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  • Halloween (2018)

    Halloween (2018)

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    In 1978, a small film simply called Halloween directed by John Carpenter starring a then-unknown Jamie Lee Curtis was released. While not the first slasher film, this was the one that became the trendsetter as it became a massive success. Following its success, the film became a full-on franchise even after Carpenter and Curtis left for other projects. Over the years, the franchise went through its ups and downs, but like many others, things started going downhill. After many disappointing sequels, Rob Zombie remade the original film in 2007 to commercial success despite mixed reviews. He followed that up with the 2009 sequel which made money but was universally panned by critics and fans alike. While there were plans for a third film, nothing came of it and the franchise was put to rest. Cut to 2018, 40 years after the original, and Halloween has returned for a new audience.

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    Review

    40 years after his initial reign of terror on Halloween night, Michael Myers is still held captive at Smith’s Grove. The lone survivor, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has since become a paranoid recluse isolated from the outside world. Ever since her friends were killed, she has been training and preparing herself for his return, fearing for the worst. Unfortunately, because of this, she’s had several failed marriages, and her now adult daughter Karen (Judy Greer) doesn’t acknowledge her. One night, as he’s being transferred to another facility via bus, Michael kills the driver and escapes. After retrieving his familiar suit and mask, Michael is now free to roam the streets of Haddonfield once more. Laurie’s granddaughter Allyson (Andi Matichak) gets caught in the middle as Michael continues his rampage. Now, she, her mother, and Laurie must stick together to survive the night and hopefully take down Michael for good.

     

    Synopsis

    Given the legacy of this franchise and especially of the original film, there’s a lot of hype going into this. For years, fans have gotten nothing but lousy sequels and even worse remakes, so things can only go uphill now. And, for the most part, this film definitely succeeds at recapturing what made the original film work in the first place. For one, Jamie Lee Curtis is easily the highlight of this film, showing what her character has gone through. She’s effectively channeling Linda Hamilton from Terminator 2: Judgement Day, going from a frightened victim to a strong-willed character. At the same time, you see how her PTSD and paranoia has affected her and made her so distant. In addition, David Gordon Green’s direction is on-point, clearly having studied Carpenter’s style while adding his own voice to it. There’s some genuine suspense and tension built up throughout the movie.

    While there are some characters that are somewhat annoying, they don’t overstay their welcome or are quickly disposed of. Newcomer Andi Matichak does a good job, and Judy Greer is sympathetic and really shines in the third act. The score, once again composed by John Carpenter, is just as effective as it was years ago. This movie is also filled with homages not just to the original, but also to other films in the franchise. This definitely feels like a film that was made by Halloween fans for Halloween fans. Whereas the Rob Zombie movies tried to make Michael more human, this one makes him more a force of nature. This film reminds us what made The Shape so scary to begin with, just killing without reason or remorse. Overall, the newest Halloween, while not quite as good as the original, is still the best we’ve seen in years.

     

    Buy Halloween (2018) from Amazon: https://amzn.to/43wCJwe.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Halloween (2018)

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  • A Star Is Born (2018)

    A Star Is Born (2018)

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    In 1937, William A. Wellman’s A Star Is Born was released, starring Janet Gaynor and Frederic March. The film was nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture, winning for Best Writing (Original Story). In 1954, the film was remade by director George Cukor with Judy Garland and James Mason in the lead roles. Despite production issues, the film was nominated for several Oscars, including Best Actress for Garland and Best Actor for Mason. In 1976, yet another remake was made, this time directed by Frank Pierson and starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. While not as critically acclaimed as the two previous versions, the film was still a hit with audiences. It became the 3rd highest grossing film of the year and won the Oscar for Best Original Song. Flash forward to 2018, 42 years later, where Bradley Cooper makes his directorial debut with the latest version.

