Above Suspicion Review: - A Great Cast and Setting Tells A True Thriller

Release date: May 7, 2021
Running time: 107 minutes
Directed By: Phillip Noyce
Written By: Chris Gerolmo
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Jack Huston, Sophie Lowe, Thora Birch, and Johnny Knoxville  .

Based on the true story of one of the most notorious crimes in FBI history, this gritty crime-thriller stars Emilia Clarke (“Game of Thrones”) as Susan Smith, a young woman desperate to escape a seedy life of crime and drugs in a Kentucky coal mining town. When a newly minted FBI agent named Mark Putnam (Jack Huston, “Fargo”) recruits Susan as his informant for a high-profile case, she believes her bad luck may finally be changing. But as Susan and Putnam’s relationship deepens, so does the danger, setting them both on a collision course with deadly consequences.

Above Suspicion has a lot of components of a great movie.  The acting is very good, with many of the characters transforming for their roles.  Emilia Clarke continues to show why she is such an amazing actor with her change into Susan.  Jack Huston does a great job as a rising star agent who seems to have everything going for him.  And Johnny Knoxville was great to see in a more serious, muted role than you are used to with him.  The performances sell this film as does the setting, which doesn't try to do too much but gives you a great sense of this small town and how connected everyone is.  The setting feels perfectly cut from the time period of the film, and the little touches make you believe you are back in the late 80s.  The film also has a good sense of dread and great make up to let you see the gravity of the situation that Susan is in.  Some of her wounds look terrifyingly real and really help to sell just how dire the consequences of what she was doing were.

But although Above Suspicion has a lot of great components, it just doesn't come together in the end.  First, the film has a confusing start, throwing a lot of characters and some strange situations at you.  It can feel a little overwhelming at the start as you are introduced to so many individuals who are connected and even look similar.  And it also feels like the film was trying to portray Susan as a sympathetic character with the way that she was narrating the story.  But her actions and the performances in the film don't make the story so black and white.  As with everything in life, the story seems to put the impetus on several individuals in the story.  And although the narration tries to make one character come off as a bad person, the way the characters perform in the film make this supposed bad character much more sympathetic.  There is plenty of blame in this story but this is a rare film where I think a little more Hollywood-ification would have helped to sell the story and characters.  Had there been a few more selling touches and changes to the story, it might have made for an overall stronger experience.  In the end, I wasn't really rooting for anyone in the film, and when the conclusion happened it did not have as much of an emotional impact as I would have expected had I felt more personally invested in the plight of these individuals.  In the end you are left with an interesting story, but one that felt like it wanted to be both a drama and a documentary, but did not succeed at either.

Above Suspicion has a great setting and performances from this cast, but the overall story makes me suspicious that this film needed a little more Hollywood intervention.

Rent it.

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Above Suspicion is in Select Theaters and Everywhere You Rent Movies on May 7th; on Blu-ray and DVD May 18th.. For tickets, click here.

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Interview: Lindsay LaVanchy co-writer & star of Initiation, College Slasher w/ Isabella Gomez and Lochlyn Munro

 

Lindsay LaVanchy discusses Initiation, how she became involved with the project, and filming a movie on both USC and UCLA campuses! We also discuss some of the deeper messages in the film and her own party experiences. So give it a watch and make sure to check out Initiation in theaters, digitally, and on demand on May 7, 2021! Directed By: John Berardo Written By: John Berardo, Brian Frager, and Lindsay LaVanchy Starring: Lindsay LaVanchy, Jon Huertas (“This Is Us”), Isabella Gomez (“Head of the Class,” “One Day at a Time”), Froy Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), Gattlin Griffith (Green Lantern), Patrick Walker (“The Resident”), Bart Johnson (“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”), Shireen Lai, Kent Faulcon (Selma) with Yancy Butler (Kick-Ass 2) and Lochlyn Munro (“Riverdale”) Synopsis: During a university’s pledge week, the carefree partying turns deadly serious when a star athlete is found impaled in his dorm. The murder ignites a spree of sinister social-media messages, sweeping the students and police into a race against time to uncover the truth behind the school’s dark secrets…and the horrifying meaning of a recurring symbol: a single exclamation mark.

