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Wrath of Man – Review
Wrath of Man – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 59 minutes
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Patrick Hill joins Fortico security after they lost two drivers in an armored truck robbery. He comes highly recommended from a company overseas. Before he can start working, he has to take a preliminary exam on driving and shooting. His trainer, Bullet, explains that Patrick must get 70 or above to get the job. Patrick scores 70 on the nose, and Bullet nicknames him H. Their boss, Terry, put H together with Bullet and Dave. Dave believes H is a dark spirit because H is too overqualified for the job. Dave thinks H is a plant to check on their work after the robbery. On their first run, H and Bullet make the first cash drop. On the second drop, Bullet goes in alone and never comes out. Dave calls over the walkie-talkie but gets static. Then a voice comes over the system and tells Dave and H to give up the money or Bullet dies. Dave wants to follow protocol and drive away with the remaining money, but H needs to fight. H starts to turn over the cash but pulls out his gun and shoots each of the robbers in the head. Dave and Bullet notice H’s expert precision doesn’t match what he did during training, and they mention it to Terry. H chalks it up to adrenaline, and Terry orders him to take time off with PTSD counseling. However, the owner, Blake, says H’s legendary status is good for business, and Blake wants H back on the streets immediately. Hearing this puts H at ease because he can continue with his plan. A few months back, H witnesses the murder of his son, Dougie, during the armored truck robbery, the same robbery that left a spot open for H. And to make matters worse, H was involved in the robbery with just two simple words: the latter. Now, H is on a mission to find the man that killed Dougie and end his life.
Based on Cash Truck, this movie has John Wick’s action with Equalizer’s morals and Quentin Tarantino’s storytelling (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). So you need to be at the theater and in your seat from beginning to end. In four chapters, this movie peels itself like an onion. The first chapter lets you see H get acquainted with his job and co-workers. The second chapter shows you what happened to Dougie and H’s involvement. The third introduces you to Dougie’s murderers and their reason for the robbery. Four chapter is the big heist. The heist, with the mastermind narrating the plan as you see it take place, is perfection. With this narration, you will hear what should happen and what went wrong. Don’t be shocked if inappropriate moments make you laugh. This movie will be an easy favorite for the year.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Liver, lungs, spleen, heart – H
We aren’t the predators. We the prey – Dave
You’re just unhappy that I’m happy – Bullet
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Here Today – Review
Here Today – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 57 minutes
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Charlie Berns is the senior writing advisor for the comedy sketch show called This Just In. He helps develop young writing talent and pick skits for the show. He leaves the producer’s office to fulfill an auction prize to benefit an inner-city library. Someone bought a lunch date with him for $22. As he waits at the restaurant, a woman enters with a much younger picture of Charlie on her phone. Charlie stops the woman and introduces himself. The woman is Emma, and she sings funny songs in dive bars and subways for money. Emma explains she doesn’t know who Charlie is but her ex-boyfriend bid on the lunch, and she took it to get back at him. During lunch, Emma has an allergic reaction to seafood, and Charlie rushes her to the hospital. Without medical insurance for the hospital care, ambulance ride, and prescriptions, Emma runs up a $2,000 bill that Charlie pays. She promises to pay him back every dime. A few days later, Emma has the first installment, but a bike rider hurts her knee in a hit-and-run. Charlie brings her inside to help patch her up. She notices that Charlie has pictures on the wall with names and asks if he is a serial killer. He explains the photographs are of his daughter, Francine, son, Rex, and granddaughter, Lindsay. Later, Emma attends an anniversary interview for Charlie’s first movie. But she spies something is off with Charlie when he forgets the name of the stars of his film. She meets Charlie after the interview, and he admits that he is in the early stages of dementia. And, other than his doctors, Emma is the first person he told. She decides to stay by Charlie’s side until he gets the courage to tell his family. Until then, she is here today.
