Movie review: Tenet

 

With only a single word in his arsenal, Tenet, a Protagonist must unravel a spiderweb of global espionage defying physics and time in hopes of stopping a madman bent on world destruction by temporal means.

John Washington (Protagonist), Martin Donovan (Fay), Robert Pattinson (Neil), Dimple Kapadia (Priya), Denzil Smith (Sanjay), Michael Caine (Crosby), Elizabeth Debicki (Kat), Yuri Kolokolnikov (Volkov), Kenneth Branagh (Sator).

Tenet begins with a short bit of setup incorporated with some character introductions and plot setup. The story quickly gets moving, along with the action. Essentially Protagonist is tasked with stopping a madman plotting to destroy the world with alien technology that morphs the entropy of any object. From there, the storyline only gets more confusing as objects and time are blended. In the end, the film tries to wrap up and explain things and does a decent job. At the same time, a bit more explanation would have helped.

Acting was good with Washington delivering nicely. Debicki also fit well and did nicely. Pattinson was solid and delivered well bringing some light to the film. Branagh was well cast and delivered very well as always. Kapadia, Smith, Caine and the remainder of the supporting cast were good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good with a variety of settings and solid technical work. CGI and VFX fit the film well while being essential to help explain physics and time. Action was solid and entertaining while being quite unique. Dialogue was good but a bit more depth would have been nice. Sound and soundtrack are decent. Editing could have used some work with several scene switches that were never explained.

Overall Tenet is a mind-bending sci-fi action thriller with solid technical work, good depth, and a unique engaging storyline. Those who enjoy intense sci-fi thrillers, or have interest in altered physics, should enjoy this one.

Plenty of violence, gore, and foul language so save this one for teens and above.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 6.15.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi Action, Sci-Fi Thriller, Sci-Fi Aliens, Espionage, Time Travel

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Revenge

 A romantic weekend away with her wealthy boyfriend changes course when two of his slimy friends arrive for a hunting trip. Things escalate, eventually ending with Jen being left for dead. But far from dead, Jen sets out to exact revenge with extreme prejudice.

Matilda Lutz (Jen), Kevin Janssens (Richard), Vincent Colombe (Stan), Guillaume Bouchede (Dimitri), Jean-Louis Tribes (Roberto).

Revenge begins well enough as Jen and Richard enjoy their weekend getaway. But when two of Richard's slimy friends arrive, the tone of the weekend changes. Things escalate and Jen is left for dead, but instead saves herself and makes a miraculous recovery. Now, she is out for revenge and nothing less will do. From there the film is a cat-and-mouse action thriller as the roles of hunter and prey begin to switch regularly with Jen finally reaching her goal.

Acting was decent with Lutz delivering a fairly solid performance. Janssens was decent and seemed to work well with Lutz. Colombe and Bouchede were both well cast as scum and both delivered well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were okay if a bit bland. Background and natural scenery are nice, but can be overdone when there is quite literally nothing to see. Dialogue was mediocre and could have used more depth and detail. Sound and soundtrack are okay. Blood and gore however were nicely done with plenty of both.

In the end, Revenge felt like it had little of the depth or intensity of actual revenge. Lutz seemed to be trying to portray determination, but instead felt a bit unrealistic. For example; she was able to walk for miles on dirt roads with no shoes and no apparent issues. And while Colombe sold it as a jerk, Janssens didn't quite sell it as an emotional boyfriend or as one of the guys ready to cover things up. Those who enjoy a less intense action thriller should enjoy this one.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 6.6.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Thriller, Horror, indie Action

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Army of the Dead

 Following the zombie apocalypse, Las Vegas is a zombie only zone about to be bombed. But for a group of mercenaries, the opportunity for a $200 million dollar heist is irresistible.

Dave Bautista (Scott), Ella Purnell (Kate), Omari Hardwick (Vanderohe), Ana de la Reguera (Maria), Theo Rossi (Burt), Matthias Schweighofer (Dieter), Nora Arnezeder (Lilly/Coyote), Hiroyuki Sanada (Tanaka).

Army of the Dead begins by showing us how the zombie apocalypse was started before fast-forwarding a bit to present day where Las Vegas is a walled-in zombie-only zone. Soon after Scott is offered a heist inside Las Vegas and begins building his team. From there the film is a roller-coaster action horror flick with plenty of zombies. The film moves along pretty well and does a decent job of maintaining the plot

Acting was solid with Bautista delivering both action and decent drama. Purnell was okay but felt like she thought she was the lead. Hardwick, Reguera, and Rossi were all solid. Arnezeder fit her role well and delivered well, as did seasoned action Sanada. Schweighofer and the remainder of the cast were good.

Camera work was nicely done with good framing, movement, and variety. Sets and backgrounds were also nicely done with a solid, realistic feel. Dialogue was good with reasonable depth and movement. Sound and soundtrack are fitting.

Army of the Dead is an enjoyable, nicely done zombie flick with good depth and a unique take on zombies despite the thin plot. Zombie fans should enjoy this one.

With some topless zombies, graphic violence, gore, foul language, adult scenes, more zombies, blood, gore, and violence, you may want to hold this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 5.24.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Zombies, Action, Crime, Adventure

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Your Highness

When his fiancée is kidnapped Prince Fabious teams up with his stoner brother, Thadeous, on orders from his father who hopes Thadeous will mature, on a quest to save her.

Danny McBride (Thadeous), James Franco (Fabious), Rasmus Hardiker (Courtney), Natalie Portman (Isabel), Toby Jones (Julie), Justin Theroux (Leezar), Zooey Deschanel (Belladonna), Charles Dance (King Tallious).

Your Highness begins by showing us Thadeous and his life along with a few other character introductions. Before long, Fabious comes home for help rescuing his kidnapped fiancée. His father the King sees this as an opportunity to force Thadeous to mature and orders the two on a quest to rescue Belladonna. The two quickly meet and team up with Isabel, a warrior on a similar path. The remainder of the film is a comedy action adventure with more than a few chuckles that travels at a good pace through the requisite Happy Ever After ending.

Acting was enjoyable with McBride and Franco both doing well delivering solid performances with plenty of laughs. Portman was a fun addition and brought nice depth to things. Hardiker was well cast and did nicely, as did Jones, Theroux, Deschanel and the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are fun and light with reasonable fit and detail for the film. Action scenes were largely physical and well done, as were visual effects. Dialogue had some good laughs and strayed only lightly into the dramatic. Sound and soundtrack are fitting and enjoyable.

In the end, Your Highness is a fun action comedy that moves along and entertains well. Those who enjoy a silly movie will enjoy this one. Those looking for serious depth or intricate technical work will be disappointed.

With some nudity and mild sexuality, persistent crotch humor, comedic violence, blood, gore, foul language, and potentially disturbing scenes, I wish you the best of luck at keeping younger teens away from this one.

Released: 2011
Reviewed: 5.24.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Action Comedy

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The House That Jack Built

 Jack is a highly intelligent serial killer believing his murders over the past twelve years to be an expression of art. The House That Jack Built follows those twelve years of his life as his skills develop and the law closes in causing him to take ever greater risks for his art.

Matt Dillon (Jack), Bruno Ganz (Verge), Uma Thurman (Lady 1), Siobhan Hogan (Lady 2), Sofie Grabol (Lady 3), Riley Keough (Simple), Jeremy Davies (Al), Jack McKenzie (Sonny), Emil Tholstrup (Young Jack).

The House That Jack Built begins by introducing us to Jack and quickly thereafter, his fondness for killing in the name of art. Told in the form of an unusual interview, the film then follows 12 years of Jack's life as his serial-killer skills improve. At the same time the police are slowly closing in forcing Jack to take ever greater risks. The story culminates in a flurry of action as Jack works to complete his final work of art before being caught.

Acting from Dillon was very good throughout with solid delivery and immersion in his character. Ganz, Thurman, Keough, Davies, and the remainder of the supporting cast did nicely in much smaller roles.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are solid with good use of natural scenery and attention to detail. Action scenes and effects were very impacting to say the least and fit the film perfectly. Dialogue was good with nice depth and movement. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Overall The House That Jack Built is an engaging and entertaining film. It is also somewhat disturbing from several aspects. Those who enjoy psychologically disturbing horror should enjoy this one.

With some nudity, graphic violence and gore, animal cruelty, foul language, disturbing images and adult situations, save this for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.12.21
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Crime, Drama, Serial Killers, Psychological Thrillers

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Dustwalker

 Officer Sharp must fight to save her small town after a crashed alien spacecraft brings a deadly parasite to earth, infecting the townsfolk and turning them into vicious killers.

Jolene Anderson (Sharp), Stef Dawson (Samantha), Richard Davies (Luke), Cassandra Magrath (Angela), Talina Naviede (Michelle), Harry Greenwood (Paul), Ben Mortley (Bill), Ryan Allen (Anthony), Oscar Harris (Dean).

