Category Archives: Crime

Crime, Drama

TRIPLE 9 (2016): Explosive New Trailer Starring Norman Reedus, Kate Winslet, Aaron Paul…

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Triple 9 (2016), Kate Winslet
Triple 9 (2016), Kate Winslet

Just when I feared things were slowing down trailer-wise because Christmas is coming… Chiwetel Ejiofor, Norman Reedus, Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet and Aaron Paul have a brand new trailer and this Red Band version is gritty, riotous and explosive.

Perhaps it’s a ‘Valentines day romantic movie’ antidote; especially so considering the US release date is February 2016.

Firstly, Triple 9 is from John Hillcoat, a name you may recognise because he’s the director behind the rather good Tom Hardy and Guy Pearce movie, Lawless (2012).

Second, I want to take a moment to say ‘well done‘ to the trailer maker. Because it’s great that very little of the plot has been revealed, yet I’m hooked. It’s probably best that I savour this moment because by the time trailer 2, 3 and maybe even 4 come around, I’ll know far more than I could ever want, prior to watching the movie.

I’m so looking forward to this and very excited to see what looks like a seriously badass turn from Winslet.

Triple 9 Release Dates: February 19th 2016 (US)…

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Comedy, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews

SPY (2015): It’s Good, People. It’s Good

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Spy (2015), Melissa McCarthy
Spy (2015), Melissa McCarthy

Watching a spy movie and not having at least one thing about it reminding you of James Bond, the most famous spy of them all is near impossible.

Starring Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law and Jason Statham, the Paul Feig written/directed Spy is no exception. Unlike 007, however, Spy is a comedy/action film – and a rather good one at that.

An entertaining experience with a well-written story, fun dialogue and characters is how I describe Spy. The dynamic between Statham and McCarthy’s characters is a big highlight. Rose Byrne’s Rayna Boyanov is also another plus.

Spy (2015), Jude Law, Rose Byrne
Spy (2015), Jude Law, Rose Byrne

The other very reliable cast members include Allison Janney, Miranda Hart, Sam Richardson, Morena Baccarin and Bobby Cannavale.

Watch Spy because it’s good. I found Jude Law’s character a tad annoying at first but it’s not so bad because the movie is a Melissa McCarthy vehicle, and Spy is definitely my favourite of her roles since Bridesmaids (2011), also directed by Paul Feig.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

RUN ALL NIGHT (2015): I tuned In For The Chase…

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Run All Night (2015), Liam Neeson
Run All Night (2015), Liam Neeson

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra; there’s another reason I watched Run All Night, besides its New York mobster underworld setting and its stars, Liam Neeson and Joel Kinnaman. I appreciate how the title implies that the movie is essentially an all night chase sequence.

Run All Night does indeed feature an all night pursuit and you’ll find yourself holding your breath in several tension filled moments. Though, as satisfactory as the chases are, it was very much the less than ideal father/son relationship between Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) and his son Mike (Kinnaman) that kept me invested.

Having now seen Run All Night, my favourite movie chase sequences are still delivered by the Mel Gibson directed Apocalypto (2006) and Tony Scott’s Enemy Of The State (1998).

Watch Run All Night if you’re curious about the father son dynamic mentioned above and if you can’t get enough of films that feature Neeson protecting loved ones and taking down bad guys; something he did most brilliantly in Taken (2008).  Otherwise, for your fix of a recent New York City mobster underworld movie, you can’t go wrong with The Drop (2014).

Ed Harris, Boyd Holbrook, Genesis Rodriguez, Common and Bruce McGill also star in Run All Night.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews

THE DARK KNIGHT (2008): Superior Film Making & What Heath Ledger Did…

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The Dark Knight (2008), Christian Bale, Michael Caine
The Dark Knight (2008), Christian Bale, Michael Caine

Written/directed by the Nolan brothers, (Jonathan and Christopher) The Dark Knight is the second movie in a notable three part series that started with Batman Begins (2005).

Christian Bale is back as Batman and this time he must face off with Gotham’s current havoc wreaking menace, the Joker.

Like all films by the Nolan brothers, The Dark Knight is no exception to the rule of storytelling excellence, engaging dialogue, action sequence prowess, a brilliant musical score and truly memorable performances.

The Dark Knight (2008), Heath Ledger
The Dark Knight (2008), Heath Ledger

As good as Bale is in the role of Batman, because he is very good, the most memorable performance in The Dark Knight is delivered by the unfortunately late but unforgettable Australian actor, Heath Ledger.

Whether he had passed as he did before the film’s release or not, it’s near enough impossible to think of and mention The Dark Knight without also highlighting what Ledger accomplished with this one role. His portrayal of the Joker is simply one of the most mesmerising things I’ve ever seen on screen. So much so that each time the camera wasn’t on him, it felt like the movie was moving noticeably slower.

The entire film is quite the achievement, thanks to a superior filmmaking team that includes, along with the leading cast, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and ‘super composer’, Hans Zimmer.

Most film lovers have already seen The Dark Knight. But to all who haven’t, get ready for a great opening and closing sequence, as well as a memorable  plenty more in between.

The Dark Knight (2008), William Fichtner
The Dark Knight (2008), William Fichtner

One of the best moments in the opening sequence has to be the surprise of what  William Fichtner’s badass Bank Manager character does when he gets on his feet. If you’ve seen it, you understand.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Comedy, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews

2 GUNS (2013): Denzel Washington & Mark Wahlberg Star In Fun Buddy Cop Movie.

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2 Guns (2013), Denzel Washington, MarkWahlberg, Fried Chicken
2 Guns (2013), Denzel Washington, MarkWahlberg, Fried Chicken

The chemistry between Mark Wahlberg and Denzel Washington is the reason why 2 Guns is quite the thrill ride.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, you’ll enjoy the action, humour, the buddy cop dynamic and Bill Paxton’s intense and terrifying turn as Earl.

A very memorable moment is when Wahlberg’s character reveals who one of the bad guys reminds him of. I heard the words as I watched the movie in the theatre. The observation is so correct and well delivered that it stayed in my mind for the rest of the movie.

Edward James Olmos, James Marsden, Robert John Burke and Paula Patton also star.

Watch it because it’s good.

Happy Film Loving, 

G