Dune: Part One (2021)

It is one of the most anticipated films of the year. The iconic Frank Herbert science-fiction novel comes to life once again. This film is the second adaptation of the bestselling novel. This new film is extraordinary at the highest levels. Though the film does tend to cause confusion with its plot, it makes up for that with the stunning visuals, action packed scenes and a chilling score from Hans Zimmer. The film sets the standard for science fiction cinema and is top quality for science fiction films. 

Director Denis Villeneuve is no stranger to crafting sci-fi films. He is known for "Arrival" and "Blade Runner: 2049" At the time of those films release, he had blown away audiences with his unique and compelling films. His latest feature here is next level sci-fi cinema. His version of the iconic novel is immense and grand on the largest scale. His film is truly unique even if the plot is a bit confusing to comprehend. 

This grand spectacle of epic proportions is star studded. Lead by Timothee Chalamet, also featuring Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Zendaya and Jason Momoa, this science fiction epic is one of the biggest films of the year. The performances are thrilling and emotionally charged throughout the entire film. 

Crafting the large scale films score is none other than Hans Zimmer. Zimmer is no stranger to science fiction cinema. He previously collaborated with Villeneuve on 2017s' "Blade Runner:2049". His score for this film is undeniably chilling. It is one of the most memorable parts of this space epic. 

One of the most anticipated films of the year is finally here. The biggest space epic in a really long time is a thrilling feature. Every issue with the plot is forgotten with the magnitude of the scope of the films grandeur. This film demands to be seen for its massive scope and it does not disappoint. You will be in awe of this sci-fi film. 

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate: B+ 

Director: Denis Villeneuve  

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Some Disturbing Images|Sequences of Strong Violence|Suggestive Material) 

Runtime: 2 Hours and 35 Minutes

Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin and Zendaya

Synopsis: 

Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet's exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence, only those who can conquer their own fear will survive.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

It's a complete revamp of the 2016 film. This new "The Suicide Squad" is what the other film should've been. It's one of the most wildly bonkers DC film so far. What it does differently than the other film is that it is more edgy, violent and humorous. It is also perhaps the most violent of DC films. Fans have been waiting for this new film for awhile now and I'd say this film was definitely worth the wait. 

The cast of the movie is one of the most insane. Lead of course again by Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. The film also stars Viola Davis. Joel Kinnaman, John Cena and Sylvester Stallone. This cast is stacked with great comedic and action packed performances that are some of the best in any DCEU film so far. They are a much better ensemble than the 2016 edition of the Suicide Squad film. 

Going from one superhero film to another is director James Gunn. He's most well known for directing Marvels 2014 and 2017s "Guardians of the Galaxy" films. This film is way more violent and extreme than the other two films because this film doesn't hold back on the violence. It is humorous and some of the best action in a comic-book film not seen since 2016's Deadpool. It's a warped and totally insane. That's why I think people will enjoy this weirdly entertaining film. 

Scoring the craziness of this film is John Murphy. His score is as action-packed and fast paced as the film. It goes hand in hand with all the craziness and the obscure weirdness that this film has. It is just as enjoyable as the film. 

With all that being said about how weirdly bizarre and entertaining as this film is, it starts off very slow but gets better as the film goes on. It's one of the most odd films in the genre. But it somehow manages to be an odd delight. 

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate: B

Director: James Gunn

Starring: Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone and David Dastmalchian

MPAA Rating: R (for Drug Use|Brief Graphic Nudity|Language Throughout|Some Sexual References|Strong Violence and Gore)

Runtime: 2 Hours and 13 Minutes

Black Widow (2021)

Starting the MCU's Phase 4 saga, is the standalone solo film centered on Scarlett Johansson's iconic Black Widow. Taking place immediately after the events of "Captain America: Civil War", the film follows Black Widow on the run from the US government and "SHIELD". This is the final outing for Scarlett Johansson's iconic character, given the events of "Avengers: Endgame". I'd say this is one way to end the role in spectacular fashion. This film is everything I would expect from Marvel and this film was well worth the years long wait. 

As always, Johansson shines and brings all the action. Her final outing as the iconic character is once again amazing. It is the closure to an epic span of seven film appearances for the character. Co-starring are: Florence Pugh, David Harbour  and Rachel Weisz. They are a stellar addition to MCU and they also add to the action as well. A bittersweet moment in the MCU as we say farewell to Johansson in the role of Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow. 

Newcomer to the MCU, director Cate Shortland, crafts a massive spy thriller type movie. It is cross between "Jason Bourne, James Bond and Mission: Impossible" rolled into one with a female lead. It's one of the most action packed films of the MCU and it lives up to the hype and anticipation which has been what feels like has been forever. 

The action, the music and the story are all fantastic. The film is filled with twists and turns and is undoubtedly one of the best of the movies so far in the MCU. The action tops those of some previous films in the Marvel filmography. Though the story does start off a bit slow with a back story, the film is great through the rest of it. 

Crafting the action packed films score is Lorne Balfe (Mission Impossible: Fallout). His score is just as action packed as the film. It may even be dramatic just like the film. It adds to the action and all the thrills. 

For seven films in 10 years, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow has been a staple in the MCU. The character that audiences fell in love with during her second appearance in the MCU was 2012's "The Avengers" but the first was a show stealing debut in "Iron Man 2". 

Since then, her farewell in "Endgame" was a shocking yet now fitting conclusion to her iconic character. She goes out in style with this final time we see her in the MCU. This film is undoubtedly a bittersweet and action packed film that will delight fans. 

The film is the second woman lead solo film in the MCU, with Captain Marvel being the first. I think that since both films are out, this film is much better than "Captain Marvel" by far. This is due to, in my opinion, because audiences have seen more of the iconic Black Widow character in more films and have had an emotional connection to it as well. 

This first film in the fourth phase in the "MCU" is a knock out. It is fantastic in every sense possible. The film is a wonderfully made film that serves as the last hurrah to the character. Fans will no doubt be pleased and thrilled by this film, even though it is the last appearance of Black Widow. 

Poster courtesy of Disney+ and Marvel Studios

Rate: A-

Director: Cate Shortland

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour and Ray Winstone

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Some Language, Intense Violence, Action, Thematic Material)

Runtime: 2 Hours and 15 Minutes

Synopsis: Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy, and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

Luca (2021)

Pixar is widely known for its originality and beautiful animation. With that being said, this new film is flawless. It is unique in every way imaginable. Audiences expect nothing less of the films from Pixar and this is an absolute delight throughout the whole film. Beautifully animated and a heartfelt and comedic story, this film is yet another spectacular entry from the beloved studio. 

Making his directorial debut, Pixar short film director Enrico Casarosa, crafts an utterly amazing feature. It is heartwarming, comedic and very memorable. The film is one of the most unique of the Pixar filmography so far and this film is worth watching. His direction is unique in every sense of the word. I have no doubt that this film will rank high among my favorite films from the studio so far. 

Starring as the title character is Jacob Tremblay (Wonder, Room). Tremblay's performance as the lead character is fun and emotional with comedic effort. He is able to bring to life such an amazing film with an exciting and upbeat voice talent. Costarring alongside him are Jack Dylan Grazer (IT, Shazam), Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan. Grazer plays the friend of Luca. The two have a chemistry that is very magnetic and undoubtedly memorable. Gaffigan and Rudolph play the main characters sea monster parents in a comedic fashion throughout the whole film. 

One of the most surprising moments of the film, is that one of the characters has a physical disability. This character is missing his arm and is one of the few characters portrayed as having a disability. This is a major win for inclusion of disability in film and I couldn't be anymore thrilled that this was included as part of the film. 

As I have said, the animation is spectacular. With that being said, the animation style in the film reminds me of the animation style of the British animated studio "Aardman". The character design reminds me of the characters seen in their films and I think that is unintentional but it is a comparison I am making.

The films music is also very bright and jovial. The music blends into the entire film. Composer Dan Romer makes the score just as beautiful as the film itself and it adds to the excitement. 

One of the best things about films from "Pixar" is the imagination. Their films are always so original and unique. Same goes for this beautifully crafted film. It is a sight to see and audiences will no doubt fall in awe over the films spectacular animation. The film I think is one of the best films from the studio so far. 

Poster courtesy of Pixar and Disney

Rate: A 

Director: Enrico Casarosa

Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan

MPAA Rating: PG (for Some Thematic Elements, Brief Violence, Rude Humor, Language)

Runtime: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes

Synopsis: Set in a beautiful seaside town on the Italian Riviera, Disney and Pixar's original feature film "Luca" is a coming-of-age story about one young boy experiencing an unforgettable summer filled with gelato, pasta and endless scooter rides. Luca (voice of Jacob Tremblay) shares these adventures with his newfound best friend, Alberto (voice of Jack Dylan Grazer), but all the fun is threatened by a deeply-held secret: they are sea monsters from another world just below the water's surface.

