Category Archives: Thriller

Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

DARK MATTER (2024): New Trailer From Joel Egerton, Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga, Oakes Fegley…

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New nine-part drama/sci-fi/thriller, Dark Matter from Apple TV+ has Joel Egerton starring as Jason Dessan, a man abducted into an alternate version of his life.

Based on the novel by Blake Crouch and additional key cast that includes Jennifer Connelly, Alice Braga and Oakes Fegley; Jason must find a way back before it’s too late.

Hello, Nightmare.

I’ve been hearing about how Netflix is great at documentaries and that Apple’s thing is good sci-fi. I haven’t watched much sci-fi on Apple TV+, particularly because it isn’t my favourite genre. At least not pure sci-fi anyway. However, this trailer sure has me intrigued, plus it’s sci-fi/drama/thriller, which helps.

Based on this engaging trailer edit, I’m ready to find out if Egerton’s character makes it back home to his loving family, as near impossible as it seems right now.

Jimmi Simpson, Dayo Okeniyi, Amanda Brugel, Marquita Brooks, Tiff Abreu, Bassam Abdelfattah, Jimmy Styx, Missy Fierro, Jenne Kang and Patricia Mario also star.

Dark Matter Release Dates: May 8th, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Thriller

MONKEY MAN (2024): New Trailer From Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher, Pitobash…

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New action/thriller Monkey Man is an epic-looking vengeance story starring and directed by Dev Patel, who also happens to be one of the co-writers.

Post trailer viewing, I find myself rather happy for Patel, considering the excitement around such a promising directorial debut.

I see plenty of John Wick fans being drawn to this one, along with many enthusiasts of a good vengeance tale, especially if the gratuitous violence isn’t off-putting.

I’m ready, and look forward to keeping up with all the exciting fight sequences.

Sharlto Copley, Adithi Kalkunte, Sikandar Kher itobash. Ashwini Kalsekar, Makrand Deshpande, Sobhita Dhulipala and Jatin Malik also star.

Monkey Man Release Dates: April 5th, 2024 (UK & US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

ROAD HOUSE (1989): The Things I Liked…

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There are two reasons why I watched director Rowdy Herrington’s Road House (1989). Patrick Swayze’s undeniable magic is one reason – the camera seems to just fully love him, right? The other is I’ve heard several men rate the film quite highly. Add to that the recently released remake starring Jake Gyllenhaal, (which I’m yet to see), and I had to satisfy my curiosity.

As predicted, Swayze is his usual magnetic self as Dalton, a smaller-than-expected bouncer, hired to clean up the roughest bar in a Missouri town, thanks in part to his black belt in karate.

‘Well-paced with a good amount of suspense built-in’ is one way to describe Road House. I believed Dalton to be as capable as his Karate background would suggest. There are certainly some fun and impressive fight sequences. Nevertheless, my favourite scene has more to do with dialogue than fighting. It’s the one when Dalton introduces himself to his new team and lays down the law. 

There came a point in Road House when I was exhausted by all the fighting and wanted the conflicts resolved. No surprises there, I guess, since the movie is made predominantly for a male audience. I’ll probably still watch the Jake Gyllenhaal remake. After all, he too is talented and magnetic. I will, however, need the music to be different because the rock music in Herrington’s film isn’t my favourite.

If you’re curious enough, give Road House a chance. Especially if you’re into fighting/fight choreography. Lastly, the story is quite romantic – though, mostly not in the lovey-dovey sense. 

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Thriller

ROAD HOUSE (2024): New Trailer From Jake Gyllenhaal, Conor McGregor, Daniela Melchior, Jessica Williams…

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Director Doug Liman’s latest action/thriller Road House has Jake Gyllenhaal playing an Ex-UFC fighter named Dalton.

Dalton accepts a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse and soon finds out that things are more than he expected.

Conor McGregor, Daniela Melchior, Billy Magnussen and Lukas Gage are among the key cast.

This is not the kind of movie I’d typically be drawn to. But, add Gyllenhaal and my curiosity about McGregor’s performance and suddenly, look at that, I have a ticket.

I may just decide to watch the 1989 original Road House movie after all. The one starring Patrick Swayze; I hear that there’s much to see where fight choreography is concerned – another reason I have to watch this new remake.

Darren Barnet, Post Malone, Joaquim de Almeida, Dominique Columbus, Arturo Castro, JD Pardo, Beau Knapp, Hannah Love Lanier, Kevin Carroll, Bob Menery and Travis Van Winkle also star.

Road House Release Dates: March 21st, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, Thriller

MOTHER’S INSTINCT (2024): New Trailer Starring Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Josh Charles, Anders Danielsen Lie…

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Jessica Chastain, Josh Charles, Anne Hathaway and Anders Danielsen Lie are the stars of new drama/thriller Mother’s Instinct.

Directed by Benoît Delhomme, at the centre of the story is a tragic accident that leads to guilt, suspicion and paranoia between two women who were once the best of friends.

