It’s been awhile since I checked in with James Bond, and his early days as chronicled by Charlie Higson. Set in the 1930s, the young Bond finds himself on an adventure that takes him on a dangerous journey through the Mexican jungles, and a dangerous rat-run on a hidden Caribbean island. That island is a…
Tag: violent
End of Watch (2012) – David Ayer
First off, let’s get this out of the way… the onscreen friendship and chemistry of Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena is absolutely fantastic. The pair are absolutely fantastic together as a pair of friends who serve together in the LAPD. The film is predominantly shot to look and feel like a documentary; Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal)…
Serpico (1973) – Sidney Lumet
Al Pacino stars as Frank Serpico, an honest cop who wanted to serve the city of New York when everyone around him was corrupt. Directed by Sidney Lumet, this film launced Pacino into superstardom, and showcased his fantastic ability to bring his characters to life. In this case, he did so despite some truly horrible…
The Longest Yard (1974) – Robert Aldrich
Burt Reynolds headlines as Paul Crewe, a former pro quarterback, who is not the nicest person. He’s abusive, violent, and isn’t always the best teammate. After a particularly ugly interaction with a woman the top of the film, Crewe ends up in a prison, run by Warden Hazen (Eddie Albert) and Captain Knauer (Ed Lautrer)….
War Machine (2026) – Patrick Hughes
Alan Ritchson leads a group of fellow soldiers, all determined to be Rangers, in a fierce battle with an otherworldly presence. Ritchson has proven himself to be an enjoyable performer, and is working at refining his acting skills (and they are improving), and Hughes who not only directed the film but had a hand in…
Novocaine (2025) – Dan Berk and Robert Olsen
Jack Quaid brings his likable charm to the action comedy, Novocaine, a film that definitely leans into the pain can be funny and gross school of cinema. Born with a rare disease, Nate Caine, can’t feel pain. Consequently, he’s lived his life in a safely controlled way, exuding caution every step of the way. Until…
Cold Storage (2026) – Jonny Campbell
David Koepp has his fingerprints on some of the biggest movies ever, he’s scripted some very succesful films. You know he can tell a story. His novel, Cold Storage has been on my to be read shelf for quite some time now. So long that it seems he’s had time to make a movie version…
Stargate: Atlantis (2008) – Infection, and Identity
With four episodes to go, things have to start ramping up and wrapping up right? Alan McCullough delivers Infection which first aired on 5 December, 2008. Trouble seems to be brewing when a Wraith cruiser arrives in orbit. But there is no communication coming from it at all. What’s going on? McKay (David Hewlett) finds…
Wolfs (2024) – Jon Watts
Jon Watts wrote and directed this crime thriller with buddy overtones that shines with the banter and chemistry with its two stars, George Clooney and Brad Pitt. The two leading men play fixers who are summoned to a hotel, Margaret’s (Amy Ryan, who I always delight in seeing, she’s wonderful) Man (Clooney) is summoned by…
Blood Red Sky (2021) – Peter Thorwarth
It’s taken me a while to get to this one, but once the mood hit I was ready for it. And man, I got a kick out of it. It plays with some tropes, has an exploration of motherhood and parenting, and oh yeah, let’s enjoy the blood and gore. Nadja (Peri Baumeister) and her…
The Mind Reels 