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A Quiet Place Part 2 (2021)

One of the most anticipated films of the year is finally in theaters. The sequel to the smash-hit horror film is a phenomenal film.  It is more less of a horror film but rather a suspense thriller movie. We have been wait for over a year for this film and it was definitely worth the wait. What makes this film so unique is its thrill factor and over suspense of the whole thing. It is truly one of the most suspenseful films of the year. It is even more suspenseful than the first movie. 

John Krasinski comes back to direct the sequel and it is even better than the first film. It is way more suspenseful and adds to the thrill factor. He adds to the scare factor too with the sound sensitive monsters wrecking havoc on the world. The depth of this film is much bigger and the intensity of this film shows that it is. 

The film stars Emily Blunt and Krasinski as the couple in the film that tries to evade the dangers of the monsters that hunt those who create sound. Co-starring are: Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. Their performances (with the new addition of Murphy in the film) are all thrilling throughout the entire film. 

Another very important part of the film is the integration of sign language in the film. This was also a huge part in the first film as well, so this is just a continuation of that. It's really unique because Simmonds is deaf in real life so I thing that is a great part of the movie to include sign language while also casting an actor with a disability in the film as well. 

To keep the thrill and suspense factors going, Marco Beltrami returns to craft yet another thrilling score. It keeps the thrill alive throughout the entire film. While accompanying the film, it is yet another exciting part of the film altogether. 

Audiences have waited for over a year to see the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 horror suspense film. The sequel lives up to the hype and is one of the best films of the year. This film has upped the level of suspense with this film and it was undoubtedly worth the year long wait to see the amazing film. 

Poster courtesy of Paramount

Rate: A 

Director: John Krasinski 

Starring: John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe

MPAA Rating: PG-13 ( (Terror|Bloody/Disturbing Images|Violence)

Runtime: 1 Hour and 35 Minutes

Cruella (2021)

One of the most iconic Disney villains gets the big-screen treatment in this highly anticipated origin film. The film is the second live-action film based off of one of Disney's most villainous foes. 2014's Maleficient starring Angelina Jolie played the iconic "Sleeping Beauty" villain ever so fierce. Now it's Emma Stone's role of the infamous Cruella De Vil. The cool thing about this film is that it gives viewers an origin into how our favorite Disney baddies turned evil. This new film is honestly my favorite live-action Disney film to date. This film is stylish, sexy, and fierce, it's entertaining from start to finish. 

I can't think of anyone who would be better than Emma Stone in this role. She is a tour de force and is electric and sassy. Her performance is amazing and her portrayal of the title role. Her chemistry opposite Emma Thompson is also fantastic and exciting throughout the entire film. 

Thompsons supporting role as the main rival to the character is very similar to that of Meryl Streeps' "The Devil Wears Prada" character in which she plays a bossy fashion designer. Her role is just as exciting and devilish as the title character is.

Director Craig Gillespie brings the classic iconic villain to life in a spectacular way. The ambiance of the film is delightfully dreary and the overall appeal of the time period of the film 1970's England is stunning because it fits into the personality of the character and the story altogether. This film is unique in every sense of the word. 

To complement such a devilishly entertaining film, a score by Nicholas Britell makes this film as charming as it can be. It's sophisticated enough for the film to give off the punk like attitude it gives off. In addition to the score, a mix of iconic songs from the 70's and 80's make this film even more entertaining. 

It is the best live-action "Disney" film to date. With so much to offer with its fantastic cast, stunning costumes, action packed fun and the delightfully crafted score, this film demands to be seen. It's the most unique of any live-action film from the studio to date. It's an irresistable ride and it can't be missed. 

Poster courtesy of Disney+

Rate: A

Director: Craig Gillespie 

Starring: Emma Stone, Emma Thompson, Paul Walter-Hauser, Joel Fry and Mark Strong

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for Thematic elements and some violence) 

Runtime: 2 Hours and 16 Minutes 

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

One of the biggest and most anticipated movies of the year is finally out and it's been a long time coming. The abrupt departure of Zack Snyder in the 2017 theatrical version of the film was changed due to a family emergency, which caused the film to change directors, leaving Snyders's vision left incomplete. He was replaced by Joss Whedon, "The Avengers" director. Though the 2017 edition of the film was not as successful as it could've been this new version and the fan-given name "The Snyder Cut" is much more exciting than the original theatrical cut.

If it wasn't for the fan outcry and demand to release this version of the film, we would've probably never have seen it. It is very surprising because it blew me away. This new entry into the "DCEU" (DC Extended Universe) is mind-blowing and it will surprise audiences. 

