R | 1h 44min | Western
Review - Matt Mungle
*In theaters October 21st 2016 *
Synopsis: A mysterious stranger and a random act of violence drag a town of misfits and nitwits into the bloody crosshairs of revenge
Review: Congrats to writer/director Ti West on making me a fan of the western. Better known for his thriller/horror flicks here Ti creates an old west adventure full of sarcasm and unhinged individuals. IN A VALLEY OF VIOLENCE puts just enough tongue in the cheek to be witty without ever diluting the core of the genre.
Paul (Ethan Hawke) is a quiet loner making his way south with his faithful four legged companion. He isn't looking for trouble but finds it none the less when he stops in a small, dried up town ruled by a bunch of loud mouthed bullies. The Marshall (John Travolta) doesn't totally have a handle on everything; especially keeping his people in line. When some dim witted locals push Paul too far it becomes a bloody, gun blazing, battle of revenge.
Not being a fan of westerns I was first drawn to this film by the cast and premise. It didn't seem like your typical fare and I jumped at the chance to see Travolta in an action flick again, even if he was wearing boots and a hat. Plus I am a huge fan of Taissa Farmiga who also stars. She plays Mary Anne who along with her high maintenance sister Ellen (Karen Gillan) run the local hotel. Ellen has a desire for the finer things in life and bosses Mary Anne around. Some of the best onscreen interaction is between those two.
But the meat of the film is of course the showdown between Paul and The Marshall. Travolta is superb in this role wielding his lines with a verbose attitude. He is a man who has been dealt a crappy hand in life and he figures he can fold or call. Part philosopher and part arrogant lawman he tries his best to salvage the situation and bring it all peacefully to an end. Hawke too delivers a grand performance as a man pushed too far. You root for him the same way you get behind anyone you see bullied or taken advantage of. Plus you really despise the main bad guy, Gilly (James Ransone) and can't wait for him to take a bullet.
West keeps his story moving with well written dialogue and memorable characters. It never feels weighty or cliche. Often in Westerns I find myself just wanting it to be over. In this one Ti kept me engaged and wanting more. It was a subtle mix of knowing what was coming and trusting how he would get me there. His knack for the horror genre upped the intensity level of the violence. Not to the point of the macabre but extreme enough to squirm. It was fantastic.
In a Valley of Violence is obviously rated R for violence and language. A must see for fans of the cast and stylized westerns. I would hope the old school fans would embrace it as well. The wit and sarcasm never make fun of the genre but instead enhance the characters and bring the script to brilliant life. I give it 4 out of 5 pistol grips; for the genre. It sold me and I am probably the toughest customer.
PG-13 | 118 min | Action, Adventure, CrimeReview - Matt Mungle
*In theaters October 21st 2016 *Synopsis: Jack Reacher must uncover the truth behind a major government conspiracy in order to clear his name. On the run as a fugitive from the law, Reacher uncovers a potential secret from his past that could change his life forever.
Review: There are many who have not adjusted to Tom Cruise taking on the persona of the hulking Jack Reacher of the Lee Child Novels. But in the first film of the franchise we found that if you overlook the character as someone brand new the movie is actually a decent watch. Sadly in JACK REACHER NEVER GO BACK you have to overlook even more.
The film starts off as the book does with Reacher (Tom Cruise) pulling into DC in order to meet up with Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) who he has been having a long distance friendship with via the telephone. When he arrives he finds she has been arrested for espionage. Of course it is up to old Jack to get to the bottom of the whole thing and crack some bad guy skulls in the process.
This one packs enough punches to satisfy the die hard action fans. Cruise takes on the quiet tough guy demeanor convincingly. Again you have to stop thinking about the guy in the novels for it to work; but it can. He is a no nonsense ex military cop who with the street smarts to see through all the red tape and glaring loopholes. Smulders is an excellent choice for Turner. She carries herself with confidence and isn't going to back down to any guy. Her natural beauty has a toughness about it that doesn't conflict with her military surroundings. If there is one thing in this movie you don't have to overlook it is her.
The issue with this one is that it forgot what made the first film so enjoyable. The original script had twists and turns and never strayed from the point of the story; let Reacher be Reacher. This one has ridiculous villains, an unnecessary 15 year old, and a script that meandered back and forth with predictable scenarios and eye rolling dialogue. Unless this was meant for a Nickelodeon re-airing much of it was inexcusable.
The character of Sam (Danika Yarosh) was so out of place and forced that it nearly topples the entire film. This is no reflection on Yarosh. She actually does a solid job with what she is given. Sam is a teenage girl with a rough past who gets caught up in this mess. Instead of getting rid of her early on the writers let her hang around for the entire ride. This means they have to give Sam something to do and most of what they write for her is sophomoric drivel mired in predictability. The scenes with Sam in them have a totally different feel from the rest of the film. The fans want a Jack Reacher movie not a daddy day care flick.
Truth be told Reacher needed more to do as well. He almost feels secondary in this outing. Sort of a bystander looking on at what is happening around him. Sure he makes some decisions and roughs people up but other than that he simply looks confused. The best part of the entire movie is the opening scene which is also most of the trailer. It is him in the diner facing off against two local cops. That scene has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the movie but is the stand out moment.
JACK REACHER: NEVER GO BACK is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some bloody images, language and thematic elements. It is obviously a film for older viewers and 16 and up is a safe gauge. If you go in with lower expectations than the first film you might find it "ok". It has a fair amount of fist-a-cuffs so not a horrible option for a dudes night out. I give it 2.75 out of 5 salt shakers. Not quite enough bang for your box office buck.
