Fury

Release Date: Oct 17, 2014 
Runtime: 2 hr. 14 min. 
Director: David Ayer 
Cast: Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, Jon Bernthal.

Like battle wounds and scars, the bonds of brotherhood last a lifetime, as affirmed in "Fury," David Ayer's intimate study on warfare. Set during the culmination of WWII in the treacherous terrains of Germany, the film centers around a 2nd Armored Division led by Don 'Wardaddy' Collier. Pitt leads the crew of disparate individuals which consist of LaBeouf, Peña, Bernthal, and newbie recruit Lerman. Together they deliver the ammunition for the plot, but not without encountering some provisional casualties. Though each play their part as persuasively as the next, it takes awhile to warm up to their hard-edged personalities. Bernthal is easily the contentious of the bunch, while LaBeouf digs deep into passive aggression; in spite of his notorious descent into madness, his performance is notable if not surprisingly remarkable. In addition to Pitt who's a natural born leader, it's their dogged determination that keeps the plot moving forward. Ayer, as director, brings a rawness to the front – not holding back on carnage or turmoil. Granted, it's not the most violent film to be made, there's a palpable tension in each isolated battle. Where "Fury" excels is in the context of its name, when it's just the tank and its inhabitants amidst the chaos of combat. The intense final moments are heart-pounding to say the least, though not unforeseen in the spoils of war. With Ayer's résumé rapidly gaining cred, it should be interesting to see what he does next with DC's "Suicide Squad."

Rating: 3½ stars

Gangster Squad

Release Date: Jan 11, 2013 
Runtime: 1 hr. 50 min. 
Director: Ruben Fleischer 
Cast: Josh Brolin, Ryan Gosling, Sean Penn, Emma Stone, Anthony Mackie, Robert Patrick, Giovanni Ribisi, Nick Nolte, Michael Peña.

Take "Public Enemies" with a dose of "Ocean's Eleven" and you have yourself "Gangster Squad," a crime thriller with a tendency for humor. And that's basically what it is, a hodgepodge of sorts, not too serious but not meant to be all that funny. So what makes it your run-of-the-mill, shoot-to-kill gangster movie? Tommy guns, of course. Set in Los Angeles during the early 50's, ex-boxer Mickey Cohen is hell bent on taking over the city by any means necessary. Left with no other choice but to fight violence with violence, Sgt. John O'Mara puts together a squad of tough individuals to take down the notorious crime boss, and save their domain from further corruption. Josh Brolin leads the cast of well-known individuals, including the likes of Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Robert Patrick and Giovanni Ribisi. But such talents are no match for a slack screenplay that boasts cheesy dialogue; rather, gunning for the glitz and glam of old Hollywood interspersed by a barrage of gunfire. And there's not a whole lot of intensity, save for Sean Penn's curmudgeonly stares, that keeps the film active or attention-grabbing. Its glossy appearance is only appreciated when its attractive stars strut around, namely Gosling and Stone who reunite for another tête-à-tête. But even they can't keep the chemistry alive when there's not much of a story to build upon. While the blame can be partially placed on the able-minded screenwriter, one can't neglect the credibility of the director. As Fleischer's previous and only two films were both comedies, one of which was the ingenious "Zombieland," it's obvious where there lies the discrepancy. Admitted, it's not that easy to switch over in genres, it still feels like a loss when it comes to the cast and what could have been. Nevertheless, "Gangster Squad" does have some slick scenes, or two. You'll just have to bare with the rest to get through it.

Rating: 2 stars

End of Watch

Release Date: Sep 21, 2012 
Runtime: 1 hr. 49 min. 
Director: David Ayer 
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Peña, Anna Kendrick, Frank Grillo, America Ferrera.

If you ever wondered what an episode of "Cops" would look like with Hollywood actors and a scripted dialogue, then look no further. Written and directed by the writer who brought you "Training Day," "End of Watch" follows two partners in their day-to-day routine in the tumultuous line of duty. Using personal cameras via the 'found footage' approach, it's an intimate yet dramatically intense look into the violence that plagues South Central LA. More importantly, it's about the camaraderie that the two characters share that drives the bulk of the movie, adding humanity that's commonly forgotten in such hard-hitting genres. Gyllenhaal expands his range playing the reckless Brian Taylor, alongside Peña who continues to be an underrated but immensely talented actor. As the camera accompanies the two on their drug busts and house calls, it's easy to get caught up in the moment when brutality erupts. Having done a handful of films regarding law enforcement already, Ayer is a pro when it comes to embellishing the action. He also manages to conjure a bit of humor whenever the lead actors aren't too busy pummeling victims, a thankful reprieve from all the violence. Though the film feels almost like a mesh of assorted episodes, the final climax is enough of an adhesive to bring it all together. Not to be one that's outdone by himself, Ayer gives us another solid film that pushes the boundaries.

