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Sleeping Dogs (2024)
Memento meets Shutter Island... Badly
Sleeping Dogs starts with promise, despite a reliance on a few tried-and-true tropes, the film initially offers moments of genuine intrigue. Russell Crowe, as always, delivers a solid performance, anchoring a decent cast. The soundtrack, too, complements the film's atmosphere well.
However, as the main plot unfolds, the film stumbles into predictability. What begins as a potentially clever twist devolves into a series of disconnected scenes where characters seem as absent as Bruce Willis in "The Sixth Sense"-only without the payoff. Instead of a clever reveal, we're left with a plot so foreseeable that it saps the viewer's interest.
The script, unfortunately, is the crux of the issue. Rather than developing characters and deepening the narrative, the screenplay flounders with irrelevant references and red herrings that lead nowhere. By the film's conclusion, the audience is left feeling indifferent towards the characters, detached from their fates due to the weak writing.
It's a disappointment, especially given the clear effort by the cast to elevate the material they were given. "Sleeping Dogs" might have been a compelling psychological thriller but is undermined by its screenplay, making it a forgettable entry in the genre.
Cult Killer (2024)
A Tale of Vengeance and Missed Opportunities
"Cult Killers" embarks on a gritty journey through the eyes of a seasoned detective, played with compelling gravitas by Antonio Banderas. The film opens in a dimly lit pub, setting the stage for a narrative rife with danger, deception, and personal demons. Banderas' character, a detective with a keen sense for justice, crosses paths with Alice Eve's character in a sequence that not only sets the tone for the movie but also lays the groundwork for a complex relationship driven by shared trauma and a quest for redemption.
Alice Eve delivers a riveting performance as a woman who, behind her facade of scamming drinks, harbors a dark past and a formidable spirit honed through years of suffering and self-defense training. The film cleverly uses flashbacks to unravel her history of abuse and her transformation into a survivor capable of exacting her own justice. This narrative choice, while effective in building her character, also introduces one of the movie's notable flaws: its reliance on exposition over subtler character development.
The plot thickens as we leap five years forward, finding Banderas' detective on a new, ominous case in Ireland, which ultimately leads to his untimely demise at the hands of Jamie, a character intricately linked to the cabal at the heart of the movie's conflict. Jamie's role as both an ally and an antagonist introduces a dynamic tension that propels the narrative forward, yet her character suffers from a lack of depth, her motivations spelled out rather than shown, especially when she says "I am a monster"
The movie's handling of its central theme-the impact of a sinister cabal on its victims-touches on harrowing issues but stops short of delving into the systemic horrors that enable such crimes. Jamie's plea for death at Alice's hands, coupled with her backstory of exploitation, hints at a rich vein of narrative potential left unexplored. The film's conclusion, with Alice avenging Banderas' death and contemplating what could have been at Jamie's graveside, feels like a missed opportunity for a deeper examination of vengeance, healing, and the possibility of redemption.
While "Cult Killers" excels in delivering gripping performances and a storyline that captivates with its twists and dark revelations, it falters in fully exploring the complexities of its characters and the world they inhabit. The relationship between Banderas and Eve's characters, punctuated by a legacy of detective work and a shared longing for justice, serves as the emotional core of the film, yet the narrative choices leave the viewer yearning for a resolution that offers more than simple retribution.
In essence, "Cult Killers" is a film that intrigues and engages, offering moments of brilliance in its portrayal of resilience and the human capacity for both darkness and light. However, its narrative shortcuts and the finality of its conclusion undermine the potential for a richer, more nuanced exploration of its themes. The groundwork laid for a sequel that never materializes leaves us contemplating what might have been-a narrative path that could have ventured deeper into the shadows to expose the full extent of the cabal's reach and the redemptive power of confronting one's demons.
In closing, "Cult Killers" is undoubtedly worth watching for its compelling performances and the haunting questions it raises about justice, survival, and the scars left by unseen battles. Yet, as the credits roll, we're left with a sense of unfinished business, a story that could have gone further in its pursuit of truth and transformation.
Heart of Stone (2023)
Disbelief Not Just Suspended, But Broken!
"Heart of Stone" starts with a promise reminiscent of classics like "True Lies," and there are flashes of what could be mistaken for "Mission Impossible" moments. However, any thrill from these homages quickly dissipates as the movie delves into the realm of the implausible.
It's one thing to ask an audience to suspend their disbelief for the sake of entertainment, but "Heart of Stone" seems to push this request to its limits. Case in point: our protagonist somehow manages to travel from London to Senegal almost instantly on an aircraft, a journey that would typically take 11 hours. Moments like this not only break the immersion but also make one question the research (or lack thereof) that went into the making of this film.
While cinematic liberty is appreciated and often necessary for the narrative, it should not come at the expense of authenticity, especially when it pertains to simple, verifiable facts. The glaring oversight concerning the flight duration is but one of several instances where "Heart of Stone" chooses spectacle over substance.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a movie that pays tribute to the great action thrillers of the past, "Heart of Stone" does try, but its ill-researched scenarios and overt disregard for realism might leave you more stone-hearted than the title suggests.
Mare of Easttown (2021)
The Music Man
Ok, I'm only up to episode 3, but there has now been two references to The Music Man. That have taken me out of spirit of the show, and it is distracting as hell. Mare Sheehan, sounds alot like Mayor Shinn. Second thing, when her partner in episode 3 is talking about his alumni being class of 05. Said in exactly the same way as Professor Harold Hill says it. Surprised if the next line isn't "Where did you go?" and his answer is going to be "Garry Indiana." If that happens, I can't watch anymore. Apart from The Music Man references, it seems like a great show.
Edit: Ok, I have finished all episodes, I'm going from voting a 7/10 in episode 3 to a 8/10 overall. A great show. Episode 5 was the best. In the final episode. I don't understand why Lori wasn't held accountable for withholding information from the police. Surely that is an obstruction of justice. Also, the old guy he noticed his gun was gone... But Ryan took it and returned it on the same night, so that makes no sense he would notice the gun had gone. Also, why would he have checked if the bullets had gone? There is no way that the gun was taken at say 10pm and returned at say 2am and the guy knows its gone, why would he have gone to the shed between 10pm and 2am?
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Worth watching...
I have seen this movie several times, and have noticed things I hadn't noticed on previous viewings. This is the story of a man convicted of killing his wife. I hate spoilers, so won't list anything, you just need to see this movie. I did have a couple of issues with things that happen in the movie which is why its only 8 stars/