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    Bradley Cooper plays aging country singer Jackson Maine, who’s struggling with drug and alcohol abuse despite his success. One night after a concert, Jackson inadvertently walks into a drag bar, where he meets Ally (Lady Gaga). Jackson is amazed at her talent and decides to take her under his wing to help bolster her career. Though reluctant at first, Ally goes along with him at the suggestion of her father (Andrew Dice Clay). After a concert where Jackson invites Ally to sing along with him, the two start touring and start a relationship. But while things seem to be looking up, Jackson continues struggling with his addictions, waining popularity, and family issues. Ally soon finds herself getting picked up by an agent (Rafi Gavron), who makes her a pop sensation. But even through all the ups and downs, Jackson and Ally try their best to maintain their relationship.

    Going into this movie, I had little to no reference for this movie, having not seen the other versions. That being said, this movie was a genuinely beautiful and simultaneously tragic story of love, addiction, fame, and personal struggles. For starters, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga are absolutely fantastic here, and they have phenomenal chemistry with each other. You really feel that these people truly love each other and want to stay together through thick and thin. Cooper, who also directed the film, greatly portrays how addition can ruin your life without it feeling preachy. Lady Gaga, despite her real world persona, is very likable and you get excited when she starts succeeding. Plus, they do a great job with the music, as all the songs are well performed and memorable. Some other stand-outs include Sam Elliot as Jackson’s brother, Andrew Dice Clay as Ally’s father, and even Dave Chapelle.

    Honestly, that’s all I can really say about it without spoiling the movie, suffice it to say it gets emotional. While I generally don’t cry in movies, this one definitely got me in the feels. Granted, if you’re following along with the movie, you can kind of figure out how it will end. Even knowing that, you still hope and pray that things will get better, which is a testament to its quality. This is a tremendous film, especially from a first-time director, and I look forward to seeing Cooper direct more movies. I can already see this movie getting several Oscar nominations, especially for Best Actor, Best Actress, and possibly Best Picture. Overall, A Star Is Born is a beautiful, sweet, and tragic film that’ll stick with you for years to come.

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  • Cobra (1986)

    Cobra (1986)

    [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”]After the massive success of Rocky, Sylvester Stallone’s career was on the rise and he soon became a superstar. In between the sequels to his career-defining film and other films, Stallone starred in another career-defining film, First Blood. Based on the David Morrell novel of the same name, the film revolved around Vietnam veteran John Rambo. After a run-in with the local sheriff, Rambo inadvertently starts an all-out war with the local police. The movie ended up being a surprise hit, and it eventually got a sequel, Rambo: First Blood Part II. While the first one was more of a character study mixed with an action film, the sequel was just action. Despite the different tone, the sequel ended up being a massive hit, alongside Stallone’s Rocky IV released the same year. With Stallone’s ego rising, he teamed up again with Rambo II director George P. Cosmastos for 1986’s Cobra.
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    Synopsis

    Stallone stars as Marion Cobretti, aka Cobra, a hard-as-nails cop who plays by his own rules. After stopping a hostage situation, Cobra learns of a murderous cult led by the Night Slasher (Brian Thompson). One night, a young model named Ingrid (Brigitte Nielsen) witnesses the cult on one or their murder sprees. Soon, Cobra and his partner Gonzales (Reni Santoni) are assigned with protecting her and stopping the Night Slasher. All the while, Cobra is being chastised by the more by-the-books Detective Monte (Andrew Robinson). What follows is a series of car chases, motorcycle chases, and shootouts with the cult members. It all comes to a head when Cobra and the Night Slasher face off in a final confrontation. Will Cobra be able to take him down and save the girl, or will the Night Slasher’s murder spree continue?

     

    Review

    If the plot summary seems a bit light, that’s mostly cause this movie’s plot is pretty straightforward. There is a reason for this that I’ll get into later, but first I’ll list the positives. For one, Stallone definitely carries the film as the lead, playing Cobra as a tough and cool cop. In contrast, Brian Thompson makes for an intimidating figure with his imposing figure, booming voice, and intense look. Another great draw here is that it features Andrew Robinson and Reni Santoni, both of whom were in Dirty Harry. When it gets going, the action is pretty good, especially with all the car chases and shootouts. The soundtrack, while odd at times, has some pretty cool 80s tracks, especially “Angel of the City” by Robert Tepper. On top of all that, the movie is fairly short at about 87 minutes, so it’s a pretty quick sit.

