Movie review: Kate

 

While working in Tokyo, highly skilled assassin Kate botches a hit on a member of the yakuza and quickly finds she has been poisoned. With less than 24 hours to live, she sets out to exact revenge on her killers while also forming a strange bond with the daughter of a previous victim.

Mary Winstead (Kate), Woody Harrelson (Varrick), Miku Martineau (Ani), Tadanobu Asano (Renji), Jun Kunimura (Kijima), Michiel Huisman (Stephen), Miyavi (Jojima), Mari Yamamoto (Kanako), Kazuya Tanabe (Shinzo).

Kate begins with a flashback to a previous mission in which she killed a man in front of his daughter. We then rejoin Kate, a highly skilled assassin, many months later as she contemplates retirement. But on a final job, she misses her yakuza crime boss target and then quickly realizes she has been poisoned. The remainder of the film is an action fueled journey as Kate tries to exact revenge before her time runs out.

Acting in Kate felt mediocre. Winstead felt cold much of the time, and didn't quite fit the role at others. Harrelson was decent in a smaller role, as was Martineau. The remainder of the supporting cast did reasonably well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are decent through most of the film. That said, VFX were several times so far over the top they couldn't be missed. Physical action scenes were decent, though again VFX took over frequently. Dialogue was a bit dry and lacking. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall Kate is a lethargic entry in the action & adventure genre. The film feels like a cookie-cutter copy of others and the dark theme suppressed attempts at generating energy. The result are easily anticipated plot points and slow movement. Those who enjoy mild action & adventure should enjoy this one.

With some sexuality, violence and gore, and foul language, save this for older teens and above.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 10.21.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Action & Adventure, Crime, Drama

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Brightburn

 

In this superhero horror, a child from another planet crash-lands on Earth and is found by a couple who adopts him as their own. Years later his true nature comes to the surface and nobody is safe.

Elizabeth Banks (Tori), David Denman (Kyle), Jackson Dunn (Brandon), Abraham Clinkscales (Royce), Christian Finlayson (Fauxhawk), Jennifer Holland (Ms. Espenschied), Emmie Hunter (Caitlyn), Matt Jones (Noah).

Brightburn is an interesting entry in the superhero horror genre. Falling to Earth as a child, Brandon is raised as a human by two loving parents when he begins to exhibit unusual abilities. While we think for a moment he might become a superhero, our hopes are quickly dashed when it appears Brandon may prefer decimation of the human race. The remainder of the film is a dark twisted trail through to the end.

Acting was decent with Banks and Denman both delivering fairly well. Dunn was well cast and fit his role both visually and with his skills. Jones was an enjoyable addition and did well, as did Hunter, Clinkscales and the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were mild but fitting though some darker scenes were challenging. Action scenes and VFX worked together nicely to give the film a supernatural feel that felt reality based. Dialogue was okay and moved things along fairly well. Sound and soundtrack are good.

Overall Brightburn is a dark but enjoyable sci-fi horror that gives a new perspective on a familiar story. Those who enjoy superhero horror or darker films should enjoy this one.

With somewhat graphic violence, foul language, and potentially disturbing scenes, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 10.17.21
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Superhero horror, Sci-Fi horror, Sci-Fi Drama, Mystery, Horror

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Zombieland: Double Tap

 

Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock are once again back on the road killing zombies in Zombieland: Double Tap. The sarcastic dysfunctional family faces off against evolved zombies, survivors, and of course, each other.

Jesse Eisenberg (Columbus), Woody Harrelson (Tallahassee), Emma Stone (Wichita), Abigail Breslin (Little Rock), Zoey Deutch (Madison), Avan Jogia (Berkeley), Rosario Dawson (Nevada), Luke Wilson (Albuquerque).

Zombieland: Double Tap begins by bringing the group back together on a road trip. Before long their sarcasm evolves to dysfunction punctuated by encounters with other survivors and disturbingly evolved zombies. The main cast relationships are grown and achieve a bit more depth while the addition of new characters kept things moving along well. The addition of new announcements by Columbus as narrator was enjoyable, but overall this one had fewer laughs than the original.

Acting was solid with Eisenberg, Harrelson, Stone, and Breslin all delivering well in their familiar roles. Deutch, Dawson, and Wilson were all nice additions that brought polish and laughs to the film. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid, enjoyable, and contributed very well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were once again solid with a realistic feel. That said, this one seemed to rely more on VFX for backgrounds, and even some action scenes, than the original leaving the film feeling a bit flat. Physical action was nicely managed. Dialogue was good, though more laughs would have been nice. Sound and soundtrack are pretty good.

Overall Zombieland: Double Tap is a pretty good zombie flick. Those finding this one first will not be lost but, go back and see the original, you won't want to miss it. The film has decent depth, some good laughs, and moves along at a nice pace. Those who enjoy lighter zombie flicks or comedies should enjoy this one.

With some mild sexuality and crotch humor, violence, gore, foul language, more of all of the above, and potentially disturbing images, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2019
Reviewed: 10.5.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Zombies, Sequels, Action, Horror

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel