Author Archives: Keith Garlington

REVIEW: “Jade” (2025)

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True appreciators of 1970s blaxploitation will find a lot to love about the low-budget but highly entertaining “Jade”. Writer-director James Bamford makes no attempt to hide his inspiration, treating us to a buffet of blades, bullets, and bodies that decades ago would have felt right at home on New York City’s notorious 42nd Street. 

As with some of the movies that inspired it, “Jade” has its shortcomings. The story is lightweight at best, some characters are paper-thin, and at times the movie finds itself wandering in an effort to make it to the next big action scene. Yet fans of the pulpy throwback subgenre will eat up the steady diet of cool split-screens, gratuitous slow motion, fun Mexican standoffs, and glorious gun fu action.

Image Courtesy of Well Go USA

Martial artist and stunt performer Shaina West gets a starring role as the film’s titular lead Jade, a young woman burdened by grief and guilt following the unfortunate death of her brother by her own hand. It’s a seemingly significant bit of backstory that never gets fully explained to us. The closest thing to family she has left is her late brother’s pregnant girlfriend, Layla (Katherine McNamara) who is still struggling to forgive Jade for what happened.

What story there is kicks off after Jade ends up with a mysterious hard drive that’s wanted by a crooked businessman named Tork (played by Mickey Rourke who phones in his performance in what is a very Mickey Rourke type of role). Also hungry for the drive is an Interpol agent named Reese (Mark Dacascos) who happens to be Jade’s former mentor and a close friend of the late parents.

But figuring out who to trust isn’t easy for Jade, especially when shooting and slicing her way through waves of thick-skulled baddies, all with really bad intentions. And that’s basically the story in a nutshell. The hard drive turns out to be nothing more than a MacGuffin. We only get a few mild twists. And there are only a couple of scenes that could qualify as reveals. Mostly it’s Jade moving from one ferocious and stylish action sequence to the next.

Image Courtesy of Well Go USA

Those looking for a meatier script may be tempted to write the movie off. But “Jade” has much more to offer, mainly from the electric Shaina West. She’s a physical and charismatic force of nature, dishing out bloody retribution with a twinkle in her eye and a glorious full volume afro that’s as big as her body count. Memories of Tamara Dobson’s Cleopatra Jones and Pam Grier’s Foxy Brown immediately come to mind as Bamford gives West one action highlight after another.

“Jade” is a cool, straightforward, and unabashedly violent throwback to the exploitation era of the 1970s. It’s full of razor-sharp quips, hilarious genre nods, and enough shooting, kicking, and slicing to satisfy the cravings of any fan who truly gets what Bamford and company are going for. It’s light on story and the characters are mostly archetypes. But there’s a good chance you’ll be having too much fun with everything else to bother noticing. “Jade” releases on digital February 18th.

VERDICT – 3.5 STARS

New on Home Video: “Constantine” on 4K Ultra HD + Digital

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Warner Brothers Discovery Home Entertainment is celebrating the 20th Anniversary of “Constantine” by bringing it to 4K Ultra HD for the very first time. The superhero horror film is based on the “Hellblazer” graphic novels from DC Comics and features Keanu Reeves as the titular protagonist John Constantine. It’s the feature film debut for Francis Lawrence who put together a dark and stylish supernatural adventure. Upon release, “Constantine” didn’t get the critical love it deserved. But over time people have rightly warmed up to it.

This cool new 4K Ultra HD edition of “Constantine” comes with a digital copy and will be available to purchase on February 18th. See below for a full synopsis of the film as well as release info including a list of special features.

About the Film:

Year: 2005

Runtime: 121 Minutes

Director: Francis Lawrence

Screenwriters: Kevin Brodbin, Frank Capello

Cast: Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Tilda Swinton, Pruitt Taylor Vince, Djimon Hounsou, Gavin Rossdale, Peter Stormare, Max Baker, José Zúñiga, Francis Guinan, April Grace

Rating: R for violence and demonic images

Based on the DC Comics/Vertigo “Hellblazer” graphic novels and written by Kevin Brodbin and Frank Cappello, “Constantine” tells the story of John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a man who has literally been to hell and back.  When he teams up with skeptical policewoman Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) to solve the mysterious suicide of her twin sister, their investigation takes them through the world of demons and angels that exists just beneath the landscape of contemporary Los Angeles.  Caught in a catastrophic series of otherworldly events, the two become inextricably involved and seek to find their own peace at whatever cost.

