Movies

In the riveting independent biographical drama The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi and co-distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment, viewers are drawn into a meticulous examination of Donald Trump's early career as a real estate mogul in 1970s New York City. This film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and is a co-production across multiple countries, explores Trump’s complex relationship with the notorious attorney Roy Cohn. By shining a spotlight on their morally ambiguous partnership, The Apprentice delves into themes of ambition, morality, and the very fabric of success, prompting audiences to ponder over the integrity behind the American dream.

The release of Cleaner, a British action thriller directed by Martin Campbell, is a compelling reminder of why we should be wary of cinema that showcases an all-star cast splashed across a muddled plot. Marketed as a high-octane, edge-of-your-seat adventure, this film often feels more like a laboriously constructed thesis on how to squander a riveting premise. With Daisy Ridley in the lead role as Joanna "Joey" Locke, a former soldier turned window cleaner—who takes her autistic brother to her workplace amidst a hostage situation—you can almost hear the collective groan of the audience when they realize their cinematic experience is about to take a nosedive.

Inspired by my recent viewing of September 5, a 2024 historical drama thriller that chronicles the events of the 1972 Munich massacre from the perspective of the ABC Sports team covering the situation, I was compelled to revisit Munich, directed by Steven Spielberg and released on December 23, 2005. This film provides a profound exploration of the cycles of violence and vengeance that pervade historical conflicts. Based on George Jonas's 1984 book Vengeance, the narrative intricately weaves the aftermath of the Munich massacre, wherein the Palestinian group Black September executed a devastating attack against Israeli athletes during the Summer Olympics. By transcending mere retelling and delving into moral ambiguity, Munich raises profound ethical questions concerning national duty and personal conscience.

September 5 bursts forth as a poignant historical drama that delves into the tragic events of the Munich massacre during the 1972 Summer Olympics. Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, this gripping film chronicles the chaotic coverage by the ABC Sports crew as they navigate the grim realities of a terrorist attack. With solid performances from a strong cast, this film invites viewers into a thrilling reenactment wrapped in ethical conundrums and moral exploration while compellingly examining the intersection of media, politics, and human tragedy.

Well, folks, grab your popcorn — or maybe just a gigantic bottle of aspirin — because we’re diving headfirst into the cinematic disaster known as WarGames: The Dead Code. Directed by Stuart Gillard, this 2008 sequel to the beloved 1983 classic attempts to rekindle the magic of hacking and Cold War paranoia with a plot so convoluted it could make a pretzel jealous. If you thought the original had some stretches of plausibility, then buckle up for this joyride — or should I say, slog — through the convoluted world of government surveillance, high school shenanigans, and “advanced” artificial intelligence. Spoiler alert: the only thing advanced here is my dislike for this film.

Tyler Perry's latest offering, Duplicity, recently arrived on Amazon Prime Video, and I must admit, while it attempts to explore critical themes of justice and police violence, I found the film to be a disappointing exercise rather than a compelling mystery thriller. With a runtime pushing almost two hours, it seems to weave a complex narrative but ultimately reveals a collection of tired tropes. The setup presents an intriguing premise, but what unfolded felt tedious and far from engaging.

The Vigilante, also known as Aimee, is a Tubi Original action thriller that seeks to tackle the harrowing issue of sex trafficking through the lens of a female Marine’s desperate quest for justice. Directed by Lee Whittaker, the film presents a premise rife with emotional weight and tension, as Jessica, played by Jet Jandreau, embarks on a violent journey to rescue her younger sister from the clutches of human traffickers. Despite its provocative themes and action-laden plot, the film ultimately falters, leaving viewers feeling more baffled than moved.

WarGames, released in 1983 and directed by John Badham, stands as a cornerstone of the techno-thriller genre. This film juxtaposes the anxiety surrounding the nuclear arms race of the early '80s with the burgeoning fascination of the home-computer revolution. Following an unwitting teenage hacker who accidentally stumbles upon a U.S. military supercomputer, WarGames deftly navigates themes of technology's duality, innocence, and the grave implications of war. With a mix of tension, nostalgia, and humor, it engages a broad audience, inviting viewers to reflect on the precarious balance between humanity's advancements and its capacity for destruction.

Donnie Brasco, directed by Mike Newell and released in 1997, stands as a compelling exploration of identity, loyalty, and the dark alleys of organized crime. Based on the true story of Joseph D. Pistone, an undercover FBI agent who infiltrated the Bonanno crime family, this crime drama delves deep into the moral quagmires faced by those straddling the line between law and lawlessness. With notable performances from Al Pacino and Johnny Depp, the film deftly captures both the seductive allure and the harrowing consequences of life in the Mafia, inviting viewers into an underbelly seldom glimpsed so intimately.

Last Breath, directed by Alex Parkinson, immerses viewers in the perilous realm of deep-sea saturation divers, skillfully striking a balance between survival thriller and poignant human drama. Released in theaters on February 28, 2025, this film adapts a true story—remaking the 2019 documentary co-directed by Parkinson—bringing to life the frantic race against time to rescue a stranded diver amid the unforgiving North Sea. With a solid cast, including Woody Harrelson, Simu Liu, and Finn Cole, the film attempts to offer an exploration of resilience and sacrifice set against a backdrop as thrilling as it is terrifying.