filmtravel101 Reviews

The Dead Don't Hurt (2023)

Pleasant Western that captures daily life in 19th century

[7/10 · 20 May 2024]

It is always a pleasure to see Viggo Mortensen in a film, especially when he's directing and writing. He Definitely does a great job of capturing what it was like to live back in the 19th century West and the same time a very unique perspective of an independent woman from the city that Brings her own virtues and destiny to wild country with life's lessons and superb acting by his co star.

The cinematography music and acting is top notch and there is very little that is missing from this film, except for the hard to believe aspect that Viggo's Holgar Olsen character having lost a prior wife by going to war, so it's difficult to imagine his character is stubborn and stupid enough to commit the same mistake and end up with worse repercussions that are hard to swallow. Yet maybe that's the unique aspect of the story that some men never learn yet keep loving regardless of their human nature and desire to experience war and its consequences.

However it is a beautiful tale that might be appealing to some that Like seeing the simplistic lifestyle people lived back in those days and it has enough twist and turns to make it commendable with a few big surprises and is more of a character study. The flashbacks are the only bit that is a little confusing almost like an afterthought and that is probably the only aspect that felt lacking in scope but it plays out fine in the end.

I'm looking forward to seeing what next film Viggo creates as they seem to be getting better so kudos to all the actors and Viggo for a great job and enjoyable film and loved the multiple languages which is rare in a western film as few people actually spoke English as a primary language so that was refreshing.

7 stars.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Great CGI with silly terrible TV series script

[5/10 · 15 May 2024]

I'm a big fan of the series and really enjoyed what Matt Reeves did with the other trilogy. However, I went in with very low expectations and this film unfortunately does not deliver anything unique or special that merits another trilogy especially the fact that there's some massive plot holes in the script and it's extremely slow and boring, with a silly build up for almost 1 hour until you finally start seeing where they're heading on this pseudo hero journey - and they barely get into the interesting part until the 3rd act which now requires another movie to explain it.

If you go into this movie looking at it as a very expensive TV pilot for a new series that Hollywood lacks the originality to create a new concept and can only create more IP spin offs of endless trilogies for their shareholders dividends. Kingdom of Endless Boring Apes.

The CGI was phenomenal, the characters are cute and feel almost 2 dimensional and almost insulting yet the director does the best job possible with the sub par script but it is rather trite movie that I do not believe most people are going to recommend esp as many in the theatre started to fall asleep in their seat wondering why was this movie made instead of leaving the prior masterpiece trilogy alone.

Spoiler Alert: how is it possible that the low level ocean water can go into a rather small double door opening and create enough pressure to turn it into a giant aquarium that goes 12 or 15 stories high and fill it up with water and drown most of the bad apes. It's just beyond ridiculous and then there's the element of Why did Mae not just grab the hard drive and leave without anyone noticing which would've been a lot easier to do after the apes helped her climb the Cliffside - rather than blowing up the whole thing instead of just disabling it - and it also does not explain how the humans inside the vault have survived this long and the funniest part is - the best option this advanced group of humans could find was sending 1 tiny little teenager girl to retrieve the essential hard drive?

Obviously there are lots of holes in the backstory and who was the Old man that decided to read bedside history stories to Pseudo Caesar and join the apes. Best part was getting rid of his annoying character. And why spend so much time on the silly eagles in 1st act only for the stupidest final fight scene of killing the bad P. Caesar is just ridiculous bad writing.

There was over 50 apes surrounding P. Caesar and they could not figure out how to push him off a cliff like a good ole rugby team.

Once again Hollyweird studios have to make a second $200m TV series/ 2nd part film for this trilogy that might be more engaging with better writing and more exciting characters as it was hard to get behind some of the lead characters without yawning from the slow snail pace. Go into the film with low expectations and lots of soda and sugar to stay awake.

I give it only 5 stars for CGI and bad ass Mae.