- Number of discs: 2
- Rated:
Parents Strongly Cautioned
- Studio: Lionsgate
- DVD Release Date: October 25, 2016
- Run Time: 96 minutes
- Synopsis: A high-school wallflower named Vee (Emma Roberts) decides to participate in an online game that involves completing challenges and dares throughout New York City. Although she is initially thrilled by the game's antics -- and the fact that it asks her to partner with a handsome stranger (Dave Franco) for some of the tasks -- the experience eventually escalates into a life-or-death struggle.
R | 1h 34min | Drama, Thriller
Review - Matt Mungle
*In theaters October 14th 2016 *
Synopsis: A group of people trying to cross the border from Mexico into the United States encounter a man who has taken border patrol duties into his own racist hands.
Review: I have seen at least one other film this year that is very similar to the new thriller, DESIERTO. So similar in fact that I wondered if this was a remake. Desierto stands out in the area of acting and cinematography so although not an original story it at least offers something.
When a border crossing takes an unscheduled detour a small band of illegals find themselves in a cat and mouse game of survival. Sam (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) has serious issues with people being on his land. He has no faith in the border patrol and inflicts his own version of sadistic justice.
Morgan plays the racist land owner with a scary calm that isn't twisted or demented; a fact that makes him even scarier. This guy could be sitting down at your holiday meals with you and the family. Granted he is the relative everyone steers clear of or talks candidly about after he leaves. But he is just a man with deep rooted opinions about how things should be.
On the other side of the metaphorical fence you have Moises (played brilliantly by Gael García Bernal). He is the one with the level head and a heart for what is right. His interaction with those around him is sincere and compassionate. You are endeared to him from the beginning and Bernal is able to lock you in to his character.
Writer/director Jonás Cuarón does a solid job of keeping politics out of his story and seems focused on creating a top notch thriller. Not sure he succeeds but he did try. The issue is more the writing than the directing. The film looks stunning and the intensity is heightened by the framing and shots. But the writing is so thin that you get all bone and no meat. You are introduced to some solid characters and can't wait to peel back layers and know them more. But you never do. All you get is one intense moment after another with nothing to hold it all together. Yes you still want the innocents to survive but you quickly forget why.
This is a film that is hard to promote. The look and sound beg to be seen on the big screen but the overall film is not really worth the box office ticket price. It would be a great renter and probably enjoyed more. If all you want are visuals and a few moments of intensity then go for broke and do the big screen. But don't say I didn't warn you.
DESIERTO is rated R for strong violence and language. It is a vicious adult film and not for the kiddos or the nervous lot. Kudos to both Morgan and Bernal for keeping up their end of the bargain. They each earned their pay on this one. Sadly the writing let them and the audience as a whole down. I give it 2 out of 5 water bowls. I wanted the entire movie to be as good as the first 15 minutes.
R | 2h 8min | Action, Crime, Drama
Review - Matt Mungle
*In theaters October 14th 2016 *
Synopsis: As a math savant uncooks the books for a new client, the Treasury Department closes in on his activities and the body count starts to rise.
Review: THE ACCOUNTANT is an intriguing and entertaining character who would be fun to watch on a week to week basis. Sort of Rainman meets Jason Bourne. The films high caliber action and pinpoint acting make up for the blurred story line and crater sized plot holes. Plus there are just enough unpredictable moments to overshadow those moments you saw coming a mile away.
Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) has not had an easy life. Diagnosed early on with an acute case of autism his military father trained him to overcome his situation by any means possible. Now he is a brilliant mathematician and accountant for many criminal organizations; secluded in a socially inept body. When he is hired by a robotics corporation to uncover some odd money trails he discovers that he isn't the only one interested in the company's finances. He must rely on his "skills" in order to finish the job he started.
Affleck does a perfect job of bringing both of his characters personality traits to light. He has to fully engage with the beautiful mind of Christian without shying away from the violent engagements. The element that marries them together is the eyes. Regardless of the task there is an extreme focus in the gaze. You understand that his thoughts are moving at warp speed while on the outside he is cool and calculating. You aren't completely sure of his motivations but you know that there has to be a purpose to every action he takes.
When you throw Dana (Anna Kendrick) into the mix things really get interesting. Dana is a young, energetic, talkative accountant at the robotics firm and makes Wolff incredibly uncomfortable. He has a hard time understanding or recognized emotion much less using it to converse with some one like her. It is humorous to watch him when she is around and Kendrick was a good casting decision. Granted it is the same Anna we see most of the time but we like it.
There are several intersecting story lines in this film and one branch of that is the treasury department that is interested in Wolff. Led by Director Raymond King (J.K Simmons) and agent Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) the task force is trying to figure out who he is and what his connections are to these profile criminals. Like most of the story this plot line serves a purpose but is not completely thought out.
THE ACCOUNTANT is a top level crime drama. The character and performance of Affleck make this one to see. Wolff is someone you would tune in to watch each week on a well written TV show. His backstory and motives deserve a chance to shine a bit more. Plus his interaction with people like Dana would help peel away the layers of social awkwardness. You want to see him succeed in the areas he struggles in while watching him dominate where he is most comfortable.
The film is rated R for strong violence and language throughout. It is an adult film intended for older audiences. Other than the very strong violence (which you need in a film of this nature) the rest of the content is handled subtly and with taste. I give it 3 out of 5 strobe lights. Worth the box office ticket price and one I will watch several times over.