Special Features:

“Constantine” Digital release and Ultra HD Blu-ray disc contains a new special feature along with previously released special features:

  • New Feature – Two Decades of Damnation
  • Commentaries
  • Channeling Constantine
  • Conjuring Constantine
  • Holy Relics
  • Shotgun Shootout
  • Hellscape
  • Warrior Wings
  • Unholy Abduction
  • Demon Face
  • Foresight” The Power of Pre-Visualization
  • A Writer’s Vision

 

“Constantine” Ultra HD Blu-ray disc contains the additional previously released special features:

  • Director’s Confessional
  • Demon Face

 

REVIEW: “Paddington in Peru” (2025)

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Despite getting rave reviews and making big money at the box office, there’s a part of me that believes the Paddington films are remain surprisingly underrated. There never seems to be the same enthusiasm surrounding them as there is with so many other stock quality family movies. And they’ve been completely overlooked by most major awards shows including the Oscars, Golden Globes, and Critics Choice.

But for my money the two previous Paddington movies sit among the very best family features ever made. So it goes without saying that “Paddington in Peru” immediately found its place on my ‘Most Anticipated’ list for 2025 movies. Based on the popular series of children’s books by the late Thomas Michael Bond, the Paddington films follow the adventures of Paddington, a warmhearted Peruvian bear who finds a loving home in London with the kindly Brown family.

Dougal Wilson takes the directing reins from Paul King and tells a new story – one that may not have the laughs of previous Paddington films but that has the same big heart. Despite living in the same London flat, the Browns don’t spend much time together. Judy (Madeleine Harris) is getting ready to head off to college. Jonathan (Samuel Joslin) spends all of his time in his room playing video games and tinkering with his inventions. Henry (Hugh Bonneville) is swamped with work at his insurance firm. And Mary (Emily Mortimer) is left to her painting while lamenting how times have changed.

Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

The one constant in the Brown family is the lovable Paddington (wonderfully voiced by a returning Ben Whishaw) with his red floppy hat, blue duffle coat, and heart of gold. Paddington still loves his life in London, but he also enjoys his letters from his beloved Aunt Lucy (voiced by Imelda Staunton). She lives in a retirement home for bears back in Peru.

But one day Paddington receives a concerning letter from the retirement home’s Reverend Mother (Olivia Colman). She tells him that Aunt Lucy deeply misses him and has been acting noticeably strange lately. A worried Paddington is determined to pay her a visit. Meanwhile Mary sees the trip as an opportunity for their family to spend some much needed time together.

So the Browns pack up and set off for Peru. But upon arrival they’re met with some bad news. The Reverend Mother informs them that Aunt Lucy has gone missing. While searching for clues in her cabin, Paddington discovers an old map to a mysterious place called Rumi Rock. So the Browns hire out a boat captained by treasure hunters Hunter Cabot (Antonio Banderas) and his daughter Gina (Carla Tous) to take them deep into Peruvian Amazon to find Rumi Rock and hopefully Aunt Lucy.

Image Courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing

From the opening title card, there’s something comforting about being back in this world. The characters, the tone, the style, the aesthetic, the gorgeous digital effects, the extra storybook animations – it’s all like a warm hug from someone (or on this case something) you‘ve missed. Wilson knows what fans expect from a Paddington movie and for the most part he delivers.

That said, “Paddington in Peru” doesn’t quite reach the heights of the previous movies. Most notably, it’s not as funny. It certainly packs some laughs and just the very notion of it all is amusing in itself. Yet it’s hardly a steady diet of humor. Also, by the third act Paddington’s adventure begins to run out of steam. And there are times when the movie leans a little too much on big action sequences and not on what makes the characters and their journey special.

But to Wilson’s credit, even when his film wanders he still manages to guide it back, punctuating the story with a tender and heartfelt ending that hits just the right note. And as the credits roll we’re reminded of why we adore this marmalade loving bear and his endearing human family. Even more, it leaves us with the hope that there are more big screen Paddington stories set to be told. I know I’ll be there for them.

VERDICT – 4 STARS

New on Home Video: “Uncle Buck” on 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray

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Kino Lorber Studio Classics is bringing “Uncle Buck” back to home video in a new combo-pack complete with new special features and sharp new 4K transfer. Directed by the late John Hughes, this 1980s comedy classic stars the wonderful John Candy who’s in vintage form playing a lovable but irresponsible Buck Russell. With his brother in need of an emergency babysitter, Buck agrees to help. But he’s ill-prepared for the challenges ahead of him. Comedy hijinks ensue in this timeless Hughes gem.

This terrific new 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray combo edition of “Uncle Buck” will be available to purchase on February 18th. See below for a full synopsis of the film as well as release info including a list of special features.