    Unfortunately, for all the good things I can say about the movie, there’s also quite a few negatives. First off, not to be insulting, but Brigitte Nielsen’s acting is pretty mediocre, her line delivery being flat and stilted. Also, I mentioned how the plot is pretty straightforward and that it’s a fairly quick sit. This ties into the fact that this movie was heavily edited before its release, for content and for showings. Much of the violence had to be cut back to avoid an X-rating, so it comes off as fairly tame. Also, much of the story and character development was removed so that it would play theatrically more times per day. Because of this, there’s a lot that’s never explained and the villains have no motivation. It’s a shame because while it’s still fun, it could’ve been better. Overall, Cobra is a passable if somewhat disjointed action film.

     

    Buy Cobra from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JGW4nE.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Cobra (1986)

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  • A Simple Favor (2018)

    A Simple Favor (2018)

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    Paul Feig is a filmmaker that has certainly had an interesting career, both behind and in front of the camera. Feig first got his start in small roles in TV and movies, most notably the cult comedy Heavyweights. However, Feig truly took off with the cult TV series Freaks and Geeks, which has since found critical praise. He made his directorial debut with 2003’s I Am David, followed by 2006’s Unaccompanied Minors, neither of which were hits. But then, he directed 2011’s Bridesmaids, which was not only financially successful, but it even received two Oscar nominations. This led to him collaborating with Melissa McCarthy with 2013’s The Heat, 2015’s Spy, and the controversial 2016 Ghostbusters remake. After that film’s critical and financial failure, Feig returns with a somewhat smaller film. That film, based on the novel of the same name, is the newly released thriller, A Simple Favor.

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    Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) is a stay-at-home mom who runs her own vlog series where she shares recipes and advice. Things are relatively normal for her until she meets Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), who’s almost the polar opposite of Stephanie. The two become best friends, sharing some of their deepest secrets and talking about their frustrations. as they’re sipping martinis. One day, Stephanie gets a call from Emily, where she’s asked to watch Emily’s son while she’s gone on business. Days pass without a word from Emily, and both her husband Sean Townsend (Henry Golding) and Stephanie fear the worst. Stephanie starts sharing the details about Emily’s disappearance on her vlog, which unexpectedly gets her more attention and support. Eventually, Stephanie starts learning that all is not as it seems, prompting her to investigate further. What follows are several twists and turns as Stephanie goes further down the rabbit hole.

    Going into this, I had somewhat mixed expectations given that I really didn’t like the Ghostbusters remake. However, once I saw the critical buzz it was getting, I was more than a little intrigued. Having seen it, I can really see why this film is getting so much acclaim, as it’s a well-crafted thriller. From the opening credits, the movie has the stylings of a 50s/60s thriller with the music and color scheme. The style definitely carries throughout, evoking Hitchcock thrillers like North by Northwest and Rear Window, mixing suspense with comedy. While nowhere near as good as those, this film does balance both genres well without it feeling like tonal whiplash. What also helps the film is the strength of its cast, especially leads Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively. They work off each other really well and do a great job in their roles.

    I will say that while I was engaged throughout and able to follow along, some might be a bit lost. This is a film that rewards its viewers for paying attention to details and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Admittedly, some of the plot twists are pretty easy to see coming, especially if you’re familiar with the tropes. Also, the plot can be somewhat convoluted and there are some elements that don’t seem to go together. Even still, this is a fun and suspenseful ride that will leave you guessing throughout and leave you on edge. This certainly has made me think differently of Paul Feig, and I’m curious to see what comes next. With great performances, a stylish look, and a captivating story, A Simple Favor is both suspenseful and fun to watch.

