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Film reviews

Deadpool & Wolverine Review

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Ryan Reynolds (left) and Hugh Jackman (right) in Deadpool &Wolverine

Disney may have acquired the rights to Marvel, but that does not stop Ryan Reynolds from having one vocal-mouth in portraying a very volatile hero. There are no barriers with Reynolds as he delivers the role well and is classy as always.  Deadpool & Wolverine cranks up the notch five times higher than previous films in the genre—there are a lot more surprises, and tons of unadulterated dialogue that is just to die for. A raucous time filled with laughs, twists, and consistent lethal action. Reynolds does Deadpool right, and he is not afraid to break the truth of his comic character with a gem for being successful…no matter how stupendous he may be. With Hugh Jackman (back in the game as Logan and Wolverine), Deadpool & Wolverine is ascenario where it takes two to tango…especially when each wants to feel like the bigger hero.

This is the third film in the franchise of Deadpool. With Reynolds back as Wade Wilson aka Deadpool, he is trying to climb out of reality and make his way into the universe of Marvel. He refers to himself as their, “Jesus.” The humor that fans expect is in full force and surprisingly it plays well and gets even better. After living a few years as a mercenary, he looks to get back into the game. Unfortunately, his world and universe face all kinds of issues. The one who presents these problems to him is Mr. Paradox (played by Matthew Macfayden). With the universes in all kinds of crisis scenarios, Jackman returns as Logan aka Wolverine. Together, this is a dynamic where villainous moments are fueled with all kinds of adventure. The universes are in a tangle and Deadpool and Wolverine despise each other. Their adventures leap over all kinds of hurdles in a superhero adventure that is unforgettable with twists.

It is a rollercoaster of reminders as there are many nostalgic moments linking to previous movies from the days of Fox and Marvel. Some dialogue gets a little slapstick at times, but it just adds fuel to the fire. Deadpool & Wolverine is a formulaic escape into the pure depths of what both these heroes are truly made of. When Reynolds and Jackman are in the boat having to work together, expect trial with many errors done brilliantly and humorously. The combination of humor, saving the world, and all kinds of mishaps are all explored fully within the clever writing of Deadpool & Wolverine.

Even the nostalgia adds to all the memories of captivating with Deadpool & Wolverine. With the older heroes from previous films making their way in, the film reminds us of how some previous films never continued. Some of those previous heroes found the right place to redeem themselves and be seen again, especially after how the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in a weird bind going forward. The performances of Reynolds and Jackman are the voices of what is a joyful and clever direction to pick up on again. Deadpool & Wolverine is diverse and entertaining in its track of slapstick, fun, and adventurous moments.

Who is the true hero? Is it Deadpool? Is it Wolverine? Is it them together? What are the heroes that come around for nostalgia? How much filter is there in Deadpool & Wolverine? Not much. All these questions are answered with thrills to die for and live for. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Deadpool & Wolverine.

Film reviews

The Last Breath Review

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Kim Spearman in The Last Breath

What is more detrimental? Limits on oxygen levels? Sharks? Two sharks or more? The Last Breath brings terror to the depth where survival is critical. The film is directed by Joachim Hedén is known in his directing to depict perilous diving expeditions. With his recent project, The Dive (released in 2023), he introduces new aspects of fear.

The discovery of a historic finding is what makes The Last Breath unique. With the center of the action taking place arounda WWII battleship, there are many paths to choose or opportunities to become direction-turned. The Last Breath has that expedition factor of hitting unexpected blocks when exploring the unexplored. When the divers go below, the views of the water and the battleship are stunning, however it is the writing that conveys that this is not a friendly environment for a new adventure.

The film introduces us to Levi (played by Julian Sands) and Noah (played by Jack Parr). They both are divers and recruit a group of friends to go on a diving trip. The exhibit is the sunkenU.S.S. Charlotte. The other friends are Brett (played by Alexander Arnold), Logan (played by Arlo Carter), Sam (played by Kim Spearman), Riley (played by Erin Mullen), and Brian (played by Maxime Durand). This diving trip is an extraordinary one for the group. Once they enter the ship, there are many spaces and places to explore. That is until white sharks swim rapidly in and around everyone. As the title hints, having the ability to breathe is the key to making it out alive in The Last Breath.

