Whalefall

Underwater films are typically presented in an extremely claustrophobic way in order to give it that suffocating aspect, i.e, "The Abyss", "The Meg", "U-570", "Crimson Tide" among a handful. So when "Whalefall" was released, it clearly showcased the claustrophobic  aspect in a very purposed way.

Following the death of his father, Mitt Gardiner (Josh Brolin), Jay Gardiner (Austin Abrams) goes diving off the central Coast of California in search of his remains, but is swallowed by a massive sperm whale. While trapped inside its belly with only one hour of oxygen left, Jay comes to realize that the hard-earned lessons his father imparted may be the key to his escape. Will he be able to figure it out and be able to escape the clutches of this whale before his air comes to an end?

Others to round out the cast are Elisabeth Shue as Zara Gardiner, Jay's mom, John Ortiz as Hewey, Mitt's friend, Jane Levy as Jay's sister, Emily Rudd as another of Jay's sisters and Nicholas Gould as US Coast Guard Perry Officer Third Class Whaley. 

This was directed with a gut-wrenching amount of grit and intensity by Brian Duffield ("Spontaneous" '20, "No One Will Save You" '23). Even though this filmmaker has limited experience behind the camera, he definitely gave a one two punch in his position to convince his audience that this young man, not only was swallowed, but how he is constantly challenged in his survival. The tension of the situation coupled with the tenacity of Jay, the scuba diver,  was amazing direction. Duffield's pacing, staging and sequencing were also crafted well. It was also executed well by writers Brian Duffield ("The Divergent Series: Insurgent" '15, "Jane Got a Gun" '15, "The Babysitter" '17, "Underwater" '20, "Sponraneous" '20, "Love and Monsters" '20, "No One Will Save You" '23) plus TV and a short and Daniel Kraus ("Jefftowne" '97, "Ball of Wax" '03) plus TV, based on the book by Daniel Kraus. The sequencing was stunning in this script, however considering Kraus, who wrote the book this film is based on, and was one of the screenwriters along with Duffield, the other screenwriter who is experienced, wrote this, it's no wonder it was sequenced and cohesive as it was. Unless Austin Abrams as Jay has been in a lot of TV, which I'm not really into, his performance was riveting even though I've never heard of him. Much of his performance was facial and emotional and not verbal since he was wearing a scuba device, and his expressions spoke volumes. The underwater cinematography by Jamie Alac was descript as it was stunning, and the visual effects predominantly designed by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) were seamless and were created in a very subtle way which added to the story. 

If you light this type of 'claustrophobic' fare in a film, this will certainly hit home, however if you are experiencing claustrophobia in your own life, this might create a feeling of uncomfortableness. It's truly a roller coaster ride and is a real nail-biter, but that's what makes this ride. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                    Rated: PG-13                                      105min.

The Social Reckoning

When "The Social Network" was released back in 2010, the social media, especially Facebook was a relatively new concept, and being told how Facebook came about and what involved that, it made for an interesting film. But now we have "The Social Reckoning" as a follow up of how Facebook got totally out of hand. Why can't people take something that is helpful and not bastardize it?

A companion piece to the hit film, "The Social Network", Aaron Sorkin's original screenplay tells the true story of how Frances Haugen (Mikey Madison), a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz (Jeremy Allen White) a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network's most guarded secrets involving algorithms, greed, manipulation and plotting to divide society against itself.

Others to round out the cast are Betty Gilpin as Christina, Billy Magnussen as Teddy Marks, Bill Burr as Charlie Garrigan, Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg, Wunmi Mosaku as Raya, Gbenga Akinnagbe as Andy Butler, Anna Lambe as Morgan, Nelson Franklin as Tom and Aidan Laprete as Zach.

