fmatt-88980 Reviews

Gringo (2018)

An overlooked, but well done flick

[8/10 · 28 December 2021]

A smart, cute, slightly Killemall with David Oyelowo, Charlize Theron, Thandie Newton and Joel Edgerton in the lead.

This Amazon Prime 2018 effort is easy to overlook, but once you take a look, it will draw you in. Good directing by Nash Edgerton, efficient writing by Anthony Tambakis, among others, allows Oyelowo to keep his natural accent throughout the film, while Theron and Edgerton play the not so nice bad guys.

A well-done music score coupled with hip-hop and disco singalong tracks make this an enjoyable flick to watch and listen to during the transition scenes.

Its different take on corporate greed, international drug dealing, infidelity and the innocent people who get caught up in it.

I'd watch it again.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

It's Suicide to watch this!

[5/10 · 7 August 2021]

This ridiculous excuse for a movie can be noted as one of the more embarrassing points in the careers of Idris Elba and Viola Davis. Not so much for John Cena who is trying to win an award as the next wrestler, not Rock, to make a slew of bad movies.

The script is trite and unimaginative. The direction was not necessary since the actors basically were seemingly told to act like cartoon characters. Which they all did badly.

Zach Snyder along with Writer / Director James Gunn should be replaced with anyone else if the studio intends to produce anything else from the DC UNIVERSE.

This was boring with predictable and unnecessary violence pursuing a goal that is totally unbelievable for an organization that does not make one proud to be an American.

I won't watch this mess again.

One Dollar (2018)

This was truly only worth a Dollar!

[6/10 · 3 August 2021]

This 10 episode saga was intended to run on CBS for more than the episodes now trapped in limbo on Paramount + but that is where it should stay.

While Director Craig Zobel does a credible job holding things together with a cast composed entirely of C-class actors, there were moments when the back-stories were interesting.

Unfortunately there wasn't a decent hero in the bunch. And then there is the con-men and woman angle written into the last two episodes that the writers put in at the last minute in case they were renewed.

An attempt at relevance was added in episode 10 by having the characters mouth words concerning sexism and racism. Too late!

The production team should have planned for one limited season, because that is all this dull mess deserved.

The Marksman (2021)

The Marksman hits the Mark

[8/10 · 29 July 2021]

It's difficult for Liam Neesom to make bad choices in the characters he plays and this is no exception.

A man and a boy chased by villains.

Well done by director/producer Robert Lorenz.

The film is sparse and cinematically beautiful.

Young Jacob Perez doesn't steal scenes and is just right for the role of Miguel.

Well written, The Marksman will not disappoint.

The Empty Man (2020)

This movie is Empty of Common Sense

[5/10 · 23 July 2021]

First off. One has to accept the premise, and exactly what the premise is for this mess theoretically set in the Midwest, but filmed in South Africa is that a ghost spirit found by some hikers mysteriously made its way to this mythical town where(you guessed it) teenagers go missing and fall under the spell of this, this what??

The Director and editor of this sad excuse for a movie threw everything at the wall in hopes of holding an audience through this ridiculously long waste of money.

As always, the actors did their jobs, but the script, production, location scouting were second rate.

This was not worth a $13+ movie ticket and barely worth the space it occupied on HBO.

Tina (I) (2021)

A well done insight of a life transformed!

[8/10 · 18 July 2021]

This HBO released look at one of the world's great artists is a welcome addition to your must-see list.

With ta lot of before unseen footage of the Ike and Tina years which includes insight from one of her three sons Craig is well directed by T. J. Martin and Executive p Producer Nancy Abraham, is also an ode to making it in your middle age.

Set aside some time. Turn up the speakers give it a look see.

Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

More like a Space Bomb!

[4/10 · 18 July 2021]

This modern update on the original should not have been made.

Every aspect of the premise, characters, and script was predictable and boring.

Aside from the it serving as one long Warner Brothers infomercial, when compared to other animated fare currently available , this simply wasn't worth the $10+ some people paid to watch this mess at a theater.

