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Normal – Review
Normal – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 30 minutes
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Interim Sheriff Ulysses patrols Normal, Minnesota, with Deputy Mike, after Sheriff Gunderson died of a heart attack. He will stay until they elect a new sheriff in 8 weeks. He has a lax and helpful attitude that resonates with the town. Mike drives Ulysses around to show him the city. Ulysses can’t ignore the banner outside the town hall. It states that the town raised 16.8 million to build it. Mike says the town came together to raise the funds. Later, Mike invites Ulysses to a memorial for Sheriff Gunderson at his estate.
Ulysses avoids the mourners and slips into Sheriff Gunderson’s office for a glass of liquor. He sees a commotion out of the window between Deputy Blaine and Veteran Alex Gunderson. Alex exits after the altercation without entering the memorial. Mayor Kibner enters and discreetly offers Ulysses a permanent position. However, he doesn’t want it. Later, Ulysses sees Alex’s van on the side of the road. He pulls over and taps on her window. When she rolls it down, he can smell the alcohol on her breath and see the gun in her lap. He enters her vehicle and convinces her to give him the weapon. She is crestfallen because she made her father choose between her and the town before he died. Ulysses takes her to the police station and locks her in a cell overnight for her protection.
Ulysses signs paperwork when an old alarm sounds in the station. He moves files aside to expose a box with a flashing light for the bank. A teller tripped the silent alarm. Ulysses, Blaine, and Mike arrive at the bank. While Mike and Blaine strap on their gear, Ulysses recognizes a dog named Oliver in a nearby truck. He spots the owners, Keith and Lori, robbing the bank inside. He spoke to Lori earlier outside his hotel room and built a rapport. He asks Blaine and Mike to cover him while he talks them down. When Ulysses approaches the door, he hears a gunshot. But it wasn’t from the robbers. It’s Blaine. Ulysses hides inside the bank while a gun battle ensues.
Mayor Kibner calls Ulysses on the phone. He explains that this started because Lori and Keith demanded the money in the vault. That money belongs to the Yakuza Organization. The town is their piggy bank for a percentage of the funds. Kibner will let Ulysses walk out with a job if he kills Lori and Keith. If he doesn’t, the town will kill him. They will do anything to ensure the Yakuza boss stays in Japan. Ulysses has no intentions of killing Lori and Keith, but how will he get out of this crazy town alive?
This action comedy offers blood and laughs. The audience knows there is more to the town because the opening scene features the Yakuza in Japan, heading to Normal. However, Ulysses thinks the town is a strange, but sleepy place. They have more money than expected, the police have military-grade weapons, and every business has a strange secret. He raises an eyebrow, asks questions, and moves along. And no one is safe when the first shot rings out. In this action film genre, kill styles are important. Ulysses uses ingenuity and dumb luck to overcome his enemies. Funny enough, the only people he can trust are criminals. The murders aren’t unique but still cringeworthy. And the lead’s flat humor shines through. The graphics are simple but fun and unobtrusive. This film is for fans of the Nobody franchise. It’s easy, fun, and provides an escape.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I like how you law man – Moira
Nothing to see here – Ulysses
Maybe we should go for a walk – Mike
So what do you think of our little town? – Mayor Kibner
Thanks for keeping it warm for me – Blaine
I’m not doing anything wrong – Alex
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RZA’s One Spoon of Chocolate – Review
RZA’s One Spoon of Chocolate – Budget Unknown – 1 hour and 52 minutes
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Randy, better known as Unique, reports to his parole officer, Ronald, after leaving jail. The ex-soldier served time in prison after assaulting his neighbor. Then, he got more time after hitting another inmate. Unique explains that he doesn’t like bullies. Since Unique doesn’t have ties in the area, Ronald gives him an address for a Veterans City Shelter. Unique asks Ronald to transfer him to Ohio because he has family there. Ronald offers to try.
Days later, Ronald has the transfer papers for Unique. He warns Unique to stay out of trouble and watch his temper. Unique takes the bus to Ohio, and a man hands him a survivalist handbook. The man gives it to Ronald for free if Unique hands out his business cards. Unique agrees. He arrives at his cousin’s doorstep. Unique’s cousin, Ramsee, embraces him and gives Unique his brother’s old bedroom. It’s been empty since Lonnie’s death. Ramsee still can’t believe he died on the side of the road. Then, Ramsee surprises Unique with the deed to the house. They now have an equal stake in the house.
Ramsee and Unique play basketball on a video game console. When Ramsee beats Unique, Unique challenges him to a real game. They drive to a community center and play. During their game, a gang enters and calls them racial slurs. Then tell Ramsee and Unique to leave because people like them aren’t allowed on their court. Unique points out that it’s a community center. They throw the first punch, and Unique fights back. After subduing the gang, Unique and Ramsee leave.
The gang returns to their boss, Jimmy, with a broken nose, scrapes, and bruises. Jimmy wants to teach Ramsee and Unique a lesson. He will hunt them down, like the others, and kill them for profit. On the other side of town, Ramsee and his girlfriend, Aretha, relax at home while Unique walks Aretha’s friend, Darla, home. They assume this is all over. However, they unleashed corruption and hell on earth. Will they survive these bigoted monsters?
This film is inspired by actual events and RZA’s music. It’s gory, infuriating, and heartbreaking. This film doesn’t pull punches with the dialogue, sound effects, or imagery. If you can’t handle 12 Years a Slave, Django Unchained, or Tales from the Hood, then skip this film (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The editing captures the fear and panic in the community as the gang stalks the neighborhood. However, it’s the bystanders that will enrage you the most. They refuse to do anything and accept the status quo because they benefit from the evil doings. And those in power enjoy their corruption and debauchery. While the plot highlights glaring problems in American society, it takes Unique too long to connect the dots. He literally has the motive in his hands, and he never considers it. And the ending will stun you. It will leave you with more questions than answers. This film will anger you but spark a necessary dialogue. Hopefully, the message won’t be lost in excuses. See this movie if you can handle the content.
I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars
I got the power – Unique
It was an accident – Ramsee
Use your brain, not your brawn – Ronald
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