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Reacher: Fly Boy (2024)
This is...embarrasing
I don't know who the technical advisor was on the show, but he/she must truly be thrown out of a helicopter.
To begin with, I love the series, and, while the TV show does not strictly adhere to the books, but rather weaves its own story line, the TV show is very solid, in its own right.
I like Alan Ritchson in the role, both for his physical dedication and acting ability.
He certainly has come a long way from "Blue Mountain State".
However, the glaring faux pas in this episode are simply atrocious.
To begin with, Reacher thrashes a bunch of bad guys with his hands cuffed behind his back.
Great, right?
However, right after that, he sits down in the char and proceeds to take a beating.
Wait, what??
I'm not going to touch on the relative absurdity of the gun fight in the warehouse, although the realistic moments there were very few.
But, what follows is truly an astounding suspension of belief.
We are to believe that a man can hold on to the wheel (not the strut, but the actual wheel) of a helicopter that's lifting off the ground?
With one hand, mind you!
And, not only that, but manage to not fall long enough to climb through the open fuselage doors (in the belly, in this particular model)?
Shortly after that, Reacher stops one of his comrades from falling down by holding the person strapped to a gurney aloft with one hand.
Hello, turbulence? Wind shear?
And, mind you, ALL of this nonsense is happening in the winter, when the temperature factor robs any man of his strength.
Needless to say, while the series surely deserves the accolades it got, this episode is a sore thumb, and would have gotten fewer stars, if it weren't for Ritchson's and Sten (Neagley) acting.
Those two deserve their just rewards.
Not even Robert Patrick's acting could save this turkey of an episode.
What a sham.
The Big Ugly (2020)
A very good movie, with some woefully bad reviews
First off, it's a good flick.
No, despite quite a few well-known names (Ron Perlman, Malcolm McDowell, Vinnie Jones), it's not an "ensemble" movie.
Yes, it has a good story.
Yes, it has good acting (from two people you do not expect, actually, Vinnie Jones and character actor David Myers Gregory, who plays Thomas).
No, even the new-comers do not spoil the film through bad acting (the bartender Kara and her boyfriend, the oil foreman).
And, yes, the movie does look good (good editing, and excellent cinematography).
So, why all the bad reviews?
Well, perhaps Vinnie is tasked to carry the film almost on his lonesome (which he does well enough, indeed).
Or, maybe because this isn't your usual Vinnie Jones "shoot 'em up" (or "beat' em up") flick.
This movie very much reminds me of another out-of-character film, "Redemption" (aka "Butterfly"), with Jason Statham.
And, while British gangsters in the rural Virginia isn't quite the usual setting for a London crime flick, trust me, the supporting cast (led by Ron Perlman) make the locations work very nicely.
All in all, it's a very good character study film, with good acting by (gasp!) Vinnie Jones, and without any part of the film being spoiled by bad acting, too-drawn out scenes, or holes in the plot.
Forget "Vinnie the hard man", and enjoy a good story, that's been well acted, and looks good on film.
And, if you ask "What is it all about?", well, it's about an aging gangster with too much blood on his hands, who, through loss and pain, finally discovers his true purpose in life.
If you liked the human struggle in "The Hustler", you'll very much like this.
A very good film.
Billions (2016)
Unwatchable drivel
With all the glowering reviews, with all the talented actors involved (Paul Gimatatti, Damian Lewis, and David Constabile (of the late "Suits")), you'd think HBO could've made a better show. Nope. All you've got is two (!), only two people in almost any one single shot, bickering at each other, and, onto another scene. I mean, who the hell even writes these checks for such a pathetic effort? Or, does everyone work on spec nowadays?
Come to think of it, the people involved should've paid you and I to NOT watch this crap.
With this shitty writing, who the hell cares about good acting, or gorgeous backdrops, or even an occasional nude scene.
Sucks. This, just, plain, SUCKS. Too bad, though...
This really looked like it had potential.
