Tag Archives: Chris Evans

Action, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

THE GRAY MAN (2022): The Things I liked…

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Thrills and action were promised. And thrilling action is precisely what Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Ryan Gosling’s latest, The Gray Man delivered.

A key highlight of the Anthony and Joe Russo-directed action/thriller is all the action sequences that made it impossible for me to look away for at least two-thirds of the movie. Even more so during the scenes set in Prague.

Evans as the bad guy in a story about the CIA’s most skilled operative’s uncovering of dark agency secrets is a fun surprise. I rather enjoyed his well-dressed turn as a psychopath. Gosling has always been fun to watch in action roles, and The Gray Man is no different.

And to think that my Friday wasn’t quite going to plan today. It turns out that all it took was to watch the first ten minutes of The Gray Man to have me cheering and ‘woohooing’ at the thrilling action, smile-inducing dialogue, rich visuals and heart-thumping musical score.

Undeniably, perfect is not the word to describe The Gray Man. However, it is a perfectly entertaining escape that isn’t so easy to turn away from, especially during the highly engaging action scenes. 

If you’re a fan of the cast and directors, I implore you to alter your mood and take in all the highlights mentioned above, including the fun camera work.

Happy Film Loving

G

Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

DEFENDING JACOB (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Defending Jacob (2020), Michelle Dockery Apple TV+
Defending Jacob (2020), Michelle Dockery, Apple TV+

There are parts I thoroughly enjoyed in Michelle Dockery, Chris Evans and Jaeden Martell’s Defending Jacob; the story of two parents who have to deal with the idea that their fourteen-year-old son might be responsible for murdering his classmate. Yet, I can’t say I completely loved the experience of watching it. 

The best moments besides the big revelation in the courtroom is  Dockery’s performance. Evans wasn’t terrible and Martell is a very talented young man. I only wish I enjoyed the series in its entirety and spent less  time asking questions such as:

‘Do we really need to keep going back and forth between Evans’s character in the present day as he recounts what happened? It doesn’t seem to be adding much to the experience.’ 

‘Why isn’t this a two-part, or four-part series instead of eight?’

The truth is I could do with more patience when it comes to movies and TV shows. However, all I want is for something I’m watching to be fully engaging, to the point where I’m happily lost in it, rather than having to question editing decisions.

I like the idea of a story about the possibility that one’s child could be a psychopath, and I felt for Dockery’s character. The bigger issue is likely that I’ve seen elements of this story in other productions several times before. A truth that then makes this experience less new/impressive.

If you’re especially curious, give Defending Jacob a chance. You may find that you love the way it just the way it is. And that you have a lot more patience than I do.

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

AVENGERS – ENDGAME (2019): The Things I Liked…

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Avengers - Endgame (2019), Chris Evans, Marvel Studios
Avengers – Endgame (2019), Chris Evans, Marvel Studios

I know that around the time Avengers – Endgame was released in 2019, there were next to zero complaints about whether the final instalment in the four-movie avengers’ franchise was good or not. Even still, I was very happy to see for myself that soon after Avengers – Endgame started, everything Marvel is known for doing exceptionally well when they’re at their best was very present in Avengers – Endgame. From visually arresting action choreography, good dialogue, memorable special effects to engaging humour, characters and story.

Directed once again by Joe and Anthony Russo, everything picks up in the aftermath of all the devastation that took place at the hand of Thanos in Avengers – Infinity War. With even higher stakes than before, Captain America, Tony Stark, The Hulk and their allies have one final chance to reverse everything Thanos did and restore balance throughout the universe.

At the risk of repeating myself, as was the case with Avengers – Infinity War, I don’t personally have any complaints about Avengers – Endgame because I had fun through it all. An additional highlight for me is all the extra movie references. Plus, just as Thanos was the absolute star and my favourite character of Avengers – Infinity War, the number one avenger in this movie is Thor; specifically ‘out of shape Thor.’ I found the surprise dive into Chris Hemsworth’s character so much fun that I’m quite sure I’ve never liked Thor more than I do in Avengers – Endgame.

Of all the Avengers films, Avengers – Endgame is perhaps the most moving / emotional. Specifically as someone who’s probably best described in this case as a casual Marvel fan, I can only imagine how much more significant an experience Avengers – Endgame must have been for the most serious Marvel fans.

Now that it’s all over, for now, I’m left wondering how long it will be before a brand new generation of avengers is announced. I’m in no specific hurry but when do you think the announcements will happen – assuming it hasn’t already happened. And how soon is too soon? I feel like a year or two from now is madness, but then I again I’m not a Marvel super fan.

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Adventure, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

AVENGERS – INFINITY WAR (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Avengers - Infinity War (2018), Thanos
Avengers – Infinity War (2018), Thanos

From director brothers Joe and Anthony Russo, Avengers – Infinity War is the one where the likes of Captain America, Black Widow, Thor and Iron Man, along with their allies come together in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos (Josh Brolin). For Thanos is hellbent on not just putting an end to half of planet Earth, but half of the entire universe, for reasons including it’s his ‘destiny’.

It’s not often that I’m struggling to come up with what I find to be ‘not so great’ about a movie I’m reviewing, but I really have no complaints about Avengers – Infinity War. The story and execution were great and Josh Brolin as Thanos is very much the perfect supervillain.

Brolin did a truly memorable job with his character. His voice performance was just perfect and did a lot to help make Avengers – Infinity War the impressive movie that it is – in addition to the stunning visual effects, dialogue and so on. 

