Saturday, August 9, 2025

HEADS OF STATE (2025)

 


Directed By: Ilya Naishuller 

Written By: Josh Appelbaum, Andre Nemec and Harrison Query 

Story By: Harrison Query 

Cinematography: Ben Davis 

Editor: Tom Harrison-Read 


Cast: John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Paddy Considine , Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sharlto Copley, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle 


When the UK Prime Minister and US President become the targets of a foreign adversary, they're forced to rely on one another to thwart a global conspiracy.

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With John Cena in the cast, you already kinda know what this film is going to be good as long as you go in with that frame of mind you’ll be perfectly entertain as at least this time he shares the action with Idris Elba, and it’s not another film where you just watch John Cena be the ultimate action hero who’s unstop Now he has Idris Elba, and together their unstoppable, as well as with their costar Priyanka Chopra Jonas. The alter two instill the film And their characters with a suave charm. 


The villain is pretty disposable other than his ruthlessness and it’s surprising how many recognizable character actors are in this film and relatively small roles but you’re happy to see them.


As the film comes off better than expected and better then it should be. 


Though it’s billed as an action comedy, I didn’t expect it to be as actually funny as it is, which is what differentiates it from most of its elk whereas if it had just been an action film, this really wouldn’t have been that interesting, but with the comedic elements it at least stays fun and rises above the cliché somewhat


It also helps that some of the humor comes from unexpected places than what you can see coming and some are even just stylistic comedic choices though luckily for the film, even though it’s predictable, it still manages to keep you on your toes to see how it’s going to get where it gets to.


As even the action sequences are a bit more memorable and noteworthy than the usual fair of straight to streaming films. The fighting farm scene is one of the more impressive scenes of  film. As well as one of the more impressive action sequences seen recently. 


Plus the henchman, though they don’t have many lines just come across is unlikable and reprehensible, but then again looking at the main villain, you can understand why they are the way they are, though with the villains actions it does make me wonder why anybody would really want to work for other than the obvious money, which is then made me fonder whether he pays them in cash or check and is it on a weekly or biweekly basis or maybe it’s crypto since it has to be more underground and do you work until he gets his payday and that’s when you get your haircut or is he paying you for the work done and then it maybe if it goes through he’ll give you a bonus but then again if he successful, he could just keep the money because what court are you gonna go to even if you have the skills in the guns?


If anything this movie would go great on a double bill with the film WHITE HOUSE DOWN as at least here all the action takes place overseas and on more European streets that are more narrow and cobblestone so it’s not in some random American city where you would expect to see the action so that adds a different element to the proceedings.


Though he has been in many action films before it’s nice to see Idris Elba be more of a bad ass action hero in the film rather than the villain or a sidekick. Though with this film and starring in the film beast, he is proving to be not only an all-around leading man, but also quite a believable action hero lead.


Grade: C+

Friday, August 8, 2025

DEEP COVER (2025)

 


Directed By: Tom Kingsley 

Written By: Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, Ben Ashenden and Alexander Owen

Cinematography: Will Hanke

Editor: Mark Williams 


Cast: Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammad, Paddy Considine, Ian McShane, Sean Bean, Sonoya Mizuno, Freya Parker, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen 



Three improv actors are asked to go undercover by the police in London's criminal underworld.

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Unfortunately, not a remake or in any way asscisiyed with the Lawrence Fishburne Starring, crime classic film, but rather an wannabe, original action comedy


Is this is a movie that is very random. Whereas it’s randomly cast, and it shouldn’t work, even though it has a high concept, but strangely it does work and even comes off with its own little charm.


I don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing deep about this film. It’s pretty standard, but it stays in the middle of the road enough that it keeps you laughing and caring and even has some impressive action at times


As the film goes along, it tries to stay unpredictable that it fails in that way, though it does base itself on everyone having such deep trust in these characters, even when it’s obvious, they are in over their heads 


Not only is the premise a little bit inventive of having improv actors volunteer to go undercover and kind of getting stuck in their roles as the danger increases, but it also serves as a kind of midlife crisis movie as the characters are all facing dilemmas of where they thought they’d be and where they actually are And aiming to do something different to not only get better, but find some meaning in it all.