About the Film:

Year: 1989

Runtime: 100 Minutes

Director: John Hughes

Screenwriters: John Hughes

Cast: John Candy, Amy Madigan, Macaulay Culkin, Jean Louisa Kelly, Laurie Metcalf, Gaby Hoffmann, Jay Underwood, Elaine Bromka, Garrett M. Brown, Mike Starr, Brian Tarantina, Suzanne Shepherd, William Windom, Anna Chlumsky, Dennis Cockrum

Rating: PG-13

The great John Candy (“Summer Rental”, “Spaceballs”) stars in this outrageous comedy as an idle, good-natured bachelor who’s left in charge of his nephew and nieces during a family crisis. Unaccustomed to suburban life, fun-loving Uncle Buck soon charms his younger relatives Miles (Macaulay Culkin, “Home Alone”) and Maizy (Gaby Hoffmann, “Now and Then”) with his hefty cooking and his new way of doing the laundry. His carefree style doesn’t impress everyone, though—especially Tia (Jean Louisa Kelly, “Mr. Holland’s Opus”), his rebellious teenage niece, and Chanice (Amy Madigan, “Field of Dreams”), his impatient girlfriend. Uncle Buck is the last person you’d think of to watch the kids. But with a little luck and a lot of love, he manages to surprise everyone in this heartwarming family classic from iconic filmmaker John Hughes, writer-director of “Sixteen Candles”, “The Breakfast Club”, “Weird Science”, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Planes, Trains and Automobiles”.

Special Features:

Product Extras :

DISC 1 (4KUHD):

  • Brand New HDR/Dolby Vision Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative 
  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson
  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joe Ramoni
  • 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
  • Triple-Layered UHD100 Disc
  • Optional English Subtitles

DISC 2 (BLU-RAY):

  • Brand New HD Master – From a 4K Scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative
  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historians Alexandra Heller-Nicholas and Josh Nelson
  • NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joe Ramoni
  • Sixteen Going on Seventeen: NEW Interview with Actress Jean Louisa Kelly
  • Theatrical Trailer
  • 5.1 Surround and Lossless 2.0 Audio
  • Dual-Layered BD50 Disc
  • Optional English Subtitles

REVIEW: “Captain America: Brave New World” (2025)

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Talk about conflicted! That’s how I found myself when forming expectations for “Captain America: Brave New World”. On one hand, Steve Rogers was my favorite Marvel superhero as a kid. And the three previous Captain America films have been among my very favorite movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. On the other hand, Steve Rogers is now gone from the MCU. And while I like the Falcon character, his messy streaming series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” didn’t start Sam’s journey as the new Cap on the right foot.

“Captain America: Brave New World” is the 35th movie in the MCU and follows on the heels of the Disney+ streaming series. It’s helmed by Julius Onah (“The Cloverfield Paradox”) who co-wrote the screenplay with the team of Rob Edwards, Malcolm Spellman, Dalan Musson, and Peter Glanz. While my hopes were it would fall somewhere closer to the three Cap films, in many ways “Brave New World” feels like an extension of the series which isn’t the biggest compliment.

But in fairness, “Brave New World” is considerably better than its streaming predecessor. It makes an effort to maintain the more grounded and realistic vibe of the other Cap films in both its storytelling and filmmaking. And it plays on a much bigger scope and scale than the series. Yet there’s something missing from the very start. And no matter how hard it tries, “Brave New World” can’t capture what made the earlier features special.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Studios

Anthony Mackie reprises his role as Sam Wilson, formerly known as Falcon and the best friend of the now retired Steve Rogers. After being passed the shield, he stands as the new Captain America. By his side is his pal Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) who has essentially taken the mantle of Falcon for no bigger reason than to give Sam a sidekick similar to what he was to Steve in the previous MCU movies.

The story opens in Mexico where Sam and Joaquin stops an illegal black market sell of Adamantium (yep, the metal alloy that makeup Wolverine’s skeleton and claws). As a reward for his good work, Sam takes Joaquin to Baltimore to meet and train with the legendary Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly), a former super soldier and mentor to Sam.

Meanwhile President-elect Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (Harrison Ford taking over for the late William Hurt) is working hard to convince the American people that he is a changed man following the events of 2008’s “The Incredible Hulk”. Clearly enough people believed he had changed to vote for him. But some remain unconvinced, including his estranged daughter Betty (previously played by Liv Tyler) who hasn’t spoken to him in years.

Ross believes his success hinges on a proposed treaty between the United States and other countries over control of the recently discovered Adamantium. He invites Sam, Joaquin, and Isaiah to the White House as envoys while he addresses the leaders of the other nations about the importance of the treaty. But suddenly Isaiah and four other men pull weapons and attempt to kill President Ross. The assassination attempt is thwarted and a disoriented and confused Isaiah is arrested.