Zack Snyder finally gives audiences the gargantuan spectacle they have been waiting for. It is massively entertaining and is jam-packed with even more action than the original 2017 version. This is quite possibly his best film. The attention to detail, depth, and the story are insane and there is so much that he does that expands on the theatrical Whedon version of the film. More villainy, more action and it is sweet. This is the film that we have been waiting for. It is one of the best DC Comics movies yet. 

The cast like before is the star studded line up returning: Gal Gadots' "Wonder Woman", Henry Cavills' "Superman", Ben Afflecks' "Batman" and Jason Momoas' "Aquaman" are amazing in this film. They once again knock it out of the park in this film. They all even deliver even more awesomeness than in the original 2017 version. 

Each character throughout the whole film gets even more screen time versus the original film. Their performances in this new version of the "Justice League" are action-packed, fun and exciting through the whole film. 

Scoring the "Snyder Cut" is Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL. Holkenborg previously scored the Batman Vs Superman film in collaboration with Hans Zimmer. His score in this new film is electrifying and magnifies the films tension and pivitol moments with robustness that make the film even more dark than before. 

It has been a long time coming for this film and the time is now. This film is a showstopping superhero epic thriller that was well worth the wait. It offers so much more given its massive runtime and that should excite fans well enough to watch the film. It is a smash hit and it is one of the more surprising and thoroughly entertaining film from DC Comics in recent years. And it definitely is way better than the first version of the film by a long shot, it is that fantastic. 

Poster Courtesy of HBO Max 

Rate: A 

Director: Zack Snyder 

Starring: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Amy Adams, Ray Fisher, with Diane Lane and Laurence Fishbourne

MPAA Rating: R (for language and violence) 

Runtime: 4 Hours & 2 Minutes

Synopsis: In ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE, determined to ensure Superman's (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions. The task proves more difficult than Bruce imagined, as each of the recruits must face the demons of their own pasts to transcend that which has held them back, allowing them to come together, finally forming an unprecedented league of heroes. Now united, Batman (Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) may be too late to save the planet from Steppenwolf, DeSaad and Darkseid and their dreadful intentions.

The Spongebob Movie: Sponge On The Run (2021)

The third film to the long-running kid's show lives up to the legacy of the series. It has that same slapstick and genuine hilarity of the show and that's why the films have been a tremendous success due to the faithful approach that stays true to the energy of the source material. What makes this film especially different from the two previous films, is that this film is completely CGI and is the first of the three films to have this style of animation. This new film is one of the best of the three because of its stunning animation and its comedic efforts that are reminiscent of that of the show. 

Long-time series writer Tim Hill directs and writes this new film. Hill has made this film utterly beautiful and keeps the magic of this film alive and makes this film live up to the legacy status of the show. The animation like I said before, is beautiful and the first fully CGI animated film from the series. Hill's vision is truly beholden to the show's iconic comedic efforts, story, and animation. 

Voicing the favorite iconic characters are the original cast from the show. Just like always, the series' iconic cast voices the characters in the amusing and hilarious way we like it. They all do yet another great job at playing the characters we have known and loved for years. I have no doubt that along with this movie, the cast will remain an iconic force in animation for generations to come. 

The story in the film is essentially a longer version of one of the show's early episodes. It is similar in plot but expands and tweaks the story to differ from the episode in which the plot takes after. This take on that same plot is better than the original episode because it is more entertaining and it has more to the story to offer. 

Scoring the film are Hans Zimmer and frequent collaborator Steve Mazarro. Their score is as jubilant and upbeat as the film itself. The score adds to the beauty of the film and the overall ambiance of it all. The music keeps the film alive with its upbeat and jubilant qualities.  

For two decades, the iconic yellow sponge and friends have made entertainment for all ages and it has remained iconic ever since. The new film is a delight to audiences who have remained loyal fans of the series. This film shows once again that the legacy of the show and the iconic title character will live on in history as among the best shows in animation for years to come.

Poster courtesy of Paramount+ and Nickelodeon Movies

Rate: B+

Starring: Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, with Awkwafina, and Keanu Reeves

Director: Tim Hill 

MPAA Rating: PG (for Rude Humor|Mild Language|Some Thematic Elements)

Runtime: 1 Hour and 40 Minutes 

Synopsis: When SpongeBob SquarePants' beloved pet snail Gary goes missing, a path of clues leads SpongeBob and his best friend Patrick to the powerful King Poseidon, who has Gary held captive in the Lost City of Atlantic City. On their mission to save Gary, SpongeBob and the Bikini Bottom gang team up for a heroic and hilarious journey, where they discover nothing is stronger than the power of friendship.

