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‘Polite Society’ is a Kick-Ass UK Import (Review)

23Jun

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Polite Society’ is a Kick-Ass UK Import (Review)

'Polite Society' is the debut feature film from Nida Manzoor, the British-Pakistani creator of 'We Are Lady Parts.' She has crafted a wildly inventive and kick-ass story of two very different sisters. Ria (Priya Kansara) has one dream in life and that is to be a stuntwoman. At school, her stuffy teacher pushes her to pursue a more traditional career, but that only increases her desire to prove everybody wrong. Priya Kansara and Ritu Arya star in 'Polite Society' (Focus Features) Lena (Ritu Arya) is Ria's older sister. After dropping out of art school, she struggles with her self worth and Ria's constant insistence that she assist with helping her make martial arts videos to post online. Both Ria and Lena are living at home with their very traditional parents who are very lo...

‘Sisu’ is a Brilliantly Blood-soaked Tale of Revenge (Review)

19May

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

‘Sisu’ is a Brilliantly Blood-soaked Tale of Revenge (Review)

With his bombastic Nazi-slaying action film 'Sisu,' Finnish director Jalmari Helander keeps things all in the family. After all, lead actor Jorma Tommila is his brother-in-law and his nephew Onni Tommila is also in the film. Both of them also starred in Helander's 2010 feature debut, 'Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale.' It hasn't been an extensive career. Since then, there was only one other film ('Big Game') that pretty much went straight to video here in America. How did 'Sisu' become a surprise hit at the box office this Spring? For starters, it was shot in English. Aside from a smattering of subtitled dialogue, the Finnish production was made with an international audience in mind. Following other hyperviolent films like 'John Wick' and prior World War II revenge tales li...

Netflix Hits Big With ‘The Gray Man’ (Review)

26Jul

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Features, Film, Reviews

Netflix Hits Big With ‘The Gray Man’ (Review)

After two relatively goofy comedies in the early aughts, The Russo Brothers jumped in to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2014 with 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier.' They not only took the reins of that film's sequel, but then proceeded to direct the next two films in the 'Avengers' series. It's probably not too surprising to learn that their first film for Netflix is among the streamer's most expensive releases to date. With 'The Gray Man,' every bit of that alleged $200 million budget is on display. A CIA Agent Fights For His Life Ryan Gosling stars as "Sierra Six," a high-level secret assassin for the CIA. After learning secrets about Denny Carmichael, a corrupt official at the agency (Regé-Jean Page, 'Bridgerton'), Six begins a literal fight for his life. Carmichae...

Bob Odenkirk Delivers A Bit Of The Old Ultra-Violence in “Nobody” (Review)

23Apr

By Matt ShiverdeckerNo Comments

Film, Reviews

Bob Odenkirk Delivers A Bit Of The Old Ultra-Violence in “Nobody” (Review)

If you're anything like me, the name Bob Odenkirk immediately serves up thoughts of laughter. Originally a comedy writer for Conan O'Brien, "Saturday Night Live," and, of course, the co-star of HBO's cult classic "Mr. Show with Bob and David," he transitions into full-blown action star in this new thriller from director Ilya Naishuller ("Hardcore Henry"). Odenkirk plays Hutch Mansell, quite literally a morality play "everyman." He works in a boring office for his father-in-law and lives a very quiet life with his family. There isn't much spark left with his wife Becca (Connie Nielsen) and his son Brady (Gage Munroe) bears obvious disdain towards him. It's not until their house is broken into and a confrontation is had with the robbers that it becomes clear that things may not be e...