This was directed with tenseness and grit by Aaron Sorkin ("Molly's Game" '17, "The Trial of the Chicago 7" '20, "Being the Ricardos" '21). This filmmaker usually gives a clarity and conciseness to his direction and this film is no exception. White gives this tense, but underlying tenacity to his role, and this is fine directing. It was also well penned by writer Aaron Sorkin ("A Few Good Men" '92, "Malice" '93, "The American President" '95, "Charlie Wilson's War" '07, "The Social Network" '10, "Moneyball" '11, "Steve Jobs" '15, "Molly's Game" '17, "The Trial of the Chicago 7" '20, "Being the Ricardos" '21) plus TV, including "West Wing". Even though Sorkin excels when the subject of which he writes is politics, however, as his resume indicates, he is quite adept at just about any subject. Certainly writing is his love and his ability is undeniable--"A Few Good Men" was also based on his play, he gradually approached the directing realm in 2017 with "Molly's Game". "The Social Reckoning" was concise and powerful, but there were a couple of very small places of choppiness which made it not flow as much as it needed. If you like his style of writing, his TV movie of "A Few Good Men" is in the works, however the production is unknown at this time. 

The best aspect of this film was to uncover the secrets and manipulations of the big corporate world--this following the goings on with Facebook. Sorkin is a talented writer and his ability to direct only improves with each film he directs. Certainly if you liked "The Social Network", you'll like this follow up. It really makes us wonder what really goes on with these companies.

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

Angel and the Badman

Back many decades ago, Hollywood produced many westerns including "Stagecoach" '39, "High Noon" '52, "Rio Bravo" '59, "The Searchers" '56, "Shane" '53 "The Alamo" '60, etc, and since then, we have seen a resurgence of this genre, i.e. "Hell or High Water"'16  , "No Country for Old Men" '07 and others. So now we have "Angel and the Badman" to sink our teeth into.

When feared outlaw Quirt Evans (Zachary Levi) staggers onto a rancher's land with a bullet in his back, he expects a quick death, not mercy. But Penny Worth (Meg Fraser), the rancher's daughter, offers him a chance at something he's never had: a life beyond violence. However, the past doesn't forgive. With the Marshal (Tommy Lee Jones) closing in and an outlaw gang headed up by Laredo (Neal McDonough) ready to burn the ranch to the ground, Quirt must decide what kind of man he'll be when the world demands blood. 

Others to round out the cast are Jean Louisa Kelly as Irene Worth, Penny's mother, Barrett Ellis Luca as Johnny Worth, Penny's brother, Melissa Chambers as Harriet, Maurice Greene as Tully, Jesus Carus as Hondo, Sean Bridgers as Deputy Eli, Manny Greenfield as Dr. Mangram and Eric T. Esparza as Nelson. 

This classic western was directed with grit and familiarity by Julio Quintana ("The Vessel" '16, "Blue Miracle" '21, "The Long Game" '26) plus shorts. This was formatted in a way that one could feel that they were viewing an older western film where there was a definite distinction between the 'good guy' and the 'bad guy' which made it a much more welcoming script going back to simpler days. His staging and pacing were expressly spot on as well. It was well executed by writers Kevin M. Townsend, Christopher Tuffin and Jaime Hernandez.Usually, my formula for a better script is for there not to be any more than two writers on the project, but with this, having an extra writer didn't really hamper it, especially since none of these writers have extensive experience in the writing realm. The best thing about this writing, as like the directing, was that it was formatted in a classical western feel of a film. It simply took me back to a simpler day of going to the movies and enjoying a western, with a newsreel, cartoons and popcorn. It wasn't a complicated plot, but that's part of its charm. Other than a couple of places of inconsistencies, this was surely the film it was meant to be. 

If you like westerns, or even more to the point, if you yearn for the old-fashioned type western, this should be a real treat. The stars, Zachary Levi, Neal McDonough, Tommy Lee Jones and Meg Fraser all were believable in their respective characters. It's a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                        Rated: PG-13                                 107mins.

Digger

Through the years, Hollywood has produced many quirky and odd films, and they have also produced many satirical comedic films, and many times never the twain shall meet. However "Digger" has combined the two and the effort was admiral, but also a bit convoluted as the film progressed. 

The most powerful, wealthy and egotistical man in the world, Digger Rockwell (Tom Cruise) embarks on a frantic mission to prove he is humanity's savior before the disaster he's unleashed destroys everything. It's a satirical black comedy that when Digger realizes his blunder, assumes he can con the public by actually being honest hoping that approach will win. His associates including President Compson (John Goodman), Dr. Ganesh (Riz Ahmed), and others reluctantly agree that it might just work...or will it?

Others to round out the cast are Sandra Huller as Emma, Michael Stuhlbarg as the Vice President Eddie, Jesse Plemons as Kenny, Robert John Burke as General Fitzgerald, Emma D'Arcy as Lina, Burn Gorman as Defense Secretary Amos, Sophie Wilde as Hannah, Danny Kirrane as Clarkson and Ross Hatt as Dr. Berg/Reader.

This was directed in an odd and quirky style by Alejandro G. Inarritu ("Amores Perros" 2000, "September 11" (Segment "Mexico") '02, "21 Grams" '03, "Babel" '06, "Biutiful" '10, "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" '14, "The Revenant" '15, "Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths" '22) plus TV, shorts, videos and music videos. This filmmaker definitely pushes the envelope of what is sellable and how much can he get away with for the price tag of art. His ability to get his actors to convey the virtues of their respective characters so as to convince the audience is amazing. "His "The Revenant" and "Birdman..." were incredible in their directing as the same goes for this film as well. His staging and pacing was strong. It was interestingly written by Alejandro G. Inarritu, Alexander Dinelaris, Nicolas Giacobone and Sabina Berman, based on a story by Sabina Berman, Alejandro G. Inarritu and Jez Butterworth. Now, did you catch the number of names here? As I've mentioned before, when there is more than two writers on any given project, it has a tendency to become convoluted and confusing--too many hands in the pot? Probably, but less writers typically equates with a stronger script. This isn't always true, but usually its a wise realization. The premise here was uproarious and quite clever, but the way it was written simply became confusing. Such as there were scenes where we were viewing a film, and then it was then a film within a film. It was an original format, but it became bogged down around a third of the way through. The first part of the film was funnier and better crafted (writing wise). The best aspect of this film was that of Tom Cruise as Digger. His performance and John Goodman's performance as the President were incredible and both could be looking at Oscar nods come that time along with the cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezski asc/amc "Birdman..." '14, "The Revenant" '15).His style is amazing and this was shot in VistaVision and presented in an IMAX version if you like.

Certainly if you like director Inarritu and actor Cruise, you'll love this. This is definitely a film that Cruise went out on a limb to perform and he did a phenomenal job. Is this film for a wide audience appeal? Probably not, but the acting, direction and photography is well worth the price of admission.

Out of 4 Stars: 2.5                                          Rated: R                                    129mins.

Verity

The whole genre of the psychological thriller has certainly been around for a couple of decades, and with the popularity, isn't slowing down anytime soon. Films like "Shutter Island", "Gone Baby Gone", "What Lies Beneath" and many others can be and are bone-chilling, so keeps the audiences coming back. So, with that popularity, we have "Verity" to sink our teeth into.

This psychological thriller follows renowned author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) and Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a struggling writer who relocates to the remote Crawford estate to ghostwrite for Verity after a horrible accident that Verity is involved in. After Lowen uncovers what appears to be Verity's chilling autobiographical notes, she wrestles with the disturbing and twisted confessions about Verity's husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett), and finds it difficult to separate fiction from reality, manipulation from attraction, and opportunity from obsession. 

Others to round out the cast are Ismael Cruz Cordova as Corey, Brady Wagner as Crew Crawford, Jeremy's son, Irina Dvorovenko as Anna, Sienna Kulovitz as Harper Crawford, Jeremy's daughter, K.K. Moggie as Amanda Thomas and Tom Galantich as Barron Stephens.

This was directed with grit and clear intensity by Michael Showalter ("The Baxter" '05, "Hello, My Name Is Doris" '15, "Giles Vanderhoot" (TV movie) '16, "The Big Sick" '17, "The Lovebirds" '2020, "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" '21, "Spoiler Alert" '22, "The Idea of You" '24, "Oh. What. Fun."'25) plus TV, videos and a music video. This filmmaker was able to get his actors to really dig deep so as to flesh out the characters they were having to convince the audience with. He knows intensity well. It was equally well written by Nick Antosca ("The Cottage" '12, "The Forest" '16, "Antlers" '21) plus TV and shorts, based on the book by Colleen Hoover. With the amount of plot twists, different forms of manipulation by the different characters and doubts they were enduring, this script was amazingly moved along well. This writer doesn't have extensive experience, but he was actually able to hold his own. There were a couple a places that weren't fully explained, and a bit of continuity issues, but considering all that was going on in this story, a seasoned writer would've been hard-pressed to write this any better. Of course, all the major actors--Hartnett, Hathaway and Johnson were all on top of their game, and it showed in spades. 

