The unsettling scenes during the 1960s in North Dakota and Montana makes Let Him Go stand out as a film that shows how far families will go to protect the ones they love. This film is triumphant and touching, and the suspenseful moments left me with deep, mixed emotions. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane deliver knockout performances. They demonstrate resilient attitudes with no fear in their efforts to save their grandson from a dangerous life they do not him to endure. The key question they face on their journey is just how dangerous? 

In Let Him Go, Costner and Lane play George and Margaret Blackledge who have a son that died.  They are left with their daughter-in-law, Lorna (played by Kayli Carter), who marries Donnie Weboy (played by Will Brittain) shortly after the death of her husband.  Margaret realizes from a distance that Donnie abuses Lorna and her young boy. Once they try to be more in touch to ensure the safety of their daughter-in-law and grandson, they are informed that Donnie has taken them both to Montana to be near the rest of the Weboy family. This action prompts George and Margaret to travel to Montana to get their grandson back and try to help Margaret take the right steps to get out of her abusive relationship.  Infinitely, they soon learn that the Weboy family are all insane and dangerous.

The element that I found the most intriguing in the film was how little music was used to create tension and suspense.  Instead, the director relied on the scenery and conversations to heighten the conflict involving George and Margaret trying to find safety for Lorna and their grandson. This is amplified with harrowing moments when George and Margaret realize that Blanche Weboy (played by Lesley Manville), Bill Weboy (played by Jeffrey Donovan), Marvin Weboy (played by Adam Stafford), and Elton Weboy (played by Connor Mackay) are all encouraging Donnie’s abusive and manipulative behavior almost as though it’s mandatory. The manipulative dynamics of the Weboy family cause the film to take a different turn as George and Margaret must figure out how to put an end to the abuse of Lorna and her son. The Weboy’s possess big egos and violent backgrounds which result in a dangerous situation that is almost impossible to change.

The harsh family dynamic within the Weboy clan is where the evil lies. No matter how civilized George and Margaret try to be with this crazy family, the Weboy’s continue to do more damage. I found those moments in the film to be attention-grabbing, because most film’s like this are somewhat predictable.  However, Let Him Go is not as predictable as many would assume. The violence and unexpected brushes with danger have answers that are haunting and not what viewers would expect. It leads the audience on a trail of questions, and I felt like I was putting together a puzzle of who may or may not survive.

Will George and Margaret be able to ensure their daughter-in-law and grandson can get out of this dynamic of danger? Can they overcome this insane family and manipulative behavior? Or can George, Margaret, and Lorna prove the Weboy’s wrong? The answers to all these questions are eventually revealed in Let Him Go. Some may leave the film disturbed by how things turn out, and some may be relieved. However, it is a worthy film of how families care enough to protect ones they love. Three and a half stars.

From directors Matthew Festle and Matt Leal comes an independent horror thriller that capitalizes on its limited budget with an effective use of horror elements. Hacks presentation and continuity will thrill viewers due to its dark music, inviting cinematography, and impressive performances.  The two leads play podcasters, Michael (Matthew Festle) and Darren (Jackson Turner), who are fanatics of crime podcasts, but one has a nightmare awaiting. It is a twisted, mind-bending, and daring film which is a seventy-minute thrill-ride of surprises and tension. The script was written by brothers Matthew and John Festle, both of whom possess creative minds which tend to shock their audiences.

The film gears on two podcasters who are focused on growing their podcast by featuring crime stories. Due to some flaws, they believe they have a chance to gain popularity once they interview a special guest named Dr. Brennan (Thom Michael Mulligan). However, when Michael begins to become intrusive while trying to schedule an interview with Dr. Brennan, he comes across haunting discoveries and visions. The discoveries cause viewers to wonder if the horror is real or a nightmare. Michael’s obsession and egotistical attitude causes tension, and it begins to rise as the disagreements with Darren escalate. As Michael grows angry, his mind begins to deteriorate as he experiences more nightmares out of the blue.