Chief of Station (2024)

Chief of low budget - terrible script

[3/10 · 7 May 2024]

A big fan of Aaron Earhart and Olga Kurylenko but unfortunately neither one of these actors can save this low budget B film that is so poorly written that it quickly falls apart into a silly out of date silly script that's so predictable table and dull that not even the action scenes can make it feel entertaining. And Olga comes into the picture to save the day almost at the end which is too late and too little.

The directing is decent considering the script is terrible and if you remove Aaron and Olga this would be a terrible low budget B film.

Go in with super low expectations and ready for laughable moments where terrible accents make you cringe and the action fight scenes look like something from the 1970s completely outdated where guys have slug fests rather than shooting each other and all that was missing is Charles Bronson.

Looking forward to next action film from Aaron E and anything Okga K stars is - maybe with higher budget and better script

3 stars for 2 main stars and some great shots of Budapest.

Unfrosted (2024)

Unfunny and plain stupid gag script that falls Flat

[3/10 · 4 May 2024]

I'm a big fan of Seinfeld, but unfortunately writing movie screenplays is not his forte unless you really enjoy a 90 minute long Seinfeld episode mixed in with 2 dimensional short jokes that fall flat and is almost unwatchable except that there's a stellar cast making tiny auditions but even they can't even help make this stink bomb Piece of Netflix junk funny or entertaining.

Watch it for the great retro costumes and 60s sets and try not to fall asleep or want to never eat a cereal again

Spoiler alert - this film might induce nausea or boredom with relentless yawns and occasional spurts of rolling eyes from endless array of insulting joke skits. Netflix's has over paid for more B garbage flicks. What's next ? Mr Potato head goes to Hollywood. Hope Seinfeld sticks to tv series and stand up. This film was a great Razzie award winner. Gong and better luck next time

3 stars for Bill Barr and comedians making $$

Sleeping Dogs (2024)

Great job by Russell Crowe but terrible script with Huge plot holes

[5/10 · 1 May 2024]

This is one of those cop thrillers that luckily has Russell Crowe to keep it alive even in his current Brando physically large status which we all hope one day he will lose his Amnesia and regain his old physique by fasting and a new diet/ exercise but this film is a B script except for RC still having fabulous acting chops.

The general plot is fairly decent and support cast passable with slow flash ba is that are distracting in the 1/2nd act then it just falls apart in a preposterous 3rd act with massive holes that easily could have been fixed to give it any credibility and better finale.

Spoiler alert - the Professor is killed by our Amnesia RCrowe character but for some unknown reason his cop partner in 1st act forgets to tell him he has amnesia and killed the professor because he shagged his wife.

But the bigger hole is also in the 3rd act why does Laurie/ Elizabeth - student of professor decide to not only shoot his cop partner esp if she is innocent? Huh? Plus Why does she manipulate others to kill both her ex lover and RCrowe ? It makes no sense at all so the ending is pointless and to make matters worse - RC does not decide to turn himself in or blow his brains out of guilt for being the murderer - so it's plain silly lazy writing and is an insult to anyone paying attention.

5 stars for RC acting is still top notch.

Hypnotic (2023)

Plagiarism Notic- wanna be Nolan inception B movie rip off

[5/10 · 28 April 2024]

I was excited to see Rodriguez latest movie as he is the king of cool B movies and loved Sin City.

Unfortunately this film was supposed to be shot in LA or Toronto and ended up in Austin - so it's basically a plagiarized Christopher Nolan Inception idea - but with only $70m and terrible acting / chemistry by Affleck who has zero chemistry with Braga. The set pieces are fine with some silly red coat spy group wardrobe that looks like a bad Mexican gang of waiters that are only missing a mariachi band.

The premise is so silly that once you hear it in act 3 one truly wonders how this stupid simplistic idea got green lit esp for $70m. It might have been a cool noir b movie but instead it's just Affleck playing his Accountant character and Braga is in a different movie that makes the plot twists and turns just laughable. Where did the $70m go??

