Movie review: Primal

 Exotic animal hunter and collector Frank has just struck it big by capturing a priceless white Jaguar along with his other catches. On the ship sailing home however is a deadly political assassin who first breaks free and then releases Frank's animals onto the ship, including the white jaguar.

Nicolas Cage (Frank), Famke Janssen (Dr. Taylor), Kevin Durand (Loffler), LaMonica Garrett (Ringer), Michael Imperioli (Freed), Braulio Hijo (Morales), Tommy Walker (Forrest), Sewell Whitney (Scuddy).

Primal begins with Frank encountering the white jaguar and our introduction to the CGI used throughout the film. Cat and other catches in hand, Frank boards the boat home only to find he is sharing it with a deadly political assassin, Loffler, who promptly escapes. The hunt now on for Loffler the action steps up a notch. When Loffler then releases Frank's wild animals things get even more tense.

Acting was a mix here. Cage did fairly well at times but also seemed to fall back into his usual grungy cranky alcoholic mode at times. Janssen was a surprising choice and did well while also feeling underused. Durand was perfectly cast and in a role that fit him well which he managed nicely. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid and delivered well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are mostly boat based, felt solid, and fit the film. Effects were a mix as well. CGI with the animals felt almost comic at times, underdone other times. Physical effects were mildly better. Dialogue was okay and added some depth to the story. Sound and soundtrack are decent.

Overall Primal is a blend of familiar stories as an obvious tool to promote action and intensity. Those who enjoy action & adventure films should enjoy this one. Those looking for a new story or depth may be disappointed.

With some violence and foul language, this one should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 9.22.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action & Adventure, Action Thriller, Action, Thriller

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: 11.22.63

 What if you could go back in time and prevent the assassination of President Kennedy? Based on a Stephen King novel, J.J. Abrams and James Franco team up and bring the story to life in this 8 episode mini-series.

James Franco (Jake Epping), Sarah Gadon (Sadie), George MacKay (Bill), Chris Cooper (Al), Cherry Jones (Marguerite), Daniel Webber (Lee Harvey), Kevin O'Connor (Yellow Card Man), Jonny Coyne (George), Josh Duhamel (Frank).

11.22.63 begins nicely with character introductions alongside Jake learning about time travel. From there the story shifts focus to preventing the assassination of JFK. Along the way we meet quite a few interesting characters and with Jake, learn how interactions with different people in different times can change things throughout time. While the focus on Lee Harvey is understandable, it also remains questionable, which was presented fairly well in the story.

Acting was good with Franco delivering quite well. Gadon was a solid choice to work with Franco and they appeared to work well together. MacKay was very enjoyable and in a role he managed well with good delivery throughout. Webber was also well cast and delivered perfectly. The remainder of the supporting cast was interesting and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good and it felt like the film matched the decades of focus well. Action scenes were well done with good fit. Effects were mild but well done without taking over the film. Dialogue was solid with decent depth and emotion that kept things moving. Sound and soundtrack are nicely done.

Overall 11.22.63 is a nicely done Sci-Fi Drama that moves at a nice pace and holds interest fairly well. I've not read the book yet and can't comment on translation to the big screen but those with an interest in time-travel or the assassination of JFK should find this one entertaining.

With some mild sexuality, graphic violence, and foul language, save this for teens and above. Heed the epilepsy trigger warnings in Episode 6.

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 9.22.20
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: TV sci-fi, TV drama, Drama, Mystery, Time Travel

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Gemini Man

 As expected, when hitman Henry Brogan decides to retire, his bosses then decide to retire him. So when a well trained killer shows up, Henry expects him. What he doesn't expect is a clone of himself.

Will Smith (Henry/Junior), Mary Winstead (Danny), Clive Owen (Clay), Benedict Wong (Baron), Douglas Hodge (Jack), Ralph Brown (Del), Linda Emond (Janet), Ilia Volok (Yuri), E.J. Bonilla (Marino), Victor Hugo (Junior - reference).

Gemini Man begins well and looks like every other spy action thriller flick when hitman Henry decides to retire and his bosses decide instead to kill him. Where the story takes a turn and gets interesting is when the new hitman shows up to kill Henry. That is when we, and Henry, realize his adversary is a younger cloned version of himself. The big twist in place, the film returns to a game of cat-and-mouse with the obligatory action scenes and a nice mild ending.

