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Reviews
Criminal (2016)
Don't be so critical you critics!
Too many complaints about not enough action, premise of transferring memories and feelings too ridiculous, too slow paced, bland and/or over-the-top acting.
Why can't you just enjoy a movie for what it is and the story being told?
There was plenty of action (love the line "come closer") but more important to the story was everything in between. Transferring memories too much? Iron Man's abilities didn't seem to bother many with "plausibility". Pacing was perfect to get various plot points across to all watchers. Tommy Lee played a normal doctor in a crazy position and nailed the subtleties of the part. Oldman was somewhat excessively crazy but some people are, especially when world peace is in the balance and it's in his hands to fix things.
My main takeaway is this... world in danger, man to help save world dying so memories are transferred to mentally deficit bad guy, shooting, car chasing, people dying, tension, who will win and how, fighting and torture and more violence....
And in the middle of all of this the "bad" guy starts to slowly remember "good" guy's life... including his sweet wife and his precious daughter (and other CIA stuff). Here is where the story takes a turn. Maybe too many of you have hard hearts, or have never experienced that level of love and devotion. We see a man who has NEVER felt anything suddenly start to have feelings and he recognizes and feels the love for his wife and daughter. Imagine how crazy that experience would be!!!! Costner does a fantastic job of pulling us along with him in this revelation and struggle. Suddenly
the climax is happening and we see this man returning to his uncaring former self but he is still willing to die to save the other guy's family. That's true love. Hits me in the gut. Choked me up. Love it when a story can move me.
If this type of story isn't to your liking, don't ever watch it again. But you don't have to be hateful and so critical of someone's art.
I give it a 9.
Stargate SG-1: Abyss (2002)
This episode was fantastic!
To those complaining about a lack of action in this episode ... Stargate is more than that. Sure, it has action and great special effects... but it's more than that.
At it's core, what makes this show so successful is the relationships between the primary, and sometimes, secondary characters. Compassion, friendship, love, sacrifice, perfect banter between friends! Action alone does not make a great show, especially one that last 10 seasons! Remember Gunsmoke or M. A. S. H.? Plenty of action, but the personal relationships were what made the shows great. Consider the current MCU...lots of action, but the humor and banter and relationships make these movies what there are.
If pure action alone is your desire, I feel sorry for you. Don't be so shallow and critical. IMO.
Wander (2020)
Not as bad as some say
Some people are too critical. This movie may not be a masterpiece, but it's well made. The pace is great, never much slows down, keeps going to the next scene and keeps you wondering what's going on. Sure, you start getting ideas in your head about which characters are "in on it" but EVERYONE can't be, so you're never really sure.
Not so much a "thriller" as you might expect, but kind of a mystery....is the main protagonist just crazy? Is he on to something?
Who can he believe in? And that, I believe is the message here...careful who and what you put your trust into.
Devil's Gate (2017)
Nicely Done!
Too many people are too critical of movies! This movie was well made. No spoilers here...
The plot kept you unsure (on purpose) what was happening.
Pacing was great.
Acting was fantastic.
Characters were believable (except for Colt).
Yes, one could say this syfi "idea" has been done before, but this movie got there differently. Someone said you are left hanging at the end...nope...where the story goes from there is no mystery! But it does leave you wanting more.
Ford v Ferrari (2019)
Exhilarating!!!
Great script. Great chemistry. A great "buddy" movie, but so much more. 2.5 hours will fly by so fast!
Extraction (2020)
Action and Emotion (SPOILERS)
Short and sweet...
Great action, Chris, as Tyler Rake, absolutely nails it as the highly skilled mercenary, amazing camera work (don't know how they achieved some of the shots), and talented actors from that part of the world.
Some complain there's a lack of plot and no given reason for the kidnapping...wrong! Voice over explains the warring drug/organized crime cartels. Kidnapping served two purposes... revenge(one can assume) and embarrassment to the father in prison.
Plot... Tyler Rake and his partners are hired to get the boy back, man in charge of boy's protection fails and is tasked in returning boy or losing his own family, man decides to double cross Team Chris and everything goes crazy.
There are touching moments scattered throughout the movie. We see flashbacks that Chris has, Chris and the kidnapped boy make a connection, Chris sacrifices himself to save the boy and the ending is uplifting if you believe that blurry figure that the boy sees is Chris.
Nothing that new or groundbreaking but very enjoyable!