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Archives for : War

Movie Review: “Dune: Part Two”

This week I review the highly anticipated sequel to the action/adventure, “Dune: Part Two”. Did I like it more than the first movie? Watch my full review to find out.

“Dune: Part Two” is currently playing in theaters.

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Premiering this Week: Tom Clancy’s “Without Remorse”

Tom Clancy’s WITHOUT REMORSE will be available exclusively on Amazon Prime Video this Friday, April 30.

Produced by and starring Michael B. Jordan, Tom Clancy’s WITHOUT REMORSE revolves around an elite Navy SEAL who uncovers an international conspiracy while seeking justice for the murder of his pregnant wife.

Directed by: Stefano Sollima

Written by: Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples

Produced by: Akiva Goldsman, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, Michael B. Jordan

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lauren London, Brett Gelman, Jacob Scipio, Jack Kesy, Colman Domingo, Todd Lassance, Cam Gigandet, Luke Mitchell, and Guy Pearce

An elite Navy SEAL uncovers an international conspiracy while seeking justice for the murder of his pregnant wife in Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, the explosive origin story of action hero John Clark – one of the most popular characters in author Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan universe. When a squad of Russian soldiers kills his family in retaliation for his role in a top-secret op, Sr. Chief John Kelly (Michael B. Jordan) pursues the assassins at all costs. Joining forces with a fellow SEAL (Jodie Turner-Smith) and a shadowy CIA agent (Jamie Bell), Kelly’s mission unwittingly exposes a covert plot that threatens to engulf the U.S. and Russia in an all-out war. Torn between personal honor and loyalty to his country, Kelly must fight his enemies without remorse if he hopes to avert disaster and reveal the powerful figures behind the conspiracy.

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Interview: Director Edward Drake talks “Cosmic Sin”

I chatted with director Edward Drake to talk about the new sci-fi thriller, “Cosmic Sin”. We discuss the making of the film, the video games that inspired the film’s look, working with Bruce Willis, and much more. Watch the full interview below.

“Cosmic Sin” opens in theaters and is available On Demand March 12, 2021.

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“1917” Interview: Sam Mendes, Krysty Wilson-Cairns, George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman

Sam Mendes, “1917” Director

“1917” takes us on a desperate trip across the bleak landscape of World War I, following two British soldiers carrying a vitally important message. I sat down with director/writer Sam Mendes, co-writer Krysty Wilson-Cairns, and stars George Mackay and Dean-Charles Chapman to discuss the film.

“1917” opens in select theaters on December 25 and opens everywhere on January 10.

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Movie Review: “1917” is a Thrilling Cinematic Experience

Do you remember the 2017 war film, “Dunkirk”? It was a chaotic mess that left us wondering “who were those characters we just met?” Well, Sam Mendes’ (American Beauty, Road to Perdition) new war/drama is the exact opposite of that.

In “1917” we follow two young British privates, Blake (Dean-Charles Chapman) and Schofield (George MacKay) during the First World War. They are given the impossible mission to deliver a message across enemy lines to stop 1,600 men from walking into a deadly trap. Among those men is Blake’s brother, which makes the journey to get there that much more intense.

The two soldiers make their way through seemingly empty trenches, tunnels, and bombed-out towns with no one but each other to rely on. Along the way, they encounter other men who have clearly been through their own struggles, a woman hiding in a basement, and some not so friendly Germans. But every new face is a mere acquaintance as the boys are on a ticking clock.

There’s tension between the pair, but also a sense of purpose. Scholfield is unhappy to have been chosen by Blake to tag along on this mission, yet they both know this is for a worthy and life-saving cause.

Mendes gives audiences an immersive cinematic experience, supported by cinematography from Roger Deakins, through the one-take display. It makes you truly feel as if you are right there with the soldiers walking behind every step they take. And as you hold your breath till the final scene, you yourself hope you will make it out alive.