Rating: 4 stars

Lawless

Release Date: Aug 29, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 

Director: John Hillcoat 

Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman.

Blood runs thicker than water, and for the Bondurant boys, it's no messing matter. Set during the Prohibition era and based on true events, "Lawless" tells the tale of three bootlegging brothers who live a carefree life, while challenging the laws that were made to be broken. But when a ruthless agent comes knocking at their door, it takes more than just loyalty to win back their power. Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke play the law-breaking trio, different in every way other than their tutelage. In perhaps his most challenging role yet, LaBeouf leads an intimidating cast as the youngest brother, Jack. His fragility and eagerness to learn exude a disparity against his older siblings who are rugged and assertive, which results in a sometimes admirable, yet irritable performance. On the other hand, Hardy is a man of few words. His formidable grunts and blasé attitude are the source for much needed humor, and a reprieve from a rather dull storyline. This particularly applies to the front half, which treads at a snail's pace. No matter how sensational the acting, ie. Guy Pearce's frightening portrayal of Agent Rakes, it's not enough to invigorate a listless script that could have done more with its material. For one, the use of Gary Oldman is widely undervalued. Appearing in less takes than the barmaid and hired help, it's a head-scratcher as to why he was even casted in the first place. Nevertheless, "Lawless" has no qualms about it and keeps a level mindset. It may be no summer blockbuster but at least it breaks from the herd.

Rating: 2½ stars

Safe House

Release Date: Feb 10, 2012 

Runtime: 1 hr. 54 min.

Director: Daniel Espinosa 

Cast: Denzel Washington, Ryan Reynolds, Vera Farmiga, Brendan Gleeson, Sam Shepard.

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then "Safe House" has all the proverbial trimmings. In his first U.S. debut, director Daniel Espinosa stays inside the box as he navigates through another action thriller about security and corruption. Denzel Washington is back in his element as Tobin Frost, an ex-CIA operative-cum-rogue agent. Upon obtaining a classified file, he is ambushed by mercenaries and emissaries alike, thus beginning a rugged chase through the streets of Cape Town. Though Denzel's known to play the good guy well, he plays the bad even better, and it's this adeptness that keeps him consistent—not to mention giving him that long-deserved Oscar for "Training Day." And while his performance here comes nowhere close to that caliber, he still devotes his time and energy to get the job done, admitting with some help along the way. Ryan Reynolds continues to demonstrate his abilities as an actor, building atop the benchmark he established in "Buried," and displaying a vulnerability that can't be ignored. The two spark an embattled partnership that's not too far off from Hawke and Washington's affiliation in the aforementioned "Training Day." But the story itself is less than refined, adopting cues from past films that are too obvious to miss. With this, we get predictable twists and familiar characters, some of which are mostly forgotten. Even so, Espinosa packs an ample dose of action and gunfire, making it more enjoyable than the other corresponding movie, "Haywire."

Rating: 3 stars

The Town

Release Date: Sep 17, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 5 min. 

Director: Ben Affleck 

Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively. 

Already gathering mass critical acclaim, and perhaps a little Oscar-buzz, Ben Affleck’s second outing behind the lens further solidifies his abilities as a director. His return to what he knows best, Boston, helps sell this bank-heist thriller that boasts notable actors and performances. Affleck and his gang of three friends are bank robbers who incessantly evade the FBI through use of various vehicles and disguises, the most notable being the unsettling nun attire as seen on posters. Jeremy Renner plays the reliable, yet highly unstable, friend who causes more trouble than needed. After rightfully gaining attention from “The Hurt Locker,” Renner continues to exceed expectations with his hard demeanor and effortless acting. TV regular, Jon Hamm, attempts to shed his ‘Don Draper’ persona by taking on the role of head FBI agent, but is ultimately outshined by Blake Lively of all people. For once, her promiscuous guise and revealing attire actually pays off, while her acting is surprisingly genuine. With plenty of car chases and shootouts, the film rarely misses an opportunity to fill in the gaps with a generous dose of dark humor. But the end comes surely, in an almost predictable manner that is neither good nor bad. Either way, Affleck seems to be on his way to career redemption, and quite possibly, the directing ranks of Clint Eastwood. Believe it.

