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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The Night Agent is a 10-episode series streaming on Netflix about an American government conspiracy. The story follows an FBI agent who found himself at the right place at the right time, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) was on a train when he discovered a bomb. His ability to neutralize the threat and drastically reduce the number of casualties caused him to get a promotion. Because of his actions, he became the agent that picks up the phone of an emergency FBI line. A phone that normally never rings until Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan)  is on the other end. The both of them find themselves so deep in a conspiracy that it reaches up into the Oval Office. 

Peter is someone who religiously does everything by the book, with hopes of helping him escape the tainted past of his father. While Rose has no problem bending the rules in order for her to survive. They both have to find a way to compromise if they wish to stay alive. 

Interpretation 

The show had a great pace the whole way through as the audience slowly unravels the truth behind what is going on in the White House. The depth of the characters made it hard to assume what would happen next and who you could trust. The viewers had no choice but to become their own detectives throughout Night Agent. The series showed a multitude of thrilling scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. This is a series for those who love conspiracy theories. Also, a show made for the people who loved the Jason Bourne series.  I would definitely recommend The Night Agent as a great short show to watch, especially since it’s already been renewed for another season. 

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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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Michael Mann is the director of the crime thriller “Heat,” which was released in 1995. The film tells the narrative of two individuals in Los Angeles who are on opposing sides of the law. The movie contains an amazing cast that includes Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, and Tom Sizemore. The story follows a crew of highly trained and experienced criminals, commanded by Neal MacAuley (Robert De Niro), as they plan and execute a string of high-stakes robberies around the city. LAPD detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), takes on the case after one of their operations goes astray and culminates in a violent encounter with the police. He then begins a search to bring down MacAuley and his team. 

The film delves deep into the psyches of its characters, presenting them as nuanced characters who face their own challenges and have their own reasons for doing the things they do. Because of the demands of his profession, Hanna, a veteran police officer, is a workaholic who struggles to form meaningful relationships with his wife and stepdaughter. On the other side, MacAuley is a self-disciplined and systematic thief who is plagued by his previous failures and is resolved to retire after making one final score. As the two men chase after one another across the city, they gradually acquire a resentful admiration for one another. This leads to a decisive encounter, which puts their abilities and commitment to the test. 

Interpretation

“Heat” is widely recognized as one of the greatest crime movies ever filmed, because of its brilliant performances, riveting action sequences, and thought-provoking themes. The movie covers hard subjects such as the nature of obsession, the cost of living a life of crime, and the thin border between legality and lawlessness. “Heat” is a must-see for anybody who respects excellent filmmaking as well as fans of the genre because of its high-octane car chases, dramatic shootouts, and sophisticated story twists.

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The Ghost of Tsushima starts with an all-out battle between the Japanese Samurai and the Mongols. The battle begins with a dual where a Mongol throws alcohol on a samurai and then lights a match on him. This is the first demonstration of how dishonourable the opponent is. We follow a samurai named Jin Sakai who rushes into battle alongside his comrades. After a while, it’s clear that the Samurai are outnumbered, and failure is inevitable. Several arrows hit Jin and he falls unconscious as a result. We wake up later and discover that we were healed by a thief named Yuna. We learned that she saved us to use us to help free her brother who was captured by the Mongols. Jin offers to help Yuna and repay his debt, but they will need his uncle’s help. His Uncle, Lord Shimura, was also captured by the Mongols. Jin’s main desire is to free his uncle so that they can fight back the invaders of their island. Jin and Yuna infiltrate the compound that Lord Shimura is held in and Jin duals the grandson of Genghis Khan. Jin proves no match for his opponent. He luckily survives the encounter and realizes that he will need more help if he wishes to free his uncle. 

Jin is able to quickly get the help of Sensei Ishikawa and Lady Masako. They both of course have their own problems that require Jin’s help in exchange. Jin begins to help Yuna save her brother but has to resort to actions contrary to what he was taught as a Samurai. He had been always taught to kill with honour. However, the only way that he can have a fighting chance against the Mongols is to resort to dishonourable methods. With Yuna’s influence, Jin assassinates his enemies. Jin justifies this to himself by saying that he does what needs to be done to save the people of Tsushima. With flashbacks of Jin learning the way of the Samurai, we can see glimpses in Jin’s character of him reacting out of emotion. 

The subplot stories of Sensei Ishikawa and Lady Masako are variations of Jin’s journey. In order to defeat the Mongols Jin has to participate in actions that are contrary to what he was taught. He goes against his tradition, the code that the Samurai live by. In Sensei Ishikawa’s story, a student of Ishikawa has betrayed him and is using what he taught her to teach the Mongols. Lady Masako is out for revenge against the people who slaughtered her entire family. Whoever did it seem to be close to the family in some way? Both stories centre around betrayal, much like Jin’s own betrayal of tradition. 

Jin eventually meets up with an old friend, Ryuzo. Ryuzo now leads a group of Straw Hats and Jin offers to help them find food in exchange for their help in freeing Lord Shimura. The Straw Hats are a group of Ronins who are classless Samurai. After a dual that took place when the two were younger, Ryuzo was forced to live a life of a Ronin instead of being a Samurai like he always wanted. Ryuzo has held some contempt towards Jin for how vicious he was during their dual. When the time came to free Lord Shimura from the Mongols Ryuzo was nowhere to be found. Not only did he not show up to help but he appeared later with the intent of killing Jin to reap the rewards of the bounty placed on his head. This is another act of betrayal, one between once close friends. 

With Lord Shimura now being saved the legend of The Ghost was now spreading around the Island of Tsushima. Jin is now known as a ruthless and unique fighter who is Tsushima’s saviour. His methods of dealing with the enemy are heavily contested by Lord Shimura who believes that what he’s doing is unforgivable and blasphemous to the way of the samurai. Jin has no choice but to walk separate himself from his uncle and look to deal with the invading threat on his own. A threat that he can now handle since he is The Ghost of Tsushima. 

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First-generation Chinese immigrants Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) and Waymond Wang (Ke Huy Quan) own a laundry mat under their apartment. They moved to America because of the love they have for one another and they have a daughter named Joy (Stephanie Hsu). Fast-forward to the present, where their laundry mat isn’t doing so well and the entire family is dysfunctional. Waymond is seeking a divorce and Joy feels unheard and unloved by her mother. 

Evelyn discovers that she can travel between alternate multi-verses and see the different lives she could’ve lived. Each small decision she’s made piggybacks on another, creating an entirely different universe. Another universes version of her husband Waymond has tasked her with defeating the multiverse jumper named Jobu Tupaki. 

Interpretation 

The movie does an outstanding job of introducing a complex, interesting idea, and grounding it with a broken family being put back together. Although the idea of a multiverse and travelling through universes has been done before (and well)this movie still brought a new refreshing take to it. Just really amazing writing and directing by both Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. It’s a tricky job, but it did feel like as the audience we experienced everything everywhere all at once.

Without spoiling, I want to talk about themes that are brought up in the movie. The film questions what truly matters. It goes on a tangent about how humans prove old theories wrong and thus showing what we once believed, we now know was stupid. This realization gives us the freedom to understand that every action we make may not be right, but we do the best with what we have or what we know. The ability to look at other universes, and how things could’ve panned out, is both a gift and a curse. At one end you can look at the life you could’ve lived and maybe want to live, but you also see the things you lack which can give you a new appreciation for the life you live now. Like I said earlier, each small decision can piggyback on another creating a whole new life for yourself. Since you never 100% know the consequences of your actions, the best you can do is do the best with what you have and move forward with good intentions.

This is how I interpreted the best movie of 2020, leave a comment down below and let me know what you think about it.

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