If this genre of the psychological thriller is your favorite, you'll love this. It's a real cat and mouse game involving three individuals where manipulation reigns and the stakes are high. There are several twists and turns that will keep you wondering. The old adage of "oh what tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive" only came to mind during this.

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                    Rated: R                                             116mins.

                                     

Primetime

Back in the 90s and 2000s, there were a number of news expose shows to either inform, expose and even entertain us. One of those programs was Dateline on NBC, where they would cover something controversial all the while informing and making us think by shows' end. Well, we have now "Primetime", which is based on the show, "Dateline".

Set in 2006, this psychological crime thriller film follows the intense production by producer Andie Bender (Merritt Wever) and cultural explosion of the reality television series "To Catch a Predator" as host and commentator Chris Hansen (Robert Pattison) pushes the show to the ultimate limit in order to make network history. It's styled with a gritty, horror-adjacent and surreal aesthetic that explores obssession, media sensationalism and moral corruption. 

Others to round out the cast are Skyler Gisondo as Dan Plum, Matthew Maher as Xavier Von Erck, Phoebe Bridgers as Del, Victor Brunette as Frag, Bokeem Woodbine as Cortland Gunn, Alex Winter as Bill Conradt, Tony Revolori as 'Married and Looking', Anna Faris as Mary Hansen,  Chris' wife and Jonathan Lipnicki as Crazyfrog 73.

This was directed with grit, intensity all with a frenectic feel to it by Lance Oppenheim ("Some Kind of Heaven" '20, "Spermworld" '24, "You Can See Everything" '26) plus TV and shorts. His technique in the build-up Oppenheim was able to create between the different characters that were developed was amazing. This filmmaker doesn't have a ton of experience, but he will receive more work. It was reasonably written well by Ajon Singh, based on an article "Tonight on Dateline This Man Will Die" by Luke Dittrich. Considering this writer has no other experience, this was written fairly well. However, during its progression, the script had the tendency to jump around and wasn't as cohesive as it could've been. It didn't seem to finish one scene and then off to another. Was it a wash. Absolutely not. The build up to their catching each predator was captivating. The premise was stellar--the follow-through simply needed more polish. Singh's "Spider-Punk" which is in pre-production hopefully will allow him to more develop his style. The acting by Pattison was exemplary. He was coached by Tim Monich as dialect coach, and it was seamless. Also Skylar Gisondo as Dan Plum was riveting. 

If you like these type of television shows, You'll like this, if for no other reason, the film also goes into what it takes to produce one of these programs. As aforementioned, the acting and direction were spot on. The writer simply needs more work thrown his way. 

Out of 4 Stars: 2                                   Rated: R                                          109mins.

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.

Coyote vs. Acme

For a season of animated  and big-budget films, there hasn't been the usual number of animated movies. So, when I saw my first trailer of "Coyote vs. Acme", I was sold, especially since I was raised on the Looney Tunes cartoons Warner Bros. would dole out. This film is exactly what one would expect--pure fun!

After all of the products made by ACME Corporation backfire on Wile E. Coyote, in his pursuit of the Road Runner, he hires an equally unlucky human attorney, Kevin Avery (Will Forte) to sue the company. When Wile E.'s lawyer finds out that his former law firm's intimidating boss is ACME's lead council, Buddy Crane (John Cena), he teams up with Wile E, and his new, energetic intern, Paige (Lana Condor) to win the court case against him. 

Others to round out the cast are Tone Bell as Sal Maltese, Martha Kelly as Dottie Jones, Luis Guzman as Judge Troppogrosso, P.J. Byrne as Bill Pelicanos, John Early as Henry Heslop, Nancy Linehan Charles as Cherry, Kenneth Choi as Oscar Jeon and Eric Bauza as the voices of Bugs Bunny, Charlie Dog, Daffy Duck, Dr. Lorre, Elmer Fudd, Foghorn Leghorn, Gossamer, Porky Pig, Road Runner and Tweety. 

