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Brawl in Cell Block 99: A Physically-Menacing Triumph

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There is nothing calm about Brawl In Cell Block 99. It is as physically unnerving as it is psychologically intensive. I was expecting a tense ride having seen S. Craig Zahler’s first film, Bone Tomahawk, but, this was severe. Simplified, Brawl in Cell Block 99 is primal. Survival is as paramount in this film as it was in Bone Tomahawk, displaying Zahler’s fascination in eschewing man’s modern plights and instead focuses on man’s basic need for survival.

Vince Vaughn stars as Bradley Thomas; a quiet, towering ex-boxer/tow truck driver that epitomizes the blue-collar dilemma of overworked/underpaid. As the film begins, he is fired and finds out his wife (Jennifer Carpenter) has been cheating on him all in the same day. Desperate, he turns to a life of crime, drug-running for a successful old friend (Marc Blucas). After a job goes haywire, Bradley lands himself and his cohorts in prison, leading his business partner to exact revenge by kidnapping his wife. Bradley soon finds himself fighting for the life of his wife, his unborn child, and even himself in the ghastly, brutal depths of Cell Block 99.

The shocking transformation of Vaughn as Bradley needs to be seen to be believed. One of the most extraordinary performances by a male lead I’ve seen in a long time can be summed up by writer/director, S. Craig Zahler, “Rarely do actors so convincingly transform themselves to the degree Vaughn does in this picture, a performance that is equally masculine and nuanced.”

When examining all elements of the film, I realized that while the cinematography isn’t ambitious, the score is comprised of simple soul songs by the O’Jays and CGI wasn’t used during the brutal brawl scenes, the film still feels cutting edge. It’s the simplicity that really sets this film apart. “All of these brawls are performed by him (Vince Vaughn) and the other actors with very few cuts and zero post-production manipulation. I wanted these sequences to look and feel very different than those found in modern movies, and they do,” explains Zahler. The result is a gut-punch; simple, direct and powerful.

Some twists and cast surprises like Udo Kier as a slippery hitman and Don Johnson as the polished Warden Tuggs add fuel to the fire. Some of the greatest fight scenes ever committed to film remain deep-rooted in your sub-conscious long after the credits roll.

Sometimes, I leave a theater thinking a film had everything and yet, it still lacked an intuitive emotional core. Brawl In Cell Block 99 is a physically-menacing film that ditches the frustration, anger, and heartache of the American dream for the primordial quest for survival.

Brawl In Cell Block 99 opens in limited release October 6th and will be available digitally and on-demand October 13th.

Written by Julianna Brudek.

 

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Anime Review: The Beginning After the End

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Genre: Fantasy, Action, Isekai, Drama

Studio: Studio TBA (Co-production by TAPAS Media, Pine Jam, and Genco expected*)

Director: Not officially announced (rumored: Tetsuya Wakano, of The God of High School fame)

Voice Actors (Japanese Cast):

Arthur Leywin – Voiced by Yūma Uchida

Sylvie – Voiced by Kana Hanazawa

Virion – Voiced by Takehito Koyasu

Alice Leywin – Voiced by Maaya Sakamoto

Original Work: Based on the popular web novel and manhwa written by TurtleMe

Runtime: Approx. 24 minutes per episode

Number of Seasons: 1 (ongoing)

Number of Episodes: 13 (Season 1)

Streaming Platform: Crunchyroll (Licensed and streaming)

In a world governed by magic and bloodlines, a mighty king named Grey dies only to be reborn as Arthur Leywin, a child prodigy in a world of mana, mythical beasts, and ancient secrets. Reincarnated into a new realm filled with elves, dwarves, and dragons, Arthur seeks not only to harness the power of magic—but to right the mistakes of his past life. Yet as he grows into his strength, he discovers that destiny has a far greater design in store for him—one that could shake the foundations of this world.

The Beginning After the End strikes a delicate balance between coming-of-age wonder and high fantasy action. It wears its isekai roots proudly, but what sets it apart is Arthur’s dual-layered maturity—born a king, reborn as a child, yet carrying the weight of both timelines in one soul.

