clock--you can almost hear the ticking, then this is the film for you. Washington's performance as Joshua is his usual very effective, but since he's the son of Denzel, it's no wonder. If you like that up, close and personal feeling, this is in an IMAX format as well.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                 Rated: PG-13                                          134mins.