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Interview: Lonnie Chavis from The Water Man, David Oyelowo directorial debut also starring Rosario Dawson

Lonnie Chavis discusses The Water Man, working with David Oyelowo, and how his costars became like family. We also discuss releasing a film during COVID and also get some fun stories from the set! So give it a watch and make sure to check out The Water Man in theaters on May 7, 2021! Directed By: David Oyelowo Written By: Emma Needell Starring: David Oyelowo (Selma), Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds), Lonnie Chavis (“This Is Us”), Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), and Maria Bello ("NCIS") Synopsis: Gunner (Chavis) sets out on a quest to save his ill mother (Dawson) by searching for a mythic figure who possesses the secret to immortality, the Water Man. After enlisting the help of a mysterious local girl, Jo (Miller), they journey together into the remote Wild Horse forest -- but the deeper they venture, the stranger and more dangerous the forest becomes. Their only hope for rescue is Gunner’s father (Oyelowo), who will stop at nothing to find them and in the process will discover who his son really is.

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Screening: Those Who Wish Me Dead

Do you want to see Angelina Jolie's latest film, Those Who Wish Me Dead?  If so, enter below to win a Fandango code good for two tickets to see the film in theaters!  Please note that the availability will vary depending on your local theater situation, so please keep that in mind.  The code is only good for Those Who Wish Me Dead, and is only valid at theaters that allow ticketing through Fandango.  But if you have all of that, here's your chance to win a code to see this film for free!  Enter below, winners will be notified on Thursday, May 13, 2021.  

Please ensure that you are comfortable going to the theater before entering.  This contest is for a Fandango code to see the film in theaters.

THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD
In theaters and streaming exclusively on HBO Max May 14, 2021.

From New Line Cinema comes the thriller “Those Who Wish Me Dead,” starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Taylor Sheridan.  Oscar winner Jolie (“Girl, Interrupted,” the “Maleficent” films) stars as Hannah, a smoke jumper still reeling from the loss of three lives she failed to save from a fire when she comes across a traumatized 12-year-old boy with nowhere else to turn.

The film also stars Nicholas Hoult (the “X-Men” films), Finn Little (“Reckoning”), Aidan Gillen (“Game of Thrones,” “Peaky Blinders”), Medina Senghore (“Happy!”), Tyler Perry (“Vice,” “Gone Girl”), Jake Weber (“Midway,” “Homeland”), and Jon Bernthal (“Ford v Ferrari,” “Wind River”).

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The Paper Tigers Cast Interview: Alain Uy, Ron Yuan, and Mykel Shannon Jenkins!

 

Alain Uy, Ron Yuan, and Mykel Shannon Jenkins, the stars of the Paper Tigers, discuss the film, how they prepared for this role, and what it was like filming this Martial Arts comedy! We also settle once and for all who would win in a fight between them! So give it a watch and make sure to check out The Paper Tigers in theaters and on demand on May 7, 2021! Written and Directed by: Tran Quoc Bao Starring: Alain Uy (True Detective), Ron Yuan (Mulan), Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed III), Matthew Page ("Enter the Dojo" - Master Ken), Andy Le (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Yuji Okumoto ("Cobra Kai" & Karate Kid II) Synopsis: As teenagers, kung fu disciples Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan) and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) were inseparable. Fast forward 25 years, and each has grown into a washed-up middle-aged man seemingly one kick away from pulling a hamstring—and not at all preoccupied with thoughts of martial arts or childhood best friends. But when their old master is murdered, the trio reunites, soon learning that avenging their sifu will require conquering old grudges (and a dangerous hitman still armed with ample knee cartilage) if they are to honorably defend his legacy.

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The Water Man Review: A Family-Friendly Serious Adventure

Release date: May 7, 2021
Running time: 82 minutes
Directed By: David Oyelowo
Written By: Emma Needell
Starring: David Oyelowo (Selma), Rosario Dawson (Seven Pounds), Lonnie Chavis (“This Is Us”), Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes), Alfred Molina (Spider-Man 2), and Maria Bello ("NCIS")

Gunner (Chavis) sets out on a quest to save his ill mother (Dawson) by searching for a mythic figure who possesses the secret to immortality, the Water Man. After enlisting the help of a mysterious local girl, Jo (Miller), they journey together into the remote Wild Horse forest -- but the deeper they venture, the stranger and more dangerous the forest becomes. Their only hope for rescue is Gunner’s father (Oyelowo), who will stop at nothing to find them and in the process will discover who his son really is.

The Water Man deals with a young black family trying to overcome family stresses.  This family feels authentic, built on love but having flaws.  It is not an idyllic, picture perfect family, but one that has scars that occasionally reopen and make the family stronger for it.  The film is directed by and stars Oyelowo, who does a great job in this film as a caring but overworked, and sometimes overwhelmed, father.  But the real star of the film is young Lonnie Chavis who plays Gunner, a brilliant, artistic, and inquisitive youth who is on the border of where childlike wonder meets the loss of innocence due to real world issues.  And to help him along this journey is Jo, played by Miller, who is a good companion for Gunner.  Whereas Gunner still has his sense of wonder, Jo has long since lost it.  Yet the two are still a fun pair and each helps balance the other: Gunner helps Jo reclaim some of her youth and innocence whereas Jo helps Gunner progress and process the serious issues he is going through.

