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Film reviews

The Rip Review

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When there is a film featuring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, the thought of troublesome bros comes to mind. The two have experienced monumental achievements, beginning with their fame from the success of Good Will Hunting back in 1997. The two have a unique chemistry for creating something invigorating for the screen. The Rip, however, is average. Yet, their performance and chemistry are still stellar. Directed by Joe Carnahan, this is The Rip, a film where the choices and morals of police authorities are tested. but taking the cut is all that matters in the heat of the moment.

The main characters in this movie are Lieutenant Dane Dumars (Damon) and Detective Sergeant J.D. Byrne (Affleck). Both are cops in Miami who face some deficits, coming off a mission of a deceased captain. Going forward, there is a new score as they find an operation to carry out a cartel stash. The setting is Miami, Florida, and there is plenty of corruption. Their team includes Detective Numa Baptiste (Teyana Taylor), Detective Mike Ro (Steven Yeun), and Detective Lolo Salazar (Catalina Sandino Moreno). This gang of cops can be dirty or play by the rules. Taylor’s performance is reminiscent of her attitude in One Battle After Another and brings some gangster grandeur to this thriller in spite of its mixed writing.

The film faces hurdles along the way, Once the detectives find the cash, trying to get a hold of it requires them to go behind everyone’s backs. Questions about their choices surface. Damon and Affleck deliver performances that illustrate where the risks and their lies exist. The officer in the story with bigger forces is DEA Agent Mateo ‘Matty’ Nix (Kyle Chandler). With this DEA agent behind the scenes, the news of the money scrambles back and forth. With some of the detectives coming off a loss on a previously failed mission, this operation is more dangerous with closed forces behind closed doors. The Rip is effective at portraying trust and loyalty being put to the test. Unfortunately, the execution of creating real suspense is where the delivery getsconfused because there are too many moments when characters get into their own heads.

The Rip has the right characters with macho attitudes to take on critical tasks, some of which rely upon dishonesty. The film’s writing is enhanced by stellar chemistry among the performances of Damon, Affleck, Yeun, Taylor, and Chandler. The downside is in the somewhat flawed execution which keeps the film from being mesmerizing. The Rip comes down to dirty cops and corrupt authorities. The story has the right cast of characters, but the delivery and the punchlines do not align with the outcome. On the positive side, the Miami setting has got some edgy scenery to help boost the elements of suspense. I’llrate The Rip at two out of four stars because I appreciate the attitudes in the performances of Damon, Affleck, and Taylor. The rest of the film suffers from a lack of development in the writing.

Film reviews

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

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Writer and director Rian Johnson is back with another Knives Out and this one may be the best of them all. The clues, the people, the egos, and the matters all make these mystery thrillers so fanciful and wonderful. Especially with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Benoit Blanc bringing out the laid-back detective mannerisms. At the same time, he also projects the personality focused on solving the case and putting the pieces together one-by-one. The whole film is an exciting ride of questions filled with humor and fun set in a church this time around. The wrongdoings have a lot to do with faith and fate—but also involvement of the community comes into the question as well. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery involves a pattern of realizations created to blindside audiences with clever writing. Johnson is a genius.

Benoit Blanc meets Rev. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a promising young priest. There is also Martha Dealcroix (Glenn Close), a lady employed by the church. The main head of the church is Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), who is at the top of the congregation. The film highlights a church family seen from various strange angles. Then a murder occurs and Blanc steps in. The others involved are Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), Vera Draven (a lawyer played by Kerry Washington), Lee Ross (a book author played by Andrew Scott), as well as Simone Vivane (a disabled former client played by Cailee Spaeny). Jud is trying to keep the peace while getting the case solved but not point fingers. At the same time, his words of wisdom are at stake.

The curious moving parts explore faith and other theories in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The puzzling concept is that it all comes down to who has the most loyalty or jealousy. At the same time hierarchy plays a role and Jud wants to maintain his place in the hierarchy. Benoit must help him find the missing pieces to determine who, why, where, and what has caused a death involving the church. There are loads of curiosities and crazy dynamics. The puzzling factors in this popular franchise make audiences spin with joy while also being surprised by the many unexpected treasures in the stories. Johnson knows how to fill his mysteries with syrupy entertainment while also ensuring time passes quickly while audiences enjoy them. 

