Film reviews

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F Review

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The cop days of Eddie Murphy as Axel Foley still kill in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. Murphy delivers the same egotistical personality that drives the film’s entertainment value through laughs and action. The pacing of Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is on par with the level of expected seriousness in a cop case. Granted it is not overly “serious,” but it is does stay between the lines of humorous and investigative. This time around, Axel is involved in a new mode of investigations with another big other responsibility on top of that…being a father! 

In Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Axel is just being the cop that he usually is in Detroit, Michigan. With Jeffrey Friedman (played by Paul Reiser) working as one of the heads of the police department, the writing of the film is presented like Axel and Jeffrey never left the department after the previous films. For Axel, his next big mission is the responsibility of his daughter Jane (played by Taylour Paige). Jane is an attorney in Beverly Hills, California, and finds herself in a life-threatening conspiracy. Only Axel can help her find the way out of her compromised situation.

Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F has added more creative moving parts and additional characters to the mix. Another detective joins in to help Axel and Jane find out more about the conspiracy.Detective Bobby Abbott (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a cop new to the game but maintains high integrity while having to break some rules. He is not like Axel. Axel has always broken rules and has gotten away with it successfully.

Axel’s old friends come back into the mix. They include Billy Rosewood (played by Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (played by John Ashton). There is suspicion that causes the audience to wonder if these old friends of Axel can be trusted. The scenario involves hidden cartel operations many of which lead to rapid gunfire moments and crazy high-octane car chases. These action scenes fuel the humor in the heat of the moment throughout this movie.

The character to question is Captain Grant (played by Kevin Bacon) because he is presented as someone with a go with theflow vibe. However, at the same time he seems too nice which appears fishy. Beverly Hills Cop Axel F. has an interesting combination of returning and new characters that come into the mix throughout the film. This leads to a dynamic filled with entertaining cop humor that never gets old.

The contrast of bad cop/good lawyer in the relationship between Axel and Jane is intriguing. Issues of motive and responsibilityare explored. Both characters play their cards differently, but they both must bend rules to get to the bottom of what they are facing. Murphy and Paige are a stunning duo in this film which is a thrilling and continued classic that takes the cake. While it is silly in moments, it is a fun continuation of the original classics. Three out of four stars for Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.

Film reviews

A Sacrifice Review

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A film around a cult is a subject of dryness. There are many myths, facts, and elements associated with them. In A Sacrifice, the components of a cult create a fascination trail behind it. Written and directed by Jordan Scott, a cult has danger abound. Its presentation is slow because its momentum does not feel valid. A Sacrifice starts with the concept of research behind a cult. Later on, it jumps to frightening and suspenseful aspects. The placements of them feel off. It is made hazy.

The setting of the film is in Germany. Its main character of focus is a social psychologist, Ben Monroe (played by Eric Bana). Ben is American and working in a foreign country. He is teaching courses and conducting research. He must learn a new routine in his life in Germany when his daughter, Mazzy (played by Sadie Sink), comes into the picture. Mazzy is a girl who is eager for connection and popularity. The setting of her life in Germany is one of a red flag. Mazzy’s disconnect leads her to find the wrong friend. She meets Martin (played Jonas Dassler). Martin introduces her to a cult group. It is run by Hilma (played by Sophie Rois). The fascination with the chemistry of Mazzy’s fixation on Martin is the death trap of sinister in A Sacrifice.

The dynamic is softly written in A Sacrifice. There is a disconnect between Ben and Mazzy. Ben is trying to focus on his career and developing close relationships with acquaintances. Mazzy is trying to adapt to her new life in her new country. The cult group may seem like a vibe of culture for Mazzy to click with. The sinister aspects though come up with feelings of irrelevance. There are events leading up to the many evil moments. Its upbringing though rises. The context of trying to find suspense is not in focus with A Sacrifice.

The setting of Germany connected to me. My parents went to school in Germany. I visited Germany a few times in my teens. The setting of the film reminded me of the infrastructure of the country itself. It is one of density. The “density” of the film’s setting boils the cult focus to congregate surreally.

The writing, the cinematography, and the plot have a wealth of meaning. The outline and the dynamic of cliffhangers is the botheration of A Sacrifice. Where is the depth of evil in the cult group run by Hilma? Is there a theory of science having beliefs to mean something more terrifying? Is the complicated dynamic between Ben and Mazzy why the cult is growing on Mazzy? Martin has a heart and presents himself as a nice and genuine individual. Hilma is his bad influence of pressure. Hilma is why Martin keeps pushing for Mazzy to be part of the cult. While Ben is doing his work in Germany, the pressures of danger are happening with his daughter. A dynamic of suspense with speaking value, its presentation is in a boiling pot of lack of development. My rating falls at two out of four stars for A Sacrifice.

Film reviews

A Quiet Place: Day one Review

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This is the third film in the franchise. However, this one starts at the beginning. The other two films were directed by John Krasinski and this one is directed by Michael Sarnoski. The beginning of A Quiet Place: Day One reminded me of an approach that that director Roland Emmerich might take. For example, it feels like the catastrophes in this film are leading up to a scenario in which the world is reaching its breaking point. A Quiet Place: Day One gives off vibes where sounds are of the essence. The New York streets shiver for survival and shelter. The creatures who follow vividly stroll the streets. There is a backdrop of evaporating mist that tangles effectively with the film’s suspense. And, it works!

The film begins in New York City. The main character is Sam (played by Lupita Nyong’o). She  is dealing with a disease andliving in a hospice unit. She wishes for pizza. Once she embarks on her journey to downtown New York City, the ravenous invasion of aliens comes alive. The beginning of the franchise rises, and everything comes tumbling down. People scream and run away completely scared. Sam is in the thick of the danger.She wakes up in a shelter and realizes that everyone around her is quiet. She quickly learns that staying quiet is the means to live. Despite the catastrophe all around her and not having long to live, she continues to focus on getting pizza.

Sam’s effort to find pizza during the apocalypse sends a clear message and represents a strong approach. It puts the audience in the mindset of thinking about what their last meal would be. I certainly pondered that question during the movie. The foundations of A Quiet Place: Day One are surreal and build gradually. I have respect for the more subtle attitude displayed in the direction of Sarnoski. His style was especially impressive given that this is a thriller where time is of the essence and characters must remain dreadfully silent.

Sam is not the only character facing danger. She befriends Eric (played by Joseph Quinn). Eric and Sam join up to find the means to fight for their lives. The depths of New York crawl with the creatures. The sporadic sounds cause them to linger repeatedly. However, there is more than just the silence in A Quiet Place: Day One. Sam and Eric’s journey creates an understanding that is fitting for the franchise.

A Quiet Place: Day One is full of scenes that make the audience feel stressed. The silence is presented in extreme ways which serve to heighten the suspense. Will Sam and Eric find a way out? What are the other factors they should consider? A Quiet Place: Day One brings moments of excitement that are unexpected with knockout surprises. This film is a thrill ride of shocks with meaning that lead to an unforgettable journey. While it is slow in some moments, overall it still shines. Three out of four stars for A Quiet Place: Day One.

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