Based on The Prize by Alan Zweibel, this movie is a poignant look at love and friendship grounded in humor (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Charlie meets Emma as his past crashes with his doomed future. He starts to forget his son’s name and other important events. During these moments of lost memories, Charlie has vivid flashbacks about his past with his children and wife, Carrie. Seeing him lost in the best and worst times of his life is heartbreaking because he works so hard to make everyone laugh. Even as his world falls apart, he makes jokes. It doesn’t take much for audiences to believe the friendship between Charlie and Emma is real. Their generational gap helps them put a defining line between companionship and romance. Emma doesn’t help him out of obligation but out of concern and love. This movie will become a favorite while bringing a tear to your eye and a smile on your face.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
You don’t stop for commas, do you – Charlie
Good bye, old man – Emma
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The Water Man – Review
The Water Man – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 32 minutes
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Gunner sits in his room and writes his graphic novel about Detective Knoxx, a ghost attempting to solve his murder. Gunner reads other detective books like Sherlock Holmes for inspiration (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). When Gunner tells his parents, Amos and Mary, that he went to a funeral for more research, Amos can’t hide his disbelief. Amos thinks Gunner is weird, but his mother understands. In an attempt to connect with Gunner, Amos walks into Gunner’s room to play catch, but Amos steps on his graphic novel, ruining it. Gunner leaves and rides his bike around town. On his ride, he sees an abandoned mill with The Water Man painted on the side. He hears a young girl, Jo, telling a group of kids that she encountered The Water Man and survived. She will tell the tale for a price. Back at home, Gunner tries to sleep but has a nightmare. He searches for Mary and finds a frail, bald figure in the bathroom. Gunner had no idea that Mary’s leukemia advanced so aggressively. Instead of researching detective novels, Gunner focuses on leukemia and anatomy. Inside one of the books, Gunner finds notes about The Water Man. Since the author is local, Gunner goes to Bussey’s home to get more information. Bussey explains that The Water Man found a vein of shiny material in a cave and he carved a rock out of it. While it had no known value to the world, the rock was valuable. When the dam broke, everyone in the town, including The Water Man’s wife, died. But The Water Man lived, and he believed it was because of the shining rock he found. The rock made him immortal. Now, he searches the woods for his wife’s body to give her immortality. Until then, he revives animals in the woods. Gunner wants to find The Water Man to heal Mary. And he knows just who can help find The Water Man, Jo. Gunner will leave a note, sneak out, and pay Jo to take him to see The Water Man. With two kids in the woods, Amos goes on a hunt to find Gunner without telling Mary. Amos knows he is on borrowed time because there is a danger roaring in the woods that will annihilate Gunner and Jo. And it isn’t The Water Man.
David Oyelowo’s directorial debut is a promising award contender this year. Mixing animation with real-life allows the viewer to see life in Gunner’s rich fantasy world. There is a moment where you don’t know where the fantasy ends and where reality begins. This movie isn’t only about Gunner finding The Water Man. It’s about Gunner and Amos finding common ground. Gunner thinks he doesn’t live up to his father’s expectations. But Amos doesn’t believe his son wants him around. With Mary’s illness getting worse, Mary knows she must bring them together. By being apart, they call for each other in the darkness and find their bond. It’s a compelling story that will resonate with the whole family. Be warned, there are a few scary moments, but those are short-lived and explained.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
You stay on your side – Jo
If you could choose a short life with love or a long life without it, which would you choose – Gunner
That’s the Cheesecake Factory – Mary
I’m sorry – Amos
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Categories: Alfred Molina, Amiah Miller, Billy Crystal, Chris Reilly, David Oyelowo, DeObia Oparei, Eddie Marsan, Here Today, Holt McCallany, In The Theater, Jason Statham, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laura Benanti, Laz Alonso, Lonnie Chavis, Louisa Krause, maria bello, movie, Penn Badgley, Raúl Castillo, review, Rosario Dawson, Scott Eastwood, The Water Man, Tiffany Haddish, Wrath of Man
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