The actors aren't the blame for this, the producers, direction ,studio and Labron should never have green-lighted this travesty.

Fatherhood (I) (2021)

A Good Father's day Flick

[7/10 · 12 July 2021]

This little ode to fatherhood provides non Kevin Hart fans a look at his acting abilities in a pure starring role. Director Paul Weitz did a fine job in finesseing the Hart we are accustomed to seeing.

Dana Stevens' screenplay is a little too subdued on someparts and a bit unrealistic in others.

Young Melody Hurd is a scene stealer and we can look forward to seeing more of her in the coming years.

Alfre Woodard, Frankie Faison, Rel Howery, Paul Reiser and DeWanda Wise add just the right touches in supporting roles.

It's a good film, not a great one.

It's worth viewing with the family and Kevin Hart fans.

Major Grom: Plague Doctor (2021)

Not quite the Plague it was meant to be!

[7/10 · 11 July 2021]

Thus movie provides an interesting insight into modern Russian culture and filmmaking.

All of the elements are there: a hero, a villain, impossible odds, and a sidekick for comic relief and saving the day.

You will need to read a bit of Russian as there are no subtitles here.

The photography is well done. The plot twist is held from us for two thirds of the flick and there are no western stereotypes of tall blonde nonhumourous women. Instead we have modern young people listening to Russian Rap waiting their turn to take a swipe at the Oligarchy.

And, as with all superhero flicks, don't be surprised if there is a sequel.

Not bad.

Luca (2021)

Bravo Luca!

[9/10 · 11 July 2021]

This tale set in a small coastal Italian hamlet is a wonderful reason to consider viewing the Disney + Channel on occasion.

Director Enrico Casarosa and Andre Warren are to be commended for holding together a well written screenplay by Jesse Andrews and Mike Jones.

The English voice work of young actors Jacob Tremblay, Jack Grazer, Emma Berman, along with easy work from home voice over work by Maya Rudolph and Jim Gaffigan help to make this little gem one that you don't need to be a kid to enjoy.

It's not preachy, nor sentimental. . It's just good movie making.

I would watch it again!

The Best of Enemies (2019)

One of the Best of films not seen!

[9/10 · 8 July 2021]

This overlooked gem is well worth a view or two. Set in 1971, it feels more like 1961. But it is the South.

Director Robin Bissell allows the actors to act and her writing didn't overdo the story and doesn't reduce the actors to playing caricatures. The film is based on the story written by Osha Gray Davidson.

Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell carry this overlooked period piece of history.

All of the elements are there; terror, violence, anger, love, villains, heroes and a believable premise. And the music selection tying scenes together will make you pat your feet and sing along.

I would watch this again.

Infinite (2021)

Infinitely Predictable and Boring

[5/10 · 8 July 2021]

One of the major tenets of sci-fi and horror flicks is that you I must accept the premise. I could not.

Director Antoine Fuqua gave decent, but not inspired direction to this piece of sciflop. No real basis for this endless loop of memories and a villain, say Chiwetel Ejiofor, who just wants to end it for everybody for all time. Except for himself right? This was clearly just another way to get paid for Mark Wahlberg who starred in, and had a hand in producing this ode to boredom.

It was hard to tell if this was a make believe world or another case of supernatural beings living amongst us regular folk. Whatever, I simply didn't care.

Again, just because some guy writes a book, it doesn't mean that a movie should be made from it.

Maybe Paramount thought they could get a sequel out of this ongoing saga since Noone ever truly dies.

I won't watch this again.

No Sudden Move (2021)

A "Simple Plan"Redux with the right moves

[8/10 · 7 July 2021]

Had this movie been cast 20 years ago Don Cheadle would never have shared lead credits with Benicio del Toro, Brendan Frazier, Bill Duke. Ray Liotta, Jon Hamm, David Harbour, with Matt Damon buried in the second half of this Steven Soderbergh film with a cameo.

Set in 1954 Detroit centering around the heist of a corporate secret, our anti-heros find themselves moving from a few thousand dollars to a quarter million.

By the way, all of the stars in this flick actually look their ages.

