Film reviews

The Furious Review

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There is kung-fu with vengeance and a rapid rollercoaster of writing that continuously boils the pot. The Furious fuels with flames of rapid violence and intense action. I felt the punches; I heard the sounds from far away. The conflict kept me in full-on attention mode. The Furious is a gut wrencher of an experience. Directed by Kenji Tanigaki, there is criminality that electrifies in The Furious.

The Southeast Asia setting spotlights the criminal underworld of operations in a rough setting that includes kidnappings for profit. To defend it  there is lots of kung fu and karate-type action. The story surrounds a father named Wangwei (Xie Miao) and his daughter Rainy (Enyou Yang). Enyou is abducted by a group of evil kidnappers in a dangerous operation. If Wangwei can save his daughter, he can save many other children as well. The film immediately jumps into streets of chaos and violence. The motor starts running as soon as the kidnapping occurs. 

I adore the fatherhood theme in this story, especially the way Wangwei teaches his daughter Rainy how to fight. Much of this happens in the beginning  before all the mayhem starts. The foundation of defense creates shields for the wild battles to come in The Furious. The film explores the components of teamwork while also being brutally violent. For some, the violence may be too much to handle, but I still felt the movie provided a stellar experience.

Everyone is connected, that is why the fighting continues between police forces, wealthy men, and allies, The Furiousthrows everyone in the pool in a one-of-a-kind way. The outcome is a war of martial arts that is both revolutionary and thrilling. Overall, viewers are taken on a  dazzling ride of surreal entertainment that cannot be missed. I loved every aspect of this film. Despite how overly violent it is, the characterizations and the plot offer hurdles of spellbinding brilliance.

The twist to the film is that there are two individuals seeking the same thing. Wangwei ends up teaming up with Navin (Joe Taslim) because Navin is looking for his wife who went missing. However, the criminals around them are all dangerous and  skilled in evil tactics. The displays of martial arts continue to rock this film making the action too perfect to look away. From cars with individuals dangling to fights with hammers. The experience felt like cinematic hammers banging on my head wanting more action. 

The criminality adds to the excitement in The Furious. There is no looking back due to the complex operations and bad people that Wangwei and Navin keep facing. There is much more than they anticipate, but somehow the way they team-up leads to the success of the film. There are lots of invigorating moments which add up to surreal brilliance. The Furious is an epic adventure that will keep audiences enthralled. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Disclosure Day Review

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When I think of Steven Spielberg, I think of imagination and admiration. Spielberg has delivered many films throughout the decades with plots and stories that invigorate and inspire. Deep down, however, Spielberg has a unique ability to take viewers on a journey into the unknown. Once we arrive in a different universe, our hearts are touched. From a boy finding connection with an alien creature in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to a boy wanting to go from a robot into a human in A.I. Artificial Intelligence. Spielberg delivers again in his new film, Disclosure Day. This fictional story is political, philosophical, and a grandeur of a ride that never stops seeking answers.

In Disclosure Day, finding an inevitable truth is at hand. The film begins with the slow unraveling of a conspiracy. There is an alien encounter, and it is in a universe where the answers should not go public. The film has fascinating characteristics which all serve a unique purpose.  The main characters are Dr. Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) and Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt). Both are brilliant individuals who are connected to the alien life form. The one after them who is seeking answers is Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth). The conspiracy gets critical quickly. With scientific elements and various sporadic events, Disclosure Day flies high. 

The person connected to Daniel and his rough journey is Jane Blankenship (Eve Hewson). She tries to help him navigate his harsh situation where he is trying to hide the truth. Margaret is trying to hide the truth as well. Her partner is Jackson (Wyatt Russell). However, given the many strange scientific angles appearing around every corner, there is so much to contend with during Disclosure Day. The brilliance in this film is highlighted by all the barriers to protect what is sacred. The new creatures are sacred, and the world is as well. The theories that Spielberg’s movie entails combined with the scientific and political theories mix in a way that demonstrates resilience and pure imagination. It is a spellbinding adventure that will blow the minds of viewers around the world.

Throughout the film, there are so many questions. Disclosure Day has some surprises, which is why it is enticing. For example, when there is a moment of truth, Margaret finds herself speaking in other languages. There are also scenes in which characters find themselves in a mode where their senses feel something is wrong. With aliens as the focus, the question of who to trust during critical times creates wonders in Disclosure Day. It is thought-provoking gem thanks to the direction of Spielberg.

When time is of the essence, Disclosure Day captures all the perfectly timed moments. The film also captures suspense. More importantly, the story does not take its focus off Daniel and Margaret. They are soul-searchers determined to find out what is going on. With the scientific background underlying the film, these characters hold the key to the doors of many wonders in Disclosure Day. Four out of four stars for Disclosure Day.

Film reviews

Pitfall Review

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When there is a hole full of spheres in a wretched forest, it sets the scene for an unforgettable survival game. Pitfall had me in wonders. I was shocked and elevated. The film had plenty of motion linking present and past events. There is a dynamic where a harsh past impacts new territories with dangerous elements. Directed by James Kondelik, this is one of the most gory and brilliant terror films I have seen. The brutality in this story captivates and requires thick skin.

The hiking adventures take place around British Columbia.There are a group of friends, Scott (Marshall Williams), Lars (Richard Harmon), Ashley (Alexandra Essoe), Gwen (Jordan Claire Robbins), and Charlie. Scott and Ashley are siblings. They are going on a camping adventure. Their past causes the forest to bring back terrorizing memories. Yet, they feel getting back out in the woods will help them regain their confidence.

The film brings in a storyline about grieving. It highlights aspects of the emotions humans face when dealing with things that are right in front of them. These parts of the film are uplifting and offset the crazier moments in Pitfall. To continue with the plot, Scott falls in a hole, and his leg is stuck and he is at risk of bleeding out. Everyone tries to search for Scott, but an enemy is in their midst. He is Hunter (Randy Couture). When it comes to Hunter, it is his forest, his territory, and his traps. He is like a combo of Big Foot meets Zelda. However, an even uglier type.

I love this movie because I love slasher flicks. With the forest and the trees providing a mix of resources, I felt nature fit wellwith the battle and survival sequences. Trees always offer a form of protection, even if the wood is thin. After pursuing many angles, there is no clear way out in Pitfall. There is only sticking together and hoping to make it out alive. This is a solid shock and awe thriller with a new brand vengeance that I was wrapped up in from beginning to end. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

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