Category Archives: Thriller

Sci-Fi, Thriller

PREDESTINATION (2014): The Next Ethan Hawke 2014 Hit?

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Predestination (2014) Ethan Hawke
Predestination (2014) Ethan Hawke

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Predestination (2014).

Ethan Hawke has been very busy; a fact that makes me, an eternal fan of great acting talent, a very happy so and so.

With more than 5 releases out this year, including the already very well -received Boyhood, who can blame me?

A sci-fi thriller from sibling directors, Michael and Peter Spierig; the premise of Predestination involves time travel for the purpose of preventing crimes from taking place.

Quite the promising trailer we have here, isn’t it. And, perhaps unsurprisingly, Tom Cruise’s rather good film Minority Report (2002) came to mind as this preview played. Fingers crossed it’s great.

Happy Film Loving, 

G

No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi, Thriller

INCEPTION (2010): Only If Other Films Would Stay Away From The Music

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Inception (2010), Leonardo DiCaprio
Inception (2010), Leonardo DiCaprio

Part of what makes Christopher Nolan’s Inception (2010) so very good, is Hans Zimmer’s brilliant musical score.

Unfortunately, since the the film’s release, seemingly far lesser movies keep using it. I say ‘seemingly far lesser’ because I can’t actually see myself ever watching any of the offending titles.

I admit, I’m probably too attached to the original film and music, but all the trailers I’ve seen that use the Inception score really don’t look very promising. If they did, I wouldn’t be writing this.

You only have to watch the following Airborne (2012) trailer to see and understand.

To help get that highly disappointing Airborne taste out of your mouth, here are two fantastic Inception trailers.

Inception Trailer 1

Inception Trailer 2

Happy Film Loving,

G

Crime, Drama, Thriller

THE GAMBLER (2015): Trailer Of The Week

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The Gambler (2015), Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman
The Gambler (2015), Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman

I really do enjoy the art of a great trailer. Sometimes even more so than the films they’re for. I haven’t seen many good ones in the last few months. Luckily, here’s one I love.

Such super editing must always be highlighted, I’m sure you agree. 

The Gambler Release Dates: December 25th, 2025…

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Crime, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (2005): So Good!

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A History of Violence (2005), Viggo Mortensen
A History of Violence (2005), Viggo Mortensen

A small town that suddenly finds itself sprinkled with a few non-local visitors usually means trouble. And trouble is exactly what said visitors bring, especially for Tom Stall, a well-regarded local coffee shop owner with a wife and two children.

Directed by David Cronenberg, and starring Viggo Mortensen, Maria Bello and Ed Harris, A History of Violence left me with much to love and very little if anything to be desired.

For those familiar with Cronenberg’s trademark visceral style, this engaging and generally well-paced drama/crime/thriller features scenes and moments that will remind you of exactly who the director is.

A well-written story that’s brilliantly delivered is the reason A History Of Violence is one of my favourite films of all time. What’s brought to mind each time I’m reminded of it, besides the fact that it entertained me like crazy, is the incredibly satisfying scene of the bullied fighting back.

Watch it for the many things this wonderful film gets so very right. Then go right back and rewatch your favourite scenes, because you’ll have a few.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Drama, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

APOCALYPTO (2006): Epic In A Number Of Ways, Especially That Chase Sequence

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Apocalypto (2007), Rudy Youngblood
Apocalypto (2007), Rudy Youngblood

Mel Gibson’s Mayan Epic Apocalypto (2006) is tense, gruesome, emotional, and violent – plus, it contains a big, black, beastly creature I adore.

Best of all, though, Apocalypto features a wonderfully thrilling hour-long chase sequence that I won’t soon forget. You may know that I love well-crafted dialogue. However, few things in film are more engaging than a beautifully choreographed chase sequence. And the one in this movie is easily one of the very best.

Apocalypto certainly isn’t always the easiest to watch, thanks to some challenging scenes. But it is a very entertaining, drama, action and thriller hybrid. At no point did I deliberately avert my eyes from the screen whenever a tough scene was happening. But my hands did shoot up to my mouth and face a few times, and without warning.

I suspect that some people’s dormant misanthropic tendencies may be tested by this great story. But, by the end, you’ll likely want to appreciate the smart, quick thinking and undoubtedly strong people in your life. That’s certainly where my mind went to, as this memorable story came to an end.

Apocalypto is for fans of great storytelling, big cats (a puma in this instance – the aforementioned big, black, beastly creature I adore) and the very perfect hour-long chase sequence.

Watch it at once, I say!

Happy Film Loving,

G