The most interesting character is  Shosh played by Sonoya Mizuno, who seems like she’d be a good bodyguard or assassin character in a better film, but also comes across as the coolest character of the whole film. She is always a chameleon in her roles. Never seeming to play the same type twice. 


Bryce Dallas Howard surprises with her performance in the lead as a comedic actress where you wonder why she isn’t in more films such as these as she is clearly strong in the lead role, though it might be as there’s so much competition and she fits into the same looks and frame as so, many Caucasian leading ladies. It’s hard enough to get the roles but also, where do you quite fit 


The film has surprisingly a lot of European acting heavyweights who we have seen play these types of characters before only here a bit more broad, not as intimidating and all clearly hear more for a paycheck than anything else, but they do add to the tapestry and try to add some heaviness and believability to the situations the characters find themselves interacting with them


The only complaint could be that one wishes the film was bigger, but then that would totally go against the reality of it and wish that the romantic sub plot had a bit more to it or a kind of ending to it instead of just being upsurped and left


Grade: C+

Thursday, August 7, 2025

OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERE (2023)

 


Directed By: Guy Ritchie 

Written By: Guy Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson, Marn Davies

Cinematography: Alan Stewart

Editor: James Herbert


Cast: Jason Statham, Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett, Hugh Grant, Cary Elwes, Bugzy Malone, Eddie Marsan, Max Beesley, Peter Ferdinando, Lourdes Faberes


In the film, super spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed with some of the world's best operatives,Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood's biggest movie star Danny Francesco to help them on their globe-trotting undercover mission to save the world.

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One is kind of surprised by this film as I have to say this is one of the more disappointing movies that Guy Ritchie has ever made, especially as it seems in his wheelhouse. One can see why this was buried and quickly forgotten. As it’s no one‘s best work.


The problem is that this film is just so many things at different times, but then never quite commits to any of them. It’s more of a comedy than anything else, but not with necessarily funny jokes, just situations are ridiculous, and so is the behavior at times, the film constantly feels like a misstep as it is more comedy than action


When there is action, it just feels so basic and not noteworthy, he doesn’t feel that strategic or catching. It just seems more means to an end. 

As you have Jason Statham in the film, and while there’s gunplay, it’s more or less guns than anything.


The film is more ensemble with Josh Hartnett, Aubrey Plaza, and Hugh Grant, so they have their scenes and roles in which they get to shine or show their worth, but again, they never hit the Mark because everything is so broad that there’s nothing that contains the story really.


once guy Richie took over he rewrote the script and still told the cast to pretty much improvised and it feels that way the technical aspects are there, but the dialogue is OK but not quite brilliant repartée


Then the villains are set up, but they keep switching, and none of them are really that effective, it’s almost like they spent so much money trying to get stars in the lead roles that they only had so much money and couldn’t get any other big names to play the villain role.


so watching the film, you know what’s going to happen; there’s no real suspense to anything. It’s sort of like watching the Equalizer films, where Denzel Washington, if you can take out a room and 17 seconds, what hope do the villains at the end have, or put up as a challenge, and it’s the same in this room 


So that this film it’s more of a time waster than anything as nothing quite sticks and plays, smooth and glossy and even every time they seem to set up maybe a character trait it’s quickly forgotten or not used as early in the film one of the reasons that don’t want to use Jason Statham’s spy, character or reluctant is because he seems to try to use excuses and sicknesses to get out of missions, But we don’t get introduced to any of those aspects


Aubrey Plaza’s character seems to have a flirtatious nature where she’s fallen for someone, but we’re never given any reason. Dialogue works for the script and characters. 


Hugh Grant seems to be having a ball with fun villain characters as with more recent roles, he seems to be at least he’s trying to do something different but ultimately it feels like it’s there for no reason . 