Image Courtesy of Marvel Studios

From there things escalate at a near comical rate. A determined Sam sets out to get to the bottom of what happened starting with exonerating Isaiah. His investigation immediately puts him at odds with Ross. But we quickly learn that someone else is pulling the strings. And both Sam and Ross are important parts of this secret puppet master’s grand plan. As it plays out, politics, espionage, grand conspiracies, and geopolitical tensions all play into the story but not always in a coherent or logical way.

As for the characters, Sam and Ross are the only ones who leave an impression. Joaquin is fine but is mostly a tag-along. Isaiah is easily the most emotionally involving but only has a small part. The always great Giancarlo Esposito is wasted as the villainous yet poorly developed Sidewinder who’s basically just a cog that the story needs on occasions. Shira Haas is unable to make the President’s Chief of Security Ruth Bat-Seraph anything more than a one-note Black Widow knock-off. And Tim Blake Nelson appears in one of the more compelling roles yet one restricted by some shaky material.

“Brave New World” has plenty of serviceable action though nothing that will get your blood pumping. And its set pieces are decent but hardly what you would call inspired. As far as Mackie, he certainly gives it his all. But despite having the physicality and commitment, he can’t quite carry the movie in the way it needs him to. It all leads to a glaringly average MCU installment that does nothing to bring back the big event feel that every MCU movie once had. “Captain America: “Brave New World” opens in theaters February 14th.

VERDICT – 2.5 STARS

REVIEW: “The Gorge” (2025)

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Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy play elite snipers assigned to a mysterious mission by their respective countries in the upcoming film “The Gorge”. Director Scott Derrickson (“Doctor Strange”, “The Black Phone”) teams with screenwriter Zach Dean in an Apple TV+ exclusive that melds together science-fiction, action, and horror to deliver a film with no shortage of surprises.

One of the biggest strengths of “The Gorge” lies in the fact that we never know where it’s going. There are several instances where we may think we do, but Derrickson and Dean routinely switch gears and take the story in new directions. And while they borrow from an assortment of genres, they mix it all up in ways that help “The Gorge” feel fresh and exciting.

Image Courtesy of Apple Studios

Teller plays Levi, a former Marine sniper who four years earlier was diagnosed with PTSD and deemed unfit for service. Rather than fight it, a frustrated Levi retired and went to work as a military contractor. One evening Levi receives a message summoning him to Camp Pendleton where he meets with the high-ranking Bartholomew (Sigourney Weaver). She needs someone skilled, dependable, with no family attachments for a top-secret solo mission. Seeing it as a way of proving himself, Levi agrees.

The military flies Levi to an undisclosed location in an undisclosed part of the world. His job is nearly as cryptic. He is to spend the next year manning a self-sufficient observation tower perched cliffside next to a giant gorge. He is to be a high-tech maintenance man – keeping the sensors, minigun emplacements, and “cloakers” up and running. He will have radio checks every 30 days, but otherwise there is to be no communication with the outside world. And just as important, contact with a similar tower sitting far away on the other side of the gorge is prohibited. After one year, his replacement will come and Levi can go home.

Upon arriving, Levi is greeted by J.D. (Sope Dirisu), the soldier he’s replacing, who gives him a tour of the tower. It stands high in the air, overlooking the massive gorge which is covered with a dense layer of fog that keeps anyone from seeing what lies below. J.D. then briefs Levi on details left out by the military. Namely that the allied governments have been secretly manning the tower since World War II. And that Levi’s job isn’t to keep people from entering the gorge. It’s to stop what’s in the gorge from coming out.

Meanwhile Drasa (Taylor-Joy), a Lithuanian sniper working for the Russian government, is the new replacement in the East Tower on the other side of the gorge. Levi takes notice but sticks by his ‘no contact’ order… at least for while. After a month of being alone with their thoughts, the two begin communicating with signs and high-powered binoculars. Suddenly an unexpected relationship takes form.

Image Courtesy of Apple Studios

But then there’s the gorge and the secrets it holds. It’s crucial that you go into the film knowing as little as possible. So I’ll just say that the movie’s second half takes several unexpected turns – some are action-packed while others veer ever so slightly into horror. The world-building also shifts with Derrickson, Dean, DP Dan Laustsen, and the talented visual effects team building something strikingly original, wildly creative, and utterly harrowing. Again, I know that’s vague, but it should be.

As for Teller and Taylor-Joy, they know their assignments and have a lot of fun fulfilling them. Admittedly their dialogue can be a little hokey in spots. And their budding relationship is a bit rushed, leading to an abrupt character transformation in Levi that could have used more time. Still they’re both nice fits for their characters which shows most once the action ramps up and Derrickson lets his creative vision run wild. “The Gorge” premieres February 14th on Apple TV+.

VERDICT – 4 STARS