Based on the title alone, I’m going to guess that Chastain’s character is right. I think that Hathatway’s Celine is the grief-stricken mother who’s lost her mind.

I say all this of course, as someone who has never watched the French film (Derrière la haine (2018) by Barbara Abel, on which both films are based. I’m excited to watch two wonderful actors continually raise each other’s game with every word and look they utter. Not that either of their games needed raising, mind you.

Are you looking forward to a promising psychological thriller, one of a few among the many blockbusters due to come our way this year?

Caroline Lagerfelt, Alexander Blaise, Keeley Miller, Steve Routman, Lauren Yaffe and Baylen D. Bielitz also star.

Mother’s Instinct Release Dates…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Horror, Thriller

ABIGAIL (2024): New Trailer Starring Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Angus Cloud, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir…

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A rather rude awakening is what happens to a group of criminals who decide to kidnap a powerful underworld figure’s ballerina daughter.

Starring Kathryn Newton, Dan Stevens, Angus Cloud, Melissa Barrera, Alisha Weir and Giancarlo Esposito; the criminal group retreats to an isolated mansion, while fully unaware of what’s just around the corner.

I want to say that I’m going to watch Abigail because this trailer amused and surprised me, but I can’t promise anything since I love a peaceful nightmare-less sleep. Still, that was quite the turn, wasn’t it?

What do you think of this trailer? I’d actually like to meet the rest of Abigail’s family (only onscreen, of course).

Also, why do I suddenly think that Giancarlo Esposito’s character knows something the rest of the criminals don’t?

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett; Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Durand and William Catlett also star.

Abigail Release Dates: April 19th, 2024 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Comedy, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

SALTBURN (2023): The Things I Liked…

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There’s been plenty of talk about writer/director Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn  since it hit the film festival circuit in August 2023. And I’ve finally given in and watched the comedy/drama/thriller. A film that turned out to be an equally delightful and shocking experience. One that follows Oliver (Barry Keoghan), an Oxford University student who becomes obsessed with his classmate, the charismatic and aristocratic Felix (Jacob Elordi). 

Also starring Rosamund Pike, Archie Madekwe and Carey Mulligan, things soon take quite the unexpected turn once Felix invites Oliver to his eccentric family’s vast estate for an unforgettable summer.

Saltburn (2023), Rosamund Pike, MGM
Saltburn (2023), Rosamund Pike, MGM

It’s the dialogue and performances that delighted me most, especially all the lines delivered to perfection by Mulligan and Pike’s characters. As for the more shocking aspects, let’s just say it has to do with two specific moments that reveal the extent of Oliver’s unsettling obsession and how that manifests.

In terms of my experience of the story, I had the most fun before the dark turn, which wasn’t unexpected considering how I found myself waiting for the other shoe to drop for much of the film. The general gist of what Saltburn is about and how aspects of the story unfold may not be new, but the two most shocking events and the super wonderful dialogue are reason enough to see it for yourself. 

Last but not least, Saltburn features a soundtrack of what seemed to be largely hit British songs of the noughties. I say give Saltburn a chance if you’re curious and for all the guaranteed giggles courtesy of the dialogue, particularly once Oliver arrives at Felix’s family estate. 

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Crime, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

THE EQUALIZER 3 (2023): The Things I Liked…

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The final instalment of Denzel Washington’s The Equalizer Franchise is quite a pleasant surprise. The deliberately slower pace during the first half might have irked me greatly had it not felt strangely meditative in a good way. 

Additionally, it isn’t the type of slow that has you doubting the filmmaker’s skills because what’s happening is still quite engaging. 

I find the pace of the first half much closer to the kind of ‘slower beginning’ that other skilled directors have utilised to great effect. To name just two examples, Blade Runner (1982) and A History of Violence (2005). 

My ability to tolerate the slow beginning is also probably helped by the film’s southern Italy/Sicily location, one of my favourite places to visit and watch on screen. 

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, The Equalizer Franchise follows a man (Robert McCall) who takes it upon himself to serve unflinching justice to those who have it coming. As such, in the second half of the movie, during scenes when said justice is served, at the very least, I expected to be pleased. What I didn’t anticipate was to find myself expressing audible glee. The kind close enough to levels I had not experienced since the super evil King Joffrey Baratheon finally got all he deserved in Game of Thrones.

The Equalizer 3 is worth watching to see the satisfying way the franchise ends. It’s also for you if you like seeing bullies silenced, enjoy the beautiful sights of Sicily, and you’re into fun/thrilling action sequences that require you to leave expectations of realism safely at home. Lastly, you’ll need to be okay with gratuitous violence because there is quite a healthy serving, but not too much more than in previous Equalizer movies.

I am super glad that the Equalizer films happened. As satisfying as it has been to watch the cocky villains deservedly meet their ends, there is still only one scene that springs to mind whenever I think of the franchise. The famous gun-snatching scene from The Equalizer (2014), of course.

Watch it all, if you’re crious.

Happy Film Loving,

G