While Josh Hartnett is part of the cast and he helps add to the stars name in the cast while also letting him play more comedic role than he has in the past he seems to be in the mission that’s why he’s there but then he’s given very little to do except ask questions and stand around so maybe get some expositional information Then give him or drag him into action sequence car chase really and his character has an about face and that at first you could see as being one-sided, but I guess in the end it kind of makes sense. as it does help open up the film to a new demographic


End it so much once they take out the villain it’s like it feels like there should be more but that’s pretty much it now let’s try some more comedic high jinx.


It just feels like everyone is not necessarily out of their element, but not given anything really to do even though the film seems to want to use their image or public image and talent to help poor or lift the material as otherwise this just comes off as a bland espionage story and script that could’ve been starting and made by anyone there’s nothing quite that special to it.


Now this film did come out when there was a pandemic, though it was filmed after the pandemic. It was postponed for release and finally did in 2023, luckily for it and quickly got released on streaming and was forgotten as this film just feels like a well-funded, but sorry excuse for entertainment, though seems to fit perfectly along with other streaming films as there doesn’t seem to be any passion or much originality


It’s not a horrible film as it is watchable, but it’s just so basic and bland that there’s very little reason other than, again, a time-waster popcorn movie.


Grade: C- 

Tuesday, August 5, 2025

MOVIES WATCHED IN JULY (2025)



 MOVIES WATCHED IN JULY (2025)



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DRYLONGSO  (DRAMA) 8/10 





FEDORA (DRAMA)(MYSTERY) 7/10 




THE OLD GUARD 2 (ACTION)(FANTASY) 3/10 





*BRONSON (BIOGRAPHY)(CRIME)(DRAMA) 8/10 





CHASING CHASING AMY (DOCUMENTARY) 8/10 





HEADS OF STATE (ACTION) (COMEDY) 7/10 





RIFF RAFF (CRIME)(COMEDY) 6/10 






TRAINWRECK: THE CULT OF AMERICAN APPAREL  (DOCUMENTARY) 7/10 





DROP (THRILLER) 5/10 





SWEET DREAMS (DRAMA)(COMEDY) 6/10 





OPUS (CULT)(THRILLER)(COMEDY) 6/10 





ABOUT MY FATHER (COMEDY) 4/10 





ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET (FAMILY)(TEEN)(COMEDY)(DRAMA) 8/10 





MADEA’S DESTINATION WEDDING (COMEDY) 4/10 





GO FISH (ROMANCE)(LGBTQ+)(COMEDY) 5/10 




ON BECOMING A GUINEA FOWL (INTERNATIONAL)(FOREIGN)(COMEDY)(DRAMA) 8/10 





PARTHENOPE (INTERNATIONAL)(FOREIGN)(DRAMA) 7/10 




THE HONEYMOON KILLERS (CRIME)(DRAMA)(THRILLER) 8/10 





THE SUPER (THRILLER) 3/10 





LADYKILLER (CLASSIC)(COMEDY) 7/10 





KPOP DEMON HUNTERS (ANIMATED)(FAMILY)(FANTASY) 9/10 





LOOK BACK IN ANGER (DRAMA) 7/10 






THE AMATEUR (THRILLER) 6/10 






LONE WOLF MCQUADE (ACTION)  6/10 





I LOVE YOU FOREVER (ROMANCE)(COMEDY)(DRAMA) 7/10 





SWALLOW (DRAMA) 7/10 





JIMMY THE GENT (CLASSIC)(COMEDY) 7/10 





INVASION U.S.A. (ACTION) 6/10 






THE GIRL WITH THE NEEDLE (INTERNATIONAL)(FOREIGN)(DRAMA)(GERMANY) 9/10 





HAPPY GILMORE 2 (COMEDY) 3/10 





MAGGIE MOORE(S) (COMEDY)(THRILLER) 7/10 





HOW TO HAVE SEX (DRAMA) 7/10 





FANTASTIC FOUR (FANTASY)(SCIENCE FICTION)(SUPERHERO) 7/10 






TELEVISION SERIES, TELEVISION MOVIES, STAND-UP & SPECIALS



THE BEAR (Season 4) 7/10 


NELLY & ASHANTI (Season 1) 6/10 


MEAN GIRL MURDERS (Season 1)  7/10 (Season 2) 7/10 


BIG BOYS (Season 1) 10/10