This was directed with Looney Tunes humor and adventure by Dave Green ("Earth to Echo" '14) plus TV, shorts and music videos. Even though this filmmaker only has one other feature film to his credit, he certainty was able to combine the live action and animation in a truly seamless way. Surely his TV and shorts work has served him well and he proved it in spades. And the animation of Warner Bros. was captivating yet entertaining. It was equally penned well by writer Samy Burch ("May December" '23, "Late Fame" '25) plus shorts, based on a screen story by James Gunn, Jeremy Slater and Samy Burch, which is based on the 'New Yorker' article by Ian Frazier. The premise is so today with corporate greed and profit, yet also conveyed in a whacky, Looney Tunes way. So, it basically has something for all. It did hold a couple of very small slow aspects around the middle of the screenplay, but when it picked up the pace once again, it simply soared. And, of course, the animation combined with live action was stunning as well as entertaining.

Mel Blanc originally created the voices for the Looney Tunes animated characters, but since he passed away long ago, Eric Bauza has taken over the reins and sounds just like them. Certainly, if you like the Looney Tunes characters, you'll be in Warner Bros. Animation heaven. This is a great film for the whole family, so grab the popcorn and have a good laugh!

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                       Rated: PG                                        103mins.

 

Mutiny

If one has seen a Jason Statham film, the only real difference in them is his character name in the film and the title of the film, otherwise they are fairly similar. Even though these films aren't literary pieces, they ring true in that his characters always right wrongs of those that don't deserve to be in the predicament they're in. Good guys vs bad guys--isn't this why we go to the movies?

Cole Reed (Jason Statham) works as a bodyguard and head of security for a wealthy billionaire industrialist, Tibu Campallo (Ramon Tikaram).  After his boss is murdered right in front of him and is framed for the crime, Reed goes on the run. He stows away on a cargo ship to track down those responsible with a woman he meets on the ship to assist him, Agent Angie Ellis (Annabelle Wallis), where they uncover a vast international conspiracy involving human trafficking. they then fight their way through the crew to reach the captain, Marko Madsen (Roland Moller).

Others to round out the cast are Chaneil Kular as Kameron Campallo, Tibu's son, Jason Wong as Taran, Marvin Campbell as Simon, Arnas Fedaravicius as Mateo Pineda, Adrian Lester as Captain Adam Spencer and Simon Kluth as Jaran Daniles.

This was directed with amazing intensity and grit by seasoned Jean-Francois Richet ("Etat des lieux" '95, "Ma 6-T va crack-er" '97, "De l'amour" '01, "Assault on Precinct 13" '05, "Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1" '08, "One Wild Moment" '15, "Blood Father" '16, "The Empire of Paris" '18, "Plane" '23).This filmmaker certainly knows how to encourage his actors to dig deep when developing their respective characters and that is the trademark of a talented director. If you like his style, his "Quasimoto" is in post -production at this present time. It was written by Lindsay Michel and J.P. Davis ("Plane" '23). The script in this was a bit disjointed in parts and actually was a flashback, but you didn't know it until the end; whether or not that was purposed, not sure. But considering the very limited experience, this was amazing. These guys simply need more work, specifically feature films, since this story had that frenetic feel to it that kept its audience glued. And of course, Statham is so good at vengeance--making wrongs right--he's the king. 

If you like films like "Beekeeper",  "A Working Man", "Shelter", "Wrath of Man", "The Mechanic", plus scads of others, you'll love this. It falls within the similar format as the other films. Does it make this a bad film? Certainly not, Statham sticks to what he does best, and because they are typically slickly produced, it makes for a film that you can sit back with the popcorn and enjoy, and isn't this why we go see the movies anyway? 

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                      Rated: R                                        96mins.

 

The Brink of War

War films, or films about war or the potentiality thereof have been a common staple genre of Hollywood's for decades, so the list is endless. The moving going audiences have had a fascination about the subject, so, for added profit, Hollywood keeps the ball rolling. This time around we have in the offing a film about negotiations between the USA and Russia back in 1986, lest a war could be started. 

President Reagan (Jeff Daniels) races against time to salvage a deal with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev (Jared Harris) that could dismantle nuclear arsenals--or ignite disaster. With pressure mounting from advisors, including Secretary of State George Schultz (J. K. Simmons), Ken Adelman (John Ross Bowie), KGB Colonel (Joi Johannsson) and others, intelligence agencies, and history itself, every word spoken brings the world closer to peace...or destruction. The summit, or as Reagan liked to call it, the meeting, was held, in all places in Reykjavik, Iceland for security reasons.