Non-Stop (2014)
Save yer money
Liam Neeson is an air marshal who gets framed for a hijacking while the plane is over the Atlantic. Should be a nice little actioneer, especially what with Liam coming off the two "Taken" movies. In reality, we're treated to a slow-poke "whodunit" that never really gets anywhere. Julianne Moore is a snooze, and the assorted collection of actors never get a chance to develop (for a fantastic example of how to develop a character in a flash, see Denzel Washington's "Flight").
Worst of all, the movie never sticks to any one genre. It's an action flick, no, it's a mystery, no, it's a feel-good movie, no, it's a political thriller (main character's Irish heritage is mentioned (why???) and many a time the lonely token Muslim is presented as the potential thorn in everyone's side).
Don't waste your money on this. And, Neeson needs to find better scripts.
21 Jump Street (2012)
A fun ride!
Having been a fan of now-almost-forgotten TV drama "21 Jump Street", the series that launched Johnny Depp's career, I was rather hesitant to attend a screening, yet, could not be happier that I went. The movie reprises the series' concept, yet, does it in a new, fresh way. Both Tatum and Hill sell their roles without a hitch. Hill, playing a typical high-school loser, is reincarnated as a high school jock due to a case of mistaken identity, while Tatum, the former jock and class underachiever, is too funny as no longer popular school nerd.
The entire movie is a series of sight gags, yet, the jokes are done intelligently and in good taste, without ever being a joke upon itself.
All in all, a great fun, with special treat of bit part appearance by Johnny Depp at the very end.
A "must see" for full blown belly laughs!
This Means War (2012)
A fantastic "tug-of-war" between two friends, competing for the same woman
Lauren (Reese Whitherspoon) is a single career-oriented gal, complete with a great job, trim body (thanks, frequent trips to the gym!), and, complete lack of any understanding of what she wants in a relationship, or, how to find the guy of her dreams. Not to worry, as her friend Trish (Chelsea Handler, once again typecast) is eager to help, posting the picture of Lauren doing a keg handstand during a Spring Break. (Not like she was trying to embarrass Lauren)
FDR and Tuck are the best of friends, tied not only by camaraderie of working together for CIA, but, also by having been truly close friends for better part of their lives. Their work relationship is seamless, while their personal lives could not be anymore different.
FDR is a ladies man, while Tuck is still pining for his estranged wife and son, trying to be the best father he can, while putting on the official facade of a meek travel agent.
Through the magic of Internet, Tuck and Lauren meet, and, through sheer circumstance, so do FDR and Lauren. What ensues is a true credit to proper writing, as at no point in time does the movie ever feel stale, dry, or boring.
Director McG sees the action and comedy tied in amazing bouquet of excitement, laughter, and pure joy at having such a cliché topic being treated like the masterpiece it is.
The best part? Watching the movie twice in a row still made me laugh and revel in joy. The worst part? Til Schweiger, as the accidental villain, is given miserably short screen time, with next to nothing as far as the character development. Yet, small price to pay for such a wonderful treat.
The movie is being released for St. Valentine's Day, but, please, enjoy it any time of the year!
Haywire (2011)
A movie NOT for the rest of us
What is a movie? Is it a collection of moving pictures? A gathering of actors? Or, a movie-going experience? Well, if it IS the latter, then, with his latest creation, Haywire, Steven Soderbergh creates something new. A movie for a film director.
Just like "Girlfriend Experience", Soderbergh takes a specialist (Gina Carano), adds a smattering of good actors (who, no doubt, love working with Soderbergh), weak storyline, haphazard score, shoddy continuity, and, creates a "proof of concept". Not a movie to be enjoyed by average moviegoer, but, rather, a movie just to prove that "this CAN be done".
Carano is spectacular when it comes to stunts, having captured multiple muay-thai and MMA belts, looks truly phenomenal in either evening gown or a pair of jeans, yet, still fails to present herself as someone who's capable of carrying a movie. Watching her scene in the hangar with Michael Douglas is almost physically painful.
