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Film reviews

Primetime Review

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Written by Ajon Singh, based on the article by Luke Dittrich, and directed by Lance Oppenheim, this is Primetime. The film is based on events that occurred in 2006 with Chris Hansen, who did what he could to make television history with To Catch a Predator. The story begins with lots of surveillance, and then lots of revelations. Primetime is a magnificent and daring rollercoaster ride. Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, and he is spectacular. The moving parts in his performance explore the tension between reality and career choices. His character blurs the lines creating a world of unexpected possibilities. Primetime brought me back to the era of TV shows when most people tuned into programming like Lost and Grey’s Anatomy at night. 

In Primetime, Chris Hansen finds himself in a position to be on top with his TV series To Catch a Predator. This show involves a sting operation where he lures grown-ups who chat with minors online and then busts them. His tactics generate all kinds of buzz—some good and some bad. What it comes down to is trying to keep up with the popularity of Lost. The competition element leads to a bumpy ride for Primetime because every move poses a risk. There are risks for the show as well as for Chris given the choices he makes. An assistant named Andie Bender (Merritt Wever) goes out of her way to skyrocket the budget. This leads to Chris having to hire an actor to pose for the show. That character is Dan Plumb (Skyler Gisondo). Chris calls him “Decoy Dan” because of how he is the first person in a shot before Chris comes in. 

To provide some context to the show’s format, Chris and his team find predators, give them an address, and then the camera crew waits…from there Chris takes the show over. He exposes his victims, tells them what they did wrong, and televises it. The pursuit of finding people who make bad choices is written in a vivid and enticing way. Pattinson displays an egotistical manner in his performance. His character is hungry for the views needed to keep his fame afloat, but he has some personal issues as well.

As part of the NBC network (he was a correspondent for Dateline NBC), Chris’ personal issues have an impact on him. While he is playing someone trying to catch bad guys to gain popularity, his own choices catch up with him. There are moments in which infidelity, lies, and deceit come into play in his own life. These behaviors could ruin his career. So, while he is doing all he can to market To Catch a Predator, the pressure is intense. Chris is put in a mind-boggling position where he must be willing to risk his career or his team. Pattinson is outstanding playing the monster of success. Many pressures are thrown his way, and turn into a scattered puzzle that makes viewers want more. What spoke to me was how his problems kept growing. It felt like a boiling pot that made me ache for more to be enthralled by. Oppenheim knows how to harness the unique tones of the era in Primetime.

There is a scene when Chris says, “The whale is coming,”  This comment causes viewers to ponder the amount of power of a TV network. In pursuit of fame, there are always unforeseen consequences. Given the shady subject matter of Chris’ show, not everyone in this era was a fan. In the end, Pattinson’s portrayal of Hansen in an industry-driven true story is unforgettable. Four out of four stars for Primetime.

Film reviews

Onslaught Review

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There is a mixture of moving parts in this film. It feels scientific due to  labs and experiments. There is also a component of poverty since there is a trailer park with many residents trying to make ends meet. On top of that, there is a small war in the works. Onslaught is directed by Adam Wingard who creates a desert setting filled with all kinds of vengeance. The dystopian direction is surreal. Yet in the midst of the chaos, Onslaught had me puzzled.

The rogue squad is controlled by an evil doctor named Hans Kammler (played by Dan Stevens), He brings soldiers back to life to do damage. His love is Hanna Kammler (Rebecca Hall), and she supports his bizarre vision. He engineers soldiers to cause damage for his satisfaction. The one caught in the middle is a young sniper, Celeste (Adria Arjona). Celeste’s main priority is her daughter Daisy (Blake Kennedy). With danger all around, she must put her efforts into stopping the soldiers from attacking her and her daughter. 

This film is an end-of-the-world thriller on acid. The resources continue to multiply and become more deadly. A detective, Cyrus (Drew Starkey), comes on board to try to identify the appropriate solutions to the explosive matters. He follows the steps where the deadly soldiers leave their marks. He also follows the trail of Hans Kammler. With Hans and Hanna as the enemies, there is a possessive state-of-mind that overcomes the characters.