Visually, the animation is clean and kinetic, especially in combat sequences. The world-building is immersive, from mana zones to beast-taming academies, though early episodes lean heavily into exposition. Voice acting is top-notch, particularly Yūma Uchida’s nuanced portrayal of Arthur’s internal conflict between youthful idealism and the shadows of his regal past.

The emotional arcs—especially Arthur’s bond with his family, his dragon companion Sylvie, and his budding responsibilities—add depth beyond the typical power-scaling narrative. That said, the pacing can occasionally feel uneven, and fans of the web novel may note some skipped details.

As a long-time genre enthusiast, I’m cautiously optimistic. This anime is clearly primed to explode in popularity, especially among fans of Mushoku Tensei, Solo Leveling, and Black Clover. If the studio maintains momentum into Season 2, it has the potential to become a cornerstone in modern fantasy anime.

 Rating: 8.5/10 “A promising start to what could be a fantasy epic for the new generation.”

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A Riveting Rural Whodunit Rooted in Tradition Movie

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Genre: Crime Thriller / Mystery

Run Time: Approximately 123 minutes

Studio: SRT Entertainments

Where to Watch: Streaming now on Aha (Telugu OTT platform)

Director: Ashok Teja

Writer: Sampath Nandi

Lead Cast: Hebah Patel, Vasishta N. Simha, Sai Ronak, Poojitha Ponnada, and George Maryan

Odela is a gripping Telugu-language crime thriller that weaves the mysticism of rural India with the suspense of a murder mystery. Based on true events, the film is set in the culturally rich village of Odela, where a series of brutal murders shakes the community. When fear takes over, the villagers believe the killings are the work of a supernatural force, but a determined young trainee IPS officer decides to uncover the truth.

Ashok Teja makes a confident directorial debut, and with the support of seasoned writer Sampath Nandi, the film blends folklore and investigative elements seamlessly. The narrative doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore but rather on tension, cultural realism, and atmosphere, making it stand apart from typical crime thrillers.

Vasishta N. Simha delivers a strong and brooding performance as the local suspect whose silence hides secrets. Hebah Patel brings depth and credibility to her role as the determined officer, breaking stereotypes of female leads in regional thrillers. Sai Ronak and George Maryan round out the cast with solid support, while Poojitha Ponnada adds emotional texture to the story.

The cinematography captures the beauty and eeriness of the village setting, while the score subtly enhances the suspense. What truly stands out is the film’s effort to incorporate the Odela temple culture and beliefs into its storyline, making the mystery feel both grounded and unique.

Unique Setting: Odela village and its spiritual legacy are treated with respect, giving the film a haunting authenticity.

Strong Female Lead: Hebah Patel’s character is refreshingly written and well-acted.

Tight Storytelling: No unnecessary detours or filler content; the movie maintains its pace and tension throughout.

Cultural Depth: Balances folklore and realism without leaning too heavily on superstition.

Rating: 8/10

Odela is a tightly woven, atmospheric thriller that doesn’t rely on spectacle but rather storytelling and culture. It’s a solid step forward for Telugu cinema in the crime-thriller space and worth a watch for fans of mystery films that respect both narrative and regional authenticity.

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VidaayMuyarchi

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“Vidaamuyarchi,” now streaming on Netflix, is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language action thriller directed and written by Magizh Thirumeni. Produced by Subaskaran Allirajah under Lyca Productions, the film boasts a runtime of 150 minutes. The narrative follows Arjun (Ajith Kumar) on a relentless quest to rescue his wife Kayal (Trisha Krishnan) after she is abducted by a mysterious group in Azerbaijan. The ensemble cast includes Arjun Sarja, Regina Cassandra, and Arav in pivotal roles.

Drawing inspiration from the 1997 American film “Breakdown,” “Vidaamuyarchi” offers a familiar storyline but is elevated by compelling performances. Ajith Kumar delivers a commendable portrayal of a husband battling against time and adversities, while Trisha Krishnan effectively captures the emotional depth of her character. The film’s cinematography by Om Prakash enhances the tension and atmosphere, and Anirudh Ravichander’s music complements the narrative’s intensity.

However, the film’s predictability and pacing issues may deter some viewers. Despite these shortcomings, “Vidaamuyarchi” provides an engaging experience for fans of the action thriller genre.

Rating: 6.5/10

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