It's still enjoyable so Go into it with low expectations and maybe you'll like it but by the 3rd act it gets into Austin b movie sets that takes away from any sense of high end sci fi realism and it's a shame there was not another rewrite of the 3rd act to make it better. Unlike Nolan who is the master of complex, mastermind ideas and concepts plus picks great casts, set designs etc this joke of a script feels like an 80s bad sci fi comedy and is only missing brains exploding (scanners/dtc)

Looking forward to Accountant 2 as Affleck knows how to write/act/ direct himself wayyyy better than Rodriguez. Kudos to Affleck for gracing this b film but it doesn't meet high standards and thus it's on this terrible streaming service and not a big theatrical release.

Hope Rodriguez does a more original film next time and skips Austin.

5 stars.

Role Play (2024)

Mr and Mrs Boring Smith - tv movie rip off

[5/10 · 28 April 2024]

I was looking forward to this movie with 3 great actors but unfortunately the simplistic boring tv script is a terrible rip off of mr/mrs smith. It's yet another Hollywood rip off b movie streamer perfect for Netflix's low standards or a pg hallmark film.

Bill Nighy is the highlight guest appearance that is not enough to bring anything special to this slow cooker of a sleep fest. Kaley does a decent job yet she is not Angelina Jolie and it's hard to believe she is an assassin plus no chemistry with Daniel which is a shame.

The script is predictable and two dimensional so go in with little expectations and lots of popcorn and candy or you might fall asleep.

5 stars for Bill Nighy.

Challengers (2024)

Match point = Euro trash techno sex love triangle story

[5/10 · 26 April 2024]

The film has lots of potential with a decent cast that felt like Zendaya is the star prize and is supported by 2 so so amateur actors that gives the film a euro trash b film element - especially with the horrific choice of music that is almost laughable at some points like the director Luca wanted to amp up the intensity by using cheesy 80s techno euro club music and it feels completely disconnected and misplaced.

The story /plot is engaging at times yet there is so much lazy flash forward and backwards editing/ storytelling that it feels discombobulating like a ping pong editing job - and then toss in some bizarre close up camera angles and smash edits that supposedly try to emulate the feeling of being a tennis player but feels more like someone ready to throw up.

The director could have watched the McEnroe feature for more nuances in style but instead this films est highlights are the 1st act teenage sections where all 3 cast members shine then it goes downhill in 2/3rd with a ridiculous ending.

Really shocked that Zendaya signed up for this b level film as it's a VOD streamer at best

Looking forward to Director Luca next film as this one was a bit of a misfire

5 stars for Zendaya.

Fingernails (2023)

Great acting - poor concept and script

[5/10 · 4 April 2024]

I was really excited to see this film as the concept sounded very intriguing with a black mirror element

The acting is superb and the cast is great but unfortunately the concept starts to drag on as the 3rd act tries to resolve the more complex issues of Love.

It's still an entertaining film as there are multiple elements that each couple brings forth but the silly notion that a machine can determine true love falls flat especially since it's quite obvious the 2 co worker lead actors are more compassionate and compatible than the mundane life with Ryan at home. And the small twist of Natasha is plain silly and would have been better suited if the machine had a permanent malfunction or if the results were the opposite at the end.

Regardless it is a well crafted film yet could have been an exceptional movie

5 stars for the actors.

Movie 43 (2013)

Who wrote this sophomoric piece of garbage - embarrassing

[2/10 · 3 April 2024]

These short skits are terrible to the point of embarrassment. A cross of juvenile 12 year old jokes with A list actors silly enough to get involved in this trite piece of garbage.

If you like a guy with testicles hanging from his throat that is maybe funny for 2 secs and goes on for too long or a girl that wants a guy to poop on her - then this is your type of film. For anyone with a brain or fully developed frontal lobe it's completely embarrassing even if you are stoned immaculate.

Were the writers on bad drugs or did their 12 year old sons write the jokes because that is what it looks like for all skits.

2 stars for poor actors that had to suffer.

One Life (2023)

A superb film and very touching story

[10/10 · 19 March 2024]

It's always a pleasure to see Sir Anthony Hopkins in yet another superb film with a true story of a true Hero and highly entertaining. The cast and crew did a phenomenal job and it clearly shows the humility and utter kindness of a group willing to sacrifice their free time for the salvation of refugees.

