A female assassin on a mission decides to go against directives to protect an 8-year-old girl and must team up with her estranged mother as she takes on the very organization she works for.
Without mincing words, I would say that this is one of the worst movies of 2021. It's a waste of the ensemble cast of talented female stars who put a lot of effort into this visual garbage.
Trying to imitate John Wick and some of the most outstanding action films ever made, Gunpowder Milkshake ends up being a failure of epic proportions.
Let's start with the protagonist; a female assassin who is recruited by The Firm to kill someone who has stolen from them. For whatever reason, she hesitates before pulling the trigger only to find out that he was only going to use the cash to pay as a ransom for his kidnapped 8-year-old daughter.
From there on out, the film falls into ludicrous territory, with Sam (the name of the heroine) making the most unrealistic choices (one of which is deciding to be a mummy to the orphaned girl).
As for the girl, she doesn't even react to her dad being killed and is dry-eyed as she stares at his bloodied corpse (seriously!!??).
Another thing to note about Sam is that she has mummy issues herself (her absentee mum who is also a killer-for-hire disappeared years ago and since then poor Sam has held a grudge).
So, it only made sense when the killer mother (played by Lena Headey) suddenly reappears to lend a helping hand when Sam is hunted down by the same organization she works for after killing the son of a mob boss.
From one ridiculous action sequence to the next, everything about this film sucks big time. I feel so sorry for the lead star, Karen Gillan as I wanted this to work for her. Too bad it didn't.
The director, Navot Papushado, needs to go back to the drawing board and learn from those who have successfully helmed action movies because Gunpowder Milkshake is just plain terrible from start to finish.
A married woman who is on an anniversary getaway trip with her husband unexpectedly finds herself handcuffed to her dead husband's body. She must fight to survive and outsmart two invaders who want to break into a safe in the house and dish out some payback for what she did years ago.
Till Death manages to shake off some pacing issues in its first thirty minutes, grip the attention of the viewer and explode into a nail-biting finale.
Starring Megan Fox in the lead role, the film sees her character Emma grudgingly agree to go with her husband on a getaway trip during their marriage anniversary.
Emma is hiding a secret and unknown to her, her spouse knows and has hatched the perfect plan to make sure she really suffers for it. He shoots handcuffs himself to her and shoots himself in the head, opening the door to a long day in which Emma must battle the surviving cold and the determined men who come after her.
I had issues with Fox's acting early as it seemed like she was forcing herself to play the part. The actor who plays her husband can't quite decide if he wants to use an English accent or an American one.
After being bored for more than 30 minutes following the start of the film, things finally got interesting close to the forty-minute nark and from then onwards, it was full-throttle fun.
The suspense works well enough to sustain the interest of the viewer, and the antagonist has a really menacing presence that makes him compelling. His accomplice however makes some irrational choices in the course of the film, suddenly growing a conscience and deciding to protest when things begin to get out of hand.
The conclusion is predictable but thrilling and by the end of it, the main character would have earned your respect.
Till death is a pretty decent film that offers the needed entertainment. It isn't anything close to spectacular but movie lovers without high hopes will find it worth watching.
Set after the events of Captain America: Civil War, Natasha Romanoff journeys back to her home country of Russia to confront both old and new foes. She reunites with her 'family' in the fight against the rising forces in her way.
Finally, Natasha Romanoff's solo story arrives on the big screen, and it is a fitting farewell to a founding avenger who gave her life in the fight to save the world.
Black Widow is set after the events of Captain America: Civil War and sees Natasha travel to Budapest to be reunited with her foster sister, Yelena (Florence Pugh). Together, the ladies break the Red Guardian out of a maximum-security prison and trail Melina to her new life.
Reconnecting with her long-lost 'family' comes with confronting the ghosts of her past; something which leads Natasha all the way back to the Red Room (the secret place where all the 'Widows' are trained) and the master puppeteer who is behind it all.
This film is a Marvel film you would expect and at the same time, something different in that it leans more on the heroine's internal struggles than the spectacle or action.
