Dragged Across Concrete
Director/writer S. Craig Zahler returns to the big screen with an enthralling crime drama
PRAISE: Great performances from the entire cast which includes:
Mel Gibson,Vince Vaughn,Tory Kittles ,Michael Jai White,Jennifer Carpenter,Laurie Holden,Fred Melamed,Udo Kier,Thomas Kretschmann,Don Johnson.
Zahler has rafted a story in which i was fully engaged .Even when i wondered where a subplot in the film was going,i couldnt take my eyes off it.He even got me to care about a character who only had about 10 minutes of screen time.The movie is beautifully shot and scenes are laced with all the right amounts of tension and suspense.
The violence and gore is not for the faint of heart but it's not dwelling.
His convergence of criminal and cop his seamlessly done.
PROBLEMS: Watching certain scenes i found myself saying well Zahler definitely could have made some cuts here and there to reduce the films almost 3 hour running time.
Whether you watch this film OnDemand or in the theatre i dont think you will be disappointed.
Scale of 1-10 an 8
SHAZAM
Is Shazam another step in the right direction for DC/WB?
PRAISE: I admit i went in with low expectations because of all the jokey and wacky scenes from the trailers and ads.But boy was i pleasantly surprised !!
The movie is charming and then some.
What a charming and likeable cast !!
Asher Angel and Zachary Levi as William "Billy" Batson / Shazam are in sync in their fun portrayal of the character.
Mark Strong as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana is sinister and then some !!
Jack Dylan Grazer,Djimon Hounsou,Grace Fulton,Ian Chen,Jovan Armand,Faithe Herman,Cooper Andrews,and Marta Milans are also quite terrific.
From the films first frames and throughout i was pulled in to the story and cared about the characters.The film takes it time to provide a good back story.At one point in the movie i said to myself yes !! you are giving me that very good balance of light and dark.Speaking of dark this film goes dark a few times and some of the violence may be to much for small children.
There is a strong message about the strength of family throughout the film.The jokes from the trailers work so much better in the context of the film.
PROBLEMS:There is some old hat corniness in the film.That dryness that made me think of some bad comic book films from the past.There are some jokey moments i could have done without.The CGI is choppy here and there in the film.
If you were ever a Shazam fan this is the movie for you !!
Make sure to stick around for the mid credits scene !!
Scale of 1-10 an 8
US
Can writer/director Jordan Peele give audiences another thought provoking horror thriller?
NO SPOILERS !! NO SPOILERS !!
PRAISE : This story of a family being hunted by their sinister and intimidating dopplegangers is crafted into a very involving horror film.
Peele is able to fuse menace and humor which gives the movie it's real punch.
He also gives nods to some of his favorite horror and sci fi films.
The cast which includes: Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker do a fine job but Lupita Nyong’o is the stand out she gives a mesmerizing performance.
I liked how Peele inserts little messages throughout the film that play out in future scenes.
His build up of suspense is always on point.
PROBLEMS: Inconsistent turns in the script.Some of the situations in the film were overdone and then some.So much so i felt the film loses its way at times.Im not sure if Peele included some horror tropes for a laugh or if he was serious,i found the inclusion of the aforementioned frustrating !!
US is not perfect but very entertaining.Try to see it with a packed theatre it will add to your enjoyment of the film.
Scale of 1-10 a 7½
this motherfucker done dropped another one? This dude keeps dropping gems under the radar. I loved Brawl in Cell Block 99. Throwback guy movie. I thought Vince Vaughn put in work that was nomination worthy, and then I went and discovered Bone Tomahawk on Prime. It's a shame Zahler hasn't blown up yet. 
alot of dumb shit happened in this movie. The conflict was 100% avoidable. Depending on your tolerance for bullshit. I would say watch it.