So, what has Mr. Soderbergh left us with? A pleasant experience? Nope. Storyline is weak. A collection of amazing stunts? Well, "Mission Impossible" has better stunts. A documentary of Gina's truly phenomenal fighting skills? Nope, it's a movie. Everything's staged.
Then, for whom did Mr. Soderbergh make this film?
It would appear, the only person such a flick would appeal to. Himself.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
A most unusual telling of aftermath of 9/11
One boy's reaction one year after to the loss of his father in the NYC World Trade Center bombing.
What could have been an utterly sappy story, is told in a calm, poignant manner, through the eyes of hypochondriac 9-year old. Little boy with barely a connection to his mother, feeling a lot closer to his paternal grandma, tries to preserve his connection with his dad, despite father's untimely departure.
A year passes since "the worst day", and, Oskar desperately tries to keep his father memory from fading. "If the sun were to die, we'd not know it for another 8 minutes, because that's how long it takes for sunlight to reach us." Feeling that his 8 minutes with his father are about to expire, and, upon finding a key in his father's closet, Oskar sets off on a journey that will bring him closer to his parents, others, struggling with after-effects of 9/11, and, most importantly, himself.
Apart from musical score, highly reminiscent of "Catch me if you can", the movie is highly original, unique look at coming-out-of-childhood, told through the eyes of a "special" little kid, trying so hard to make things normal.
Very much a home-run effort for British director Stephen Daldry!
Act of Valor (2012)
Active duty (unnamed) SEALs, not real actors
The plot is simple. A CIA agent gets kidnapped, and, the resulting chase leads the rescue team all over the world.
What's different, you ask? The actors, or, rather, the lack of.
Lead roles are played by 8 nameless men. You see their faces, you hear their voices, their stories, but, you never learn their names. Why? They are active duty US Navy Spec Op operators. SEALs. SEa, Air, Land (team). Shooters. People, whose job is simple. Don't get killed, while going against rather prevalent odds. Return home by the grace of superior training, special tactics and weapons, and, very often, sheer determination.
So often, when people so doggedly focus on something, they reach excellence, all the while sacrifice skills in other areas. So, how good is the acting? Well, when you are that good, something's gotta give. And, this is no exception. SEALs don't make great actors. And, great acting makes the film. Amazing execution sells the documentary (Just watch Discovery Channel's "Navy SEAL Training/BUDs". But, what makes a good movie is good acting, coupled with great script, held together by great cinematography.
So, what of "Act Of Valor"? Cinematography is outstanding. No "too-close" a shot, where the action gets blurry, decent enough script, albeit simple, yet, no great acting.
WARNING! Here be spoilers!
The entire film is noting more than a deceased father's comrade's letter to the fallen's newborn son. He is one of the critical characters in the film, and, while the act of sacrifice lies in the title of the movie, the action makes up for so much that this movie lacks. Just making out the Spec-Ops speak will keep you entertained long enough to fill the gaps between the action.
So, is it worth seeing? Well, if you're a fan of Special Operations, like I am, then, by all means! If you like a decent action movie, then, prepare to hold on to your seat. But, if you're looking for artistic value, apart from truly great cinematography (you will be amazed by some of the POV shots), then, look elsewhere.
All in all, a solid action movie, with a very sound war theme in the age of political correctness.
Run, Simon, Run (1970)
The best movie ever made!
I think Leonard Cohen said it best: "
I've seen the nations rise and fall, I've heard their stories, heard them all, but love's the only engine of survival"
A movie that has a love story for a baseline, along with a side story (revenge in this case, same in John Woo's "The killer"), is the best representation of movie making.
While looking like what it is, a 70's movie (without a cheesy soundtrack), "Run, Simon, Run" is driven by great script, subtle acting, and on-the-money editing.
Still, by far, my most favorite film of all times.
(Closely followed by "The Killer" :D)