The Water Man is the directorial debut of David Oyelowo and is a strong first endeavor for him.  Oyelowo sought to create a film to share with families, but one that did not patronize the young protagonist. And in that he largely succeeded, with a film that stars a young protagonist dealing with real world issues.  And although the film uses a childlike imagination and sense of wonder, the film deals with real world issues without sugar coating them.  Although Gunner sees much through his animation and his sense of imagination, the end result is still encounters in the real world and the consequences that can come from it.  But this film is still a family film, so although it deals with some serious issues, it never feels like it gets too dark.  In that same vein, it provides an entry point for audiences young and old to think about tough issues and approach these difficult subjects. 

But underlying everything in this film is the strong sense of family and adventure.  The movie is not fast paced, but it is well shot--with some beautiful nature scenes--and entertaining.  The journey progresses slowly, but you will absolutely enjoy your time.  And although the ending seems to wrap up a little too conveniently with some abrupt changes and conclusions, the overall journey is worth taking.  Oyelowo has planted a strong flag for his first directorial movie, and I am excited see where his perfect, family friendly but realistic films go from here.

The Water Man will capture your imagination with its strong performances, excellent cast, and sense of real world issues mixed with childlike wonder. 

Watch it.

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The Water Man is in theaters on May 7, 2021. For tickets, click here.

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The Paper Tigers Review: A Middle Age Martial Arts Comedy Knock Out

Release date: May 7, 2021
Running time: 108 minutes
Written and Directed by: Tran Quoc Bao
Starring: Alain Uy (True Detective), Ron Yuan (Mulan), Mykel Shannon Jenkins (Undisputed III), Matthew Page ("Enter the Dojo" - Master Ken), Andy Le (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings), Yuji Okumoto ("Cobra Kai" & Karate Kid II)

As teenagers, kung fu disciples Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan) and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins) were inseparable. Fast forward 25 years, and each has grown into a washed-up middle-aged man seemingly one kick away from pulling a hamstring—and not at all preoccupied with thoughts of martial arts or childhood best friends. But when their old master is murdered, the trio reunites, soon learning that avenging their sifu will require conquering old grudges (and a dangerous hitman still armed with ample knee cartilage) if they are to honorably defend his legacy.

The Paper Tigers starts off perfectly, with VHS home movies that are filled with character and 80s style.  The trio are shown in their martial arts prime, with the confidence and invincibility of youth.  It really gives you a vision of this trio and their tight bond growing up.  The VHS videos set the tone perfectly, as does the amazing 80s music that gets your blood flowing.  And then when it fast forwards to them not in their prime, the film shows its comedic roots.  Boisterous youths go to middle aged adults just over the hill.  And the concerns they have, especially those of Danny who is juggling a job, a kid, and a crumbling marriage, feel like those of any normal adult.  It is illuminating to see the person that he became versus the person he thought he would be.

But what The Paper Tigers has in spades is comedy and heart.  The movie is just funny.  The camaraderie between the trio in their youth and as adults is palatable and shows on screen.  The disciples have built up anger, love, and a shared knowledge that is instantly infectious.  And the over the top style has some call backs to old school martial arts movies, but with an added dry comedic style.  The movie riffs on fighting, on grudges, and on age equally well, making a melting pot of comedic gold.  And despite these character's ages, the kung fu action is exciting and enjoyable.  They are definitely not in their prime, but they still are fun to see when they let loose.

The story of this movie is long, but I didn't mind it at all.  There are a few fight scenes that seem a little drawn out, but it's a martial arts comedy movie so I can't begrudge the film for lingering on martial arts action.  And some of the fights use stylish cuts to slow down the action, which lets you get in the heads of the fighters but also makes for some action that is less frantic than I was hoping.  And a minor point, but the young characters in the VHS videos look nothing like their older counterparts, including some of their height.  But The Paper Tigers has a unique tone, great characters, and more heart than your average martial arts movie.  And it occupies a unique space that skirts the line between following your dreams and the realities of life.  

Paper Tigers will knock you out with its wonderful comedic style, over the top and over the hill characters, and the amazing camaraderie and heart of the main trio.

Watch it.

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The Paper Tigers will be released in theaters and on demand on May 7, 2021.  For showtimes, click here.

For additional information about the film and to rent / buy it, check it out at the links below.

This site contains affiliate links. //Commerce or this site may be compensated when you click through links on our site.