The Covenant is Guy Richie’s new special forces film set in 2018. The movie follows John Kinley (Jake Gyllenhaal), the sergeant of a group tasked with finding explosives made by the Taliban. After an incident occurred they were forced to hire a new interpreter to accompany them as they move through Afghanistan. John quickly finds out that his new interpreter Ahmed (Dar Salim) is more difficult to control than normal however, Ahmed demonstrates his strong instincts early along with his ability to hold his own. 

After a couple of missions, one ends up going horribly wrong. Ahmed and John end up on the run from the Taliban. John is seriously injured, so Ahmed has his work cut out for him as he has to ensure he and John survive. This is when the bond between the two becomes deeper as face death every day. 

Interpretation 

I felt as though this new guy Ritchie’s films are phenomenal. The score in particular stood out to me as it brought soul to the actions in the movie. The story demonstrates the unbreakable will of a man. The extremely harsh conditions in which humans can survive, and the physical limitations that we can break through. Fredrick Nietzsche said, “ He who has a strong enough why can bear almost any how.” That’s what The covenant demonstrates. 

The meaning of covenant is an agreement or a bond which refers to John and Ahmed’s relationship. Those in the military are thrown into life-threatening situations and must rely on the man or woman beside them. Every soldier has a duty to have the back of whoever they stand behind and that is the covenant  

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2020’s Extraction is an exciting thriller that demonstrates Chris Hemsworth’s range beyond his legendary portrayal of Thor in the MCU. Sam Hargrave, a former stunt coordinator who has an amazing directing debut. The movie is based on a comic novel written by Joe Russo, co-director of “Avengers: Endgame.” Hemsworth portrays Tyler Rake, the main protagonist, a courageous mercenary hired to set out on a dangerous voyage to rescue the kidnapped son of an international crime lord.

Extraction is an enjoyable watch because to its nonstop and dramatic action sequences and Hemsworth’s devoted performance. Director Sam Hargrave, who does stunts himself, provides a special viewpoint to the picture and makes sure that the action sequences are carried out expertly and creatively. Particularly remarkable are the stunt coordination and choreography, which up the intensity level and provide a visceral viewing experience.

Interpretation

Although Extraction excels in the action department, some critics have noted that the focus may not be as much on the characters and plot. Some characters can seem undeveloped or shallow because the rescue effort takes up most of the story. The whole experience has also been criticized for being detracted by several logical story shortcuts. However, the film’s quick pacing and action-packed set pieces make up for these flaws, making it a thrilling and entertaining viewing for action movie fanatics.

Extraction is an exciting action movie demonstrating Chris Hemsworth’s abilities outside his superhero character. The film has thrilling action sequences that keep spectators on the edge of their seats due to Sam Hargrave’s experience as a stuntman-turned-director. The film’s unrelenting speed and Hemsworth’s captivating performance make it a pleasant and enjoyable viewing for lovers of extreme action films, even when the character development and story logic may not be as solid.

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The science fiction film “I, Robot” from 2004 is set in Chicago in the year 2035. There are several futuristic skyscrapers in the city, including the highest one, which is owned by US Robotics. The film’s main focus is the discovery of the top robot designer of U.S. Robotics dead in the building’s foyer. Del Spooner (Will Smith), the investigator in charge of this particular investigation believes that the death could have been brought on by a robot, which goes against the three rules of robotics that are designed to protect robots from hurting people. 

Despite exploring these complex themes, some reviewers thought the film’s handling of the subject was ultimately unremarkable. According to one IMDb critic, despite its call for tolerance, which was handled better in “Bicentennial Man,” “I, Robot” fails to innovate in the robots-on-the-prowl genre. Others, however, commended the film’s skill in juggling action and suspense with its thematic material. In a Roger Ebert review, the film was described as “less ambitious than ‘Blade Runner’ but more coherent than ‘Artificial Intelligence: A.I.’”.

Interpretation 

The idea of technology advancing to the point that it can compete with human talents is explored in the film. The robots in the film are portrayed as being extremely clever and capable of doing difficult jobs, but they are also shown to have the potential to be harmful if not programmed and managed correctly. This raises concerns about the hazards of leaning too heavily on technology as well as the morality of developing machines that may eventually replace human labour.

Overall, “I, Robot” presents a fascinating examination of the potential effects of cutting-edge technology while also providing an enormous amount of tension and action. In my opinion, I look at this film as being one of the ones. It is an older film that is able to project concerns in the future and be accurate since it does parallel what’s going on today with the emergence of AI. I highly recommend rewatching now under this new real-world experience with extremely advanced technology. 

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Reminiscence is a 2021 sci-fi thriller film directed by Lisa Joy, starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, and Thandiwe Newton. Set in a future Miami that has been partially submerged by rising sea levels, the film follows Nick Bannister (Jackman), a private investigator who helps people relive their memories through a technology called “The Reminiscence.” On one particular visit, a mysterious woman named Mae (Ferguson) walks into his office and Nick becomes obsessed with her. After they build a relationship she suddenly disappears leaving Nick to look for her. This leads him down a dangerous path filled with secrets and betrayal.