This is Scarlett Johansson at her best in the MCU and newcomer Florence Pugh is simply amazing. I was intrigued by her unending quips and sarcasm.
David Harbour as the Red Guardian is also a welcome comic distraction but when it comes down to doing some damage, he is all talk and no show.
Rachel Weisz doesn't contribute much and Ray Winstone as the villain is just your typical bad guy who enjoys hearing himself talk.
For the most part, the action is good but I was slightly disappointed that the major showdown between Natasha and the Taskmaster never happens.
Black Widow doesn't measure up to some of the MCU's best films but it sure doesn't disappoint on many levels. I look forward to seeing more of Pugh's Yelena in future MCU movies.
Comedian Kevin Hart stars as a father who must raise his baby girl alone after the untimely death of his beloved wife.
In Fatherhood, we see a more dramatic side of Kevin Hart and it's a welcome change from his usual comedic outings.
The renowned comedian plays Matthew Longelin, a man who is tasked with the challenging job of single parenthood after his wife passes away shortly after the birth of their daughter.
Matt ignores the advice of his mother and mother-in-law, deciding to remain where he is to raise young Maddy, if anything to prove that he can do it.
Surrounded by his two closest pals, the single dad discovers that there is far more to raising a child than he initially thought and as he is overwhelmed by parenting duties, begins to long more and more for his late partner.
As is expected from every Kevin Hart film, Fatherhood has a lot of comedy but unlike most of the actor's previous movies, the focus here is drama, and in that aspect, the film warms its way into the viewer's heart.
As Matt struggles to adapt to his ever-growing responsibilities, he learns a very valuable lesson; as a parent, you have to accept that you are not totally in control of your child.
I was moved to tears, I was made to laugh, and I was won over by this charming film. Hart doesn't disappoint and the little actress who plays his onscreen daughter equally plays the character very well.
By the film's conclusion, Hart's character has gone through some development, with the growth occurring in the most natural and realistic way.
This is a film for everyone. The director, cast, and crew all did a good job as it is a flick I won't forget in a hurry.
Curt Goynes is a man looking to make some quick money. He gets his chance when he is recruited alongside two individuals to watch a man's family while one of them follows him to his workplace to retrieve an important document.
What seems like a perfect plan begins a slow but sure descent into chaos as the man who is supposed to get the document finds out that it has been removed.
From then on, it becomes a battle of will and wits as those involved must use their instincts and survival skills to stay alive while trying to find the paper and get the cash they were promised.
With No Sudden Move, Steven Soderbergh reminds us of his knack for making mystery films with engaging plots which gradually unfold into an unforgettable experience.
Starring Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, David Harbour, and Jon Hamm, it revolves around two men who are paid to make sure that an important document is retrieved from an office safe.
When the plan goes south, the men must rely on their guts and survival skills to outwit whoever hired them and get to the bottom of a betrayal that ensues.
The ensemble cast of actors deliver and the story itself unfolds in such a way that you never want to miss anything. I pride myself in being able to predict most films, but this one has twists and turns that really challenged my intellect.
Everything about this film works perfectly; from the pacing to the music, to the intricate plot and suspenseful finale. Movie fans will get a delight with an unexpected cameo from an uncredited actor.
Like I always do in my reviews, I will single out the outstanding actors here; Don Cheadle for his charismatic portrayal of a man who relies more on brains than brawn, Benicio Del Toro for vividly playing a man driven by lust and greed, and Brendan Fraser who despite his limited screentime makes quite the impression as an overweight gangster.
Steven Soderbergh fans will be pleased with this one and I also recommend it for all movie lovers.
Tim Templeton and his little brother Ted are now grown men and must revert to their baby forms to stop a wacky genius from executing a sinister plan which involves taking all the parents in the world out of the picture.
Even though the animation is colourful and vibrant, this sequel just ends up having everything that made the first movie easily forgettable.
Alec Baldwin returns as the genius baby in adult form. His relationship with his big brother Tim is now strained and they both get the surprise of their lives when they find out that Tim's last daughter, Tina, is also a talking baby genius.