Though the film is exciting and will keep you on the edge of your seat at times, this more of a technical achievement. This is far from an original story; it’s pretty basic. Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The filmmakers have taken a simple premise and gone with a “less is more” tactic. This allows for more focus on a beautifully shot film, and a highlight on the actors who give their all emotionally and physically in their spectacular performances. This also gives us the courtesy of understanding who we’re following and character development.

“1917” isn’t a groundbreaking war film, but it is a good one. It’s one you can appreciate and hooks you in from the start. Be sure to watch this one on the big screen!

Rating: 4/5

“1917” opens in Dallas and Plano on Christmas Day and opens in wide release on January 10, 2020.

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Movie Interview: Thomasin McKenzie talks “Jojo Rabbit”

“Jojo Rabbit” is one of the best films of the year. I was thrilled to sit down with one of the stars, Thomasin McKenzie (Elsa) to discuss how adults should teach children to be kind to others, how she likes to pass the time and we play a fun rapid fire game!

“Jojo Rabbit” opens in theaters November 1.

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Interview: US Special Forces Mark Nutsch and Bob Pennington talk “12 Strong”

To promote the “12 Strong” movie, two of the members of the real life U.S. Special Forces team (Mark Nutsch played by Chris Hemsworth and Bob Pennington played by Michael Shannon) went on tour. I enjoyed a remarkable interview with them as we discussed how they felt seeing their story brought to life, the importance of portraying the alliance with the Afghanistan Army and much more.

“12 Strong” hits theaters January 19.

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Interview: “The Good Lie”-Margaret Nagle, Arnold Oceng & Kuoth Wiel discuss Miracle Food and Life Changing Choices

They were known simply as “The Lost Boys.” Orphaned by the brutal Civil war in Sudan that began in 1983, these young victims traveled as many as a thousand miles on foot in search of safety. Fifteen years later, a humanitarian effort would bring 3600 lost boys and girls to America.  In “The Good Lie,” director Philippe Falardeau, (“Monsieur Lazhar”) brings the story of their survival and triumph to life. Sudanese actors Arnold Oceng, Ger Duany, Emmanuel Jal, and newcomer Kuoth Weil, many of whom were also children of war, star alongside Academy Award winner Reese Witherspoon and Corey Stoll. 

I sat down with The Good Lie writer Margaret Nagle (Red Band Society, Boardwalk Empire) and stars Arnold Oceng and Kuoth Wiel to discuss life changing choices, how we can help the South Sudanese children, and much more.

 

I really did love this film, I wasn’t prepared for how emotionally affected I would be.  I do wish I had had some tissue.  But I have to say it was so well written, and you two were fantastic in it. 

Kuoth, Arnold, Margaret: “Awe, Thank you!”

So a lot of the characters are faced with some tough choices in this movie.  What’s the biggest decision you guys have had to make so far in your life; either career wise or just a life changing decision in general?

Margaret: “Ask them because my life is just…”

Kuoth: “Um, I think that this film itself for me was a decision that I had to make.  Because at the time I auditioned for it, I was in college.  And it was my last semester. So the casting director had told me that if you’re going to do the film you’re going to have to give up school because we’re going to be filming for about two months and there’s a lot of travel in between.  And so I gave up my school taking the opportunity of doing the film because of the script itself.  Because I felt that I needed to be a part of it because this was the history of my country.  And so, knowing that I took the opportunity, obviously, hoping for the best (laughs).”

Arnold: “Same, same, exact same to me.  It was a big decision to be part of this film, a decision that I had to make.  And it has changed my life being part of this film.  It’s changed my life immensely.  I’ve learned about my people, I’ve learned about my culture.  Things I didn’t know.  Coming from my father, my father is from South Sudan and I came to the UK.  So being a refugee myself, and not growing up to know my father.  I had to be part of this film to grow and to mature into a man.  You know there’s a great saying, ‘you don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.’  And I didn’t know where my father was from or what he’s been through, or where he’s been.  So this was an emotional journey for me and a big decision, and I’m happy I was part of it.”

The whole time while I was watching this movie I kept thinking, I have to do something.  I just wanted to help out in some way, because the film makes you feel that way when you’re watching.  And I was so happy that you (Arnold) mentioned thegoodliefund.org because once I got home I donated…

Margaret, Arnold, Kuoth: “Oh, yay! Thank you!”