As Nick delves deeper into Mae’s past, he discovers that she is linked to a powerful businessman named Walter Sylvan (Brett Cullen) and his shady business dealings. With the help of his colleague Watts (Newton), Nick uncovers a web of corruption and deception that threatens to destroy everything he thought he once knew. As he races against time to save Mae and bring the perpetrators to justice, Nick must confront his own memories and confront the harsh reality of a world where the past can be both a comfort and a curse.

Interpretation

Overall, Reminiscence is a gripping and atmospheric film that combines film noir and science fiction elements to create a compelling and thought-provoking story. With stunning visuals, strong performances from its cast, and a haunting score, the film offers a captivating glimpse into a familiar and unsettling future. While it may not be perfect, Reminiscence is definitely worth watching for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a sci-fi twist.

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It begins with what we think are just the average bank robbers stalking out their next hit. In a small town, we follow Stig (Mark Wahlberg) and Bobby (Denzel Washington) who blow up the diner across the street from the bank and eventually rob it.  Unbeknownst to them, they both are on the right side of the law with Bobby being with the CIA and Stig being a part of the Navy. Both sides doing it to take down drug lord Papi Greco (Edward James Osmos). This all gets complicated after they find way more money in the bank than they were supposed to. They also create new enemies after they learn that the money isn’t Papi Greco’s. With money in the mix, everyone turns on one another leaving Stig and Bobby both out of their organizations as AWOL. The true owner of the money reveals himself as Earl (Bill Paxon) a countryman who interrogates everyone he comes in contact with in search of the money.  It’s unclear if he owns the money or if he was sent to receive it. Also in the mix is a love interest and CIA colleague, Deb (Paula Patton). 

Bobby and Stig develop a bromance as they lose trust in the people around them and realize the ‘Us vs Them’ dynamic. A bond is formed and it’s one that can not be broken by money. 

Interpretation 

This movie’s heart is about sticking it out for the guy beside you. Bobby is known as someone who always knows a guy, yet he has no one who’s truly close to him. And Stig is too blunt and talkative for anyone to like him. They both belonged to their respective organization and yet they were turned on for the money. Bobby already understands that this is just the nature of business, while Stig resists and believes it should be more about the man next to you. This is an understandable take from a military man. With camaraderie being such an important element to any branch of the military. This mentality eventually infects Bobby and allows him to establish a true relationship with somebody. Making it about 2 guns.

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The movie reminded me of what Scorsese said about Marvel films. How they are more like amusement parks than actual cinemas. I think this applies to The Adam Project. I can’t think of what the theme of the movie is. They had a moment with future and past Adam discussing how they treat anger and love; and how they tend to confuse the two. I assume this was their attempt to give the story a deeper meaning beyond the surface level. The antagonist was lacking in all areas in my opinion. She felt distant, made stupid decisions, and wasn’t menacing. She literally kills herself. She had far too many opportunities to kill Adam but waited for him to escape. Then, she decides that she’s willing to kill Adam but kills herself. This would’ve made sense if they gave us a reason why she avoided killing him earlier in the story. The action in the film was excellent and kept me engaged the entire time. But I couldn’t understand why the invisible soldiers kept revealing themselves before they attacked. They likely would’ve captured Adam if he couldn’t see them. The character moments in the movie were heartfelt which is essential for a family movie. Also, the dialogue was quick and captured my attention. The writer also used subtext well in the movie. By subtext, I mean that when the fridge wouldn’t entirely close on the first try and how they both knew to close it made the audience feel like a detective. We put the two together based on the actions of the characters. This kept me feeling involved when watching the movie. I think that the target audience for the movie was well reached and anyone else can find the fun in the watching experience.

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Uncut Gems is a 2019 criminal thriller film that was directed by both Josh and Benny Safdie. Adam Sandler plays the role of Howard Ratner, a jeweller in New York City who is addicted to gambling and makes a series of high-stakes wagers in an attempt to pay off his debts. The film is directed by Todd Phillips.  Howard He purchases an extremely rare black opal with the intention of auctioning it off for a substantial sum. But, things rapidly go out of control as he is put under pressure by his creditors, struggles to maintain healthy connections with his family, and endures a series of unfortunate events.

The level of suspense in the movie steadily rises due to Howard’s increasingly precarious circumstances brought on by his reckless actions and poor choices. It is difficult for him to maintain his personal ties, and he fights a losing battle to keep his company going while also indulging his addiction to gambling. The narrative takes place against the backdrop of the NBA playoffs in 2012, which lends a heightened feeling of both urgency and excitement to the experience of watching the movie.

Interpretation 

As time in the movie passes Howard put more bets on his parlay. Howard as a character has a moral flaw of Greed. Nothing is enough for him, he always wants more. Even when he has enough money to pay off his debts he still opts to get a bigger payout if he can. Howard as a protagonist is definitely well-written but the characters around him lack any depth. Perhaps this is cause we didn’t get to spend a lot of time with the other characters, so they just seemed one-dimensional and static. In order for Howard as a character to change he would have to let go of his want in order to find his need. There is not a single point in this movie where I thought he was going to do that. 

