kevin_robbins

I recently watched Proud Mary (2018) on Tubi. The story follows a woman working in a crime family who takes in a streetwise orphan with ghosts of his own-creating new demons for herself in the process. Her decision sets off a chain reaction that makes her question whether it's time to leave the life of crime-but as always, that's easier said than done.

Directed by Babak Najafi (London Has Fallen), the film stars Taraji P. Henson (Hidden Figures), Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon), Billy Brown (The Lost World: Jurassic Park), Neal McDonough (Minority Report), and Margaret Avery (The Color Purple).

The film boasts a strong premise, an excellent cast, and a fantastic soundtrack. The action sequences are also a highlight-whether it's the opening scene or the later shootouts, the violence is sudden, intense, and keeps your attention. The performances are solid, and the relationships feel authentic. However, as the story develops, things begin to feel far-fetched. The action grows increasingly over the top, and the film gradually unravels. With a steadier tone and consistency, this could have been a real gem.

In conclusion, Proud Mary is a decent action film that starts strong but loses its footing as it goes. I'd score it a 5.5/10.

I recently watched the French film 🇫🇷 Les Diaboliques (1955) on MAX. The story follows an abusive man who runs a boys' boarding school and is murdered by his wife and mistress. At first, it seems like the perfect crime-until strange occurrences suggest a haunting presence, all while an inspector begins sniffing around for the truth.

This film is directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot (Inferno) and stars Simone Signoret (The Crucible), Véra Clouzot (The Wages of Fear), Paul Meurisse (Army of Shadows), and Noël Roquevert (Moulin Rouge).

Les Diaboliques is a classic slow burn, carefully executed with a brilliantly crafted storyline, authentic characters, and circumstances that feel chillingly real. The boarding school setting adds an extra layer of mystery, and the stark contrast between the two leading women creates a sense of unpredictability-you're never quite sure how it will play out. By the time the ending arrives, the payoff is both shocking and captivating. I couldn't stop smiling as the final scene unfolded. The whole experience feels very reminiscent of Hitchcock's work from this era.

In conclusion, Les Diaboliques is a masterclass in suspense-methodical, atmospheric, and capped with a payoff that makes the journey worth it. I'd score it a solid 8/10.

My daughter and I recently watched X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) on MAX. The storyline follows an ancient mutant with centuries of knowledge and powers who was entombed by the Egyptians before he could take over the world. In the 1980s, shortly after Xavier forms his first mutant school, the ancient mutant is unearthed and returns-recruiting followers to help him achieve world domination. It's up to Xavier and a new generation of mutants to stop him.

The film is directed by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects) and stars James McAvoy (Split), Michael Fassbender (Prometheus), Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games), Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina), Evan Peters (Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story), and Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road).

This was much better than I remembered. Yes, the CGI can be excessive at times, but the storyline and villain are so strong, ruthless, and unpredictable that they keep you invested. Apocalypse is a great antagonist, and there are excellent portrayals of both the heroes and villains. Quicksilver steals every scene he's in, and the school explosion sequence ranks among the best in the entire franchise. The Wolverine cameo is also fantastic.

The film makes great use of its powers, with clever execution from the cage fight opening to the larger-than-life finale. I also loved the twists, with some legacy heroes portrayed as villains and vice versa-it added depth and intrigue.

In conclusion, X-Men: Apocalypse is an underrated entry in the superhero genre, with a compelling villain and a strong depiction of its characters. I'd score it a solid 7.5/10.