Rating: 4 stars

The Karate Kid

Release Date: Jun 11, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 20 min. 

Director: Harald Zwart 

Cast: Jaden Smith, Jackie Chan, Taraji Henson, Wang Ji, Harry Van Gorkum.

Seeing as remakes aren’t a rarity these days, it was only a matter of time before the next “Karate Kid” made its way to theaters. This time around, Will Smith’s mini-me, Jaden Smith, tackles the role with surprisingly valiant effort. Despite my initial reservations about the casting choice for the title role, Smith’s inherent personality gives a refreshing quality that’s of his own accord. Though young in age and still inexperienced, he shows potential in what could be a budding acting career. Jackie Chan, in turn, takes on a change of persona with his first serious role in American cinema. While he is no Mr. Miyagi, Chan gives depth to the character of Mr. Han that superimposes on his stereotypical roles in the past. Acting as both a teacher and father figure, he has a good grasp on delivering humor with an unyielding expression and attitude. The story has a slow buildup but gradually strengthens in terms of character development that stretches over the course of 2.5 hours. Understandably, the relationship between the protagonist and his love interest becomes awkward at times due to their youthful age, as well as the believability of such brutal violence. But the film delivers on emotion and triumph through as many means as possible. In the face of ideas being borrowed from the original, it holds its ground as a bona fide remake. 

Rating: 3½ stars

Public Enemies

Release Date: Jul 01, 2009 

Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min. 

Director: Michael Mann 

Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi.

In the early 1930's, robbery was considered cool, almost godly. Or at least it seems like it. Michael Mann offers his romanticized take of one of the most notoriously idolized bank robbers in history, with a little help from Johnny Depp, of course. Each scene is tastefully done without being overly stylized, showing people as realistically as a film can depict. From the moment Dillinger jumps over the counter top to his apathetic swagger, you immediately feel drawn to his character and wish he was the good guy. Though Christian Bale does a decent job in portraying the FBI agent in charge of taking Dillinger down, he doesn't quite hold the screen presence or energy as much as Depp. The only thing lacking in this film is really a solid story. There is only an end rather than a beginning, with a lot of chasing and some occasional showdowns. Still, Mann does his job and presents another concrete film worth viewing. Elliot Goldenthal also does a terrific job with the score, matching the tone and excitement of each confrontation. 

Rating: 3½ stars

Angels & Demons

Release Date: May 15, 2009 

Runtime: 2 hr. 20 min. 

Director: Ron Howard 

Cast: Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierfrancesco Favino.

It's often difficult to review film adaptations of books I have read several times and know by heart; therefore, I'll break this review into two parts. Unbiased: with more action and less talking, "Angels & Demons" does a far better job in engaging the audience than "The Da Vinci Code." There is more of a cohesive plot and all of the characters have reason to be part of the story. In addition, the music (by Hans Zimmer, of course) keeps the pace of the film moving quickly, while igniting suspense. Biased: this film is pretty much nothing like the book. The writers were overly liberal with the script, taking only the main idea and nothing else. Key characters and elements were missing that would have made the climax more dramatic. Also, the film didn't delve into the controversy between the church and the Illuminati as much as it should have, probably due to the heat from the Vatican. The "assassin" seemed wimpy in comparison to the masochistic murderer in the book. Although Tom Hanks was slightly better than the first, he still lacked the charisma of Robert Langdon. If I had never read the book, this rating would have been higher since the film was overall successful and exciting. However, I must admit I was too busy noticing the discrepancies to really appreciate what could have been. 

Rating: 3 stars

Valkyrie

Release Date: Dec 25, 2008 

Runtime: 2 hr. 0 min.

Director: Bryan Singer 

Cast: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice Van Houten.

Although the story was predictable due to the ending already being preconceived knowledge, the film did manage to keep the suspense in check. It starts out slow but picks up the pace when the assassination plot is put into full effect. One major flaw, however, was the casting of the film. Ironically enough, most of the major characters weren't even played by German actors, especially Hitler himself. It was rather odd how the language started out in German and then all of a sudden people were talking with a British accent. Either way, there are plenty of recognizable faces to make this film enjoyable and worth watching. If only the story itself would have ended in success.
 

Rating: 3½ stars