Category Archives: Crime

Action, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE RIP (2026): The Things I Liked…

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The Rip isn’t a bad film. It also isn’t on my list of best law enforcement movies I’d recommend.

From director and co-writer Joe Carnahan, the Miami-set crime/action/drama follows a group of cops who discover a stash of twenty million dollars in cash. When outsiders learn about the money, the officers find themselves uncertain of who to trust.

The entire cast, including Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Steven Yeun, perform well. There are some well-executed, suspenseful moments, and the story structure isn’t bad. I just enjoyed arguably comparable films such as Training Day (2001) and End of Watch (2012) far more, partly because of their sharper, more intricate plots and their use of humour (dark or otherwise), something largely missing in The Rip.  

Have you seen The Rip?

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

REBEL RIDGE (2024): The Things I Liked…

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Outside of Mufasa -The Lion King (2024), Rebel Ridge is my first time watching a film led by Aaron Pierre.

From writer-director Jeremy Saulnier, Pierre plays a former Marine who finds himself up against small-town corruption, the kind that leads to an eventual standoff with the local police chief.

Also starring Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, and David Denman, I found Pierre’s performance engaging, and the story held my attention until the final third, when my attention slipped just enough for me to remember I had a phone.

My favourite moments, aside from Pierre’s emotional journey, include the reveal when the corrupt officers realise who they’re dealing with, and a second reveal at Rebel Ridge towards the end.

Would I say you’re missing out if you skip Saulnier’s film altogether? No. But if the premise really appeals, it may be worth your time, especially as a showcase for Pierre’s acting. Otherwise, I’d suggest A History of Violence (2005) instead, still my favourite action/crime/thriller set in an American small town.

Have you seen Rebel Ridge?

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Crime

IDIOTS (2026): New Trailer Starring Dave Franco, O’Shea Jackson Jr, Mason Thames…

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Co-written and directed by Macon Blair, Idiots follows two rock-bottom drivers (Dave Franco and Oshea Jackson Jr) tasked with transporting a wealthy teenager (Mason Thames) to rehab.

What should have been a simple job is derailed by their passenger into a journey that involves drugs, crime and danger..

Promising premise, Intriguing trailer, I like this combination.

Part of the appeal is, of course, the ‘Pineapple Express (2008) energy present here.

What do you think?

Killer Mike, Shontelle Thrash, Kael Copeland, Jeffrey Wells and Macon Blair also star.

Idiots Release Dates: August 28th, 2026 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Crime, Drama, Thriller

CAPE FEAR (2026): New Trailer Starring Amy Adams, Javier Bardem, Patrick Wilson…

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Patrick Wilson and Amy Adams play a happily married couple who face a growing threat when a notorious vengeance-seeking killer (Javier Bardem) from their past is released from prison.

Cape Fear is a ten-part crime/drama/thriller series that features Lily Collias, Samantha Clifford, Gem Marc Collins and Dot Cloud as additional key cast.

I haven’t seen the 1991 version of this story starring Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte. Nor have I watched the 1962 release with Gregory Peck and Robert Mitchum.

If the trend with remakes is anything to go by, this new iteration is unlikely to be better than the earlier versions, but only time will tell because this cast isn’t at all bad.

Bardem seems to be having fun with his second, or is it his third villainous era, the first of which, for me, started with No Country for Old Men (2007).

Have you seen any of the first two Cape Fear films? If so, how were they for you?

Lily Collias, Samantha Clifford, Gem Marc Collins, Dot Cloud, Brandon Hirsch, Jay Huguley, Wynn Everett, Patrick Fischler, Evan Ivory and George Murray Jr. also star.

Cape Fear Release Dates: June 5th, 2026 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Crime, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

CRIME 101 (2026): The Things I Liked…

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Well-acted, stylish, moody, and well-paced, those are four words that come to mind as I watched Crime 101. Very easy to watch and visually pleasing are a few others.

What surprised me about director and co-writer Bart Layton’s film, which follows an elusive thief (Chris Hemsworth) teaming up with an insurance broker (Halle Berry) while being pursued by a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo), is how familiar the resolution of Hemsworth’s character’s worst-case scenario feels. It’s the one part of the film I wish had unfolded in a less clichéd and more satisfying way.

To be clear, I’m not saying that I predicted everything that happens in the last quarter of the movie, but I did see a key element of the ending coming, which is never ideal.

That said, Crime 101 may not be my new favourite heist film, as I’d hoped, but I’d still probably watch much of it again because of everything else it gets right.

Watch it if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving,

G