What spoke to me the most about Hacked was the acting between the two podcasters. Michael and Darren have personality differences which play an important role in Hacked. Darren is the laid-back, but knowledgeable podcaster who wants to take appropriate steps to build their podcast and its positive reputation. Michael is the impatient and foul-mouthed podcaster. As positives things happen for Darren, Michael encounters more negatives. In addition to unexplained nightmares, he burns more bridges with Darren as well as other, and others due to his unprofessional attitude. The differences between these two characters are where the essence of brilliant horror is in Hacked.  I found myself asking what is the next bridge for Michael to burn and what shocking vision or nightmare will then ensue? Hacked will leave viewers questioning due to a variety of unexplained fragments.

When I reflect upon Hacked, I believe it is a film by two directors who know the formula that grabs fans’ attention. Festle and Leal add to their film’s shock value by combining continuity and karma. The use of karma in this film is portrayed by showing how a person’s actions in the present can decide their fate in the future. The decline of Michael’s reputation is where the karma lies. Hacked is a film that is psychologically engrossing, and an example of the promising projects Festle and Leal have in the works. Three and a half stars.

The goal of Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks is for its characters to find light and reconnection. Laura (played by Rashida Jones) and her father Felix (played by Bill Murray) are both trying to find those two elements. Laura is trying to find that in her career, her lifestyle and with her husband Dean (played by Marlon Wayans). Felix is trying to find that in reconnecting with Laura and determining if she is happy in her life and in her marriage. Both Murray and Jones are heartfelt in this lighthearted comedy with some edgy scenes. The absurdity of Murray’s performance which causes his daughter’s character to experience moments of humiliation and embarrassment creates an interesting spectacle.

In the plot of the film, the focus is strongly on Laura. She is mom who has a background in writing as a career. However, she has transitioned to a stay-at-home mom to her two kids while her husband Dean has become the new workaholic. Often, however, she starts to question Dean’s behavior. Many times, he is spacey, always saying he is out working late or taking last minute trips. Laura feels he is not focused on her and seems to have his priorities in other places instead of trying to focus on her as his wife. When Laura’s father Felix comes into her life and they begin to have meals together and engage in social activities, Felix convinces Laura that Dean may be up to no good. Laura questions if Felix is the right one to help navigate her struggles.  In the past, he has struggled to maintain relationships due to his own ego and life in New York City. Still, Laura starts to look up to Felix, because he is creative with adventures which is helping her find some joy in her life.  At the same time, she is also questioning Dean’s behavior based on the evidence of her father’s spying schemes.

On the Rocks connects in many ways to Coppola’s 2003 masterpiece Lost in Translation (which also starred Bill Murray). On the Rocks is as entertaining as Lost in Translation, though in my opinion, Lost in Translation is (slightly) better. Lost in Translation was original, and On the Rocks is almost a repeat, just in a different city featuring different relationships. Lost in Translation was about two people that become friends in a country where they are lost, and On the Rocks is about a father and daughter trying to find resolution in a big city. Both films are about of two people connecting in order to find meaning in their own lives.  Overall, On the Rocks is still a stellar film.

Murray is the perfect choice for On the Rocks to play the satirical, opinionated, but caring father. He has that laid-back charming tone with the smart mouth in many quirky moments. Murray is talented at playing this character that goes above and beyond with expensive restaurants and clothes, and acts like it is no big deal at all cost-wise. Also, Felix is a risk-taker and cares about his daughter being happy despite his cynical past. Murray delivers a true knockout performance as he did with Lost in Translation and I could not help but laugh at his humor and his bizarre attitude.

I felt On the Rocks was very touching as it was easy to relate to the feelings Jones demonstrated in her performance. During the film’s introduction to her life, her character feels boring and not a priority. On the Rocks will make some laugh and some cry, but also leave you pondering what makes people feel connected in life. Laura wants connection to her husband.  Felix wants connection to his daughter and for his daughter to feel connected to her marriage with Dean. The film’s dynamic had me deep in thought over what truly holds the key to a person’s happiness. I give this Coppola classic three and a half stars.