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The Long Walk – Review
The Long Walk – Budget of $20 million – 1 hour and 48 minutes
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Raymond Garraty, along with 49 other young men, received a letter from The Major. Out of the applicants from his state, the Major chose him to participate in the long walk. The winner will receive a monetary prize and one wish. The walk started after a war separated the country. After each walk, the gross national product rises because these men’s tenacity inspires others. Garraty’s mother, Ginnie, cries as she delivers her son to the starting point. She begs him to quit, but the deadline was yesterday. He grabs his gear and baseball before hugging Ginnie goodbye.
Garraty enters the gates and sits with the other young men. He meets Peter McVries, a man who wishes to do good with the prize. Stebbins is the strongest of the bunch. Arthur Baker’s faith inspires him, and Hank Wang focuses on the untold riches. Gary Barkovitch is a loner, and Collie Parker wants to document the experience. The men notice a younger boy, Thomas Curley, jumping up and down. They don’t believe he’s old enough for the competition, but their thoughts stay within the group. Then, the Major walks onto the tank and explains the rules. They must walk 3 miles per hour with no finish line in sight. If they slow down, they get one warning and have 30 seconds to regroup. On the second warning, an armed guard will point a gun at them. The third warning means death. They will face instant death if they run away or step off the pavement. It’s walk or die. While others want riches, Garraty has another reason to enter this competition: revenge. Who will win?
Based on the novel “The Long Walk” by Stephen King, this dystopian thriller shares similarities with the original, but it’s not a retelling (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). However, the film retains the book’s impact. The director made a bold choice by using natural lighting and empty surroundings to draw the audience’s focus to the contestants. Also, the surroundings mirror their despair. The script’s heavy focus on some characters leads you to assume who will win, but you want to know all the participants. It introduces the main characters with charm, zeal, and adversity. As each meets their grizzly end, you see their physical or mental breakdown first. The graphics department didn’t shy away from the blood and gore. Unlike the Hunger Games, the Major is not a man of reason. He believes he is doing the best for the country. He is unflappable, rigid, and single-minded. During the walk, the walkers explain why anyone would enter this race. At first, they give the typical answer. They counter the explanation because hundreds entered. They enter for an escape, not money. Also, the juxtaposition of the final stretch breaks your heart. The winner breaks down in gut-wrenching sobs as the crowd celebrates with fireworks and the national anthem. It’s a moment that will stick with you after the film. The studio labeled the film a horror, but it’s a warning. You should see this film if you can stomach the unflinching violence.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I love you better – Garraty
10 naked ladies – Hank
My god reward your bravery – Major
They say the heaviest guys get tired the quickest – Peter
Promise me you won’t watch them do it – Arthur
I’m the rabbit – Stebbins
It’s not fair – Curley
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The Roses – Review
The Roses – Budget of $30 million – 1 hour and 45 minutes
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Architect Theo Rose sulks as his colleagues celebrate their new building. They didn’t incorporate his ideas, and he can’t contain his irritation. He escapes the dinner and runs into the kitchen. There, Theo sees Prep Cook Ivy preparing food. He jokes about ending his life, and she asks him how he would do it. Theo contemplates using her knife. She laughs and rejects his idea because she’s using it to prep the food. She gives him a bite, and he gushes at the culinary delight. Ivy informs Theo that she’s leaving to become a chef in America, and he jokingly says he will follow. They touch and shag in the walk-in freezer.
Ten years later, Theo and Ivy Rose are living in Mendocino, California, with two children, Roy and Hattie. Theo works for an architecture firm and receives his first high-profile client, the East Bay Maritime Museum. He creates a unique design that looks like a sailboat. After fighting with the clients, they approve his design. Since his dream came true, he has driven the family to the harbor and shows Ivy and an abandoned building. Theo wants to use their dream home money to buy Ivy a restaurant. She’s giddy and names it ‘We Got Crabs.’ The business has a slow start, so it’s open 3 nights a week, leaving Ivy with the kids most days.
Months later, a horrific storm rolls into town. The city closes a major highway and pushes travelers to the road outside Ivy’s establishment. One of those customers is a highly respected food critic. Ivy panics, but her staff encourages her to make and serve the most spectacular meal. On the other side of town, Theo watches his building sway from the Museum store. As the sails screech, he eases patrons by saying the building is fine. Then, it collapses.
Theo’s wild actions outside of the museum make him internet famous, while the critic praises Ivy’s food, and the customers swarm. Theo loses his job while Ivy thrives. They decide to switch roles until Theo finds a job. He will stay home with the children while Ivy runs the restaurant. This decision leads to bitterness, resentment, and ultimately, divorce for the couple. The Roses declare war when they both refuse to give up the house. He built it and she paid for it. Who will win this war of the Roses?
This classic film remake lives up to the hype with witty, dry humor from two phenomenal actors (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). Based on the novel, this movie offers something new for original fans while it attracts today’s audience. The war is over the same issue, but includes a comical deep fake, a smart house, and Julia Child. When the couple is in love, they make snide comments to each other but laugh. It’s a part of their love language. They never take their harsh words seriously. Also, they are quick to apologize or ask for forgiveness. As their marriage collapses, the actors add an edge to their biting comments that make the audience cringe, ooh, and ahh. You are flies on the wall for the slowly dissolving marriage. You must pay attention to the timeline. This marriage doesn’t fall apart overnight. They slowly chip away at it. The writers ensured they were equally at fault for the end. The audience never chooses a side because both wrong and right. When the arguement reaches its climax, the camera pans away from both actors. It’s like their reasoning is leaving their body, only leaving room for rage. The audience will feel the impending doom in their gut. You watch to see who will win the war. And the conclusion will leave you in total shock. This update to your favorite classic is perfect for the time, flawless, and a great date movie.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars
Hal, play our song and light the fire – Theo
How would you do it – Ivy
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