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  • Venom (2018)

    Venom (2018)

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    In 1982, Marvel Comics asked fans to submit ideas for future stories, one such fan being Randy Schueller. His idea was for Spider-Man to have a new, more advanced all-black stealth suit. Schueller later received a letter from Marvel Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter saying they liked the idea and paid $220 for it. His vision led to a plot point in Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8, where Spider-Man obtains his black suit. It was revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man #252 to be a symbiote, an alien parasite that feeds off its host. Then, in The Amazing Spider-Man #300, the symbiote bonded to a new host, Eddie Brock, transforming him into Venom. The character became so popular that he’s now one of Marvel’s most iconic villains/anti-heroes still to this day. He’s appeared in TV, movies, and video games, and in 2018, we have his new solo film, Venom.

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    Synopsis

    After one of their space probes crash lands on Earth, a bioengineering corporation called the Life Foundation investigates. It turns out the probe was carrying four alien symbiotes, one of which escaped in transit. The company recovers the other three and brings them to their headquarters in San Francisco to begin testing. Meanwhile, journalist Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) lives comfortably with his lawyer girlfriend Annie (Michelle Williams), who’s affiliated with the company. Through her, he gets an interview with Life CEO Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), who’s obsessed with the symbiotes. Things go south when Eddie confronts him with confidential information he stole from Annie, leading to him getting fired. Six months later, Dr. Dora Skirth (Jenny Slate) asks Eddie to investigate what Drake has developed. While studying, Eddie gets infected with a symbiote known as Venom, and now the company is after him.

     

    Review

    Before getting into my issues with the film (and there’s plenty), I’ll first get into what I liked about it. What worked for me was Tom Hardy’s performance and his relationship to Venom, which helped to carry the film. Hardy gives it his all here, and there’s an interesting dynamic between him and Venom, similar to Jekyll and Hyde. It’s fun seeing the two of them argue and trade insults back and forth, and there’s some great physical comedy. Once Venom does take over, it’s a lot of fun watching him tear through people and wreak havoc throughout. It’s certainly enjoyable as a fun B-movie with some good action and some fun spectacle. Plus, it feels like some excellent ideas here could’ve gone further had the writers ironed out the script. Unfortunately, that’s where my positives end as I go into what doesn’t work.

    While Hardy is doing his best and acting his heart out, the rest of the cast sadly falls flat. Riz Ahmed is largely unremarkable as the stereotypical corporate villain, and Michelle Williams doesn’t have any compelling character traits. Also, throughout the movie, it seemed like they wanted to be R-rated, but the studio had them cut back. It’s especially noticeable in scenes where Venom bites someone’s head off, only to cut away before getting gruesome quickly. That can primarily be due to roughly 30-40 minutes cut out of the movie, which you can tell. The third act, in particular, is just a mess of CGI blobs, choppy editing, and hard-to-tell action sequences. Hopefully, there will be a director’s cut released that will hopefully fix many of the problems. For now, though, Venom is a mess that, while enjoyable, is vastly more disappointing than terrible.

    Final note: a much better version of this film was Upgrade released earlier this year, definitely worth a watch.

     

    Buy Venom from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oxilr7.

    Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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    Where to watch Venom (2018)

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  • Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

    Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

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    In 2013, Singaporean-American novelist Kevin Kwan wrote a satirical novel based on his childhood living in a wealthy family. He was inspired to write this novel while caring for his father who sadly passed away in 2010 from cancer. While caring for him, the two would reminisce about life in Singapore and Kwan would write the stories down. Kwan did this as a way to preserve the stories so that they’d be remembered long after his father’s death. This led Kwan to write a novel that satirized the culture surrounding rich Asian families, living in elegance and insanity. When it was finally published, the novel received rave reviews from critics and was a major bestseller. Naturally, as with any novel that becomes a hit, Hollywood decided to film an adaptation of the novel. So, fast forward to 2018, where we’ve been given the romantic comedy-drama, Crazy Rich Asians.