Well staged and written, although a bit slow in the early stages, it's concluding scenes are a modern example of what open-minded casting and great editing can do.

I could watch this again.

Let Him Go (2020)

A Western Terror Tale

[7/10 · 6 July 2021]

The setting is 1961 to 66 Montana/North Dakota. There are no Black people and apparently only one Native American in the country. Kevin Costner and Diane Lane carry this sad tale of mothers and grandmothers who just won't let go.

Directed and screenwritten byThomas Bezucha from a novel by Larry Watson, the story stretches believability a bit as it's premise boils down to one grandmother taking from another.

It's terrifying in that you know nothing good is going to come of their efforts.

This is a forgettable film simply because nothing good can be taken from it.

Just because some guy writes a book, it doesn't mean that a movie should be made from it.

The acting was fine, the direction was on par, the scenery was as barren as it always is up there . It's just that this movie was not a good reason to hand over $20 for a ticket. Popcorn and a drink.

I won't watch it again.

Chi-Raq (2015)

Chi-Raq deserves another look

[8/10 · 5 July 2021]

If you can stand the relentless profanity, lude, crude and endless racial epithets. Spike Lee's ode to the endless murders in Chicago can be celebrated as a rap-hiphop opera for the ages.

Nick Camnon carries the lead well along with co-star Toyota Parris and Samuel L. Jackson as our narrator-troubedor.

Kevin Wilmot's poetry, Matthew Libatique's photography and the choreography of Maija Garcia along with the melodic singing of Jennifer Hudson and Terence Blanchard 's musical oversight puts Chi-Raq in the "must-see" column for the true movie lover.

No, it's not for prudes and the overly moralistic, And it certainly won't change the hearts of those who are responsible for the 30 -plus young black people killed in Chicago on any given 2 to 3 day weekend, but at least it's a history marker that someone was paying attention other than the men and women who continue to loose their lives on the mean streets of the current gangland dominated streets of Chicago.

Angela Bassett, Wesley Snipes, Harry Lennix, John Cusack-who gives a sterling sermon midmovie-and D. B. Sweeny come off well in supporting roles.

Another well-done from the Spike Lee Joint!

The Tomorrow War (2021)

Solving Tomorrow's problems Today with a needle

[8/10 · 5 July 2021]

For the genre , this Sci-fi flick gave us a not so predictable ending. Star and executive producer Chris Pratt held up well as the hero who got a glimpse of his future and the role that family plays in it.

J. K. Simmons took a break from insurance commercials to give us a smile in the end.

The creature effects were spot on with the predictable supporting characters in roles of comic relief, hardbitten soldier types and a 14 year old whose knowledge of volcanoes helped save the world.

It's 2 hours and 19 minutes. But well worth a Saturday afternoon look-see.

The Ice Road (2021)

A Good Road for Entertainment

[8/10 · 28 June 2021]

You usually can't go wrong when Liam Neeson and Lawrence Fishburn are in the title roles and this action flick is no exception. The Ice Road gives us yet another look at corporate greed that once again is willing and planning to take the life of the working man to save the bottom line. It will be interesting to see how the career of Amber Midthunder progresses after working in the shadow of Neeson for most of the film.. This is a well done action drama with a not-so-wellknown supporting cast. Great scenery, good direction, a bit weak on scripting.but well edited.

In the Heights (2021)

In The Heights could have reached higher!

[6/10 · 21 June 2021]

This Lin -Manuel Miranda produced, John Chu directed musical highlight of the Latin American experience in the big apple contains not one memorable song. Stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace and Jimmy Smits with Marc Anthony could not save this dance extravaganza from an over-long storyline that is just not memorable!

Them (2021– )

I'm glad it's Them and not me

[8/10 · 3 May 2021]

This episodic tale of terror wrapped in racism, sexism and horror stands out as unique. The direction of each episode is first rate. Story telling, though often hard to watch, still keeps you asking "why?" The work of directors and producers led by Lena Waithe and Little Marvin(yes that's his name)put the work of Hitchcock and Serling to shame. "Them" is yet another example of what happens when you allow writing and direction to run unattended. If you can hang in through the final two episodes, the first seven are a bit more bearable. But once again this is not the sort of thing you can watch more than once. I won't.

