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“The Infiltrator” a bullit train that’ll leave you exhausted.

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Release date:July 15, 2016

Studio:Broad Green Pictures

Director:Brad Furman

MPAA Rating:R (for strong violence, language throughout, some sexual content and drug material)

Starring:Bryan Cranston, Diane Kruger, John Leguizamo, Benjamin Bratt, Elena Anaya, Olympia Dukakis, Juliet Aubrey, Amy Ryan

Genre:Drama, Biography

[divider]This film definitely had some serious 180 degree turns and twists in it! It’s almost like an emotional bungee jump. There is the fun of the freefall and then ”SNAP” the cord flings you right back with the sound of a whip!

The story is based off of the true life events of Robert Mazur and his pursuit of the cartels in the 80’s, which is when this film takes place.

This film is one of the most intense movies I have seen in a while! Even with that being said, one of the things I liked about it was the almost stealthy quality of the way presented to us. It lulls you to this near safe place and then “Boom!” the shockwaves start.

From the very beginning we are thrown right into the deep end! We join Robert Mazur (brought to us wonderfully by Bryan Cranston of “Breaking Bad” fame!) in a sting that almost goes horribly wrong and from that moment on we are shown the dangers of his everyday life. The hiding and keeping his family safe, the danger every element. He is working for the US Customs Department where he is working towards knocking out the cartels are practically walking their drugs into the US.

The interesting thing is that the beginning of the film I found myself laughing hysterically! There were several situations as well as fantastic banter that merited this reaction.

There is amazing attention to detail and plenty of time devoted to developing the characters. You definitely feel with them in these different scenarios. You can feel the tension, the joy, and the danger! You really grow to care about these people and the different scenarios that they have to face to do their jobs, whether that be Robert, his partner Emil (portrayed amazingly well by John Leguinzamo),  his other partner Kathy (who is brought to us by Diane Kruger , or even his real wife!

We are shown early on the differences in the two lead characters personalities. Their relationship starts out very tenuously as John Leguizamo’s character, Emir is shown to be rather brash and very extroverted. Robert, on the other hand, is very straight-laced and does things, mostly, by the book. This is a very symbiotic relationship as they both need each other to accomplish their goals, which are to bring down the cartels.

The tension of this relationship is best shown when Emir makes an unannounced visit to the motel room where he, Robert, and his family are visiting his Aunt Vicki (played by the talented Olympia Dukakis). This was not a warm welcome on behalf of Robert. However by the end of the conversation there is a moment of trust that is established between them and we see that this is what leads to be a deeper level of infiltration.

One of the aspects of this film that I really enjoyed was the attention to detail regarding the clothes, hair, makeup, and the outside environment. I feel that there are so many areas in this film where they hit the nail on the head! One thing that I didn’t expect was the amount of humor in this movie!

In the beginning I found myself cracking up, but just when you thought you walked into the wrong movie “BAM!!!” You get slammed like a light cycle 90 degree angle wall on the game grid!

From this point on it’s headfirst into a pool of piranhas! He is up to his eyes encartele thugs, fake identities, and criss cross lies, and as Robert he he has to tango his way to the top of this drug fueled food chain.

Set in the 1980s we are in the middle of the Reagan Years War on Drugs and seeing that his office is falling short Robert comes up with the idea of chasing the money instead of chasing the drugs. This brings a whole new level to there endeavors. With the backing of his office and a very strong cover he dives right in, making contacts, and deals in this faced paced section of the film.

Emir handles the street Bangles with the assistance of a very high-priced informant. Aemir sets up the foundation for Robert to start meeting with the bankers, as well as other very important members of the cartels. One complication after another arises, but Robert handle them gracefully.

Like I said earlier the tension does not let up in this film! It’s a fast ball breaking through a police shield! And as I said in the beginning I felt exhausted after watching this film. The film even merited a round of applause from the whole theater!

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Review of “Good Bad Ugly”

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Director: Adhik Ravichandran 

Starring: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Das, Trisha, