Movies

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.

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.

Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween - Decisive Battle electrifies audiences with a rousing finale to the Bloody Halloween arc, standing as a testament to the series' evolution. Following the groundwork laid in Tokyo Revengers 2 Part 1: Bloody Halloween - Destiny, this installment raises the stakes dramatically and delivers a fusion of visceral action and deep emotional resonance. Director Tsutomu Hanabusa artfully weaves a narrative rich in personal stakes and consequences as Takemichi Hanagaki, again portrayed by the compelling Takumi Kitamura, plunges into a chaotic gang war with unwavering resolve. What unfolds is a gripping exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of a brighter future against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Tokyo Revengers 2 Part 1: Bloody Halloween - Destiny marks the continuation of the beloved manga's cinematic journey and is now accessible on various platforms. While director Tsutomu Hanabusa takes significant strides in character development, this middle chapter struggles under the weight of exposition, often sidelining the pulse-pounding action that initially defined the series. The film explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the complexity of time travel, yet it risks losing its audience in a narrative bogged down by intricate details.

This movie is shit shit shit. Yes, you heard that right—three times for emphasis, just like the movie's incessantly annoying soundtrack that drowns out any semblance of narrative or character development. The Hard Hit, or as I hilariously prefer to call it, The Hard Shit, is a cinematic experience that promises so much with its stellar Rotten Tomatoes 5-star reviews, likely written by the director himself in a fit of self-delusion. Trust me, don't be fooled by the star rating; it's about as authentic as the movie's dialogue, which is akin to a bad high school play.

Nobody is a 2021 action thriller that spins the mundane into a spectacularly violent reboot of the action genre, with a surprising twist: Bob Odenkirk at the helm. I found myself revisiting this film after watching Novocaine, which features an almost similar plot centered around ordinary lives spiraling into chaos; the contrast and overlap piqued my curiosity.

In a landscape filled with espionage thrillers, Black Bag ventures into the murky waters of betrayal and intrigue, directed by the esteemed Steven Soderbergh and penned by David Koepp. The film, released on March 12, 2025, in France and shortly thereafter in the United States, stars a lineup of talent including Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, and Pierce Brosnan, all attempting to weave a narrative centered on a top-secret software leak and the moral quandaries that follow. Yet, despite the film's enticing premise, the final product lands solidly in the "good, not great" category. It reveals the frustrating reality of a story with remarkable potential, yet ultimately squandered by poor pacing and underdeveloped characters.

A Working Man, directed by David Ayer invites audiences back into the thrilling embrace of a Jason Statham-led action thriller. With a storyline that echoes familiar tropes from the action genre, the film revolves around themes of justice, devotion, and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about. Although its premise isn’t groundbreaking or original, it captivates viewers who crave high-octane sequences coupled with a compelling narrative centered on loyalty and sacrifice. Set against a slick backdrop of crime and consequence, A Working Man delivers an adrenaline-packed experience that finds comfort within the archetypes of its genre.

Hellhound, a film that somehow pulls off the rare feat of being slightly better than the Nicolas Cage debacle known as Bangkok Dangerous, is a cinematic experience you might want to forget — yet one that inspires such curiosity that you can't help but wonder if you’re watching a parody of the hitman genre. This thriller revolves around Loreno, a hitman looking for a way out after tackling what he describes as his “last job.” Spoiler alert: his “last job” turns out to be just as cliché as the title suggests, featuring a mind-numbingly predictable plot that, unfortunately, falls flat of anything original.