The cinematography is delightful and really captures the 1930s with great directing that moves at a perfect pace and the music is superb. It's rare to find a gem like this film that speaks so beautifully about humanity able to rise to higher ground for those suffering without making it about themselves or some political or religious issues.

It's one of those lost stories of humble human beings that saved hundreds of refugee children in desperate war times. Truly inspirational and maybe it will inspire more people to rise to such unique heights with the war machine back in full force there are more refugees than ever now.

A solid10 and fantastic directing and acting.

Trance (I) (2013)

Great directing/acting yet poor 3rd Act and sloppy script

[5/10 · 18 March 2024]

This film had all of the great elements of a fabulous film with a group of superb actors and phenomenal director with superb music and cinematography - but someone forgot to write a good script and it falls apart. Amazing how many times a fantastic director thinks that can make a stupid script work and it's impossible most of the time.

In this story the 1st act and set up makes total sense and looks fantastic but the moment Rosario character steps into the film it slowly falls apart to the point that the plot gets too complex like Inception it in this script it is unbelievable and insulting that hypnosis is the tool being used to manipulate the plot/characters to the point that you just scratch your head and wonder why Danny Boyle did it ask for a major rewrite.

Anyways the film is 90% enjoyable and a feast for the eyes but the Rosario Hypnosis doctor character is pathetic and has so many loop holes that make Vincent Cassel go from a bad criminal to being the good guy which is laughable at best - and there is so much cross dream/ past story that it feels like another film like Memento and to the writer and tried to squeeze the life out of the story with impossible results which is a shame.

5 stars for the directing/ actors but easily could have been a 8/9 if the writing was better.

Love Lies Bleeding (2024)

Trippy story that borderlines on surreal then stupid finale

[5/10 · 17 March 2024]

This is one of those type of films that is going to be very controversial as it is a director that has loads of talent yet the script writing is just not up to par.

The acting is very good by all leads with some supporting cast that are marginal but the cinematography and scenes plus music is captivating enough to keep you intrigued. The chemistry between leads are realistic and the lesbian element is not noticeable enough to distract as there is a lot going on in this film.

However the finale is just plain absurd almost borderline bad bizarre like it belongs to another film. It's unfortunate as there was so much wonderful suspense but it went in a direction that was laughable where most in the theatre gasped at the ludicrous image of an Attack of the 50' Giant Steroid Women. Yes it's that kinda crazy so be prepared for a wild ride that's campy and rare to see these days yet not everyone's cup of tea either. I'm looking forward to next film from this director and would like to see her direct someone else script as she reminds one of Refn N - Demon type filmmaker in the rough.

5 stars for Stewart and Malone - but it could have been a 8-9 if not for silly ending.

Ricky Stanicky (2024)

Stinky Stanicky juvenile sophomoric stupid joke script

[3/10 · 16 March 2024]

I'm a big fan of Farrelly brothers and thought maybe with Zac and John Cena this would be a great revival like Dumb n Dumber but it was terrible.

The whole idea is unique of 3 guys making up an imaginary friend to get away with escapades but then enters the John Cena character and it is just plain foolish beyond a Vegas xxx act about masterbation that gets old fast and just spirals off a cliff. Anyone else besides Farrelly would not get this bag of crap made ever.

John Cena is the only highlight of the film and poor Zac does his best but the rest of the cast roles are pitiful and beyond reproach that are childish simplistic roles

To add more insult to injury they make one of the 3 friends a black character that is gay and a stoner without a job. That pretty much sums up the film.

There are way too many sophomoric jokes like an CEO doing air blowjobs that are beyond stupid but maybe it will become a high school stoner classic or huge razzie.

3 stars for John Cena and Zac.

Cabrini (2024)

Great cinematography and acting yet story meanders in 1st act

[7/10 · 13 March 2024]

This is a fantastic true story that I was excited to see another film from Sound of Freedom director Alejandro Monteverde. The cinematography is truly epic almost looking like a Rembrandt painting with so many fantastic shots it was breathtaking and the acting superb with incredible set designs and costumes.

