Category Archives: Crime

VIOLENT NIGHT (2022): The Things I Liked…

Violent Night (2022), David Harbour, Universal Pictures
Violent Night (2022), David Harbour, Universal Pictures

I found Violent Night, a movie about a group of robbers who attack the estate of a wealthy family on Christmas eve quite delightful. It put me in the best mood for at least twenty-four hours post-viewing.

I truly liked everything about director Tommy Wirkola’s film, including the fun, violent and Christmasy theme; a welcome difference when compared to the usual Christmas movie fair.

For me, the script, cinematography, fight sequences and overall performances delivered the promise made by the equally charming trailer months earlier. 

There’s no doubt that some people will find the violence too much. Still, I wouldn’t say that Violent Night meets the brutality and savagery levels achieved by Tarantino films.

I say give Wirkola’s film a chance if you’re curious. Several people have referred to it as a combination of Die Hard (1988) and Home Alone (1990). I don’t remember too much about the Die Hard films, but it sounds pretty accurate, no?

‘A perfect film’ is not the right phrase to describe Violent Night. But the imperfections are part of what made it so fun to me. There’s also the pleasant-to-watch pairing of David Harbour and John Leguizamo in one film together as adversaries.

Happy Film Loving

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JOHN WICK- CHAPTER 4 (2023): New Trailer From Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen…

John Wick - Chapter 4 (2023), Hiroyuki Sanada, Lionsgate Movies
John Wick – Chapter 4 (2023), Hiroyuki Sanada, Lionsgate Movies

John Wick did not get killed in John Wick- Chapter 3 – Parabellum. So, naturally, chapter 4 has been due.

Starring Keanu Reeves, Bill Skarsgård, Hiroyuki Sanada, Donnie Yen, and directed by Chad Stahelski; this fourth movie has Wick with an even bigger price on his head. A price so large that he has to seek out the most powerful players in the underworld, from New York to Paris, Osaka and Berlin.

I like the international setting of this one. However, I’m mainly showing up to take in the colours, thrilling action sequences, and definitely to watch Reeves look good in a black suit while doing very impressive movie stuff.

Another reason is Hiroyuki Sanada. He just has a way of standing out in a good way in each movie I’ve seen him in. Two such examples being Mortal Kombat (2021) and Bullet Train (2022).

Is there enough in this trailer to keep your interest? Or are you already done with the John Wick franchise? I can’t help but wonder just how many more will be made.

Laurence Fishburne, Shamier Anderson, Lance Reddick, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Ian McShane, Marko Zaror, Natalia Tena and Aimée Kwan also star.

John Wick Chapter 4 Release Dates: March 24th, 2023 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

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VIOLENT NIGHT (2022): New Trailer Starring David Harbour, John Leguizamo, Beverly D’Angelo, Cam Gigandet…

John Leguizamo and David Harbour’s latest action/comedy Violent Night will show us what happens when a group of mercenaries attack the estate of a wealthy family. Their plans go far from smoothly. That’s what. And all thanks to Santa Claus.

Directed by Tommy Wirkola; Beverly D’Angelo, Cam Gigandet, Alexis Louder and Stephanie Sy are among the key cast.

I’m so in for all the darker and funny Santa movies that have been happening in recent years. I remember being pleasantly surprised by 2020’s Fatman. It looks like this too is going to be quite entertaining. How can it not be with such a wonderful and reliable cast?

Also, tell me that this trailer and possibly the entire movie isn’t fully worth it, just so we can hear Harbour perfectly deliver that delightful line at 1:47 into the trailer?

Alexander Elliot, John B. Lowe, Mitra Suri, Frederick Allen, Erik Athavale, Brendan Fletcher, Edi Patterson, Alex Hassell and Alexis Louder also star.

Violent Night Release Dates: December 2nd, 2022 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

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THE GOOD NURSE (2022): The Things I Liked…

Often when movies are described as a slow burn, my heart sinks a little because it can mean that the pace is lacking in the most unsatisfying way. Luckily, it just so happens that The Good Nursethe latest biography/crime/drama from Danish director Tobias Lindholm is the kind of slow burn you want people to mean when they describe a movie as such.

Smartly shot, well-edited and acted, Lindholm’s movie is based on a true story about an infamous caregiver who is linked to the deaths of hundreds of hospital patients. 

Oscar winners Jessica Chastain and Eddie Redmayne both deliver notable performances. Additional highlights include the camera work, how dramatic and quieter moments are captured, plus the pairing of Noah Emmerich and Nnamdi Asomugha in their specific roles.

Watch The Good Nurse for a welcome reminder of how highly engaging a film described as a slow burn can be.

