Greetings, Programs!
I have realized that I have been getting behind on my ever-growing backlog of films in my collection. I decided to try to get in as many films as possible every week. I completed the following five during the past week. Some of them were actually good, I think you may want to check at least two of them out.
Let’s have a look!
Hunter Killer (2018)
“An untested American submarine captain teams with U.S. Navy Seals to rescue the Russian president, who has been kidnapped by a rogue general.”
I’m not sure why this was not a bigger hit for Gerard Butler, but perhaps the disaster called Geostorm has damaged his name once and for all. This would have been a major box office success 20 years ago with Harrison Ford in his prime.
There are essentially three stories told, one on the sub with an untested captain, (Butler), versus a Russian destroyer, the US government reacting to a Russian coup attempt, and some Navy SEALs trying to stay alive in enemy territory.
Tense moments and good acting from Butler and Toby Stephens. Gary Oldman was a bit over the top, but he and Common only have small roles in this movie.
Of note, this was one of the last films for Swedish actor Micheal Nyqvist. The great character actor passed away in 2017 due to lung cancer at the age of 56.
Rated R for violence and some language – 122 minutes.
4 / 5 Goblins
Overlord (2018)
“A small group of American soldiers find horror behind enemy lines on the eve of D-Day.”
Well, if you can believe that the Third Reich could develop a serum that would produce a super soldier, then you would not have a problem with a Black American Private essentially leading a covert mission in WWII.
Soldiers of African heritage were not integrated with Caucasian units during World War II. This did not happen until July 26, 1948 when President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the armed forces, and not fully enforced until Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara issued Directive 5120.36 fifteen years later on July 26, 1963.
If you can suspend your disbelief for a while, you get to see a bunch of French citizens getting mutated into grotesque super beings, Kurt Russell’s son, and more Nazis getting killed.
A dumb splatterfest set during WWII, not for the faint of heart.
Rated R for strong bloody violence, disturbing images, language, and brief sexual content – 110 minutes.
2.5 / 5 Goblins
Close (2019)
“Sam, a bodyguard and counter-terrorism expert, takes a job protecting a rich young heiress named Zoe. Neither party is keen on the arrangement until a violent kidnapping forces them to go on the run.”
The actual film was a lot different than the trailer. In the trailer, they made the fatal mistake of portraying a 5′ 4″ woman taking down a bunch of men without any effort. The character in the movie, however, was extremely vulnerable in most of the action scenes.
She was clearly shaken when they escape from one of their fights, her hands are trembling, she is crying and chain-smoking to calm her nerves.
Here was a more believable character, the trailer was a disservice to the film.
There were several twists and turns and we only learn who is responsible for all of the carnage in the last ten minutes of the film.
That’s where the biggest flaw of the film happens, the ending is so abrupt with so many unanswered questions. Even if they did not want to shoot the additional footage, a few notes on the screen to wrap up the story properly would have gone a long way.
This is a pretty forgettable film due to the horrible ending.
Netflix makes a point of telling us that this is a Vicky Jewson film in the trailers and posters. She was the director, producer, and co-writer of this movie. I wonder if this is to tell us to avoid her future projects.
This had the potential to be an ongoing series for Noomi Repace as her character is based on a real person. But if this is the best they can do, well she can always do another Alien movie, oh, nevermind.
TV-MA for violence and language – 94 minutes.
3 / 5 Goblins
IO (2018)
“As a young scientist searches for a way to save a dying Earth, she finds a connection with a man who’s racing to catch the last shuttle off the planet.”
Without a doubt, the worst of the bunch this week. I went into this one without knowing much about it. I really wanted to see it for Anthony Mackie. I’ve only seen his work in the Marvel films and wanted to see what he could do in a small budget feature.
Stick to the MCU, Anthony!
There was so little to this movie, the story rests on the performances by Mackie (also a producer of this) and Margaret Qualley. Unfortunately, the leads are not compelling enough to keep this movie from failing.
At the end of the story, you really don’t care what happens to them.
Of course, this is another “look at what mankind has done to the Earth” movie. The usual tropes are used as well.
Also misleading, the film was really never about saving Earth, but how we can adapt to the new environment. Pretty much everyone is either dead or on Io waiting to move to a permanent new settlement.
Nothing to see here folks, move along.
Rated TV-14 for mild language – 96 minutes.
1.5 / 5 Goblins
The Man Who Killed Hitler Then The Bigfoot (2019)
“A legendary American war veteran is recruited to hunt a mythical creature.”
Well, the title of the movie pretty much tells you what the story is about, but the journey to both targets is what you are here for. This is such a preposterous concept and should be laughed at and then forgotten. But what saves this movie is Calvin Barr, played by Sam Elliot and Aidan Turner.
As by the title, there are two stories being told, the WWII story is handled by Turner, and the Bigfoot story is the grizzled version played by Elliot. Sam’s performance really steals the show and you should see it just for him. I never really gave him much credit over the years but I tip my hat to him for this movie. He really sold the story of a man that had a huge impact on the world but just wants to be left alone. A hero that is almost ashamed of his past, or rather haunted by it, but when needed, will serve his country.
I really hope that they are able to tell more stories of Calvin Barr, Sam is that good in this.
One other note of interest, Douglas Trumbull did the F/X and also produced this movie.
Not rated – 98 minutes.
3.5 / 5 Goblins