The story of Cabrini is unfortunately built up too slowly in the 1st act with pointless scenes that drag the pacing of the story almost completely focused on her business/ politics that it feels almost one dimensional -focused on New York only versus the impressive Cabrini Empire of Hope and Church, Hospitals and Universities across the entire world and her Miracles and famous catechism are barely covered in this miopic film.

It's still an impressive feat that most will enjoy yet it could have been a masterpiece considering what Saint Cabrini accomplished in her lifetime instead of reading highlights in the footnotes at the end of the film.

Make sure to stay for the Biocelli sing at the end

A solid 7 stars but could have been a 10 Looking forward to this directors next film.

Damsel (2024)

Princess Die Hard vs dumb female Dragon - silly story

[5/10 · 11 March 2024]

I'm a big fan of Brown and loved her in Stranger and Enola so was excited to see what this new fantasy role film would be like even if on terrible Crappy Netflixs.

The story starts with Brown chopping wood so I guess we're led to believe she is a tough girl yet might have helped to show her sword skills but I digress.

It's a fine entertaining story until she meets the Dragon and it turns into Die Hard and gets almost laughable that it gets beyond this point.

The rest of the movie is the usual unoriginal bad ass girl that cuts her hair to be a tom boy bad ass and make rope to save the day - and the cringe worthy part is she not only slays the dragon with stupid idea that dragon flames can hurt a dragon. Huh? I thought dragon skin is immune to its own flames otherwise it would be dead every time it shoots flames. But let's not pretend this story makes sense as it's fantasy it the next best razzie part - is that Brown saves the dragon Animal lovers will get teary eyed esp since let's not forget - the Dragon just killed her father but she has a forgiving heart and bigger plans.

And the final scene is hilarious as now Brown has a Mascot pet dragon to take home after seeking revenge on evil family.

What a lovely message to send out in the world esp to little girls. CInderella move over for Die Hard bad ass revenge Princess. No Prince charming waiting afterwards but she has a lovely Pet to keep her company. :-)

This is probably one of the most disappointing films Brown has done and it had so much potential yet falls short of her other projects.

5 stars for the sets, dragon and Brown acting Hope next project has better script and more acting range.

She Came to Me (2023)

Cute story and fun entertainment- Woody Allen meets Nora Epheron

[6/10 · 10 March 2024]

I'm a big fan of Peter Dinklage and Rebecca Miller has a fantastic actress eye and pen for drama that's good fun.

This story has 2 very different plots that sort of come together in a clunky awkward manner that some might find strange but it works. The acting is superb by all cast and its premise gets so absurd that it's al list like a NY play that full of surprises.

The only absurd character is Anne Hathaway yet she pulls it off yet there is zero chemistry between them so Marisa Tomei is fantastic with Peter and that story could easily have been the main plot and been a masterpiece.

6 stars and looking forward to more from Rebecca Miller.

The Zone of Interest (2023)

The Stoned as a Zone of Disinterest - dull-boredom

[4/10 · 4 March 2024]

I truly enjoyed Sexy Beast and other films from this highly acclaimed director yet this film was a big disappointment to say the least.

The dp work, sound and attention to detail is meticulously crafted and one quickly in the 1st act gets the general gist of the story and angle of subtle detail's of the life of Commander of Auswitz.

However after the 1st act there is very little more that merits this over indulgent banality of complete overindulgence of providing repetitive storyline without any sort of story beyond the obvious mundane manner of living a rather ordinary life of a german SS family - that lives and runs a death camp - that one never sees yet sort of hears in the background.

The audience gets the message but hammering it in the same manner with minor extra details ends up being like a Stoner focused in an OCD manner in a zone of disinterest for the viewers. This is definitely not any high film quality like in Striped Pajamas or Shindler List unless you are on drugs or Prozac.

The cinematography and settings unfortunately do not carry the rest of the film to make it worth the excruciating long film that feels like a short 20 min pitch idea that somehow got stretched to an ungodly lengthy 2 hour feature film.

It was painful to sit through not because of the subject matter but because it's a dull boring story that does not deserve a full length feature film.