Onslaught is different from most thrillers because the scientific scenes are featured more than the treacherous moments at the start of the film. I found this foundation appealing since it  created an understanding of what resources are risky to the plot of the film. There is no easy way to define the outcomes. Overall, the thrilling vibes are endless making Onslaught vivid and engrossing.

The film fits the definition of psychological suspense and offers an ample dose of adrenaline in the heart of the desert. It is a ninety-minute ride of unforgettable vengeance. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Onslaught.

Film reviews

Tony Review

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I always admired Anthony Bourdain. I followed his show on CNN Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. I enjoyed following along on his travels and appreciated his inspirational words. He had a unique view of the world that he blended with his own perspective. Throughout the many places he traveled, I was enthralled by his food choices, the places he would visit, and the conversations he would have. Tony reminds audiences of where it all started for Bourdain. 

When he took his own life in 2018, I was heartbroken. At the same time, however, it was a reminder that money and fame do not buy someone happiness. A life filled with food and travel was also a heavy road for Bourdain. Tony feels like the introduction to his journey—one of adventure, curiosity, creativity, but also an ego. Dominic Sessa plays the role of Bourdain very well. He embraces the younger Bourdain’s mindset with a passion that hits deeply.

Tony is set on getting a writer’s fellowship. He is convinced he is chosen. Based on his ego, words, and attitude, having a strong voice is how he shines throughout the film. He gets rejected but still has it in his head that he is on a mission. He finds himself working as a dishwasher at the Flagship Restaurant in Provincetown Massachusetts. His mentor goes by the name of Chef, and is played by Antonio Banderas. Tony’s days of new beginnings come around rapidly. Despite  being very vocal, he finds meaning in the kitchen with those he finds himself surrounded by. I always remember that Bourdain connected with many people around the world, even in the smallest of settings. This side of his character has layers which are portrayed cinematically in Tony. 

Tony also cares about a girl named Nancy, played by Emilia Jones. She is one of the reasons Tony ends up in Provincetown. Tony seems to be on a regular mission to create meaningful moments with someone who catches his eye. He may lie or may not seem like he has an artistic eye, but he has a vision and a purpose that is well-written throughout the film. The desire to be a unique artist is where Tony soars. Sessa is the king of admiration in his performance as Anthony Bourdain. 

Hard ground is also present in Tony. Working for Chef, Tony learns that he is strict about being on time and taking kitchen work seriously. He also cares a lot about quality which Tony needs to focus on to keep growing in the kitchen at The Flagship. When the menu grows, the competition to be a favorite grows too. Tony even finds himself having a  friendship with his colleague Sal, played by Leo Woodall. Sal is both a good and bad influence. Good in the kitchen, but bad on the outside. There are scenes when Tony and Sal experiment with drugs and party hard which leads to some tough times. Still, the characterizations and growth of Anthony Bourdain stays on track and is the primary focus.

Director Matt Johnson has an eye for capturing the human-side of competition. He mastered this with characterizations and dynamics in BlackBerry. He has an eye for showcasing the visuals of someone who wants to feel like a winner, even when the individual has some qualities which are lacking. In Sessa’s performance, it is clear that Tony’s quality involved staying true to himself. Nevertheless, Bourdain fully accepted that years later throughout his restaurants and his TV series. Finding one’s voice and staying motivated to achieve meaningful success while remaining empathetic is what makes Tony astonishing.

Filled with food quotes and conversations, the context of care was extraordinary and surreal in Tony. Audiences can hear it in the words of Sessa in his monumental performance. When he is trying to win the attention of Nancy, there is a time when he tells her, “I like the way I feel when you look at me.” That moment shows deeply that Tony cared about who he was as a person. There is also a scene where he talks about wanting to write. Since he tends to lack skills with words and positive flows of conversation, he presents his approach to writing as, “An idea for an idea.” Tony reminds viewers of the many unique elements of Anthony Bourdain that helped him reach new heights over the decades. The movie is about the kitchen days of Bourdain, and those days are where the special times really soared. Four out four stars for Tony.