Thanos is the kind of villain I actually thought Ultron would be  in Avengers – Age of Ultron (2015). At the very least in terms of screen time. James Spader’s performance as Ultron was indeed great. It’s just that among a few other things, Ultron wasn’t featured in the movie half as much as the film’s trailer suggested he would be.  

If by any chance you too enjoyed The Avengers (2012) but were left disappointed enough with Avengers Age of Ultron to take a two year break from the avengers movies, Avengers – Infinity War will very likely get you right back on board. Another reason you’ll want to get back into it all is Avenger – Endgame (2019), of course.

Happy Film Loving

G

Crime, Drama, Mystery, No Spoiler Reviews

KNIVES OUT (2019): The Things I Liked…

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Knives Out (2019) LaKeith Stanfield, Ana De Armes, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Lionsgate Movies
Knives Out (2019) LaKeith Stanfield, Ana De Armes, Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, Lionsgate Movies

As far as murder mystery movies go, I certainly haven’t watched very many and can’t say that they’re my favourite. However, writer / director Rian Johnsons’s Knives Out isn’t a bad one. 

Centred around the sudden death of the patriarch (Christopher Plummer) of an eccentric, combative family, Johnsons’s film kept me engaged throughout. The story and familial tensions kept building and building until its final quite satisfying conclusion.

I enjoyed all the performances including and especially Daniel Craig as private investigator Benoit Blanc. I also rather liked the facial expressions of Jamie Lee Curtis’s character, Linda Drysdale.

Knives Out has humour, clever twists and surprises to keep you locked in till the end.  I say definitely watch it if you like murder mysteries, and Daniel Crag… and the rest of the talented cast which includes LaKeith Stanfield, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas and Toni Collette.

Happy Film Loving

G

Mystery, Thriller

DEFENDING JACOB (2020): New Trailer From Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Betty Gabriel, Jaeden Martell…

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Defending Jacob (2020), Chris Evans, Apple TV+
Defending Jacob (2020), Chris Evans, Apple TV+

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Defending Jacob (2020).

Based on the best selling book by William Landay, Defending Jacob is a new mystery / thriller starring Chris Evans, Michelle Dockery, Jaeden Martell and Betty Gabriel.

This is the story of Andy (Evans) and Laurie Barber (Dockery), whose fourteen year-old son (Martell) has been accused of murdering his friend and classmate.

Based on this trailer, Jacob seems guilty. Assuming he’s innocent, how awful would it be if Evans’s character ends up having to go to jail? Looks like a very promising mystery to me.

Sakina Jaffrey, Cherry Jones, Bradley Ryan Knispel, Pablo Schreiber, Jordan Alexa Davis, Daniel Henshall, Ben Taylor, Ted Arcidi, Megan Byrne, Tamara Hickey and Poorna Jagannathan also star.

Defending Jacob Release Dates: April 24th, 2020 (US), Apple TV+

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, History, No Spoiler Reviews, Thriller

THE RED SEA DIVING RESORT (2019): The Things I Liked…

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The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), Chris Evans, Netflix
The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), Chris Evans, Netflix

The Red Sea Diving Resort, the historical thriller starring Chris Evans, Michiel Huisman, Alessandro Nivola, Hayley Bennett and Alona Tal is more than two hours long, but it didn’t quite feel that way for me.

Set in the early 1980s, writer / director Gideon Raff’s movie is based on the true story of the international agents and brave Ethiopians who used a deserted holiday retreat in Sudan, as a front to smuggle thousands of Jewish Ethiopian refugees to Israel. 

I enjoyed Raff’s film because it’s well acted, well paced and features a fair amount of nail-biting moments. The entire film is based on the perspective of the main agent, Ari Levinson (Evans). As such we unfortunately don’t really get to know much about the film’s Ethiopian characters. We don’t get to know much about Ari and his team of agents either. This would have been far more noticeable and / or problematic for me, had it not been for Ari and fellow agent Sammy’s (Nivola) friendship. Though still very lightly drawn, it is partly through their relationship that we get to learn a little (still definitely only a little) more about two key people behind the mission. 

The Red Sea Diving Resort absolutely kept me entertained  but because of the focus on keeping the missions interesting rather than clearly painting the characters, I was left with many questions; some of which – and more have been answered by this article… ‘The Real Heroes Of the red Sea Diving Resort Rescue.’

Watch it if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving

G

Drama, History, Thriller

THE RED SEA DIVING RESORT (2019): New Trailer From Chris Evans, Michiel Huisman, Haley Bennett, Alona Tal…

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The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), Chris Evans
The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019), Chris Evans

Read my spoiler-free movie review of The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019).

Chris Evans, Michiel Huisman, Hayley Bennett, and Alona Tal star in writer / director  Gideon Raff’s historical thrilller, The Red Sea Diving Resort.

Set in the early 80s, this is the true story of the international agents and brave Ethiopians who used a deserted holiday retreat in Sudan as a front to smuggle thousands of refugees to Israel…

I simply want to know how this story ends and to learn about the agents involved. People doing admirable things that are far from my own reality.

Alessandro Nivola, Greg Kinnear, Michael Kenneth Williams, Ben Kingsley, Chris Chalk, Alex Hassell and Schelaine Bennett also star.

The Red Sea Diving Resort Release Dates: July 31st, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G