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.

TENET (2020)

One of the things all of the films made by director Christopher Nolan is that they all make you think. They make you wonder about certain elements of thought and science. His latest mind-blowing visceral thriller is nothing short of phenomenally crafted especially due to the stunning action sequences. This film is one of the only blockbusters released this summer during this pandemic and it is definitely worth returning to the theaters. The thing about this film is that it is unique in every sense of the word. Its plot may be a bit hard to follow at times, but the action and the score are able to make up for that. Overall, this film is yet another mindblowing spectacle from Christopher Nolan. 

Director and Writer Christopher Nolan's latest film is a mindboggling brain play thriller. Not only is his work here a brain teaser but the film title a palindrome. This shows once again that Christopher Nolan is a wordsmith with excitingly clever intentions. His work is once again as thrillingly entertaining as audiences expect from Nolan himself. It is his most ambitious rollercoaster of an action film yet. Even though this film is hard to decipher and it will continue to confuse you till after the film is over, the action in the film is a great and effective enough to handle its intricately convoluted all over the place plot. 

Lead John-David Washington's "The Protagonist" is remarkable and fierce. The character is very determined and complex throughout the whole film. His performance is action-packed and emotionally dedicated to the entire film. Starring opposite Washington is Elizabeth Debicki, Robert Pattinson, and Kenneth Branagh. They are all standout supporting roles that impact this film to make it even better than ever. Pattinson and Debecki give some of the best performances of the year alongside Washington. The chemistry of these three together onscreen is phenomenally apparent. 

Frequent music collaborator with Nolan, Hans Zimmer did not reunite in this film. Instead, Ludwig Goransson teams up with Nolan on this spy thriller. Goranssons score is an exhilarating composition of music. The energy and force of it are what adds to the film's thrill factor all in all.   

One of the most fascinating spectacles of this film is the camera work and the gravity-defying action sequences. Hoyte Van Hoytema's camera work is truly exciting and one of the best parts of this film overall. 

There's nothing more pulsating and intense than a film by Christopher Nolan. His latest creation, a slightly hard to follow complex film is perhaps successful due in part by the stunning action sequences and the score. This film is also very reminiscent of his 2010 film "Inception" in regards to the action and camera work. If you have seen that film, you will love this film. But either way, this film shows just once again how narratively talented Christopher Nolan really is. With the lack of blockbusters this year due to the pandemic, this film bursts on the screen as audiences return to the Cinema. Despite its bit of confusing plot, the action makes up for that confusion. This film is Nolan's most brain-busting film yet. 

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. 

Rate: A- 

Director: Christopher Nolan 

Starring: John David Washington, Elizabeth Debicki, Robert Pattinson, Kenneth Branagh, and Michael Caine

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, some suggestive references, and brief strong language) 

Runtime: 2 Hours and 30 Minutes

Synopsis: Armed with only one word--Tenet--and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real-time.

 

Inception (2010)

 It is one of the most thrilling and mind-boggling films of the past decade. It has remained one of the great action thrillers since its release. It has intense action and a stellar cast are what makes this film one of the most iconic thrillers of the past decade. It has a unique and compelling narrative that will entertain audiences for decades because of its thrill factor. 

Unlike other films in the thriller heist genre, this film is unique in every sense of the word. The cerebral force of this film is unlike anything you have ever seen in a film. I have no doubt in my mind that this film because of its action, story, and intense upbeat score from Hans Zimmer, will win over audiences still to this day. 

Not only does director Christopher Nolan make one of his best films, its one of the best films period. What Nolan manages to accomplish here is nothing short of amazing and utterly breathtaking. Christopher Nolan has made an outstanding film and its story is one that makes you think throughout the entire film. His visceral storytelling and visuals are topnotch. 

Inceptions lead in Leonardo DiCaprio is fantastic. His role is one of his finest roles and makes this film what it is, phenomenal. Starring alongside DiCaprio in this mind-bending film are Tom Hardy, Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Marion Cottilard. Their supporting roles in this film are just as exciting alongside DiCaprio and they do a phenomenal job overall. 

This film would not be near as exciting as it is without the works of Hans Zimmer, who is a frequent collaborator with Nolan and his films. Zimmers craft here is fast-paced and upbeat yet ethereal. This remains one of Zimmer's best compositions to date. 

It's been 10 years since the release of "Inception", and it still remains as exciting as it was then when it was first released. It's one of the most mindblowing films ever made and with its stunning camera work and utter majesty, this film remains one of the greatest films not only by Christopher Nolan but one of the best films ever made.

Poster courtesy of Warner Bros. and Syncopy Films 

Rate: A 

Director: Christopher Nolan 

Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Tom Hardy, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Marion Cottilard and Michael Caine 

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of violence and action throughout)

Runtime: 2 Hours and 42 Minutes 

Synopsis: Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief with the rare ability to enter people's dreams and steal their secrets from their subconscious. His skill has made him a hot commodity in the world of corporate espionage but has also cost him everything he loves. Cobb gets a chance at redemption when he is offered a seemingly impossible task: Plant an idea in someone's mind. If he succeeds, it will be the perfect crime, but a dangerous enemy anticipates Cobb's every move.

Jason Bourne (2016)

Matt Damon returns as the lethal former CIA operative, nearly a decade after the events that took place in "Bourne Ultimatum". Jason Bourne is one of this years best. It is jam packed with explosive and thrilling action. Matt Damon is serious, emotional, and awesome in this role once more. 

Reuniting again with director Paul Greengrass, his vision of executing another "Bourne" film is splendid, dramatic, and terrific. 

The score of this film was made by John Powell and David Buckley. If you think that the action was great, wait until you witness the score that is fast-paced, beautiful and vibrant.

Matt Damon is to Tom Cruise is to Daniel Craig. Damon's role as Jason Bourne is without a doubt extremely similar to that of Ethan Hunt (Mission Impossible) and Daniel Craig (James Bond). As all three characters are extremely gifted in bringing down the bad guy. 

From best-selling author Robert Ludlum, comes a film portrayal of his beloved "Bourne Trilogy". With this being the fifth installment in the "Bourne" franchise, it is and will continue to be a thrilling film franchise for many years. 

Rate: A

Universal Studios presents a Paul Greengrass film. Starring: Matt Damon, Alicia Vikander, Tommy Lee Jones, Julia Stiles. Runtime: 2 hours and 3 minutes. Rated: PG-13 (for intense sequences of violence and action, and brief strong language) Jason Bourne is now playing in theaters nationwide.