Half the audience left the theatre scratching their heads as to why this film is listed for any Oscar nominations. Remove the Nazi elements and this is a dull boring story that's not entertaining at all. Plus the modern finale imitating Schindler list is too little too late to add any more impact to the boring indulgence.

And why did the Mother leave ?? Never really explained except maybe she was repulsed or did not like the central heating system or thought also that this story is rubbish.

So What's next for Glazer next film is maybe to make a film about Stalins mundane family life while 40 million Ukrainians get starved to death. The act of atrocious deaths versus the mundane family life is always a bizarre tragedy yet does not always merit a 2 hour movie. This one definitely does not merit any accolades.

4 stars for the DP, Sound, and wonderful gardens.

Toro (I) (2016)

Bad writing and script with tacky action b movie

[4/10 · 23 February 2024]

This film had lots of potential but unfortunately it looks more like tacky Bollywood revenge film with similar cheap theatrics and the musical score is terrible.

The actors did their best with this stupid script and the 3rd act is by far the worst. A 150 meter knife death thriw is hilarious even John Woo wouldn't try such a feat.

No spoilers but if your girlfriend eyes are removed and she is at a hospital and you have a huge gut wound maybe checking yourself in also would be one option by the writers instead of a western like ending of walking to the prison half dead.

Moral of the story - don't trust silly card readers or your greedy selfish brother and live happily ever after.

4 stars for the Costa del Sol locations and action scenes.

Butcher's Crossing (2022)

Nick Cage back in his element- solid story/acting

[7/10 · 22 February 2024]

This was a nice surprise of a great story with solid directing and a great cast. The dp work is amazing yet it's not a casual premise for the light hearted esp any Vegans.

It is phenomenal to see Nick Cage back in great films especially after another gem like Pig and now this western script that merits his talent as he carries the film as its star with a superb supporting cast.

The Montana landscape is epic in its splendid beauty and the true sadness and brutality of mankind's hunt for bison in 1800s is one of disgrace yet another tragic tale that has to be seen to fully comprehend the mania of some hunters.

Kudos to the director and loved the music score also.

Looking forward to more Cage films

A solid 7 stars.

Float (I) (2023)

Bland romcom story with no chemistry between the leads

[5/10 · 20 February 2024]

This romcom sounded like it would be interesting as I do like both of the actors and the setting in a small town seemed enchanting for a good romcom but I've not read the book.

However, the chemistry between the two leads is terrible and Al ost non existent so it's hard to imagine that they would have any interest in each other so the romance part just doesn't work which is just bad casting on the Directors or Producers part.

The acting is fine by both leads and it has nothing to do with anything but lack of chemistry. As on one hand you have a very pretty petite Asian girl that looks like she's 15 years old in a bathing suit, and a lifeguard that looks like he's twice her age and twice her height - Which is bad casting so maybe they could've cast it differently with either a younger main male lead or a slightly more mature older female lead but regardless these two had zero chemistry.

And the story is pretty basic with no real surprises which rarely matters in a good romcon provided the 2 leads have chemistry so the film did not work and felt like a bad Hallmark film.

5 stars.

Love at First Sight (I) (2023)

Excellent RomCom w fantastic actors and directing/music

[8/10 · 20 February 2024]

I went into this film, thinking that it was going to be another cheesy romcom, but was pleasantly surprised to see that the two lead actors had fantastic chemistry, and the story is extremely well executed with phenomenal flow and music, and the ensemble of the support cast works in an unusual manner to complement the main plot perfectly which is rare for romcom that are super predictable.

The key part is the two lead actors. Haley Lu Richardson does a phenomenal job playing the shy, honest girl, and the British actor Ben Hardy is fantastic as the nerdy math whiz with a very odd family with British humor that works for a funny twisted love story.

The cinematography is phenomenal and the supporting cast especially the family of both sides does a great job so kudos to the Director for putting together a film that 99% of the time fails, but this one is a home run and make sure to have some tissues and enjoy a fun love story.