The Safdie brothers and Adam Sandler each shine in their respective roles in the exhilarating and gripping Uncut Gems, which demonstrate their respective abilities. The movie is a wonderful example of how to create suspense and build up tension, and it also features an outstanding supporting cast that includes Kevin Garnett, Idina Menzel, and Lakeith Stanfield, among others. In the end, the movie delves into topics such as addiction, greed, and the perils of putting oneself in dangerous situations for no reason, which makes it an intense and thought-provoking film to watch.

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Taylor Sheridan is the director of the 2017 criminal thriller movie Wind River. The story of Cory Lambert (Jeremy Renner), a game tracker who finds the death of Natalie (Kelsey Asbille), a young Native American woman, in the middle of the Wyoming wilderness, which is set in the Wind River Indian Reservation. Cory teams up with inexperienced FBI agent Jane Banner (Elizabeth Olsen) to find the killer when she is assigned to look into the case.

The two become embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the murderer as they investigate the case further and uncover a web of corruption and secrets within the reservation. They must also confront their internal demons and the trauma they have endured in the past as they travel. This story shines a light on the unquantifiable number of Native American women who don’t get the proper attention regarding missing person cases. Along with one heartbreaking example of what could happen. An example that is based on a true story. 

Interpretation

The movie Wind River tells a compelling tale about justice, retaliation, and the extent people will go to protect those they love. It is dramatic, emotional, and powerful. The film gives Cory a chance at redemption for what happened in his own life by helping find out who killed Natalie. This is where the emotional cord is and the writers do an amazing job of tugging at it. Much like Prisoners, the story shows what someone is willing to do for family. It was a real tearjerker, but still a movie I’d recommend to someone that wants to go through a world wind.  

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Denis Villeneuve is the director of the crime-thriller movie Prisoners. The film’s opening scene shows a deer looking for food in a snowy forest as a shotgun barrel enters the picture. In the movie, Hugh Jackman plays Keller Dover, who goes deer hunting with his son Ralph (Dylan Minnette).  Keller advises Ralph to always be prepared as they make their journey home.

When two young girls vanish and the police are unable to discover any clues, the movie takes a terrible turn. In an effort to recover his daughter and the other missing girl, Keller decides to take matters into his own hands. The movie focuses on the conflict between Keller and the primary investigator Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal), as well as the emotional and physical toll placed on the two criminally suspected prisoners. When the characters see startling inconsistencies in their environment, their nerves get frayed and their tempers flare.

Interpretation 

The compelling and powerful movie Prisoners examines issues of justice, morality, and the extent people will go to defend those they care about. Hugh Jackman, who plays the frantic father, gives a standout performance, as does the rest of the ensemble. The tension-filled environment of the movie, along with its cleverly devised narrative, makes for an exciting and intense viewing experience. Prisoners is a must-see for those who enjoy criminal thrillers and well-made movies that keep you on the edge of your seat.

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The Menu is a 2022 American black comedy horror film, it’s directed by Mark Mylod and written by Seth Reiss and Will Tracy. It is based on an original story created by Tracy and produced by Adam McKay, Betsy Koch, and Will Ferrell. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Ralph Fiennes as a renowned celebrity chef, Hong Chau as his assistant, and Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer, Reed Birney, Judith Light, and John Leguizamo as diners at his exclusive restaurant.

The focus of the movie is on a group of affluent diners who travel to a private island to dine at Julian Slowik’s upscale restaurant, Hawthorne. However, nobody is aware of the brilliant chef’s intentions for tonight. After all, the arrogant chef has spent years pushing the frontiers of exquisite dining and taste. The host can now finally present his masterpiece.

Interpretation 

The Menu talks about the never-ending need for the upper class to satisfy themselves, the difference between givers and takers of the world, and the loss of passion for one’s craft. It was an amazing performance by Ralph Fiennes. The movie brought up very interesting themes from the writers Seth Reis and Will Tracy. 

From the start, we hear about how exclusive this event is, (it being on it’s own island and all) which immediately puts those those who are able to attend in an elite category. Chef Slowik’s view of the elites is stated in the movie and it paints a picture of the society we live in now. Slowik explains that he’s a victim of his own success. Buy cooking for the elites. He has lost the passion that he once had. Those that have many don’t appreciate the details and it was the love of the details that made him enjoy serving people.

Margot was an unexpected guest for this exclusive island experience. Her being the anomaly causes Slowik to decide which side she is on. Either she is a giver or a taker. It is only through getting to know Margot more that they decide which side she belongs to. 

The movie shares similar elements to another film that was released in 2022, Knives Out: Glass Onion. From having a private island to the ensemble cast. However, this film was very fresh in terms of the message that it’s attempting to relay. Overall I found watching the film to be a refreshing experience and most certainly a film I would recommend. 

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