Saturday, December 7, 2024

Roman Thrillers and Killers, with Christmas Fillers


 

GLADIATOR II

ACTION 

PLOT:  Lucius becomes a slave/fighter after his home was taken over by Rome and wants vengeance!

WHAT IS GOOD:  Paul Mescal as Lucius is good as a warrior who wants revenge.  He was in After Sun, a good movie but VERY slow.  Pedro Pascal (series Mandalorian) is good as warrior Marcus Acacius who enslaved Lucius. Denzel Washington is EXCELLENT as Macrinus, a calculating, charming slave owner who uses Lucius to carry out is sinister plan.  Washington is a joy to watch as an evil man.  The violence is vicious!

WHAT IS BAD:  Not as good as the first one.  Also there is a scene that is hard to believe in those times.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  It is bloody and the main actors are great but if you compare it to the first one you won’t like it.

 

CONCLAVE

MYSTERY THRILLER

PLOT:  The last pope died and now they have to vote in a new pope but not without scandal or secrets.  The meaning of conclave is electing a new pope.

WHAT IS RIGHT:  The cast that include Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and John Lithgow.  They show the Vatican is lush and vast!  It also shows the candidate for the job as people-they are not perfect.  They are shown as ruthless, ambitious and racists.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is a slow burn.  The film is only 2 hours but it feels longer.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  YES!  The group of actors are worthy of this film.  Oscar nomination is in Ralph Fiennes’ future.

 

ABSOLUTION

CRIME DRAMA 

PLOT:    Once a boxer now an aging gangster with CTE wants to connect with his family .

WHAT IS RIGHT:  Liam Neeson as an older thug who begins to have a conscience.  He is tough but he wants to do the right thing which is hard in organized crime world.  The title of the movie means forgiveness.

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is not action packed like the trailer.  It is a character story about a man who wishes he did things differently.  You have seen Neeson do these kinds of movies before but does it so well.

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  You should watch if you are a Liam Neeson fan, if not wait for On Demand.

 

RED ONE

COMEDY/ACTION/ADVENTURE 

PLOT:   Santa Claus is kidnapped and his top security guard and a bounty hunter must find him before Christmas!

WHAT IS RIGHT:   Dwayne Johnson (Black Adam) as Callum plays it straight as Santa Claus bodyguard and Chris Evans (Captain America) is fun as a different kind of bounty hunter/hacker.  The special effects were good.  He has an amazing, hi-tech sleigh!

WHAT IS WRONG:  It is a different story of Santa Claus but at least he is NOT a serial killer!  It is an expensive movie but should have paid more on the script!

SHOULD YOU WATCH:  If you like an unusual telling of Santa Claus movie this is it!  If you like Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans you should see it too. 

 


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