Since this film takes place in a religious setting, it opens many theories which have to do with commitment to a church. These theories give the roles of Brolin and Close purpose as they hold seniority in the church but also have fishy elements in their characterizations. Johnson keeps audiences wondering who is responsible for the harsh crime in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

The levels of ego exhibited by those characters who feel entitled grabbed my attention during this film. In addition to the pastor who is trying to remain truthful to his faith, there is the detective trying to solve the crime. It takes two to tango while dealing with the ugly elements of surprise in this story. This movie is amasterpiece in which the game keeps spinning as the characterskeep playing the blame game. Be prepared for heads to roll. Four out of four stars for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

Film reviews

Jay Kelly Review

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Noah Baumbach’s films always spark human emotions because his writing creates moments in which audiences experience sadness. When directing films about divorce like The Squid and the Whale and Marriage Story, he paints the portrait that shows everyone is impacted in these situations but still deserving of empathy. Baumbach has also directed films on dynamics like Margot at the Wedding and Kicking and Screaming in which he carefully establishes that there is a level of disconnect. In his newest feature Jay Kelly, there is disconnection from life due to fame. This film takes a more lighthearted approach with joyful scenes, while still being sad.

The film’s main character is Jay Kelly, played by George Clooney. He is a high-profile celebrity who feels like his reality keeps him from experiencing the real joys in life. His agent is Ron, played by Adam Sandler. Together, they go on a trip abroad to follow Jay’s daughter. On their adventure, much of Jay’s life opens doors that lead to surreal emotions not only for Jay, but also for Ron, and his other friends. Celebrity life does not only have difficult aspects for the celebrity, but also for the people around the celebrity. The story involves a series of moving obstacles where stress and life seek common ground and happiness is a struggle to be found.

I have watched Jay Kelly twice already and both times the insights into the life of celebrities were compelling. The notion of having a life split in two, personal and non-existent, is explored. The “non-existent” part caused by being high-profileis portrayed in the performance of Clooney and Sandler. They are a duo, tour-de-force fighting for a life of sacrifice and fame, while also dealing with reality on the other side. Jay Kelly is the epitome of success, with new doors opening to heartfelt revelations about what it means to be human.

I appreciate the audacity that Baumbach brings to the film’s writing, especially during the journey through places in Europe.There are times when Jay travels on a trait which is not an ideal setting for a celebrity. Ron finds this stressful, yet at the same time, he is trying to keep Jay’s fame alive by continuing to find him gigs. Is Jay truly happy? Does Jay think about his team’s happiness? The complicated life of a celebrity is filled with frustration in Jay Kelly. The dynamic between Clooney and Sandler highlights the unpleasant underbelly of success and accomplishments.

Baumbach always tackles topics that involve more than meets the eyes. I have always felt a sense of sorrow, followed by strength after seeing a project he has directed. With Jay Kelly, the lighter side crept in more for me since there was not a harsh melancholy or a trainwreck of damage to bring on the tears. There was a more subtle sense of understanding the subject matter this time around.

Within the depths of fame and glory, the disconnect of family hit deep for Ron. Sandler’s performance shines with humanistic value. He plays a hardworking father. His wife is Lois, played by Greta Gerwig. Ron puts a lot on the line for Jay. So much, in fact, that he misses out on his kid’s life. As Jay is trying to be there for his own kid, Ron is missing his own. Jay Kelly is a competition amongst priorities. Baumbach is not afraid to display the serious consequences of life’s choices. Baumbach uses a unique approach to help viewers appreciate the many people who are important in our own lives. Even someone who is famous and has loads money still needs to find happiness andwhat brings personal fulfillment beneath the surface.

This movie is stunning achievement of cinematic glory destined to be Hollywood hit. Baumbach challenges sadness and courage. Clooney delivers one of the most monumental and touching performances of 2025. This is also one of the best films that Sandler and Clooney have made for years. Baumbach pushes the boundaries to uncover the things that bring humans down. He also shows that even tough things can be dealt with. Overall, Baumbach hits a home run delving into the subject of fame in Jay Kelly. Four out of four stars for Jay Kelly.