Tom and Jerry (2021)

One of the most iconic tv duos in history finally gets the big-screen treatment. Hanna-Barbera's "Tom and Jerry" is one of the most and if not the oldest rivals in television history. It has delighted audiences for over 80 years, now, a new generation can enjoy the timeless shenanigans of the famous cat and mouse duo. It is filled with nostailgia and the classic slapstick humor we have known for years. This film is a delight for all fans and a new era of fans. 

Director Tim Story makes this film fun for the whole family. It is playful and has the same original charm it has always had. It is a comedy film that audiences new and old will enjoy because it brings that classic charm of the characters back. Story uses that nostailgia by making the film as enjoyable as the classic cartoons were. 

Now, the film is a great piece of nostailgia but it overall is a bit dry and cringy. The writing is generic in plot and the dialogue is just straight up weird. The script makes this film mediocre in the sense that it has potential but it fails to adequately present itself as a quality film that can capture the attention of the old generations that grew up watching the iconic characters. 

Not only is the dialogue and writing overall bad, but the acting is ten times worse. It's embarrassingly awkward and had zero potential of having an emotional and lasting impression on the audience. Chloe Grace Moretz and Michael Pena do an awful job at trying to be funny. It is surprising however on Pena's part because he is far more funny in the "Marvel" movies. Moretz's attempt at humor is just plain sad. Not really any good comedic stuff from her. 

One of the other few good parts about this film is the music. Mixed with the score by Christopher Lennertz are popular songs. Lennertz score is jubilatious and as upbeat as the original short films music as well. 

For decades, the classic wit and slapstick humor of "Tom and Jerry" have made generations laugh and smile. This film attempts to bring old audiences back for a feeling of nostailgia but it ultimately serves better at getting the satisfaction of a new generation of audiences that would enjoy the film more than the generations that grew up on the classic duo. 

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros.

Rate: C

Director: Tim Story 

Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz, Michael Pena, Colin Jost, Ken Jeong and Rob Delaney

MPAA Rating: PG (for Rude Humor|Cartoon Violence|Brief Language)

Runtime: 1 Hour and 41 Minutes 

Synopsis: A legendary rivalry reemerges when Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the wedding of the century, forcing the desperate event planner to hire Tom to get rid of him. As mayhem ensues, the escalating cat-and-mouse battle soon threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly the hotel itself.

Judas and The Black Messiah (2021)

This film's thrilling premise based on an FBI informant infiltrating the Illinois Black Panther Party in the late 1960s is very interesting and thrilling. It tackles an important event in history that many people such as myself had not heard of this story. More recently, there have been several films that have tackled touchy subjects like this one. Spike Lee's "BlacKkKlansman" is another film like this very similar in premise but also this film may be as dark as the latter but this film is a thrilling yet haunting painting of a time in history that impacted so many people. 

Leads Daniel Kaluuya and LaKeith Stanfield are electric in the film. Kaluuya's "Fred Hampton" the leader of the "Illinois Black Panther Party" is a disturbing look into this organization's chapter and he gives a phenomenal yet disturbing performance as the controversial figure. On the other hand, Stanfields role as an "FBI" informant infiltrating the "IL BPP" is just as electric as the lead. His performance is gripping and compelling albeit a fantastic part of the film. The two also have excellent chemistry on screen and that should be one of the highlights of the film. 

Director Shaka King makes an utterly dark yet very informative film that intrigues audiences. Her vision is one that is detailed and is a haunting feature to behold. King also pens the screenplay. Her script is very detailed and compelling enough to have an emotional connection that makes the film more gripping than it already is. 

With all this being said, one of the few issues I had with this film, is that I found it slightly confusing and I couldn't relate to or understand the complexities of this film overall. Don't get me wrong, it's a good movie, I just felt like this film is made for the Black community because they could possibly relate to this film and its subject matter. 

One of the most recent films to first debut on a streaming platform while simultaneously releasing in theaters, this film is extraordinary for some, but others may not find this film as relevant as it is to other people. This film is good, but I just can't say that this is a film I absolutely related to or quite frankly enjoyed. 

