FiftyTwo_52

Broken City is one of those films that clearly had the pieces for something great - powerhouse cast, gritty neo-noir setup, political intrigue - but ends up landing somewhere in the "good, not great" zone.

And honestly, that's fine. It's still a perfectly watchable 109 minutes, even if trimming 10 minutes and sharpening the character writing could've elevated it further.

What surprised me is how much better it plays than many IMDb reviews claim. Wahlberg delivers a grounded performance as the disgraced cop-turned-PI, Crowe is deliciously manipulative as the mayor wielding power like a personal weapon, and Catherine Zeta-Jones brings smoldering tension even though her character deserved more depth. In fact, that's the film's main problem: the actors are trying harder than the script allows them to shine.

The atmosphere is excellent... slick cinematography, moody lighting, and a classic urban-noir feel that keeps the film engaging even when the twists aren't as sharp as they could be. The political corruption plot is predictable in spots but still entertaining enough to carry you through.

Not a masterpiece, not a disaster... just a solid, worthwhile thriller that needed stronger writing to match its stellar cast.

Ep 4 takes a sharp left turn, prioritizing character dynamics over momentum - and it's a gamble that half-works. The Afghan flashbacks continue building emotional depth, showing the philosophical rift between Chase and Hamzad that makes their eventual rupture feel inevitable.

Bridges remains compelling, and Lithgow's Harper subplot finally gains traction as his compromised position becomes untenable.

But then there's that ending. Without spoiling specifics, a major character makes a shocking power play that feels simultaneously bold and undercooked. The shift happens so abruptly that I'm left wondering if I missed crucial character development. What's equally puzzling is how casually the confrontation resolves - I expected fireworks, got a shrug.

The episode isn't bad, just uneven. The pieces are interesting; the assembly feels rushed. I'm hopeful the next episode justifies this jarring turn.

A generous 6.5/10.

I went into Toy Story 4 expecting an unnecessary add-on after the perfect closure of Toy Story 3, but it turned out far better than I feared. It's not on the same emotional or narrative level as the original trilogy, yet it finds a sincere new angle: Woody's journey of identity.

Forky is hilarious, Bo Peep's reinvention is refreshing, and Duke Caboom (Keanu Reeves) steals every scene. The comedy lands, the pacing is brisk, and the emotions - while lighter - still hit when they need to.

What it lacks is the thematic heft of the first three; this is more of an epilogue than a chapter. But as epilogues go, it's charming, funny, and beautifully animated.

Verdict: A solid 7/10 - not essential, but surprisingly heartfelt and worth the ride.