The God Nurse Release Dates: October 26th, 2022 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

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THE GOOD NURSE (2022): New Trailer From Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Kim Dickens, Nnamdi Asomugha…

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  The Good Nurse (2022).


New biography/crime/drama The Good Nurse follows an infamous caregiver who finds themselves implicated in the deaths of hundreds of hospital patients.

Directed by Tobias Lindholm; Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Noah Emmerich and Nnamdi Asomugha are among the key cast.

I’d been missing seeing Redmayne on screen, so I’m watching this for that reason and the chilling fact that this is based on a true story.

As someone who has resisted looking up details about the truth about these characters, I’m now especially curious to understand the thinking behind the ‘one neck, two heads’ artwork above. I’m scared that the truth is far darker than this trailer suggests. There’s of course, also a chance that I’m seriously overthinking matters. Still, I’m cautiously excited to find out.

Malik Yoba, Ajay Naidu, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Maurice J. Irvin, Jennifer Regan, Gabe Fazio, Brooke Stacy Mills and Alix West Lefler also star.

The God Nurse Release Dates: October 26th, 2022 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

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GLASS ONION – A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY (2022): New Trailer Starring Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Kathryn Hahn, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista…

Daniel Craig is back as everyone’s favourite Southern detective, Benoit Blanc. Directed once again by Rian Johnson, Glass Onion – A knives Out Mystery. takes us to Greece for Blanc’s next case.

Get ready for a bunch of intriguing new characters played by Ethan Hawke, Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Madelyn Cline, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Jessica Henwick.

I like that the cast mix feels quite unexpected here. And if the finished film is close to as captivating as this trailer, I’m going to be very happy indeed.

Lastly, remember how Chris Evans’s Knives Out (2019) character Ransom Drysdale had people rediscovering their appreciation for cable knit sweaters? Well, what are the chances that Bautista’s speedos will do something similar? Maybe?

Glass Onion – A Knives Out Mystery Release Dates: December 23rd, 2022 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving

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BLACK BIRD (2022): New Trailer From Taron Egerton, Paul Walter Hauser, Greg Kinnear, Ray Liotta…

Black Bird (2022), Paul Walter Hauser, Apple TV+
Black Bird (2022), Paul Walter Hauser, Apple TV+

New crime/drama/thriller series, Black Bird has Taron Egerton as Jimmy Keene, a man sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison. A sentence that could be reduced to zero, if he’d just do one not quite so little thing.

Elicit a confession from Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser,) a suspected serial killer so that the FBI can find the bodies of as many as eighteen women.

I can’t even begin to guess if Keene will get out of this alive, especially knowing how prisonguards in TV shows and movies tend to stir up trouble and inappropriately exercise their power. Then there’s the assumption that the FBI care whether Keene survives. I mean, he does seem to be, you know, a full-on criminal.

I’m into this because of the cast and this rather well-edited trailer, even if it is tinged with some sadness since Liotta is no longer with us.

I see a pair of perfectly rich roles for Egerton and Hauser, plus some incredibly tense scenes coming our way. Scenes that are ideal for fans of great prison dramas and mob/crime stories.

Greg Kinnear, Ray Liotta, Sepideh MoafiTrazi Lashawn, Christopher B. DuncanJake McLaughlin, Robert Diago DoQui, Alexander Babara, Cecilia Leal and Rachel Whitman Groves also star.

Black Bird Release Dates: July 8th, 2022, Apple TV+

Happy Film Loving

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NIGHTMARE ALLEY (2021): New Trailer Starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Rooney Mara, Willem Dafoe…

New action/crime/drama Nightmare Alley is director Guillermo del Toro’s latest audio-visual feast.

Starring Bradley Cooper, Rooney Mara, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette and Willem Dafoe, the story follows an ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people. Little did he know that the psychiatrist he’s just hooked up with is far more dangerous than he is.

When big hitters like Cooper and Blanchett are involved, one pays attention. And as I often do, I watched the above trailer before reading the synopsis.

Considering how much is going on in just over a minute and a half of this trailer, plus Dafoe’s character’s non-stop dialogue, which I still haven’t really listened to yet, it’s no wonder I had some trouble keeping up. That’s probably part of the reason I wasn’t sure about just how appealing this movie is to me initially. That of course changed as soon as I learned about the ‘manipulation face/off.’

Now I have to watch to see just how intense it’s all going to get. And for the great colours and beautiful lighting, of course.

Tim Blake Nelson, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, Clifton Collins Jr., Troy James, David Hewlett, Holt McCallany, Paul Anderson and David Strathairn also star.

Nightmare Alley Release Dates: December 17th, 2021 (US); January 21st, 2022 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

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