Tag Archives: Charlize Theron

APEX (2026): The Things I Liked…

Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton’s latest action thriller, Apex, is watchable. That said, I didn’t have a great time sitting through it.

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, the film tells a dark story about Sasha, a troubled adrenaline junkie, played by Theron, and an even more unhinged nature enthusiast named Ben (Egerton), one who turns Sasha’s escape into nature into a deadly game of hunter and hunted.

The good news is that Theron embodies her character, well, both physically and emotionally. The problem is that I didn’t find her easy to root for, especially at the beginning, because of her ego and the resulting consequences.

To be clear, I did want her to make it out of the wilderness alive. I just had trouble sympathising with someone who shows so little regard for their own safety, even if I understand the reason.

My favourite thing about Apex is seeing Theron play such a convincingly capable woman. It’s just a shame that I spent most of the film feeling frustrated with her character, both because of what happens early on and her inadequate sense of self-preservation.

Watch Apex only if you absolutely must.

Happy Film Loving,

G

APEX (2026): New Trailer From Charlize Theron, Taron Egerton, Eric Bana…

Apex (2026), Taron Egerton, Netflix
Apex (2026), Taron Egerton, Netflix

Directed by Baltasar Kormákur, Charlize Theron, Eric Bana and Taron Egerton’s latest film is Apex, an action/thriller in which Theron is adrenaline Junkie Sasha.

When Sasha sets out to conquer a menacing river, she learns that the only thing out for blood isn’t just nature.

Hello, promising chase sequence, and reliable cast; the reasons my interest is piqued.

A lot of stunt work must have been par for the course with this one. Egerton and Theron seem like actors who’d want to perform as many of their own stunts as possible, which hopefully means they had plenty of fun making this. While all I’m thinking about are my ankles, not that they’re weak, mind you. I just love even terrane. That’s mostly it.

Also, am I the only one who immediately thinks ‘predator’ when hearing ‘Apex?’ No? Maybe I’ve watched too many David Attenborough documentaries. Actually, scratch that, there’s no such thing as watching too many David Attenborough documentaries.

How’s Apex looking to you?

Bessie Holland and Zac Garred also star.

Apex Release Dates: April 24th, 2026 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

THE OLD GUARD 2 (2025): The Things I Liked…

The Old Guard 2 (2025), Charlize Theron, Netflix
The Old Guard 2 (2025), Charlize Theron, Netflix

I remember enjoying The Old Guard (2020), Netflix’s action/fantasy film about immortal covert mercenaries tasked with protecting humanity. The story and fight sequences stood out in a good way.

Four/five years later, Charlize Theron, Matthias Schoenaerts and KiKi Layne return in The Old Guard 2. This time, the group has to deal with the resurfacing of a long-lost immortal while also facing a powerful new enemy.

The good news? I still had fun. However, the fight sequences in the first movie were stronger, mainly because I wasn’t waiting for them to end so the story could move forward. Either the action went on too long this time, or it just didn’t feel as sharp. That said, the story itself remains pretty strong, even if a few moments felt clichéd.

There are at least four years between the two films, which, in my opinion, is too long. I’m sure the Hollywood strikes didn’t help, but I’m starting to think this franchise might work better as a mini-series. That way, we wouldn’t have to wait so long between instalments, assuming a third one is coming, of course.

Have you seen The Old Guard 2? What did you think?

Happy Film Loving, 

G

F9 (2021): New Fast & Furious 9 Trailer Starring John Cena, Charlize Theron, Vin Diesel, Helen Mirren…

F9 (2021), Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson
F9 (2021), Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson

F9, the latest instalment in the Fast & Furious franchise finally has a release date that looks as though it’s going to stick. And to celebrate, a new trailer starring John Cena, Vin Diesel, Charlize THeron, Helen Mirren and many more has been released.

I’m mostly curious about the Cena/Diesel dynamic, and maybe a little of the far from realistic action and stunt sequences.

Also, it only just occurred to me how much the Fast and Furious movies seem to feature the kind of action you might expect when two four/five year old boys are playing together with all their toy cars. I’m not saying the stunts are terrible, mind you. Just that the sort of vehicular activity in this trailer is very reminiscent of my brothers and cousins happily playing when they were five.

Lucas Black, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Michael Rooker, Finn Cole, Cardi B, Michelle Rodriguez, Ludacris, Jim Parrack, Tyrese Gibson and Anna Sawai also star.

Fast & Furious 9 Release Dates: June 25th, 2021 (US); July 8th, 2021 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

THE OLD GUARD (2020): The Things I Liked…

The Old Guard (2020), Charlize Theron
The Old Guard (2020), Charlize Theron

The Old Guard, an action/fantasy film about a covert team of immortal mercenaries, is not a bad film. However, though everyone performed well, for me, the movie tended to shine best when the camera was on its main character, Andy (Charlize Theron).

Another thing that director Gina Prince-Bythewood’s movie does well is the fight choreography; the kind that had me wanting to see the behind the scenes rehearsals as soon as possible. Especially for the major sequence towards the end.

As far as action/fantasies go, The Old Guard’s story is a good one and perfect for a sequel which I’d watch right away if it were possible. As you watch Theron, KiKi Layne, and Matthias Schoenaerts’s, another bit of good news is that it gets better as you continue to watch and it’s unlikely you’ll be able to guess everything that’s going to happen as the story unfolds.

What you probably should expect, though, is to be moved, because The Old Guard is fun, but it’s also more affecting than you may anticipate, plus, there’s certainly a lot more to love than not.

Happy Film Loving,

G