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Film reviews

The Amateur Review

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With Rami Malek taking on more diverse roles with classic components, he displays his intelligent side with a mind for revenge. The Amateur is one-of-a-kind and Malek plays the role of an individual with a strategic mind that crosses the line. It is a dazzling thriller that is filled with espionage that makes for a spy adventure with realms of uncertainty. Malek delivers a mind-boggling performance as do Laurence Fishburne and Holt McCallany.  All three play characters that can be either good guys or bad guys—at the same time. Malek’s character uses his skills because he is determined to get back at what was taken from him.

Malek plays Heller, a decoder for CIA operations. He seems to have a happy life with his wife Sarah (played by Rachel Brosnahan). She is on a trip to London when Heller receives the news that his wife has been killed in a terrorist attack. When the news is delivered from Director Moore (McCallany), Heller tries to find every technical avenue to put together the political pieces to explain why his wife was attacked. He also tries to determine the intent. A world of espionage is exposed that pushes Heller to the brink as his life expands to a whole different level.

The film weaves together a complicated tango between the emotional side and the political side of the situation. To an extent, there is a layer of uncertainty that fuels the film’s fire. With spy tactics in the mix, there are elements of surprise that are subtle and unexpected. I found these elements to be quite enticing in The Amateur. The intriguing politics combined with layers of technology create an interesting evolution that can open puzzles of possibilities. Deep down, however, flying below the radar is a recurring challenge in The Amateur.

The film is full of a new level of performance by Malek. He displays a level of a genius during the technical attacks, but not so much when physical altercations are involved. That is, in fact, where Fishburne’s performance as Henderson shines. His character tries to walk Heller through the steps of what it takes to be a killer and defend yourself. In the end, Heller is in a situation where he still feels that the world around him is two-faced. The film’s writing plays up this two-faced vibe which sends chills due to the political tension and uncertainty. The film tackles an interesting set-up for a thriller that succeeds by establishing engrossing patterns.

It is not an amazing movie, but it keeps viewers thinking. What has Heller’s wife done to be killed? What corruption is present in the government that is blocking Heller from putting the pieces together? What are the espionage factors related to the death?The film’s writing which highlights politics, spies, and vengeance with a mix of technical and psychological components is more effective than the combat motive in The Amateur. The result is a vivid and exciting ride, but it requires patience. Two out of four stars.

Film reviews

Wolf Man Review

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There is terror hidden below the surface that flows through the mountains of Oregon. The backdrop features misty foggy weather and gloomy lighting that makes the howling feel real. Wolf Man has a calm layer to its horror setup, and it is executed in a slow manner. Directed by Leigh Whannell, a transformation involving larger conflicts takes place during the film. Wolf Manis not a typical horror movie or scary flick. Instead, this storyfuels the humanistic side in which the one who is infected is also the one who is fueled.

The setting of the film is the present and focuses on a family. Blake (played by Christopher Abbott) and his wife Charlotte (played by Julia Garner) have a young daughter named Ginger (played by Matilda Firth). Blake and Charlotte are looking for a getaway. They decide to go to Blake’s father’s farm in the mountains of Oregon. Once they begin this journey into the mountains, bizarre signs start showing up in this secluded placewhere the forest has a haunted aspect to it. Then, a creature bitesBlake, and he slowly turns into a wolf man. However, he still has the determination to fight for his family, but his time may be limited.

The story of Blake becoming a monster while still trying to protect his family before his symptoms worsen is an essential part of the genius factor in Wolf Man. The way this storyline is handled in this film is not commonly done in other suspensemovies. It leads to a climatic ending and lots of fearful moments along the way. It is a two-sided danger because of the fear of what is dangerous in the forest as well as the limitations of Blake’s protection since he is infected and growing into a rising creature. The film is faithfully directed with the focus on the infection causing time to be of the essence. As the darkness lingers, the growth of a monster keeps evolving while theminutes to find a cure slip away. And there may not even be a cure, but instead they could be fighting for their lives in a forest with no resources or help. For Charlotte, the concern is that her husband Blake may not ever be able to be go back to normal. Can he save his family from the dangers encountered in the forests?

There are moments filled with gruesome scenes, yet the film is not as creepy or suspenseful as some may anticipate. Overall, the movie is classy and has qualities which make it a real gem. The story makes the audience think about what could potentially happen if certain measures are not considered. Wolf Man thrives due its suspenseful pacing which creates a surreal experience. The film is unique in the ways it stays on a path that makes itfeel realistic. It is not mesmerizing, but it does a stellar job of using a different track to create memorable intrigue. Three out of four stars. 

Film reviews

Speak No Evil Review

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This is a clever remake. It paces itself and builds on the aspects of kindness. All in all, though, it is just average. Speak No Evil is a remake of the 2022 Danish film with the same title. The Danish version was more realistic. This version has some intriguing parts, but not enough to sell its building curiosities which keep the audience asking what and why are the events in the film happening. It is written and directed by James Watkins. This is his most recent feature-length film as a director since The Take (2016). Watkins’ direction of Speak No Evil is subtle, yet passable as a psychological and horrific picture.

The film focuses on a family. The family consists of a set of parents, Ben and Louise Dalton (played by Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis). Ben and Louise have a daughter named Agnes (played by Alix West Lefler). They are invited to spend a weekend getaway at a home offering solitude in the countryside. They are hosted by another family whose parents are Paddy and Clara (played by James McAvoy and Aisling Franciosi). Their son is Ant (played by Dan Hough). Both the kids have struggles, and both sets of parents feel the getaway will be a great escape for everyone. However, unusual episodes begin to arise. 

The film has set of dynamics in which parenting plays into the disturbing suspense. Normalcy is part of the context in Speak No Evil, but there is not much in this film. Questioning conflicts and concerning patterns of behavior are looped into the storyline especially in the scenes where Ben and Louise realize that Paddy’s parenting towards Ant is belittling and abusive. They also find themselves clashing as parents. The egos and expectations hit points of conflict that are intense enough to boil into a mental and physical rampage.

The question being asked by viewers throughout Speak No Evil is, “Are these families safe?” Is there a reason for episodes of weirdness and bizarre behavior to continue? The fact that the family is overseas ends up being beside the point as more shocking discoveries are made. It turns out that there is evidence below the surface that Ben, Louise, and Agnes are not aware of. 

The focus of concern becomes the actions of Paddy, in an effective performance by McAvoy. He goes on an angry tirade over even the most minor actions in various scenarios. Paddy also takes many issues extremely personally. This happens frequently in the parts when Ben and Louise express concern. When they do that, he dismisses it. The flow of the characterizations is looped into misdirection which results in increased chances of peril.

Speak No Evil is one of those remakes that rapidly delivers disturbing suspense. In the end, it is quite predictable. However, it provides an escape for some entertaining action at the movies because it’s a fun thriller to kick off the Halloween season. Overall, I rate Speak No Evil three out of four stars.