Acting was good with Smith delivering some solid emotion and action. Winstead was enjoyable and fit her role well. Wong was his usual and fun as always. Owen did well in a role he has seen before. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid throughout.

Somewhere between acting and effects is where things get a bit weird. The CGI and effects used for Junior were almost disturbing at times. His face felt off but when he talked it was obvious something wasn't quite right. Paying a bit closer attention, his focus never seems right, like someone looking at your chin or forehead while talking to you. Physical motions were somewhat better but still lacked a realistic feel.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were pretty good if heavily CGI laced. Dialogue was solid with reasonable depth. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall Gemini Man is an interesting mix of a familiar story with a nice twist and some seriously distracting CGI work. Those who can enjoy the special effects should enjoy this one.

With some very mild nudity, plenty of violence and gore, foul language, and more violence, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 9.21.20
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action Thrillers, Sci-Fi Action, Sci-Fi Drama, Spy Action, Action

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: 1917

 

In the midst of World War II planning for a push to pursue a retreating enemy, soldiers Schofield and Blake are assigned to cross battle lines and deliver a message to halt the attack and save the lives of a regiment walking into a trap.

Dean-Charles Chapman (Blake), George MacKay (Schofield), Daniel Mays (Sanders), Colin Firth (Erinmore), Billy Postlethwaite (Harvey), Benedict Cumberbatch (Mackenzie), Adrian Scarborough (Hepburn).

1917 launches quickly, jumping right to the storyline with little character introductions or plot setup. Focus is shifted at the start to Blake and Schofield and from there the story is off and running. The two are assigned the mission of crossing enemy lines to deliver a message to Col. Mackenzie to halt his planned pursuit and attack of a retreating enemy which it has been discovered is a trap. In a race against time the two young soldiers cross a decimated land littered with bodies, traps, and random enemy soldiers repeatedly testing their determination and humanity.

Acting was solid with Chapman and Mackay both delivering very well and seeming to work together easily. Both presented solid emotion throughout. Firth was good in a minor role, as was Cumberbatch. The remainder of the supporting cast, while appearing only briefly, were good.

Camera work, sets, backgrounds, and costuming are all well done. The film follows the two soldiers with no breaks or focus on others adding continuity and holding interest well. The large, apparently natural, landscapes and set size make the film visually impressive. Action scenes are solid, well done, and surprisingly mild for a war film. Dialogue is good with nice fit and depth. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall 1917 is an quality war drama with technical work, acting, and plot movement that holds interest well. Those who enjoy tense drama or war stories should enjoy this one. Those hoping for intense battles or action may be disappointed.

With a fair amount of violence, gore, adult situations, and some foul language, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 9.17.20
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: War, Drama, Period Pieces, Military Films

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Bombshell

 When the top three women at Fox News level charges against their boss, Roger Ailes, over the sexist environment he presides over at the network it is a news Bombshell!

Charlize Theron (Megyn Kelly), Nicole Kidman (Gretchen Carlson), Margot Robbie (Kayla Pospisil), John Lithgow (Roger), Allison Janney (Susan), Malcolm McDowell (Rupert), Kate McKinnon (Jess), Connie Britton (Beth Ailes).

Bombshell starts nicely following Megyn around the Fox News offices from the perspective of a tour participant with each area launching a different part of the story. When Gretchen is fired it starts a fire under her to dethrone Roger. Megyn joins the story as the most popular newsperson whose voice matters, while Kayla joins the story as Roger's current focus. The remainder of the story is drama, mostly it seems around perception, and ongoing fear of Roger's power. What doesn't appear is enough tension to keep the story really engaging.

Acting was solid with Theron doing a great job of impersonating Kelly. Kidman was decent, if a bit forced. Robbie was well cast and did nicely. Lithgow was solid throughout and delivered well. McDowell, Britton, and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid.

Camera work, sets and backgrounds were good but costuming and makeup really rocked it here. Theron, Kidman, and Robbie were well dressed and made-up at all times and it fit perfectly. Costuming of Lithgow was also very nicely done. Dialogue was good, but just didn't develop the energy or depth we had hoped. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall Bombshell is a reasonably done Real Life Drama that follows actual events fairly well to our knowledge. Though the film lacks impact as entertainment, it does seems to do a good job of telling a story familiar to many.

With some sexuality and mild foul language, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 9.7.20
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Crime Drama, Drama Based on Real Life, Biography

copyright ©2020 Dave Riedel