3 New Movie Reviews
BLOOD RED SKY || MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING || KNEECAP
Vampires, Rappers and Daredevils, Oh-My!
It’s been a while since I’ve been able to lay down an original post on this blog, what with responsibilities galore, stresses of everyday life and health concerns with myself and family, involvement in political causes, etc. I have ideas I do not have time to put to paper, but I have, while commencing my laboriously long drives for my beloved job (I mean it, I love my job) I have used voice dictation to lay down several movie reviews which I have posted below, hopefully for your edification.
Each is accompanied by an audio version. Thankfully it’s not my actual voice, as my voice fluctuates from tinny to hoarse and makes RFKJr’s voice sound normal in contrast. Rather it’s a product of an incredible multi-faceted AI program I’ve become partner with. So have you ever been interested in AI? For absolutely free — no credit card required — you, too, can utilize AI with just an email. And should you decide to buy a version, send me proof and I’ll tell you how to acquire 15,000 credits for your use every single day.
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And now, on with the show(s).
No spoilers ahead
Here’s the review on my unique Vampire-Movie Review Website
You might, by the end of BLOOD RED SKY, hear Samuel L. Jackson’s voice saying “I have had it with these mutherfucking vampires on this motherfucking plane!” But this gem doesn’t start that way.
Let’s go back.
Nadja, a denizen of the night, needs to fly from Germany to the US for an unspecified procedure. She has her son check them in, and their baggage, and she arrives after sundown for the flight Westward, chasing the darkness. Her precocious youngster, always on the lookout for mom, advocates for her, not knowing her real condition.
Interestingly, this flight just happens to be the one being taken over by hijackers. Think the guys who take over the Nakatomi tower in DIE HARD; the public face is terrorism, but the goal is money.
There are 2 outstanding performances here, among a well-cast crew. Peri Baumeister, who reminds us of Annabelle Wallis from MALIGNANT, shaved her head bald for the part, and has a hold on subtlety. Within our 2 hours we see multiple transformations and she handles each wonderfully (also credit great direction). Alexander Scheer plays one of the ransom-seeking terrorists, a psychopath named Eightball, who is believably just fuckin’ crazy, and his part moves the story along several times. I forsee a much wider range of roles for this soubrette. If Hollywood isn’t calling, they’re outta their fukin’ minds.
On the other hand, Nadja’s young son’s voice is so tinny, you’ll be reminded of Jake Lloyd’s infuriating voice in STAR WARS; EPISODE 1 – THE PHANTOM MENACE. But if that’s all I have to complain about, then it’s a go! Remember how at one point in FROM DUSK ‘TILL DAWN everything unspools and for 20 minutes it’s just nothing but action and horror and blood and mayhem? Let’s go for the whole third reel for this aptly named bloodfest.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONING
7.5/10
Some spoilers ahead, but nothing to care about
The first opinion I have for you regarding this supposedly last movie in the franchise is that it takes spoon feeding and lame justifications to new heights. These not only extend the running time, but makes motivations seem less balanced, less weighty than with other films in the series.
What do I mean by this? Since FINAL RECKONING is complex, there are flashbacks to other movies. This is fine, and is a constant item used in movie series, yet is not used once in the previous movie, whose premise leads to this one. Here’s one example: When Hunt finally reaches the submarine Sevastopol, he sees a few dead crewmen, and we are flooded with damn near the whole first sequence of the previous film as a flashback, as if we had not seen the previous movie and if the reason had not been previously explained for those who had not. And both the reason and the fact of that sub’s flooding and fall to the seabed is mentioned (and shown) previously in the movie, our flashbacks here become spoon-feeding and we become babies in high-chairs. Here, Christopher McQuarrie’s direction feels far less solidified and more prone to multiple influences, unlike the solidity of the previous installment of the franchise. There are several times I wanted to yell “Just get on with it already…” at the screen.
As far as character influences go, what is needed from The Entity is a matter of control of 2 different physical pieces. Both sides screw their chances of receiving their desired outcome at least once, and in once instance leads to a thrilling aerial biplane sequence while that character, The Entity’s liaison Gabriel (Esai Morales) literally flies away from his chance of getting what he wants while the clock is ticking down. Though spectacular, the motivation makes no sense, and then we have to ask where the fuck Hunt gets his parachute, since literally in 1 shot he doesn’t have one, then he does.
Here we are treated to several characters from previous films, including CIA Director Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny), pickpocket turned spy Grace (the lovely Hayley Atwell), the usual retinue from the previous films, and a surprise Alaskan return. I won’t give away finer points of the story, but there are still plenty of surprises. Although the 170 minute run time is only 7 minutes longer than that of DEAD RECKONING PART ONE, too much time is wasted frivolously, and 15-20 minutes of tightening would have made a much better impression.
Why this movie isn’t DEAD RECKONING PART TWO is a question with several answers, it’s not nearly as interesting as the question of “Will there be another installment?” We’ve received conflicting answers from Hollywood, and quite frankly though the series is enjoyable, I’d be fine with either answer. Or, maybe, when I look at a Summer box office season where 2 animated movies (LILO & STITCH and HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON) get a live-action remake, I have to ask when the desire to create quality surpasses the desire to produce quantity.
Since in my summation I gave the last movie a perfect 9/10, this one takes it down over a full notch to 7.5/10.
No spoilers ahead
Being a person who never turns down the chance to see a movie at the theatre, a friend who has an oft-used membership at Regal had tickets to a movie obviously needing viewers. Not having heard about this movie previously, I sat back with my wife and our friend, blind; not knowing what we would see. I was sold about 9 frames in. We delighted in seeing this movie, set and shot entirely in Ireland, knowing nothing about it previously. And maybe that’s the way it should be seen, to overcome inflicted bias and a deflection of interest from its setting and language. I also suggest you don’t even see the trailer for the best experience, since it gives away a quite funny plot point.
This film is a non-stop trip-hop & hip-hop Irish twist on underdogs makin’ it (kinda’) big and making a difference in their society against the spiteful and repressive occupation force of the Brits. Legislation from the ruling Brits made it illegal for the occupied natives to speak Irish as early as 1367. Less than 200 years later, the native tongue was banned in Parliament, then in the regions of Ulster under Brit rule.
Now we come to the setting and the society which serves as the background for this magnificent, lucid and hilarious movie. While not giving anything away, a trio consisting of 2 druggies and a school music teacher create an Irish-language hip-hop group, and let’s just say some of their shows are the direct result of whatever entheogen they’ve consumed. Hints about the power (unbeknownst to the trio) of social media, and even posters from a rag-tag group of vigilantes warning AGAINST the dangers of the band being used instead to raise the awareness and popularity OF the band are only 2 aspects of the dozens of luminous takes on society propelling this movie into next level brilliance.
While making fun of everything, including — at its best — itself, the story, music, humor, graphics, photography, acting, directing and editing are top notch. Based partially on a true story and acted out by the 3 main characters involved, with the help of a few others in the cast, including Michael Fassbender. With just the right amount of tension and plot twists thrown in, from the first frame to the last (stay for the credits) you will fall in love with this incredible movie.
This is an engaging, relevant and fun AF romp. Pay attention. The graphics, sly jokes, music, directing and acting are all superb. And every viewing will bring new insights. This movie is worth whatever it takes to see on a big screen, but also with the best sound system you can find.
It will be an experience you won’t regret..
*** *** ***
So, what do you think? Leave a comment below.
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