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    Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) is an economics teacher at NYU whose boyfriend Nick Young (Henry Golding) invites her to Singapore. Turns out, Nick’s friend is getting married, and he wants her to join him and meet his family. Little does Rachel know, however, that Nick’s family is actually quite rich, like insanely and ridiculously rich. After meeting Nick’s friend Colin (Chris Pang) and his fiancée Araminta (Sonoya Mizuno), Rachel is soon introduced to his family. Things immediately are not looking good for Rachel, especially with Nick’s mother Eleanor (Michelle Yeoh) clearly disapproving of her. It soon becomes clear to Rachel that Nick’s family doesn’t like her and feel that she’s not good enough. While this is going on, Nick is trying to keep things intact with Rachel despite his mother’s objections. It soon becomes a struggle between the rich and entitled versus the middle-class common folk with some family drama.

    As anybody who knows me will tell you, I am not the biggest fan of romance films. Sure, there’s the stereotype that guys don’t like romantic movies, but sadly, it’s somewhat true if generalizing. More specifically, I’m not a fan of really sappy and melodramatic romance films that follow the same basic formula. However, when I saw how successful this movie was and the rave reviews it received, I was curious. Having now seen it, I can really see why this movie appeals to so many people, myself now included. This is a very charming, funny, touching, and sweet romance film that even someone as cynical as me can enjoy. One major aspect of the film I have to commend is the production design, using vibrant colors and lush visuals. Given how amazing the film looks, it’s remarkable it only cost $30 million, which is small compared to most blockbusters.

    I also have to give credit to the cast, all of whom do a great job here. Constance Wu is very likable and sympathetic as she tries to prove herself to Young’s family. Henry Golding is relatable in how he goes against his family and clearly wants to set his own path. Michelle Yeoh definitely steals the show as the stern mother who, at times, is sympathetic, but also chilling and intimidating. Even Ken Jeong, who more or less has been playing the same character since The Hangover, is surprisingly endearing. Granted, there are some characters that can be somewhat annoying and ridiculously mean-spirited, but it seems like that’s intentional here. Also, while the movie certainly has similar tropes as other romance films, it almost feels like the film’s lampooning them. Overall, even though it’s not my usual forte, Crazy Rich Asians is still a fun, heartwarming, and touching romp.

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  • American Dresser (2018) – Only on We Are Movie Geeks

    American Dresser (2018) – Only on We Are Movie Geeks

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    Some of you may remember that I was previously asked by the fine folks at WeAreMovieGeeks.com to provide some reviews. The first one was for the sci-fi film Hover, which I thought was fairly decent. Then, I was asked to review the horror film Along Came the Devil, which I found to be pretty bad. Nevertheless, I love what these guys do and I love having the opportunity to work with them. Once again, I’ve been asked to write up a new review for them, and I’m not one to disappoint. This time, they’ve asked me to review the biker drama American Dresser. In my review, I mention how while the cast is certainly impressive, the movie as a whole doesn’t really work. Click the link below for my review, and be sure to check out the site for reviews, contests, and more.

    AMERICAN DRESSER – Review

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  • Lizzie (2018)

    Lizzie (2018)

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    Born on July 19, 1860, Lizzie Borden was a simple girl living in Massachusetts with her father, stepmother, and sister. The family was well off, thanks to Andrew Borden (Lizzie’s father) having success in real estate and manufacturing. However, the relationship between the daughters and Abby Borden (their stepmother) were tenuous at best, believing her intentions were impure. Lizzie and Emma believed that Abby’s family was after the family fortune, so they worked to protect their father’s properties. Then, on August 4, 1892, Andrew and Abby Borden were found murdered, having been mutilated by a hatchet. Lizzie was indicted for the murders in December 1892, and was brought to trial in June the following year. However, without a conclusive testimony from witnesses or substantial evidence, Lizzie was acquitted on June 20, 1893. Over the next century, many adaptations of these events were made, including a 2018 movie simply called Lizzie.