Tina informs her dad and uncle about a ploy by a deranged innovator at her sister's school and together, the brothers go on a quest to foil the plan, learning to bond again.
The voice acting is okay, the animation cool, but the outrageous comedy just gets in the way. Almost everything is exaggerated and the pacing almost too fast to let the viewer soak it all in.
I enjoyed Baldwin's vocal portrayal of Ted and Jeff Goldblum as the antagonist. Other than these, The Boss Baby: Family Business doesn't have anything outstanding to offer.
I admit that I laughed a few times but the plot and everything going on was just so silly that I didn't connect with it. Young children and maybe some teenagers will like this but a lot of adult folks will find it a bit much.
I didn't see any need for a sequel after watching the first one and having seen this too, I can say I was justified. On the whole, the movie doesn't work because almost everything put in it is too distracting to make a coherent whole.
A biology teacher is selected among those who must fight a war against vicious aliens several decades in the future. Their goal is to stop the seemingly inevitable annihilation of the entire human population by the invaders.
The Tomorrow War starts as a movie desperately trying to make the viewer like it but ends as a pulse-pounding and entertaining joyride filled with touching moments and a never-ending visual spectacle.
It is directed by Chris McKay and stars Chris Pratt who is a husband and father who finds himself forcefully conscripted to fight for the survival of the human race.
The plot is basically the same as almost every sci-fi movie we have seen about aliens but what sets this film apart is the humanity and the battle to change the fate of a doomed race.
I was happy that the aliens were introduced on time and are they vicious and ugly! They are all out to extinguish the human race and nothing will stand in their way.
As the hero, Pratt's character doesn't make the kind of impression you expect in the early goings but as the movie progresses, he develops into the kind of guy you root for.
He meets a future version of someone close to him in the future war and together they find a weapon that could change the course of the fight for humanity.
Those who love action will get a load of it here; the spectacle is glorious and the battle scenes are well executed. My only complaint is the lack of gore for a movie that has a lot of onscreen carnage.
For the most part, the humour doesn't really cut it as a lot of the jokes fall flat and are unnecessary. In terms of the acting, Yvonne Strahovski excels above everyone else. She plays her role with the emotion needed and the performance is a winning one.
J. K. Simmons plays the stereotypically estranged father and grandfather but the actor leaves quite the impression as well. He had to bulk up for the part and it was good to see.
Most of the supporting characters end up being hollow apart from Edwin Hodge's Dorian who goes out with a bang in the final act.
In all, The Tomorrow War is an epic action science-fiction film that works as a result of the family dynamic added to it. More than just the compelling action, it is a reminder of why we fight our battles and those we fight for.
Luca is a teenage sea monster who has always wanted to explore the surface world. When he meets Alberto (another teen sea monster), the latter introduces him to the world of humans as they both explore endless possibilities. But the town they find themselves in is occupied by people who have always hunted sea monsters, and it's only a matter of time before Luca and Alberto's secret will become revealed.
Luca effectively employs the traditional Disney/Pixar formula to continue the creation of a family-friendly tale that is heartwarming and didactic.
The story is magical, the characters are endearing, and the animation is beautifully rendered. With all these in place, how can one expect nothing less than another classic from the Mouse House?
Luca (voiced by the talented youngster Jacob Tremblay) meets the adventurous Alberto (Jack Dylan Grazer) and his boring life takes far more interesting than he could have anticipated.
In exploring the human world, they befriend a girl named Giulia, and together they join an upcoming race to win a motorcycle. What they don't bargain for is the townspeople's intolerance and hatred for their kind, and when Luca's parents come looking for him, things spiral out of control.
I was hooked from the opening scene and I couldn't just take my eyes away for the duration of this film. It isn't Disney and Pixar's best film but it is definitely something remarkable.
The voice acting is great (especially from the two leads) and the humour comes in the needed doses. At the heart of this film is a lesson to accept everyone the way they are, irrespective of beliefs, race, religion, or sexuality. It's a message that never gets old and Disney and Pixar tell it in the best way possible.