It’s really rare that a movie can have that effect on the audience.  Is there another movie for you guys that after watching it you got inspired to help out for a good cause?

Kuoth: “I always feel like you have that effect with documentaries.  And that’s why this film was also special too.  Because Philippe has that special thing where he makes you feel like this is something that’s in a way very authentic, but it feels real to people.”

Margaret: “But I also think film is this emotional language.  It’s a language that the whole world can speak.  We can all watch a movie and get a certain value from it.  That someone in China or someone in, you know, Argentina; we can watch the same film and we get it.  We all get it.  And so I always believe that unlike a documentary, and this is what always kept me going, is I know this film can break down barriers for all of us.  It’s funny, it’s entertaining, and it’s an intimate epic.  But also that you can understand and so could someone a world away could understand it too and want to give that 5 dollars to the Good Lie Fund.  We’re asking people to think about South Sudan.  We’re going to try and make a difference.”

 

There’s also a lot of humor in here, too.  One of the funniest parts was when the guys were thanking God for the miracle food that is pizza.  I think pizza is amazing as well, but do you guys have a favorite food that you would also say is worthy of that title? 

Arnold: “Ha-ha, yeah, I’m telling you for this film I had to loose so much weight.  So now that I’m allowed to eat the food I want, I’d say steak! (Laughs)…”

Margaret: “Steak, the ‘Lost Boys and Girls’ love steak and orange juice.  And then the Cheerios, that’s my favorite.  I’m an obsessive Cheerios eater.  And I also love; I personally feel pizza is a miracle food.  I feel like that’s sort of a universal, like everybody feels like pizza is you know?  That’s why you laugh at that.  Because you know in any language airplane food is bad, pizza is good.”

The Good Lie opens in theaters October 3.

 

*If you would like to help South Sudanese children in crisis and “Lost Boys and Girls” communities by please donate at thegoodliefund.org

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DVD Review: ‘Zaytoun’ Pulls Off An Unlikely Friendship

This film begins with the thought of a slow, dragged out trip in the dessert.  But as it continues, Zaytoun shows an intriguing amount of character development that eventually leads to a beautiful friendship.

Set in Beirut, during the war of 1982, Fahed (Abdallah El Akal), a 12-year-old Palestinian refugee meets Yoni (Stephen Dorff), a 30-year-old Israeli combat pilot when he is captured by the Palestine army.  The two immediately despise each other and Fahed is especially bitter after the death of his father, who died as a martyr protecting his family.

Before Fahed’s father died, he took great care of a barely surviving olive (known as zaytoun in Arabic) tree.  Fahed’s one wish is to plant the tree in the family’s ancestral village that is now located in Israel so that he may memorialize his father.  With Yoni desperate to escape his prisoner’s cell, the two find common ground and decide they would be beneficial to each other.  Fahed agrees to let Yoni out, still in chains, only if he can guarantee him entrance to the Israeli border.  Once the two begin their long journey, the road traveled isn’t an easy one.  They stumble upon many problems, including the police, car troubles, and the constant worry of whether or not the other one is trustworthy.

Truthfully, this friendship is about as improbable as they come.  I don’t know if planting a tree would necessarily warrant a moment of truce for two people that are fighting for opposing countries.  However unlikely the plot may be, the story ends up working really well.  It might be because the two maintain a love/hate relationship through out the film, or it may be because it is hard to believe anyone would turn on an innocent kid even if he is technically your enemy.  But I’m going to go with the most obvious fact;  the performances by Dorff and Akal are outstanding and give this film plenty to work with for an extended amount of time.  The transformation of these characters is subtle, but as it continues the audience begins to believe in their relationship more and more, and it isn’t long before you will also be touched by it.

Spoken in English, Hebrew, and Arabic, Zaytoun provides originality, terrific acting, and a heartfelt premise.

Zaytoun is out on DVD February 18th.

Zaytoun Movie Trailer HD

Originally posted on RedCarpetCrash.com