Film reviews

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera Review

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Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a sequel that goes international. The first film, Den of Thieves, was all about a war between cops and bank robbers throughout California. Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a sequel where the events from the first film leave a trail for unfinished business. With Gerard Butler as Nicholas ‘Big Nick’ O’Brien and O’Shea Jackson Jr. as Donnie Wilson—they both return to team up. In the first film, Nicholas is the cop trying to capture the bad guys with the help of Donnie (since he is the driver of the bank robbers). Den of Thieves 2: Pantera has the characterizations for forces to join for a new award.

In the film, Nicholas is at odds with his position as a sheriff. He has lots of debts and unfinished business. Donnie has found his way to Europe. He does operations of robbing diamonds under the operation of Jovanna (played by Evin Ahmad). Donnie is putting what he has learned from the first film into his way of making ends meet—robbing items worth fortunes. This time, his work is in Nice, France. Nicholas finds his way to Donnie, and both team up for a heist at one of the most prestigious diamond exchanges. The exchange is under the supervision of the Panther Mafia. They are a brutal gang of wealthy criminals—that is nothing Nicholas or Donnie cannot handle.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera lays out the plans of the heist with a deeper context—there are more stealthy missions of suspense over lethal gunfire (like the first film). There are more infrastructure-related considerations. It is how law enforcement and the layouts of the land and security of France operate. This sequel finds its strategy of going rogue frequently. It is exciting (in fragments) but dull in some as well. The dynamic between the performances of Butler and Jackson Jr. is the component of curiosity. Is Nicholas truly there to help Donnie? Does Donnie realistically know what he is doing?

The film continues in its tracks to keep the momentum of a heist from happening. It just keeps falling to the tracks of political and egotistical. The “egotistic” side comes a lot from Butler’s performance. Overall, it is a thriller that thrives on its motive. It is not excellent, but it excels in good faith. Creativity is up many notches for its audience to cross-examine suspense. However, this is still purely a sequel based on how well the first one did. Its selling tactic is more of the macho man galore with Butler’s performance and witty cop humor. It is a brand of material that is joyful. However, it drags the film’s seriousness.

Den of Thieves 2: Pantera is a sequel just below average. The film sells with its more low-key suspense. Overall, though, it is purely for the ones who anticipate the shoot-them-up-robbing flick. The only difference is that it is diamonds and being overseas with two-sided attitudes. Two out of four stars.

Film reviews

September 5 Review

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There are captivating insights that feel real in the film September 5. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, the actual events highlighted in this movie are compelling. With a stellar cast including Peter Saarsgard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch, their performances portray a powerhouse of a team that comes together during the Olympics in Munich, Germany in 1972. The era of old-school news technology and various technicalities which pose challenges—the broadcast is at times more surreal than the story itself.

The film features Geoffrey Mason (Magaro) who is assigned to handle the events surrounding the Olympics of 1972. When the terrorist event begins, the tasks of the job become tedious and detrimental. His superiors are Roone Arledge (Saarsgard) and Marvin Bader (Chaplin). As the terrorist attacks interrupt the broadcast, the decisions regarding what to share with the world and what to broadcast grows critical. The pros and cons of what is chosen to be televised always poses a risk, so making the right decision is essential. Israeli athletes are being held hostageduring the Olympics.  How deep does the team have to go to dig into the story? How do they find out the severity of the situation and its accuracy? The ABC sports crew finds themselves in a tough spot as they must grapple with all that is going on to provide the content for their network. September 5. has a real-life quality to it which showcases a pattern of brutality in the wake of a news team taking on a story that is bigger and scarier than they had imagined. The assistant and translator is Marianne Gebhardt (Benesch). She speaks German and can translate what is being said. However, the technological limitations of the times create a spark which ignites suspense during this uncertain situation.

Uncertainty is vivid and pervasive throughout September 5 because as the news evolves, there are new objectives that must be continuously considered. Much of that weight falls onto Mason. However, the more major and crucial choices are in the hands of Arledge and Bader. All of them have mixed feelings about every step they take, and every direction they lead.  Thenews team is already in a state of stress and shock based on the disturbing footage that gradually comes through their channels. When there are hostages, the true events heighten the film’s authenticity The film is the most anxiety-producing yet exhilarating news story adaptation I have ever seen. The characterizations and the stressors building the momentum to find the solution of what is proper for the broadcast are done incredibly well.

The setting of solely being in the news station makes the audience feel they are in the era when the story occurs. This was the first story about terrorism to sweep the nation. The direction is spellbinding and successful at portraying a team working together to do their best in very difficult conditions. While they hit many plateaus, there is always a light due to the realism in this film. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for September 5.

Film reviews

Better Man Review

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This is by far one of the most unique gems of a musical sensation I have seen. Better Man is an astounding portrait of the many steps required to become famous along with the plateaus through the eyes of the British pop singer Robbie Williams. The reason he is played by a monkey in the film is because that is how Williams views himself.  This perspective makes Better Man feel real and takes the connection he makes with the audience to a whole new level in an immersive way. The story stays consistently on track and shines with sensational direction. The monkey character effectively conveys a vibe which leads to personal revelations in Better Man. The life of Robbie making his way to fame with the group Take That, then falling into addictive patterns, and dealing with disconnect as various life scenarios caused him to crumble. Each scene of tragedy or happiness loops in a musical number which results in great jams in Better Man.

The plot is a biography with narration from by Robbie Williams. Jonno Davies plays the monkey (and main character). The film begins with the younger days of Robbie, a time when he was close to his parents but faced different issues. After he became famous as part of Take That, he dealt with a slew of addictions—alcoholism, drug-abuse, and other questionable behaviors. The film is a full-throttle ride of finding new beginnings and experiencing revelations showcased in a very colorful way. The musical moments throughout Better Man are purely astounding. The continued narration from Robbie’s real voice brings in an empathetic review of both his accomplishments and failures with strong hope expressed for opportunities to grow in the future.

As the film storyline continues, the depths of his inspiration are explored fearlessly and faithfully. The dynamics of Robbie’s relationship with his father Peter (played by Steve Pemberton) are where the heartache and pain lie. At the same time, there is the chance for Robbie to grow into an even bigger sensation than he believes. His father tells him, “You’re either born with it…or you’re a nobody!” Robbie is more successful than this statement implies as we learn in Better Man.  Robbie’s dreams grow along with his friends in Take That and the support of his first love Nicole Appleton (played by Raechelle Banno). Despite all the good people and connections Robbie has in his life, his own demons keep him down even when he has so much to offer. The sadness is real, but the story also reveals despair can turn into hope.

This film provides a cinematic jolt through music and one man’s true story. The film’s writing covers tons of hardship but does not focus on the negative. Instead, it shines a spotlight on self- improvement by reminding its audience that everyone has a gift—Robbie’s is music. I have had struggles in my own life, and Better Man reminded me why focusing on the craft we love most is what makes us keep building the steps to achieve our monumental moments. It is a musical biography that is unique and exhilarating. I was rocking and I was crying. I was also hoping for one new door to open to a cinematic song where Robbie could reach another positive outcome. Four out of four stars for Better Man.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!