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    Taking place six months before the murders, the film focuses on Lizzie Borden (Chloë Sevigny), a social outcast and recluse. She lives with her father Andrew (Jamey Sheridan), her stepmother Abby (Fiona Shaw), and her sister Emma (Kim Dickens). One day, a young Irish woman named Bridget (Kristen Stewart) comes to the Borden house wanting a housemaid job. As time goes on, we see the relationships in the Borden family start to deteriorate. Lizzie is a recluse who finds solace in her pet pigeons, but is constantly arguing with her father. Eventually, Lizzie and Bridget start becoming close, leading to a relationship that the father objects to. At the same time, Lizzie’s Uncle John (Denis O’Hare) is clearly after her father’s money despite her stepmother’s objections. The abuse Lizzie is subjected to, combined with Bridget being sexually abused by Andrew Borden, ultimately culminates in the murders.

    Of course, there’s more to the plot than what I went over, but I don’t want to spoil everything. At around an hour and 45 minutes, this movie is packed with tons of plot points. That being said, the first 20-30 minutes of the movie can be pretty slow and drag for a while. However, just as the movie has you in a lull, it hits you over the head and gets you hooked. Even knowing the full story and how it ends, it’s still an intriguing story seeing what led to the murders. From my understanding, the movie does follow the historical events fairly accurately, but I’m sure they changed some elements. Some will certainly be upset if this movie isn’t 100% accurate, but regardless, this film is still a good watch. Given the society we live in currently, this movie definitely appeals to the #MeToo movement.

    What really makes this movie work is its stellar cast, especially Chloë Sevigny and Kristen Stewart. Given this was something of a passion project for Sevigny, it shouldn’t come as a surprise her performance is outstanding. At times, she’s sympathetic and afraid, but at other times, she’s very chilling and unfeeling. Stewart also does a good job, playing the more rational one who care for Lizzie, but objects to her actions. Sheridan does a great job at playing a detestable character, and Shaw also delivers as an awful person. Craig William Macneill’s direction is great, effectively capturing the mood and tension one would expect. Bryce Kass’s writing is also spot-on, with some sharp dialogue and great material to flesh the characters out. Overall, Lizzie is a solid character piece of one of history’s most infamous murders and those behind the murders.

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  • Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

    Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

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    In September of 2018, the world lost a true acting legend, the mustached symbol of masculinity known as Burt Reynolds. Born in 1936, Burt Reynolds was probably one of the most iconic actors of the past 40 years. Like most actors, he first got his start on television, with shows like Gunsmoke, Hawk, and Dan August. His first major break came in 1972 when he starred in the survival thriller Deliverance, sans his iconic mustache. His career continued with hits like White Lightning and Gator, as well as bombs like At Long Last Love. At the same time, former stuntman Hal Needham was making the transition to directing. He had previously worked with Reynolds as a stunt coordinator on Gunsmoke, White Lightning, and Gator. In 1977, the two teamed up to work on a small film that ended up becoming a major phenomenon. That film was Smokey and the Bandit.

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    At a truck driving competition, father and son Big Enos (Pat McCormick) and Little Enos (Paul Williams) have a job. They need a truck driver to deliver 400 cases of Coors from Texas to Atlanta within 28 hours. Enter the Bandit (Burt Reynolds), who decides to take the job, which he’s promised $80,000 for. Bandit recruits his friend Cledus (Jerry Reed), aka Snowman, to driver the truck while Bandit drives the “blocker”. Essentially, while Snowman drives the truck, Bandit drives somewhat recklessly in order to divert attention away from the truck. Along the way, Bandit ends up inadvertently picking up Carrie (Sally Field), a runaway bride trying to lose her fiancé. Unfortunately for Bandit, this makes him the target of her fiancé’s dad, Sheriff Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason). What follows is essentially one big chase with Bandit trying to outrun the sheriff and trying to make the delivery.

    This movie is definitely a classic in every sense of the word that shaped a generation. While he was a star at the time, this is the film that would make Burt Reynolds into a superstar. As the Bandit, Reynolds is just dripping in charisma and charm, the very essence of an excellent leading man. As the sheriff, Jackie Gleason (who improvised all his lines) is incredibly funny and has excellent comedic timing. Whether it’s mocking his dimwitted son Junior (Mike Henry) or threatening to catch the Bandit, Gleason is delightful. Sally Field is also fun as the feisty runaway bride who has great chemistry with Reynolds. Jerry Reed, on top of performing the classic theme song, does a great job as the straight man alongside Reynolds. Given this was directed by a former stuntman, the car chases and stunts are tons of fun to watch.