Others to round out the cast are Hope Davis as Nancy Reagan, Branka Katic as Raisa Gorbachev, Aya Cash as Cleo, Guy Burnet as Alexander, Adrian Rawlins as Max Kampelman, Tim Dutton as Eduard Shevardnadze, Stephen Brennan as Paul Nitze and Catherine Burdon as Margaret Clancy. 

This was directed with nail-biting intensity by Michael Russell Gunn ("Workshop" '10) plus a short. Production companies obviously save money when hiring filmmakers with little to no feature film experience--sometimes they hit a home run and sometimes they strike out. However, in this situation, they were able to pull it off. Was it Oscar worthy? Probably not, but I believe they gave the audience what they were seeking out with this. The staging and pacing was amazing as was the grit it provided. It was also well executed by writer Michel Russell Gunn ("Workshop" '10) plus TV. Surely this writer took some liberties in the script, but then again, other writers do the same. It was taken as a flashback from a discussion Reagan and Schultz were having after the meeting and the film went back to tell the story so as to lead up to where they left off and beyond. This format has been used in other films, but can certainly be powerful. This writer only needs more work which he has been given with his film, "Alone at Dawn" now in post production. The one that truly shined here was Jeff Daniels as Reagan. He pulled off the voice patterns, the movements and Reagan's character with such aplomb style, however he is a fine actor. It wouldn't surprise me if he could be looking at an Oscar nod come that time. 

If you are a history aficionado or more to the point, a war buff that is into that what if..., this is the film for you. Daniels performance , and Jared Harris as Gorbachev was magical. The film was cohesive, tight and loaded with clarity in what could've happened if it went the wrong way. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                      Rated: PG                                        119mins.

The Rivals of Amziah King

Contemporary westerns have been an offshoot form from traditional westerns that have usually been well-crafted, i.e. "No Country for Old Men", "Hell or High Water", "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" to mention a few. These films were crafted well, as is our new offing, "The Rivals of Amziah King", showcasing Matthew McConaughey's continued amazing acting.

Deep within the backwoods of rural Oklahoma, charismatic, musically gifted and an anchor of the community, Amziah King (Matthew McConaughey) herds a bluegrass playing band of misfits while overseeing the premier honey-making operation in town. When Amziah's former foster daughter, Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass) unexpectedly returns, Amziah leaps at the possibility to renew connection and create a family business. But the honey game is ruthless, and Amziah's rivals threaten to destroy everything he has built. 

Others to round out the cast are Jake Horowitz as Remick, Scott Shepherd as Chimmy, Rob Morgan as Riffi, Kurt Russell as Dob McCoy, Tony Revolori as Comar, Owen Teague as Pirate, Bruce Davis as Ossi Sunderland, Catherine Dyer as Mrs. McCurdy and Jason Davis as Winton.

This was directed incredibly well with pathos and grit by Andrew Patterson ("The Vast of Night" '19). Even though this filmmaker writes and produces under a pseudonym--James Montague, he still knows how to write a tight, cohesive script which is articulate while entertaining. It was written by James Montague or Andrew Patterson as aforementioned. His only other film credit is "The Vast of Night" '19. This was brilliantly and beautifully written as it was directed. His articulation in story was delineated with precise clarity. This filmmaker is definitely going to be a contender. Look out Oscars. The reason why I even gave this film a viewing at all was for that it starred McConaughey who is totally underrated. This actor finally reinvented himself when he starred in "Mud" and subsequent "Dallas Buyer's Club". I'd seen him in good films prior, however his more recent movies have been chosen so carefully--understandable. However, after viewing this, I'm encouraged to see what Patterson will do next. 

If you're a McConaughey fan, you'll love this. It simply showcases the craft that he is truly in love with, and it shows. Even though the story was based in Oklahoma, it was shot entirely in Alabama.. Not sure why, but was believable. 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                    Rated: R                                               130mins.

The End of Oak Street

When "Jurassic Park" was released back in 1993, little did anyone know that it would spawn multiple sequels and inspire the film "The End of Oak Street" which was just released. This film is like Jurassic Park gone suburbia. It evolves into a survival situation and finds itself bringing the inhabitants together even more than a BBQ.

This film stars Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor as parents, Denise and Greg Platt respectively, in a 1982 suburban neighborhood that is mysteriously transported by a cosmic event into the prehistoric age, forcing the community including their kids Audrey and Brian (Maisy Stella and Christian Convery), respectively, to survive roaming, vicious dinosaurs. It comes down to there is no where to go, since there is an end to their neighborhood and there's no electricity, no running water--even radios can't work. Where is one to go in a situation as this? 

Others to round out the cast are Jordan Alexa Davis as Jeannette Christiansen, P.J. Byrne as Mel Jacobs, Hudson Meek as Kaden Tucker, Anne Gee Byrd as Mrs, Huddleston, Emily Kuroda as Mrs. Valcourt and Simms May as Zachary. 

This film was directed with amazing intensity all the while entertaining his audience by David Robert Mitchell ("The Myth of the American Sleepover" '10, "It Follows" '14, "Under the Silver Lake" '18) plus a short. This particular filmmaker caught my attention when his film, "It Follows" was released. I typically went to see that film with great trepidation, however after seeing it, I was won over. It wasn't the typical 'horror'. flick with dialogue one could recite and blood everywhere. It was original and the writing was far more subtle with little or no blood, but was definitely a horror film nonetheless. If you like this director's brand, his "They Follow" is being filmed at present time. It was also written well by David Robert Mitchell (See resume above). Again, this being basically a horror film, it doesn't fall into the same, formulaic, banal format that so many films of this genre fall into which makes this fresh and original. Was this flawless? No, not at all, however I believe that the few parts of this that went unexplained were purposed for reasons I'm not sure of. But it was a rollicking fun ride with a horror gloss over. It does start off relatively slow, but be patient--I believe this is also purposed to get the audience into the plot. But once it gets going, it lets loose big time. I would tell you what the unexplained events are, however that would dictate a spoiler alert, and I want my audience to be surprised. The score by Michael Giacchino was amazing, and the visual effects by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) were seamless and enhanced the film. 

This film had it all: suspense, excitement, adventure, humor and redemption all rolled up in a film less than two hours. Assuming this makes a ton of money, I can see a sequel in the making. If you like that up, close and personal feeling, it is presented in an IMAX format as well. This is a film that is quite the roller coaster ride, so break out the popcorn and enjoy this gem! I know I did!

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                   Rated: PG-13                                     99mins.

 

One Night Only

When it comes to the majority of romantic comedies, or romcoms, they typically are written and presented in an extremely formulaic way, i.e. boy meets girl, girl meets boy, they attempt to become friends, and start falling in love. As a problem blossoms, and they become at odds with one another, and then they correct the issue and the story is all tied up by films' end with a nice bow. Sound familiar? Well, with "One Night Only", there is an element in which it does become different. 

Sometime in the near distant future. Three years ago pre-marital sex is considered illegal, except one night of the year. Two strangers, 'crash' into each other in an ever-so-slightly fictionalized New York on the one night when single people are allowed to have sex. Recently dumped Owen (Callum Turner) and hopeful romantic Allie (Monica Barbaro) may be the only two singles in the city looking for more than a quick encounter. They both feel a spark when they meet, but a series of mishaps and side quests will complicate their night. This romcom is about searching for love on the least romantic night of the year. But when you have one night only to attempt to make this happen, you must work quick.

Others to round out the cast are Maya Hawke, as Owen's fiance, Molly Ringwald as Linda, LeVar Burton as Rick, Charlie Gillespie as Ezra Stone, Michelle Hurd as Detective Vanessa Bryan Brown, Sydney Cole Alexander as Danica/Sophie and Frank Pando as Uncle Ed.

