In the period crime thriller “By Any Means”, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II emotionally grounds a powerful civil rights era story while Mark Wahlberg injects it with muscle and ruthless aggression. Together the duo drives what is a historically compelling and thematically potent feature that also comes packed with certain genre mechanics which opens the door for … Continue reading
There’s a cool current trend within indie cinema that has seen a number of filmmakers seeking to recapture the throwback B-movie schlock that once frequented the screens of grindhouse theaters and the shelves of VHS rental stores. For those who may take that as an insult, it’s actually quite the compliment. I still love so … Continue reading
The 2022 survival thriller “Fall” is a movie that often impressed with its technical prowess only to frustrate with its ridiculous premise and hokey Hallmark-esque twists. On one hand, director Scott Mann created a palpable sense of height-induced dread and you didn’t have to suffer from acrophobia to feel the effects. At the same time, … Continue reading
Gal Gadot does a lot of running in her new Prime streaming feature aptly titled “The Runner”. Sadly, even at a lean 84 minutes, her latest film ultimately comes across as an endless jog to nowhere. To Gadot’s credit she gives it her all, firmly committing herself both physically and emotionally. But you’ll need more … Continue reading
Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh team up for “Mayday”, an action comedy for Apple TV that ends up being the buddy movie I didn’t know I needed. The pair turn out to be a good match, with Reynolds turned down a few notches to a more bearable comic setting, and Branagh showing off his wide … Continue reading
Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu’s latest feature “Fjord” has already proven to be one of his most acclaimed films yet. “Fjord” has been heralded by critics after winning the Palme d’Or at the most recent Cannes Film Festival. Mungiu wrote and directed this legal thriller / domestic drama that has since been purchased by NEON for … Continue reading
Keith & the Movies 