The Dustwalker begins with the arrival of an alien spacecraft near a small, isolated desert town. Slowly character introductions are made, followed by the main storyline. If this sounds boring, that's because it is. The story takes time to unroll and while doing so allows us the time to truly start disliking the characters. The film attempts to raise the sci-fi aspect a notch toward the end, but fails to have the impact it seems to intend.

Acting was a mess here. Anderson fell flat as a cop and was completely unbelievable through most of the film. Davies was mildly better but considering who he was acting with, couldn't improve things much. Dawson put in the energy but still didn't feel genuine. Most of the rest of the supporting cast felt inexperienced or bland.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds have a realistic feel. Almost too realistic with some awkward framing and lack of background focus appearing to try to conceal backgrounds or set detail. Visual effects were thankfully minimal and simplistic. Action scenes were mild and lacking in action. Dialogue was dry and often lifeless. Sound and soundtrack are lethargic at best.

Overall The Dustwalker is a miss. The storyline is common while acting and technical work could use some help. The film does a poor job of building energy or even audience engagement with characters. The result is a less than mediocre film from about every aspect.

With some mild violence and a couple foul words, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 5.10.21
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Thriller, Suspense

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Terminal

 Taking place in a train terminal at night; 2 male assassins, a female assassin, waitress, janitor, crime boss, and teacher have their lives intertwined at the hands of a criminal mastermind with a taste for revenge.

Margot Robbie (Annie/Bonnie), Simon Pegg (Bill), Dexter Fletcher (Vince), Mike Myers (Clinton/Franklyn), Max Irons (Alf), Katarina Cas (Chloe), Nick Moran (Illing), Les Loveday (Young Clinton), Jourdan Dunn (Conejo).

Terminal begins with a bit of back-story or plot setup that makes little sense. Roll credits and from there the storyline begins executing. Along with some plot points we get character introductions and depth begins to build quickly. The rest of the film is a quirky journey revealing more plot tidbits punctuated by some action and drama. Toss in a plot twist or two and the film wraps up fairly well.

Acting was solid with Robbie and Pegg both delivering nicely. Although Terminal is a quirky unusual film, it was nice to see Robbie in a different type role. Fletcher was well cast, as was Irons and both added nice depth to the film. Myers was unusual as always, fitting the film well. Cas, Moran, and the remainder of the supporting cast were enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are all dark in the film noir genre without being industrial. Action and effects are fitting and nicely done and engaging. Dialogue is all over with some dark humor, plenty of challenging accents, and frequent fast subject changes. Sound and soundtrack are appropriate and well done.

Terminal ends up being a film that is difficult to define. It would be easy to call it a crime drama however,  with the film noir theme, very good cast, and dark plot, there is a lot more depth to the film.

With plenty of violence, gore, foul language, and adult situations, save this one older teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 5.10.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama, Crime, Thriller, Film Noir

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: An Awkward Sexual Adventure aka. My Awkward Sexual Adventure

 Dumped by his girlfriend due to his poor sexual performance, mild-mannered accountant Jordan is searching for help. Enlisting the aid of a stripper to expand his experience, he is led into a world of massage parlors, S&M, cross-dressing and strip clubs.

Jonas Chernick (Jordan), Emily Hampshire (Julia), Sarah Manninen (Rachel), Vik Sahay (Dandak), Melissa Elias (Reshma), Marina Kerr (Ruth), Andrea del Campo (Sapphire), Onalee Ames (Gypsy), Randy Apostle (Rabbi).

An Awkward Sexual Adventure (also billed as My Awkward Sexual Adventure) begins with Jordan's awkward sexual performance before becoming even more awkward. Albeit in a sexually adventurous way. With character introductions and plot setup out of the way the story gets moving with more than a few laughs as Jordan is educated by Julia and others. The film wraps with the Happy Ever After ending we all saw coming five minutes into the film.

Acting was entertaining with Chernick delivering nicely. Hampshire was well cast, fit her role well, and also delivered well. Sahay was hysterical and a perfect fit for both the film and his work with Chernick. Manninen, Elias, and the remainder of the supporting cast did well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with nice variety and fit for the film with only a few details missing. Action scenes were enjoyable and fun. Dialogue was also fun with some nice laughs and good balance of depth. Sound and soundtrack are solid.

Overall An Awkward Sexual Adventure is a fun, mildly edgy comedy with solid acting and technical work. Though the plot is about sexual performance, this really is more a comedy about how people approach sexual education and to a smaller degree, relationships.

As you might imagine this one contains a fair amount of sexual comedy, references, partial nudity or more, sexual acts and some foul language. Save this one for the oldest teens and above.

Released: 2013
Reviewed: 5.10.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Alternative

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel