Genre : Action Rating : Unrated Director: Jesse V. Johnson
Cast: Scott Adkins
Craig Fairbass
Nick Moran
As different as film genres can be, they also have quite a bit in common. Good writing is always important, clowns always make for a good villain and everyone loves a good, old fashioned team up. It doesn’t matter if we are talking about the cinematic soul mates like Scorsese and De Niro working together on a dramatic masterpiece like Raging Bull or Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg creating comedic gold a proper team up can bring out the best in a movie. In the world of action movies few have shown the chemistry of action star Scott Adkins and director Jesse V. Johnson. Since 2017’s Savage Dog this dynamic duo have put out some of the most criminally overlooked action movies of the past couple of years. After the martial arts wet dream known as Triple Threat they together once again to traverse some of the grimier streets of England with Avengement.
After nearly a decade behind bars, lowly criminal Cain (Adkins) escapes from police custody. Imprisoned for petty crime a naive Cain is quickly hardened by life in prison. Training to survive Cain only has one thing in his mind, vengeance. With a price on his head he takes a mob-owned pub hostage waiting for the man behind the hit; his own brother.
Their fifth collaboration over the past two years, Adkins and Johnson have developed the kind of chemistry that translates perfectly to the big screen. A former stuntman himself Johnson has the kind of skill filming martial arts movies that few others have. Avoiding handheld camera as often as possible, Johnson is able to capture every one of Adkins’s bone crunching hits in beautiful wide shots and long, unbroken takes. Showing a refinement missing in past movies Johnson’s talent behind the camera shines during Avengement‘s final fight. Despite a convoluted plot and perhaps one too many plot twists Johnson is able to capture fight scenes with speed and brutality that would make John Wick blush. Of course, one of the few people who can keep up with Mr. Wick is our star, Scott Adkins.
In a Scott Adkins film top flight martial arts action is practically a given. A black belt of nearly a dozen disciplines Adkins is one of the most accomplished martial artists in film today. What is surprising is how his acting was just as good in Avengement. Although he isn’t a bad actor by Adkins’s roles aren’t usually too meaty. For the most part he is cast as a generic hero or an irredeemable villain. Thankfully Avengement gives Adkins a bit more to work with. Through a bit too many flashbacks we see Cain go from a bumbling wannabe criminal to the grizzled fighter he becomes. Aside from a thick English accent it makes for a fun, if terribly cliché, journey.
In a world where action cinema tends to feel homogenized Scott Adkins and Jesse V. Johnson give audiences a breath of fresh air. Leaning more towards the brutal style seen in their first collaboration, Savage Dog, Avengement is a gory mix of Bronson and The Hateful Eight with a hint of Green Street Hooligans to top it off. And while it may not be the most original of movies it’s mix of hand-to-hand combat, bloody action and superb practical effects make for another classic from action’s very own gruesome twosome.
Arthur must enlist the help of his half-brother Orm in order to protect Atlantis against Black Manta, who has unleashed a devastating weapon in his obsessive quest to avenge his father’s death.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom [credit: Warner Bros. / DC]
Genre:
Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Release Date:
December 20, 2023
Director:
James Wan
Cast:
Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Plot Summary:
Arthur must enlist the help of his half-brother Orm in order to protect Atlantis against Black Manta, who has unleashed a devastating weapon in his obsessive quest to avenge his father’s death.
The following piece was written during the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie, Retribution, being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Plot
When a mysterious caller puts a bomb under Matt Turner’s car seat, he begins a high-speed chase across the city to complete a specific series of tasks. With his kids trapped in the back seat and a bomb that will explode if they get out of the car, a normal commute becomes a twisted game of life or death as Matt follows the stranger’s increasingly dangerous instructions in a race against time to save his family.
Liam Neeson as Matt Turner (Lionsgate Films)
Did You Know?
This movie is the third remake of the movie titled Retribution.
In 2015, a Spanish-language adaptation, The Stranger (El desconocido) was released. This was the first Retribution movie. A dishonest banker pays the ultimate price for his wrongdoings when he is held hostage in his own speeding car by a bomb-making extortionist.