This was effectively directed well by Will Gluck ("Fired Up" '09, "Easy A" '10, "Friends with Benefits" '11,"Iceland" (TV movie) '11, "Annie" '14, "Peter Rabbit" '18, "How May We Hate You?" (TV movie) '18, "Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway" '21, "Anyone But You" '23) plus TV and a music video. This filmmaker hasn't cornered the market on romcoms, but certainly has a number of them to his credit. As with his last romcom, "Anyone But You", there was the attempt to change up the typical format, as with this film, but at the end of the day, it's still a romcom. Certainly the casting of Turner and Barbaro was strategic and that definitely helped, but not sure if this is great casting or simply amazing chemistry. Gluck was pivotal in making sure that these actors melded well and that can make the difference if the romcom is going to connect with its audience. It was interestingly written by Travis Braun ("Bad Boy" '25) plus TV and shorts. What made this film more interesting than the typical romcom is that the story involving a sex ban between singles, except for one night. Surely, this is definitely not a repeated format with this genre. I believe because the limited feature film experience, this film would've excelled well, but instead there were a number of inconsistencies in the script. This writer has a fair amount of TV experience, and given simply more work, he would become a writer to contend with, since his TV has served him well. As aforementioned. the chemistry between Turner and Barbaro was amazing and worthy of the price of admission. 

When we see so many films advocating sex out there, it's nice to see a film that makes it look like this one night, as people are no different than animals in their regard for one another, this projects humping each other as unnecessary. Love is love, whereas sex is sex, and never the twain shall meet. This film leads its audience, through a lot of dysfunctional people and their escapades, that love triumphs over all., whether there are parameters on sex or not. This was the best thing about this flick, other than the chemistry between the two leads.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                         Rated: R                                           103mins.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Ever since this Marvel Studios franchise started back in 2002 with "Spider-Man", we've seen many changes along the way including three different actors as the iconic character and a number of animated feature films. And even though I'm not particularly a Spider-Man fan, "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" is a film that has definitely improved on that franchise. What's amazing is that this franchise has lasted almost a quarter of a century. 

Four years have passed since the events of No Way Home, and Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is now an adult living entirely alone, having voluntarily erased himself from the lives and memories of those he loves, namely MJ (Zendaya) and Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon). Crime-fighting in a New York that no longer knows his name, he's devoted himself entirely to protecting his city--a full-time Spider-Man--but as the demands on him intensify, the pressure sparks a surprising physical revolution that threatens his existence, even as a strange new pattern of crimes gives rise to one of the most powerful threats he has ever faced. 

Others to round out the cast are Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/Hulk, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova/Black Widow, Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle/Punisher, Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Tramell Tillman as Bill Metzger, Liza Colon-Zayas as Detective Jean DeWolff, Marisa Tomei as May Parker, Naomi Watts as voice of E.V. and Michael Mando as Mac Gargan/Scorpion. 

This was delineated with amazing precision by director Destin Daniel Cretton ("Drakmar: A Vassal's Journey" (TV documentary) '06, "I Am Not a Hipster" '12, "Short Term 12" '13, "The Glass Castle" '17, "Just Mercy" '19,"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" '21) plus TV, shorts and  a video. Even though the last Spider-Man film four years ago, No Way Home was directed by Jon Watts, this movie was able to carry the similar feel of that film in order to connect the two films which makes a more effective transition. This is the first film this filmmaker has tacked that is a big-budget project and he definitively proved he can handle the riggers of such a production. It was equally well written by Chris McKenna ("Igor" '08, "The Lego Batman Movie" '17, "Spider-Man: Homecoming" '17, "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" '17, "Ant-Man and the Wasp" '18, "Spider-Man: Far From Home" '19, "Ghosted" '23) plus TV and a short, and Erik Sommers (See resume of McKenna), based on the Marvel comic book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. This was a nice continuation of No Way Home with the voluntary action of Spider-Man choosing to protect the ones he loves for their own good and his continuation of the bonding brother-like camaraderie with his buddy Frank. But then, he does need another foil to battle, and the one written was surely ingenious. And really, other that a couple of very small places of continuity issues, this script was spot on. And, of course, the visual effects predominately designed by ILM (Industrial,Light & Magic) and Framestore were seamless and certainly emphasized that grandiose feeling this director was attempting to convey. 

Oh, and not to worry, there will be a sequel! I know that's tough to swallow, but it is true! Hopefully Marvel will use the same writers and director to pull this off, otherwise it most likely be questionable. If you're a Spider-Man or a comic book film type of moviegoer, this will definitely fit the bill. If you like that huge effect of a film, this is presented in an IMAX format as well. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                            Rated: PG-13                                    145mins.