The sense of trepidation and dread is felt with the limitations of oxygen. Noah reminds the gang frequently about their percentage levels in the oxygen tanks. That had me thinking back and forth about the chances of survival with the gang. Time, stress, and breathing intensity decrease the viability of the oxygen tanks. The usage of resources hitting their plateaus sold me on this gripping storyline with The Last Breath. I asked myself questions. Who is likely to have more air? Who is to think logistically for safety? Who has a chance of making it out with resources hitting limitations? There are also ones about sharks. How can the divers think clearly when  sharks are squirming everywhere? What are the weaknesses of sharks? A WWII battleship becomes the scene of an underwater survival match of sharks and minnows in The Last Breath.

The sense of going deeper creates dangerous possibilities in The Last Breath. The presentation of water is in cinematic mode. The lighting (before and during the peril) immerses its audience in the feeling of being in the trenches with the divers. It leaves the viewer with no limits on thinking and if there is a point-of-return or not for these men.  The vibe of scarcity is pervasive and engaging.

There are components around safe diving in The Last Breath that hold a place of importance. The divers stick together to ensure safety to prevent injuries or death. Many dive films care about finding a terror trap and have their divers fall right into it. The Last Breath does not do that. The difference is The Last Breath provides angles to create a thinking pattern within the suspense for its audience. Predictability finds itself blurred in The Last Breath. It is a direction of peril with many moving parts in the sense of Tetris. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Crumb Catcher Review

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John Speredakos in Crumb Catcher (Obscured Pictures)

There is meaning to the film’s title. There are moving parts with precise contrast. Crumb Catcher is a unique gem. Crumb Catcher is a thriller of angles with wrong choices and consequences. Written and directed by Chris Skotchdopole, Crumb Catcher is his debut project. From the mind of his direction, I felt that personality and clashing bring in a natural gift for suspenseful turmoil. A couple just married with a whirlwind of mental challenges. The “mental challenges” only become more exasperating.

Ella Rae Peck and Rigo Gary in Crumb Catcher (Obscured Pictures)

The film gears on a couple, Shane (played by Rigo Garay) and Leah (played by Ella Rae Peck). They are just married. The tensions boil at the starting point of the film. Shane is a writer facing delays in finishing a book. Leah tries to encourage Shane to finish what he has been working on. For their honeymoon, they stay in a home that is the Executive Editor of Shane’s upcoming publication. It is not the honeymoon that Shane and Leah were hoping for. With oddball characters questioning (at their wedding venue), the anxiety of frustration grows fearlessly in Crumb Catcher.

The time of life-threatening moments begins to shatter truthfully. Once Shane and Leah make it to the home for their honeymoon, the writing keeps its flow of anger floating. Shane and Leah continue to not be on the same page as they embark on their journey together. Shane receives a text saying, “We need to talk about last night.” That message should not go unanswered. That is because the message contains evidence that can threaten Shane’s life. Shane assumes that the message can blow over. It is not as easy as Shane expects.

The film gradually keeps getting stressful and invigorating. The honeymoon house is the house of unexpected dangers for Shane and Leah. The tables turn rapidly in Crumb Catcher. An odd one named John (played by John Speredakos) shows up at the house. He shows up trying to promote his product. He is persistent. Shane and Leah are aggravated and tormented. They do what they can to get John to leave. John keeps insisting he shows them what he is marketing. Then Rose (played by Lorraine Farris) shows up with John. Rose has a dark secret that can ruin Shane’s life. Shane and Leah find themselves forced to try to play along with the odd couple’s cat-and-mouse game of a blackmail scheme. It is all centered around an item…” crumb catcher.” It is a handheld broom for cleaning crumbs off surfaces.

With two couples in an aggravating situation, it is like a narcissistic couple vs. an evolving couple in Crumb Catcher. John and Rose are in the first category, and Shane and Leah are in the second category. John and Rose are the ones who are just trying to be demeaning to make a profit. Shane and Leah are newly married and working out delayed conflicts. With this, both groups have something to lose. The question is, which couple knows moving parts for survival better? Which couple will make it out for success? Will it be John and Rose with their silly cleaning product? Will it be Shane and Leah with Shane’s new book to be published? The brilliance of Crumb Catcher is its focus on success (trying to be achieved) with pressure among clashing couples.

The innovative order of extortion is what fascinated my perception of Crumb Catcher. It is a bold project that explores the genres of comedy, drama, and thriller with mind-boggling misdirections of cleverness. The joy of the bizarre characters with unsettling circumstances is enthralling to new adventures. Quirky continuously, but with class for genius in writing and unexpected shock value. The mind of Skotchdopole is a revelation with Crumb Catcher. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.