8 stars and I'm now a fan of this director Caswill and writer Lovejoy esp Haley Lu and Ben Hardy.

Madame Web (2024)

Madame Boredom baby sitting fest - terrible script-acting

[2/10 · 17 February 2024]

Unfortunately this script is more of a silly tv movie that has terrible casting of Dakota Johnson acting as a baby sitter to some teenagers that have no personalities because the script is beyond repair. Half of the audience was laughing at how stupid it sounded and by the 3rd act people were snoring. It's a real shame as I really like both Dakota and Sweeney but this was not a good match for anyone since the script and concept is better suited for a tv series and not a film. Plus the entire concept of having flash forward deja vu clairvoyant abilities gets old and bland quickly putting an audience into a sleeping nightmare where you want a refund.

It's like a cross of spider man/teens meets adventures in baby sitting with a female Next concept that is stuck in replay mode. How on earth did the writers get approval of this script unless it was another Covid disaster script.

2 stars for the sexy teen outfits and goofy spidermen.

God Is a Bullet (2023)

Bizarre twisted long story with great acting and music

[5/10 · 15 February 2024]

I truly enjoy most of Casavettes movies even new ones like The Other woman and classics like John Q, Notebook and Alpha Dog but this film is way out there and yet worth the watch mostly for the stellar acting from Monroe and Nicolaj and the sound track has fantastic music.

However the story is all over the places and it comes across as a bit over the top almost not even realistic with a Charles Bronson element that gets a bit 2 dimensional esp the action scenes. The bad ugly tattoo guys and Jamie Foxx are wasted characters that are just eye candy which is a shame.

The main female lead Monroe is the reason to watch the film as she is a phenomenal actress and carries the film that otherwise would be a total cheesy b movie.

Nicolaj is a good actor but his journey is hard to believe esp the love story aspect and pseudo religious diatribe but kudos for getting the crap beat out of him, sliced in the stomach, a snake bite to the face and a frickin flame thrower. Maybe Cassavettes watched Once Upon a time in Hollywood and tooany bad action films and thought a flame thrower would make the film better or a mounted M60 machine gun total Rambo style. All that was missing was Mr T with a Mohawk. That is how crazy the action gets or completely hilarious and silly.

It's not Cassavettes best work but the music song choices at least make the experience less painful.

Looking forward to Cassavettes next film as this one was not his best work. Blame it on Covid.

5 stars for the actors, music and flame thrower.

Argylle (2024)

An over complex snore fest with little action - terrible silly script

[3/10 · 7 February 2024]

I'm a huge fan of Matthew Vaughan films from Layer Cake to Stardust and Kingsman he is a spectacular director - and love all the cast in this film - but this terrible script is wayyy too complex and unnecessary for this movie to be entertaining.

Half of the theatre was snoring by the 2nd act esp with 15 plot twists it puts one to sleep as it's so bloody pathetic.

The pros: film is beautifully shot and the acting is top notch but it just does Not work as good solid entertainment because the endless plot twists occupy the majority of the film and there is no action along the way or romance or thriller to keep it interesting.

Imagine a 007 film where 75% of the movie is setting up diff plots and the leads have 10% action and you start to not care anymore and .... Fall asleep.

And the casting is 5% henry cavill and 95% mostly Sam Rockwell who is a phenomenal actor but there is no chemistry between the two leads. And Bryce Howard is a great actress with a stunning face and acting chops but she has become a very large lady and looks plain silly in the 3rd act by turning her into a trained spy assassin - esp the skating and heart shape shooting scenes are so over the top it had half the theatre laughing because it was so bad you feel horrible for Matthew Vaughan for not seeing that his characters and sequence shots are no longer believable and a joke caricature of real scenes - and it gets so pathetic that it's hard to sit through the painful diatribe of a story. Sometimes less is more is the advise to this great writer that put ones to sleep.

This film obviously is a major flop esp with a 200m budget and a bloated 2.5 hour run time that easily could have been edited down to 90 mins - maybe the cat is the best part of the film. Unfortunately I have to agree for once with the critics that this film is terrible.

3 stars for the locations and cat.