Without Remorse (II) (2021)

There is certainly no Remorse here!

[9/10 · 2 May 2021]

A credible retelling of the Tom Clancy tome with Michael B. Jordan carrying the lead. It's a "kill them all" flick with interesting turns and a predictable twist at the end. Good direction from Stefao Sollima and the casting of Jodie Turner-Smith of Queen and Slim fame would not have met with the approval of Mr. Clancy. But hey, we are in a new day of filmmaking and casting. This was well done for the genre and exciting enough for action movie fans. Unfortunately it will be forgotten by the summer movie season.

Exterminate All the Brutes (2021)

Brutes is Should See TV

[10/10 · 18 April 2021]

This extraordinary Documentary nearly defies the classification. Director/Writer Raul Peck was given exceptional leeway to create this masterpiece that requires an open mind and a simple love for cinematic art. Spanning history for a candid look at genocide, racism intelligence versus stupidity and ignorance, "Brutes " falls into the category of "should see" TV.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Justice was overdone done with this League

[6/10 · 11 April 2021]

Four Hours. I would not sit through this in a movie theater. But thanks to HBO MAX the vision of Zack Snyder was on display for all to see. I liked it then again, but not so much. CGI is a wonderful thing when placed in the right hands. The back-stories were there, the writer and editing led by Snyder did not bog us down with what is already well-known for the DC followers. Casting is everything, and it was well done for this movie. But you must admit that all of the activities after the death scene of the Steppenwolf character, could have waited for a sequel. This was Snyder overkill and would serve as more of a punishment for anyone dropping $20 at a theater more than a reward for sticking it out for 4 hours. And did you want to sing along with the closing credit singing of Hallelujah? I sure did. I won't watch this again.

Concrete Cowboy (2020)

These are real Urban Cowboys

[8/10 · 4 April 2021]

It is hard not to like or respect the work of Lee Daniels. This coming of age story coupled with the reality of urban blight facing the coming gentrification has all the elements of great filmmaking. It's good to see Idris Elba taking roles that allow the world to see him light years away from his London accent and roots. New star Caleb Mclaughlin gives us more than just a troubled young man coming into maturity and gaining respect for his father and a new perspective on life.. The fact that this is based on real characters in a little known tale about Cowboys in modern day Philadelphia is even more amazing. . If you're looking for a happy ending this may not be for you. But if you're looking for a well produced, directed, written, and edited film don't pass this by.

Godzilla vs. Kong (2021)

What a rush!

[8/10 · 1 April 2021]

Well, as with most sci-fi films you must accept the premise. Once that was accomplished the rest of this monster king reboot worked. Director Adam Wingard and writers Eric Pearson and Max Borenstein's vision for our favorite monsters turned into more of a collaboration than a beat down. Hollywood's new diversity casting allowed "Atlanta " co-star Brian Tyree Henry to get a comic relief role as a Nerd Conspiracy Theorist Podcaster and one of the few standouts except for "G&KK." The rest of the acting crew didn't really put in very much work while on camera except for cute little Kaylee Hottle, the Kong Charmer. Back to the premise; a bit shakey but acceptable once "MechaG"was introduced to this generation of monster lovers. Mechagodzilla was introduced to us in the 1974 Japanese epic of which this "monster" was patterned after. More is sure to follow.

Genius (2017– )

Aretha;A new view

[9/10 · 24 March 2021]

The latest edition of the Genius series from National Geographic Channel of all places is a welcome addition. The cinema graphic feel is different from the Netflix and Amazon Prime products we've been exposed to lately. Yet star Cynthia Erivo does Aretha justice as not just a victim of circumstance but a champion of a woman's right to choose and then Queen of Soul that she truly is. The music is spot on! Genius tugs at heart, makes you angry, proud and joyful. A well done to the producers, Direcror and musicians who made this happen.