Tag Archives: Sony

28 Years Later Review


With many years in the making Danny Boyle still knows how to create even more to be wowed by. That is right! 28 Years Lateris a masterpiece. A lot of thrills, chills, and unimaginable realizations of what is on the outside of a detrimental territory throughout the franchise. Boyle is one that always has an eye for creating an environment at risk, assessing the measures, and selecting characterizations that fuel his many suspensefulmoments. His mind hits on a one-of-a-kind thriller with 28 Years Later. The apocalypse has transitioned, and the outside has more surprises, but survival is where the writing hits full throttle.

This film is the third in the 28 Days Later franchise. This time survivors find themselves on an island. The risk is in going to the mainland. That is where mutated creatures are still rising and society has adapted to quarantine hardcore. The inhabitants have created barriers around the perimeters of the island. There has also been an adaptation to living with little to nothing of creature comforts. All around though, the biggest task is getting into the mainland. The plague though, has been the focus of the entire franchise, and Boyle keeps realism afloat to maintain the filmpersistent in provoking curiosity. IS there a cure? What is the new trend of adapting? What is beyond the walls that may be able to help those who are in need?

Three decades later the new characters of focus are Jamie (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), Isla (Jodie Comer), and Spike (Alfie Williams). Jamie and Isla are the parents of Spike. Isla is home in bed with an illness and Jamie keeps her in quarantine because she displays concerning signs of erratic behavior. For Spike though, he feels there is hope, and he takes a chance to try to get his mom help. This means he needs to get to the mainland, but with the island swarming with extremely dangerous and mutated creatures, the wrath of the wild and the pandemic meet a new maker.

What is so thrilling and enticing is the fact that Boyle knows how to make his audience think. 28 Years Later loops in a lot of moving parts that correlate to the conflict and premise itself. Overall, the pacing is rapid and wild. The film is written by Alex Garland, and after his project Warfare, I can tell his themes of continuity play into the pandemic mode to come back with a vengeance in 28 Years Later. Rapid and vivid with sensation, there are secrets to be found and new terrors that are unbelievable. Boyle and Garland are film makers intent on providing shock and awe with visually stunning brilliance.

Throughout the forests and in encountering the creatures is a world where Spike must be willing to risk death in order to find the help and resources that may or may not exist on the other side. There is that foundation for safety, because it contains brief moments of training before entering the dangerous lands. I do not want to spoil anything, because clearly there is much to be said.  So much of the film was a surprise delivered in the unexpected amazement which was in front of me. Through the eyes of Danny Boyle revelation in uncharted territory is a concept he has cultivated to successfully blow his audiences minds…even many years down the line. Four out of four stars for 28 Years Later.

 

 

Karate Kid: Legends Review


It was good to see Ralph Macchio back in the franchise, especially in his role helping someone fulfill a destiny. Karate Kid: Legends is a continuation that should have happened years ago. Directed by Jonathan Entwistle, he brings the dynamic of what shapes a team and provides mentorship to a new level in Karate Kid: Legends. After the success of Cobra Kai, the franchise focused on teamwork in a more realistic way this time around.

The most essential remaining aspect from The Karate Kid(1984) is consistency as taught by Mr. Miyagi. I fondly remember the late Pat Morita’s famous lines, “Wax on, right hand. Wax off, left hand. Wax on, wax off. Breath in through nose, out of the mouth.”  Sadly, he passed away in 2011. The legacy of patience as a virtue stands the test of time in Karate Kid: Legends. Daniel LaRusso (Macchio) is one of the individuals promoting success now along with Mr. Han (Jackie Chan). Karate Kid: Legends is a new universe with potential.

The new young warrior is Li Fong (Ben Wang). He moves from China to New York. His mom, Dr. Fong (Ming-Na Wen), hopes Li can dismiss his fighting as they adapt to their new lives in the USA, but the combat finds Li. Some positives do happen for Lias he forms a friendship with Mia (Sadie Stanley) who works at a pizza parlor with her father Victor (Joshua Jackson). As Li navigates new routes in New York, he realizes the chance to fight is just around the corner. His mentor is Mr. Han and that is who he learns most of his motives from. Karate Kid: Legends is filled with interpersonal dynamics that lead to a bond that is stronger than I expected.

Before continuing into details about the dynamics, I want to touch upon the fact that the film’s writing may feel like it is trying to be a blockbuster. Unfortunately, I found it somewhat lacking especially when it came to the pacing of the franchise’sbiggest alumni…Daniel LaRusso. Macchio is the gem of the franchise. He is a mentor, learner, and someone reevaluating his own combat. Kung-fu and karate have separate terminology, but they find common ground in their juxtaposition. When Li is about to enter a competition, he plans to go up against a bully/jock by the name of Conor (Aramis Knight). With much uncertainty given the various relationships, Li finds himself in the middle—trying to settle the conflict by competition. I believe this is where Karate Kid: Legends highlights the mastery of martial arts and persistence in a dazzling way.

There is no easy way out for Li. The world of New York is his playground, and he uses the streets and subways as his training ground for becoming a winner. The encouragement of champions is presented in a captivating way. Karate Kid: Legends is not mesmerizing, but the message it sends to never give up is a knockout. Three out of four stars for Karate Kid: Legends.

Heart Eyes Review


With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, the color of red which symbolizes love always finds its way into slasher flicks. This is especially true in films where romance takes a drastic turn for the worst which is the case in Heart Eyes. Directed by Josh Rubin, there are elements of joy and humor to go along with this unique title. The movie is neither a terrible nor amazing slasher full of terror, but it is relatively entertaining and fulfilling. With Rubin having credits as a director for Netflix specials and different TV series, his creativity and ability to hold audiences’ attention is on par with arcade fun in Heart Eyes. This movie has moments which feel interactive but not in a way that requires the audience to take it too seriously.  It is a fun thriller to take in for most any type of occasion.

The film’s title refers to a killer known as the “Heart Eyes Killer.” He is a murderer that targets couples on Valentine’s Day. The story begins by taking the audience to a place where true love is being displayed during a proposal. When this killer comes into the scene, the grizzly tone shivers at high level as the stage for murder is set and the loss of innocence spirals. The director is experienced at making his work joyful to watch even when the subject involves death.  

The new targets are a unique pair. The film introduces us to Ally (played by Olivia Holt) and Jay (played by Mason Gooding). They are co-workers doing news work on the night of Valentine’s Day, and they become the new targets of the “Heart Eyes” Killer. The film feels like the setting of a Scream movie. However, it is less violent. Heart Eyes captures the moments when characters try to find the right answers in the suspenseful moments. The film also feels like a puzzle, because thecharacters who play authorities are questionable as well. The two detectives are Detective Hobbs (played by Devon Sawa) and Detective Shaw (played by Jordana Brewster). No, their titles do not relate to the Hobbs and Shaw film, although that is even joked about during the movie. Overall, the film focuses ona group of misfit characters dealing with a killer. The killer’seyes are the shape of hearts, but the hearts signify death. 

I appreciated the cheesiness throughout Heart Eyes. It has a plot that seems predictable, but it does not rely solely on violent tactics to sell the story. The director works to add quirky chemistry between the many characters who are navigating the dangers. A spirit of teamwork in a group of not-so-bright minds is how Heart Eyes lands on an intriguing vibe. The film is kind of like a Hallmark holiday movie filled with both slashes andlaughs. It also succeeds by having an antagonistic tone which keeps the story on track. Hugs and kisses do not see eye-to-eyein Heart Eyes, but the film glows with evil. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Heart Eyes.