The True Story Of The Kelly Gang (2019), Charlie Hunnam
Set during 1870s Australia, The History Of The Kelly Gang is a new crime/biography about Australian bush-ranger Ned Kelly and his gang as they flee from authorities
Based on the novel by Peter Carey, director Justin Kurzel’s key cast includes George MacKay, Russell Crowe, Nicholas Hoult and Charlie Hunnam.
It’s not so much the story of all the killing that interests me, or even the Ned Kelly legend. I mostly want to to find out how well the finished product comes together with the mix of Hoult, Hunnam and Crowe.
Essie Davis, Orlando Schwerdt, Thomasin McKenzie, Earl Cave, Marlon Williams, Sean Keenan and Louis Hewison also star.
Triple Frontier, the action/adventure about five former Special Forces operatives whose planned heist in South America becomes an epic battle for survival, is a movie I found to be just okay.
Starring Oscar Isaac, Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Pedro Pascal and Garrett Hedlund, the performances were generally good. In terms of the themes featured, I like what director J.C. Chandor’s film had to say about the high price of greed. I’m also happy that Triple Frontier shed some light on the plight of US veterans. Particularly the general discontent in reference to how they really could be better taken care of.
As for the reasons why I didn’t find the finished product quite as thrilling as hoped, firstly, it has something to do with how easily I was able to predict an outcome or two early on. Secondly, because each character’s backstory was presented so very briefly, it didn’t allow me to properly connect with a fair number of them, if any, in a meaningful way. This also relates to the villain, who barely had any screen time. I needed to see more evidence of why he was really deserving of the attack. Intellectually, it’s clear, yet more visual evidence would certainly have been great.
Lastly, I know that Affleck’s character is, in essence, quite depressed and therefore not fully himself. However, I still found it hard to completely believe that he behaved the way he did during the actual heist. Or that no one else stood up and stopped his ‘madness.’ To put it another way, I really thought they’d have planned better, generally and regarding how to deal with anyone who tried to go beyond the agreed plan of action.
I certainly don’t regret giving just over two hours to this movie, but I do wish it had me half as hooked and was as well-written as Sicario (2015). Now that’s a tension-filled thriller and a half.
Directed by J.C. Chandor; Triple Frontier stars Charlie Hunnam, Ben Affleck, Pedro Pascal, Garrett Hedlund and Oscar Isaac.
This one is an action/adventure where five former Special Forces operatives plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. A major heist that turns into an epic battle for survival.
Seeing the hurt in Isaac’s character’s eyes, I wonder how much sympathy these guys are going to get out of me. Either way, I’m hoping for a thrilling adventure, and with a cast as strong as this one, the chances should be good.
Adria Arjona, Sheila Vand and Reynaldo Gallegos also star.
Papillon is a remake of a 1973 movie about a man who’s framed for murder and condemned to life in the notorious penal colony on Devil’s Island.
Determined to regain his freedom, he teams up with a fellow inmate to plan his escape.
Directed by Michael Noer; Charlie Hannum, Rami Malek, Eve Hewson and Tommy Flanagan star.
I don’t know how good this is going to be, but seeing this trailer reminded me of being at university and asking a friend about the name of his favourite book. Reason being, at the time, I was in the midst of a long reading rut. A rut that thankfully came to an end after said friend uttered the words ‘Papillon by Henri Charière’, the very book and true story on which this movie is based, and a book that is now one of my most highly recommended.
I’m quite sure that I’ll watch the original movie (starring Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman) about Charière’s story before I see this one. Nevertheless, I just had to check out this trailer for old times sake, and to see how much I remembered.
The Movie My Life 