Tag Archives: review

11.15.25
by

The Running Man

In a future ruled by an authoritarian government, Ben Richards joins a deadly game show to win money to support his family. There’s one catch: to win, he has to survive one month on the run from expert assassins who are trying to kill him.

The Running Man is not the first film adaptation of the Stephen King novel, but it’s also the rare reimagining that not only justifies its existence by taking a completely different and more faithful direction, but also tops the original film by far. Edgar Wright’s love of filmmaking shines through in all of his projects, no matter the scale or setting. This one is a lot more self-serious than his other works, but still enough irreverence and humor shines through to balance that out. Glen Powell’s action star material gives the film much flare and entertainment, making Ben Richards a fun character to root for, even when some of his characteristics don’t always add up (a subplot about his anger issues becomes rather irrelevant after the opening minutes). Colman Domingo is also a riveting standout as the host of the titular game show, giving the dialogue and performance his all. His scenes of commentary and theatrics elevate much of the film.

Though its themes have been explored in other films, including many recent ones, it still very intriguingly explores how capitalism and consumerism enslave the working class through sadistic entertainment. It hits both close to home while evoking something different from our reality. The pace is just fast enough for the audience to root for our hero and be interested in its vibrant world-building and energy. The action is bloody and creative without feeling overly cartoonish and fitting within the world of the film, and the directions it takes are thrilling while the humor and dark satire work perfectly together. This modern adaptation not only works far better than its predecessor, but it’s a winning ride for action fans and for the always charismatic Powell.

07.15.24
by

Twisters

Kate Cooper, a retired tornado-chaser and meteorologist, is persuaded by her former colleague Javi to return to work with a new team and new technologies to stop deadly new tornadoes from wreaking havoc on central Oklahoma.

Twisters is a film that takes a vastly similar premise to the original, and a genre that’s been tired and torn since that first film’s release — a few good-looking movie stars trying to survive a deadly natural disaster — but winds up being better and more engaging than that first film in just about every way. The stars’ endless charm is the film’s secret weapon. Often in a modern effects-centric disaster film, one might find themselves either bored to death by the human scenes or yelling at their dumb decisions. The characters here aren’t just compelling, they’re also so much darn fun to watch. Daisy Edgar-Jones (of Normal People, Fresh, and Where the Crawdads Sing fame) is one of the reasons the film is so interesting to watch, and Kate’s intelligence, empathy, and passion for making a difference through science make for an emotional lead. If Hit Man hadn’t already proved that Glen Powell was a superstar here to stay, he’s again awesome here as a scientifically smart, behaviorally dumb Internet-famous tornado chaser whose group and approaches clash with Kate’s. His character genuinely feels layered, in addition to the funny cowboy side we first meet, and his chemistry with Edgar-Jones is irresistible. Not many actors have the charm Anthony Ramos has given every film he graces, and his presence in the film isn’t taken for granted. A few great actors like Brandon Perea and Sasha Lane could’ve been given a little more to do, though.

In addition to genuinely wanting to watch these characters interact and survive, the tornado action and destruction are a blast. The effects look like a great blend of that Amblin Spielbergian practical look and some large CGI set pieces. They all come together seamlessly with the booming sound effects to create an edge-of-your-seat experience. But director Lee Isaac Chung’s style is never only about big effects and havoc. The characters, science, and even the editing are always key to the story and pace here — not to mention, the soundtrack adds a terrific lot to the film. This new take on a familiar story meshes the old and the new with plenty of genuine thrills that I haven’t felt in many franchise films this year. But none of it matters without its stars’ infectious charisma, which, together with the tornado action, will put a big smile on your face and prove one of the year’s strongest blockbuster sequels that undoubtedly tops the first.