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate: B- 

Director: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, LaKeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons 

MPAA Rating: R (for Violence & Pervasive Language)

Runtime: 2 Hours and 6 Minutes 

The Little Things (2021)

This crime-murder mystery film is suspenseful but lacks any real connection to audiences that aren't true crime fanatics. With a star-studded film with Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto, you think that they would deliver showstopping and thrilling performances, right? Well, I mean they do somewhat in a way deliver compelling yet dull performances in the film. I would like to add that fans of true crime will be thoroughly entertained by this film even if occasional true crime fans don't like it. 

When it comes to the star power of Denzel Washington and Rami Malek, you would think that they would deliver stellar performances right? Not in the slightest. Granted they do some good with action sequences and the genuinely suspenseful parts of the film. But with that being said, their performances are rife with wasted potential. 

Director John Lee Hancock makes this film utterly dull but there are some good that come out of the film. Just like the acting, this films direction is filled with wasted potential that often feels too much. Hancock tries to make the film as suspenseful and thrilling as possible but it also is wasted potential because of the dull and confusing albeit just flat out odd. 

To make the film a bit less wasted in potential, Thomas Newman (Skyfall), makes a score that tries to balance the films mediocrity with a blend of sound that is electric and suspenseful just like the film in a way. The score may even be one of the few things that make this film successful. 

With a film in the true crime genre one would expect depth and emotional intensity. One does not get that with this film. It is very dull and at best mediocre suspense. Not really a whole lot of suspense worthy moments in this film. It just tries way too hard to be a thrilling and suspenseful film. With that being said, yes there are a few good things about this film as mentioned earlier, but it lacks what the film is supposed to be, a suspense thriller. As far as I'm concerned, fanatics of true crime will like this film, but the occasional true crime fan, like myself, will not really be thrilled at all by this film. 

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate: C- 

Director: John Lee Hancock 

Starring: Denzel Washington, Jared Leto and Rami Malek

MPAA Rating: R (for violent/disturbing images, language and full nudity) 

Runtime: 2 Hours and 7 Minutes 

Synopsis: 

Deputy Sheriff Joe "Deke" Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who's terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke's past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

The Marksman (2021)

One thing most films Liam Neeson has been in are the same kind of movie. But he does a great job in films of this nature in which he proves he is indeed one of the best action stars in cinema. Even if films he has done in the past don't match up to this one, it is still one of his better action films. This is one of the few films that surprises at every turn even if the film starts off a bit too slow. This film starts the year off on a good but a bit slow note, but it is a great film to watch if you are fans of Liam Neeson and action film altogether. 

Like I said before, Neeson is in a lot of the same action films. But, with that being said, this one is actually a lot better than prior action films he has been in. This film is one of his better action films but the pacing of the film is a bit off but that does not mean that this film is complete trash. 

The action sequences in this film with Neeson are just what you would expect from his filmography. Another bit is that he does play the same kind of character in most of his action films. But this one is better in the emotional connection and the authenticity of his character. The action is exciting and very thrilling which will get the attention of the audience and get them hooked very quickly. 

Director Robert Lorenz makes this film as entertaining as possible but falters on depth and imagination because of the film's somewhat muddled plot and progression. He does however make this film another exciting action film that will rank among one of Neeson's best, not the best, but among his best action films. Lorenz uses the setting of the West and it is fitting for the film and gives off "tough guy" vibes. His work is another exciting and albeit a bit of a slow and formulaic film. 

As I said earlier, this film is good and is another solid Liam Neeson thriller, but it does have some issues that hinder it from being even more exciting than it is. Not only that, but the film's script is a bit dull with no real connection to what is going on. It is a bit too cheesy for an action film but it still makes for an exciting narrative. 

Revving up the action with the score is television and film composer Sean Callery. His score is as exciting and fast-paced as the film itself. With sounds fitting with classic westerns, this score takes it with a unique twist on the sounds of old western films. 

As I have said, the action films starring Neeson in the past have sometimes all been the same, this one included. However there is something about the film that makes it enjoyable, it's the action and his charisma that make this film an exciting but slow and muddled film. It may not be his best action work but it is satisfying enough to thrill audiences. 

Poster courtesy of Open Road Films

Rate: B-

Director: Robert Lorenz 

Starring: Liam Neeson, Kathryn Winnick, Juan Pablo Raba, Jacob Perez, and Teresa Ruiz

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Runtime:  1 Hour & 47 Minutes 

Synopsis: Jim is a former Marine who lives a solitary life as a rancher along the Arizona-Mexican border. But his peaceful existence soon comes crashing down when he tries to protect a boy on the run from members of a vicious cartel.