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Film reviews

Beast Review

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This is one of the most audacious films about the subject of sportsmanship. There is a lot to lose and a strong backstory in Beast. Directed by Tyler Atkins, he brings his audience into a boxing match of vengeance where redemption rises in the ring. There are many errors in the search for glory. I walked in with mixed expectations and left asking for more because Beast exceeded my expectations.  

There is a sense of brotherhood and fatherhood that prevails due to various components in the story that are torn and lost. Some things have occurred around the ring and others outside of the ring, involving those who left the glory days of MMA. The story has a purpose—one of resilience. Beast is monumental at almost grade A level.

The main character is Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson. His father is Sammy, played by Russell Crowe. His brother is Malon, played by Mojean Aria. Between the brothers and their father, the dedication to MMA is strong, but choices have led them to make sacrifices and incur debts. Patton is the one who made “sacrifices” and Malon is the one with the “debts.” Patton finds himself in a position to help his brother redeem himself by getting back in the ring. Over time, there are hurdles that do not make the return easy. This gives the underdog story of Beast brilliance.

In the sport of boxing, there is the drive to never give up. There is also the need to build mental toughness, and Patton is the king of that area in Beast. Given the complicated relationship he has with his father Sammy, he redeems himself by continuously putting his efforts into making strides to fight again. The films backstory has a harsh dynamic. However, it effectively displays the strong sense of purpose required to make a return.

Patton wants to fight to compensate for the problems in Malon’s life. However, he wants to be able to be the best father to his family as well. He wants to be the primary example of excellence to all those in his family. To do so, he must learn to channel his emotions to truly fight and win in the ring.Throughout the movie there is the repeated message that the ring is the place to be the king. The demonstration of sportsmanship flies like a rainbow of sadness surrounding brotherhood.

The depiction of madness in the narrative is inspirational and nearly flawless. The dynamics in the performances of Crowe and MacPherson are well executed. Beast is an underdog story, where falling and getting up again occur repeatedly. Winning brings out the best of the dramatics in Beast.

While this story has traction which is enhanced by a nemesis which makes the storyline even feel more enticing. That nemesis is another fighter, Xavier Grau, played by Bren Foster. He breaks the rules inside the ring and only cares about his title because it can bring him big bucks. Regardless of his choices,his hits have no impact. For Patton, on the other hand, his hits so have an impact. They count since they are meant to save those around him and give them a better life. That is why the fight is the epicenter of Beast. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Greenland 2: Migration Review

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This is a sequel that starts out promising. It has a premise that makes sense because of how science plays into the effects after the fact. Greenland 2: Migration had me filled with curiosity. After seeing the first film in a COVID-pandemic setting, I feltlike we’ve come a long way since the events of the first film. The factors related to resources are part of the setting where life after tragedy has a new norm. That new norm gets interruptedand when that happens the writing shifts and the momentum loses its value.

With the first film going into a zone of extinction, the family has found means of survival. The Garrity family is still on the trail to find a new beginning. John Garrity (Gerard Butler), Allison Garrity (Morena Baccarin), and their son Nathan Garrity (Roman Griffith Davis) have lived in bunker settings. Much has been shifting due to tectonic plate disasters and needs tostabilize as uncertainty ebbs and flows. Scientific issues continue to evolve in Greenland 2: Migration. However, when the world rumbles again, it’s time for running to different grids to start again. The Garrity family goes to places in Europe such as London and France. In both places, they find themselves below ground dealing with mixed politics due to the world going through many changes in its dismissive process.

Greenland 2: Migration began by following all the right steps for a successful sequel, including new beginnings in new places and life after the many events from the first film. There werealso details of steps to take to move forward with various situations. However, when the suspense kicked in, it felt like it was rushing to be a Roland Emmerich blockbuster. I say this because of how it went from theories and faith to families trying to cross different mountains with ladders and fighting global warming. The components which would have made the story more invigorating were thrown out the window instantly. That is why my faith in Greenland 2: Migration subsided.

When the family faces hurdles in different countries with new disasters, it is the same type of danger repeatedly, i.e., a different border patrol with a form of death penalty awaiting. The apocalypse approach was rapid in this sequel. However, with Butler as the lead, the suspense fueled successfully connects tothe franchise the most. While he is the one who takes risks into his own hands, the fight for survival and family does not get lost in Greenland 2: Migration. There is just a lack in the structure in a sequel which could have made it more enduring. There were still frequent, intense scenes, including lots of different storms coming from the skies. Unfortunately, the importance of the discussions was gone almost right away.

Greenland 2: Migration is a steady sequel. It’s not brilliant butkeeps some glimmer of hope with  storyline that’s mostly intact. It just did not do a adequate job jumping to its main points of action. I expected more backstory from the first film to play into this sequel. Two out of four stars.

Film reviews

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t Review

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Hard to believe that nine years has passed since the gang of magic have last been seen. Now they are taking on a new mission. They want to steal a diamond. After Now You See Me: The Second Act, the fun of magic, twists, and illusions reach new levels. I went in with mixed expectations but walked out more dazzled than I had anticipated. Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is a film where the cards are shuffled, but the outcome is more successful than audiences might think. 

The Horsemen are back! Jesse Eisenberg as J. Daniel Atlas, Woody Harrelson as Merritt McKinney, Dave Franco as Jack Wilder and Isla Fisher as Henley Reeves. After being on the run from the law and using their magic skills to make bank, they reunite for a mission involving diamond heists, but more want to be part of the mission this time. There are three new young individuals joining on their heist journey. They are Bosco (Dominic Sessa), Charlie (Justice Smith), and June (played by Ariana Greenblatt). The evil nemesis is played by Veronika Vanderberg (Rosamund Pike). Can the Horsemen utilize their magic and tactics to help their new proteges stay out of trouble, and maintain their reputation? A lot is on the line in Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.

This sequel has a lot of adventures. I loved how the direction goes to places all around Europe and talks about theories to consider when utilizing magic and the mind in creating areas. So many of the tricks are just illusions, but this film creates areas of irony to maintain the adventure  and develop meaning.  The rapid escapes are still around, and so much of the heists and twists are non-stop.

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is a rather joyful continuation. Not amazing, but well worth the time. It is like an interactive escape room that does not end. Also at the same time, it felt good to see the illusion of magic and relativity finding forms of connection, because there is always something to magic that may or may not add up. Three out of four stars for Now You See Me: Now You Don’t.