Tag Archives: New Jake Gyllenhaal Movie

THE COVENANT (2023): The Things I Liked…

Guy Ritchie and Jake Gyllenhaal’s latest action/thriller is the story of a local interpreter (Dar Salim) who goes above and beyond to ensure the safety of an injured American sergeant (Gyllenhaal). 

As someone who doesn’t typically watch war films, for Ritchie, Gyllenhaal, and the promise of a thrilling chase sequence, a lady can make certain exceptions. Luckily, this exception is one I don’t regret, thanks to The Covenant‘s engaging story/dialogue and well-choreographed action sequences.

Ritchie’s film captures well the connection between the two men who find themselves in one life-or-death situation after another. We get to witness their challenging emotional and physical journeys as they travel and fight while surrounded and in enemy territory.

I admit that there was a point during the first fifteen minutes when I wanted the story to progress a tad faster. And later, when I wished the scenes where Gyllenhaal’s character spends a lot of time on the phone had been written/edited slightly differently. Still, besides these two relatively minor issues, I had fun and thoroughly enjoyed the ending.

Moving forward, I’m going to remember The Covenant for making me look at the name John in a whole new light. Shockingly, this new perspective has nothing to do with Gyllenhaal’s character being named John Kinly, but rather, the meaning of the name John as it’s explained in the movie.

The Covenant is a good war film, but one that’s not too gruesome, so, watch it if you’re curious.

Happy Film Loving

G

THE GUILTY (2021): The Things I Liked…

The Guilty, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riley Keogh, Paul Dano and Ethan Hawke’s latest crime/drama/thriller about a demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk is well-acted, though not exactly perfect.

Director Antoine Fuqua’s film is intense, and I like that immediately it’s clear that Gyllenhaal’s character, Joe Baylor is far from the model police officer. I enjoyed how the intensity built up as the movie played, especially since the action takes place in two rooms. Nevertheless, at times I did find myself frustrated by the pacing. 

Another frustration is the story edit towards the end when we learn the truth of Keogh’s character. I’m not sure what could have happened differently. However, I am sure that the story edit in that moment and one or two others left me wanting. 

The most expected thing about The Guilty, besides a good performance from Gyllenhaal, is the increase in my appreciation for the work that first responders do. Especially the ones who do absolutely everything they can to help. 

I was surprised not to recognise any of the voices of the well-known actors. Specifically the ones the audience only get to meet through how they sound when they speak to Joe Baylor on the phone. I still can’t tell you which characters Paul Dano, Ethan Hawke and Peter Sarsgaard played. Is it just me?

Give The Guilty a chance if you’re curious. The story will break your heart in multiple ways, and the intense moments are a highlight, even if you end up wishing for a slightly different story edit. 

If you want a brilliantly executed story set in one place, and where you only meet the other characters through their voice over the telephone, I can’t recommend Locke (2013) enough.

Happy Film Loving

G

THE GUILTY (2021) New Trailer From Jake Gyllenhaal, Bill Burr, Paul Dano, Ethan Hawke…

The Guilty (2021). Jake Gyllenhaal, Netflix
The Guilty (2021). Jake Gyllenhaal, Netflix

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  The Guilty (2021).


Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Bill Burr and Paul Dano are the stars of director Antoine Fuqua’s latest, The Guilty.

And action/thriller, the story follows Joe Baylor (Gyllenhaal), a demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk. Baylor finds himself conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman.

I’m pretty sure that Dano and Gyllenhaal are only ever in good movies. I sometimes say things like: ‘I didn’t know I missed (insert name of great actor) until this new trailer.’ But, I’ve been needing an intense Gyllenhaal film for a while now. And knowing that Fuqua, the director of the excellent Training Day (2001) and The Equalizer (2014) is behind this movie has me that little be more excited.

I also happen to have a special place in my heart for 911 responders. Nevertheless, I didn’t miss the part where this trailer states something along the lines of ‘there’s more to the story than meets the eye.’ I guess we’ll have to wait and see just how likeable Gyllenhaal’s character is by the end. I, for one, can’t wait to find out.

Byron Bowers, Riley Keough, Bill Burr, Peter Sarsgaard, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, David Castañeda, David Castañeda, Terence J. Rotolo, Edi Patterson, Adrian Martinez also star.

The Guilty Release Dates: September 21st, 2021 (US); October 1st, 2021 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving

G

SPIDER-MAN – FAR FROM HOME (2019): New Trailer From Zendaya, Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal…

Spider-Man - Far From Home (2019), Jake Gyllenhaal
Spider-Man – Far From Home (2019), Jake Gyllenhaal

Starring Zendaya, Tom Holland, Jake Gyllenhaal and directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man – Far From Home has Peter Parker and his friends in Europe on summer vacation. Then villain Mysterio shows up and disrupts everything.

Is it wrong that my favourite thing about this new trailer is seeing Jake Gyllenhaal as Quentin Beck/Mysterio? ‘Not at all’ is the correct answer, because Gyllenhaal is fantastic.

Numan Acar, J.B. Smoove, Michael Keatom, Marissa Tomei, Hemky Madera and Jacob Batalon also star.

Spider-Man – Far From Home Release Dates: July 5th, 2019 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

VELVET BUZZSAW (2019): New Trailer From Jake Gyllenhaal, John Malkovich, Toni Collette, Billy Magnussen…

Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), Jake Gyllenhaal
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), Jake Gyllenhaal, Netflix

Dan Gilroy, the director of my favourite Jake Gyllenhaal movie Nightcrawler (2014), is back with new crime/fantasy film, Velvet Buzzsaw.

Starring Gyllenhaal, John Malkovich, Toni Collette, Billy Magnussen and set in Miami Beach, Florida, it all begins after a number of art lovers help themselves to a series of paintings by an unknown artist. Soon enough, a supernatural force begins to enact revenge to punish all those involved for their greed.

I’m in for Gyllenhaal’s performance, and who knows, maybe I’ll love what he does in this movie as much as I appreciate his great work in Nightcrawler.

At the time of writing, Velvet Buzzsaw isn’t categorised as horror. As such, my fingers are crossed that the whole experience isn’t nightmare-inducing.

Zawe Ashton, Natalia Dyer, Rene Russo, Daveed Diggs, Peter Gadiot and Tom Sturridge also star.

Read my spoiler free movie review of Velvet Buzzsaw.

Velvet Buzzsaw Release Dates: February 1st, 2019 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G