    Admittedly, this movie is absolutely a product of its time, and acts as a time capsule of the late 70s. In that sense, the movie is dated, but that doesn’t take away from how enjoyable it is. It takes you back to a time when movies could be just simple fun without talking down to its audience. Plus, we see real cars getting into real chases and real crashes, something we sadly don’t see much of today. On top of making Burt Reynolds a superstar, but the film was even the second highest grossing film of 1977. The film even made Coors seem appealing, which is certainly not an easy feat given how gross the taste is. Of course, as tends to happen with a successful film, there were plenty of rip-offs and cash-ins made. Despite this, Smokey and the Bandit remains a quintessential 70s film and a true classic.

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  • The Predator (2018)

    The Predator (2018)

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    In 1987, filmmaker John McTiernan made his first studio film with the action sci-fi classic, Predator. With an all-star cast including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura and Stan Winston’s effects, it was a hit. Three years later, Predator 2 was released, starring Danny Glover, Gary Busey, and Bill Paxton and directed by Stephen Hopkins. While not a critical or commercial hit, the film has since found a cult following. It wouldn’t be until 2010, 20 years after the last film, when the next installment Predators was released. Produced by Robert Rodriguez and a cast including Adrien Brody, Laurence Fishburne, and Topher Grace, the film sadly underperformed. Cut to 2018, where Shane Black (who starred in the original film) teamed up with former collaborator Fred Dekker. Together, the two have brought us the newest installment in the franchise, The Predator.

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    Rather than a remake or a reboot, this film is a sequel to the earlier films. During a hostage rescue mission, Army Ranger Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook) gets attacked by the Predator. After incapacitating the Predator, McKenna steals some of its armor and mails it to his home for safe keeping. However, McKenna ends up captured by government agent Will Traeger (Sterling K. Brown), who also takes the Predator for research. Traeger recruits biologist Casey Bracket (Olivia Munn) to do further research while McKenna is sent off with several insane ex-soldiers. Things go south when the Predator escapes, so McKenna and the other soldiers take the bus and Bracket with them. McKenna and company make their way to his home and find that his autistic son has the Predator armor. Things are bad enough with the Predator after them, but they also have to contend with a new super Predator.

    Before I get into my issues with this film, I’ll first get into what worked for me. For one, the cast does a decent job, even though there are some dead spots. Boyd Holbrook is good in the lead, despite not having much character development. The actors playing the crazy ex-soldiers are all fun and have their own unique quirks. There’s Keegan-Michael Key as Coyle, who uses humor to deal with his PTSD. Also, there’s Thomas Jane’s Baxley, whose Tourette’s has him blurting out random curses, and has an interesting friendship with Coyle. Trevante Rhodes as Nebraska is probably the most normal one amongst the group, perfectly working alongside Holbrook. Sterling K. Brown is fun as the villainous Traeger and Brian A. Prince plays a good Predator. In addition to the cast, Shane Black’s direction is decent, and his and Fred Dekker’s writing has some good ideas.

    Unfortunately, while there are things here that work, there’s a whole lot that really doesn’t. For one, as mentioned before, some of the cast isn’t very strong, though none are necessarily awful. For one, Olivia Munn has her moments, but is generally fairly weak. Also, Jacob Tremblay, who plays McKenna’s autistic son, is decent, but seems to play it more like Hollywood autism. In addition to the weak cast, much like with Peppermint, there seems to be stuff cut out of the movie. From what I understand, the movie went through several reshoots after test audiences were confused by the third act. You can tell since the third act feels very cobbled together and doesn’t quite go along with what came before. Admittedly, the movie has some good ideas and it feels like the people involved really tried. While not a terrible movie, The Predator is still very disappointing.

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