MOVIE REVIEW: 28 YEARS LATER

 

It's been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped from a biological weapons laboratory. Still living in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amid the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily defended causeway. When one of them decides to venture into the dark heart of the mainland, he soon discovers a mutation that has spread to not only the infected, but other survivors as well.

Director: Danny Boyle

Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Alfie Williams, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O'Connell

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Genre: Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, grisly images, graphic nudity, language and brief sexuality.

Runtime: 1h 55m

Review:

28 Years Later subverts expectations at every turn as Danny Boyle's return brings back his frenzied, kinetic style paired with an overstuffed script from Alex Garland that aims for something far more meaningful and epic than you'd expect.  Boyle takes the reins behind the camera, after ushering a new age of zombie films with 28 Days Later, with confidence that shines through as he delivers an evocative, fever dream of a film.  There are moments scattered throughout its nearly two-hour runtime that are simply mesmerizing in such a way that they almost feel other worldly even though the story boils down to coming-of-age tale.  It’s a visually aggressive film that feeds images in such a steady succession that it rarely gives the audience a moment to fully dissect what is being splashed on screen.  There's still plenty of "rage" induced action, but Boyle is far more concerned with the characters living in this postapocalyptic landscape.  It’s chock-full with allegorical meaning, speaking to variety of issues and concepts currently playing out in the real world.  Those looking for more action heavy, more mindless zombie fare might be left disappointed here as the story stakes out its own path with some choices working better than others.  Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams carry the first half of the film as we follow a seemingly straightforward father/son relationship before slow reveals open up the story to its back half with the character's mother played well by Jodie Comer.  Ralph Fiennes gets the least amount of screentime of the main characters, but his inspired turn leaves such a big impression that you wish Boyle would have given him more time to flesh him out.  When it’s all said and done, Alfie Williams deserves a hefty bit of credit for serving as the film's life blood as the film ends with a set up for the 28 Years Later sequel that looks to take everything in a more Romeroesque vibe.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: SINNERS

 

Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.

Director: Ryan Coogler

Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo

Release Date: April 18, 2025

Genre: Action, Drama, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, sexual content and language.

Runtime: 2h 17m

Review:

Sinners echoes more than a few beats from 1997's From Dusk Till Dawn but Ryan Coogler elevates the pulpy material with his lush visuals, a multilayered script and stellar cast.  Coogler's trek through the Jim Crow era south instantly pops off the screen with its distinctive look and feel as we follow identical twins, Smoke and Stack, return to Mississippi.  He slowly weaves musical elements into the narrative to create something truly special exemplified by a time blending set piece that marks one of the film's highlights.  It’s a slow burn early on, as he gives his characters and actors time to breathe before moving into the film's gleefully gory final act. Coogler takes full advantage of the collection of immensely talented cast led by Michael B. Jordan in dual roles.  Jordan is pitch perfect in both roles, giving each of the twin’s distinctive personalities paired with a believable sense of fraternal affection for each other.  Each character carries so much subtext intertwined with each interaction that is makes for another fascinating performance from Jordan proving again that Coogler knows how to bring out the best in him.  Miles Caton making his screen debut as Sammie Moore, the twins’ younger cousin, leaves an impression throughout thanks to his baritone voice and musical talents which are on full display.  Hailee Steinfeld and Delroy Lindo both make the most of their screentime with memorable supporting turns that leave you wishing the film had used them more.  Wunmi Mosaku and Jayme Lawson are both solid but their character's feel like they needed a tad bit more fleshing out to really leave a more substantial impact.  Jack O'Connell makes for an intriguing villain as the Irish vampire who unleashes the vampiric plague on the unsuspecting town.  O'Connell gives the character an unpredictable feeling with him being able to turn from understated to menacing in an instant.  There's plenty packed into his backstory much like the Sinner's story overall which leaves you with plenty to chew on even after the credits roll.   

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: FERRARI

 

During the summer of 1957, bankruptcy looms over the company that Enzo Ferrari and his wife built 10 years earlier. He decides to roll the dice and wager it all on the iconic Mille Miglia, a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy.

Director: Michael Mann

Cast: Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley, Sarah Gadon, Gabriel Leone, Jack O'Connell, Patrick Dempsey

Release Date: December 25, 2023

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Rated R for some violent content/graphic images, sexual content and language.

Runtime: 2h 11m

Michael Mann's Ferrari is a slick, easily digestible bio pic led by strong central performances from Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz with the latter nearly stealing the show.  Mann gives the film the kind of polish that you'd expect from any of his films with the racing sequences pulsing off the screen.  The quieter moments he leaves to his stellar cast lead by Adam Driver.  Driver's quiet intensity and determination shines through even though he's a tad too young for the roles even as he sports a fully silver head of hair for the majority of the film.  He manages to give the character plenty of depth with his nuanced performance.  The film really sizzles when Penélope Cruz joins him onscreen as she delivers an excellent turn as Ferrari's emotionally broken wife.  Cruz's brings an acidic passion and anger to the screen with incredible ease which speaks to her immense talent.  While the story is engaging enough it never quite finds the same sort of energy when Cruz is off screen leaving Shailene Woodley's character feel rather bland and uninteresting in comparison.  This leaves those moments a more ponderous which kills the film's energy and overall pacing which makes the film far more choppy than it should be.  The film does recover in its final act with a pulse pounding and ultimately tragic race that's initially thrilling before delivering a brutal gut punch.  Those closing moments do give the story a more grounded and somber feel to the story of Ferrari and his life's passion.  

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of Jungleland

 

My dear reader(s): Much to my delight, this weekend's home viewing options included a new Charlie Hunnam movie, Jungleland. 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers. 

Having landed in debt to some very dangerous people, a boxer and his trainer-brother are forced to transport a young woman cross-country. 

Jungleland is an oft-told tale that doesn't really have much new or interesting to recommend it. The story is predictably miserable and moves at a snail's pace, and characters have about as much depth as paper dolls. Bland performances from the noteworthy cast, led by Hunnam and Unbreakable's Jack O'Connell, might be blamed as much on pedestrian writing as on the actors themselves. It's a grim movie about unpleasant people with barely a single redeemimg quality among them. 

Jungleland runs 90 minutes and is rated R for "pervasive language, some sexual content, violence, and nudity." 

Jungleland is a depressing exercise that's disappointing on every level. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Jungleland gets three. 

Jungleland is currently available for digital rental ($9.99) or purchase ($14.99 SD/HD or $16.99 UHD). 

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik' s Review of Money Monster

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas for the entertaining-as-it-is-depressing Money Monster. 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers or if you've personally been hosed in the Market, I guess. 

When one of his stock tips proves to be a bust, a brash TV presenter and his crew are taken hostage by an unhappy investor. Money Monster is a bit hokey at times, but that's about its only shortcoming. 

Blessed with two of Hollywood's most capable and engaging leads, George Clooney and Julia Roberts, and edge-of-your-seat storytelling, the movie grabs your attention and does not let go. 

Jack O'Connell is also terrific, and it's a credit to his performance how easily you'll begin to side with the guy waving the gun around. 

Money Monster expertly maintains tension throughout, spelled with perfectly-timed humor, and is smart enough not to wear out its welcome. 

The movie's very obvious message is about greed and corruption, but also paints an uncomfortable picture of today's society, as as the hostage situation plays out on live television as "entertainment." 

Money Monster clocks in at a smart 98 minutes and is rated R for "language throughout, some sexuality, and brief violence." It may not bring much new to the table, but Money Monster is an exciting and well-acted picture that's well worth your movie dollar. 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Money Monster gets seven (and fangirl points for Giancarlo Esposito). 

Until next time...