In 2018, a German-language adaptation, Don’t. Get. Out! (Steig. Nicht. Aus!) was released in Germany. A loving father and husband is extorted by an unknown guy and he is about to lose his life, his money and his family
In 2021, a Korean version, Hard Hit (Balsinjehan) was released. On his way to work, a bank manager receives an anonymous call claiming there’s a bomb under his car seat, and if anyone exits the car, it will explode unless he can pay a ransom.
The Turner Family (Lionsgate Films)
Movie Review
Liam Neeson plays the role of Matt Turner, and is literally in the ‘hot seat’ throughout most of the movie. The movie eases you into the drama and the suspense keeps building as the time passes. No time is wasted to bring A small cast brought an intense situation to life in Retribution, and I need to compliment, especially Liam Neeson, Jack Champion and Lilly Aspell, who played the parts of Matt Turner, Zach Turner and Emily Turner respectively for playing the part in the car to perfection. A plot twist is delivered at the end, but the ending is not as explosive as the bomb in the car.
Overall my rating is 3 out of 5 for the Retribution. There is no post-credits scene, so no need to wait till the end. The trailer doesn’t spoil too much of the movie and serves as a great appetizer for Retribution.
Catch the trailer, and watch Retribution at a cinema near you.
The following piece was written during the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie, Sound of Freedom, being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Plot
Based on the gripping true story of a man’s mission to rescue children from the darkest corners of the world. This action-packed drama shines a light on the harrowing reality of sex trafficking and the valiant efforts of those who work tirelessly to combat it. After rescuing a boy from ruthless child traffickers, a federal agent, Tim Ballard, learns the boy’s sister is still captive and decides to embark on a dangerous mission to save her. With time running out, he quits his job and journeys deep into the Colombian jungle, putting his life on the line to free her from a fate worse than death.
More About Tim Ballard
Tim Ballard spent more than a decade working as a Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security, where he was assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and deployed as an undercover operative for the U.S. Child Sex Tourism Jump Team.
He has worked in that role and has seen every type of case in the fight to dismantle child trafficking rings. He’s worked in the United States and in multiple foreign countries to infiltrate child trafficking organizations. He has successfully dismantled dozens of these organizations and rescued children from slavery and exploitation.
While working for the government, Ballard saw how much more is needed in the fight against child trafficking and exploitation across the world. In 2013, he and a team of former government operatives left the security of their careers to accomplish the work of rescuing children as a private foundation – Operation Underground Railroad.
The movie starts off immediately with a scene depicting a potential scenario in how human traffickers lure unsuspecting victims into their hold, through job interviews and modelling auditions. The first savior moment is short-lived as the protagonist learns there are more victims, with the focus being on the sister. The story keeps you glued to the screen. Just as you think that the big moment is now, you realize there are so more hurdles, making this more than just a movie, but making it real for so many viewers. A special message was shared in the mid-credits as well as a photo of Tim Ballard.
The movie really hits home with the message of child trafficking. You could feel every emotion in this movie, every tear was felt, the fear and anxiety shared amongst fellow moviegoers and the message was delivered in a way to inspire and give hope to others to join the fight against a crime that is taking place worldwide.
Jim Caviezel plays the part of Tim Ballard and his performance was truly spectacular. I really want to applaud the cast of Sound of Freedom and Angel Studios for bringing this masterpiece to life.
I rate this movie a 5 out of 5. The movie delivers a message that is powerful, eye-opening and a life-changer. I left the cinemas in tears, not just of sadness but of hope as well. I hope this movie reaches everyone and touches the hearts of many. I also want to thank the donors who are making it possible for others to watch this movie. Share the link of Angel Studios with your family and friends and invite them to access a movie ticket or to pay it forward so that more people can watch Sound of Freedom.
In closing, I hope you get to experience Sound of Freedom on the big screen. God’s children are not for sale, and I encourage you to join the fight to end child trafficking.
Catch the trailer, and watch Sound of Freedom at a cinema near you.