Luca is another win and ranks among the best animated films of 2021. Disney fans will not be disappointed.
A teenage boy who longs to be reunited with his childhood friend gets his chance when he becomes the owner of a mysterious teacup that houses a magical dragon.
Wish Dragon is an unexpected delight, one which touches the soul and teaches some of life's most valuable lessons.
Never judge a book by its cover (in this case, never think you know a movie after seeing just the trailer). After watching the trailer, I thought this was just a Chinese remake of Disney's classic Aladdin story. I was so wrong!
Animation lovers might just need to keep their handkerchiefs handy while watching this because it will melt the stoniest of hearts. This might be the best animated film 2021 has to offer.
Wish Dragon sees Din Song (Jimmy Wong), a poor teen, put on a facade to make an impression on his childhood best friend. He is aided by the titular power-wielding dragon; a creature who just wants to finish his servitude to humanity and return to where he belongs.
As Din reconnects with his pal, he learns that he has to shed the cloak of deception and be proud of who he really is. His journey takes a dangerous turn when he stumbles into dangerous men looking for the mysterious teacup. It's a path that will teach him and his reptilian ally that sometimes the things we crave the most do not compare to what we already have.
Despite its lack of originality, Wish Dragon turns out to be a load of fun and heart. It has a message for all ages and its colourful animation will keep viewers spellbound.
The subpar character designs are easily forgotten in a plot that takes the viewer where he/she least expects. The end result is a wonderful viewing experience that will shake you to your core.
I highly recommend this film to not just animation fans, but to all movie lovers. Don't think you know where the story is going because you don't, trust me.
John Cho, the voice behind the dragon, does a splendid job in his vocal performance of an imperfect creature that becomes something far more by the end of the film.
I could go on about how awesome the film is but I would just stop here and urge every member of the family to see this beautiful work of art from the talented minds behind Sony Pictures Animation.
The director Chris Appelhans couldn't have done better in making this exceptional masterpiece. Thanks, man. It was a joyride from start to finish!
A man must unlock his hidden memories when he finds out that he is an infinite; someone who reincarnates over several lifetimes. He is pursued by a sinister adversary who wants to end the world as we all know it.
Antoine Fuqua's action film starts fairly well but plummets into mediocre territory with cheesy dialogue, lack of character development, and a forgettable plot.
Starring Mark Wahlberg (looking buff as usual), Inifinite centers on a man who discovers that he has lived many lives before after a run-in with the law reunites him with an old foe (a fearsome-looking Chiwetel Ejiofor) he can't remember.
Evan (Wahlberg) gets help from a fellow infinite, Nora (Sophie Cookson) and together they must find the location of a capsule with the power to destroy the world before it ends up in the wrong hands.
As if the storyline isn't predictable enough, the exposition loses steam midway and even Ejiofor's commendable performance can't save the movie from its downward plunge.
Without giving away too much away, let me say that the whole concept of the infinites and their evil counterparts is just too cheesy. You have the reluctant hero who doesn't know who he is but at some point, you know he will regain his memories and save the day. When you know the end from the beginning, the journey just ends up being boring.
Director Fuqua has an impressive record when it comes to making interesting action films but here he falls short of expectations. The fight scenes fluctuate; they toe the line between great and lackluster.
The special effects are not bad, the acting is okay. Wahlberg does what he does best, Ejiofor as the creepy bad guy with an even more creepy beard is charismatically evil, but the other cast members leave a lot to be desired.
Then I had an issue with the tall girl who was a bodyguard (or whatever the heck she was) to Bathurst (Ejiofor). She was practically useless for the length of the film. When she has a confrontation with Nora, her demise is as inconsequential as her existence.
I daresay the best part of the movie is the opening car chase sequence (look out for a cameo appearance from a talented upcoming movie star). It had this Fast & Furious vibe that just gets you hooked to the screen.
Infinite has the potential to spawn a franchise but with Fuqua's interpretation, I doubt plans for subsequent sequels might be shelved. Wahlberg and Ejiofor make for an intriguing pair but their combo isn't enough to make this movie fail before it succeeds.
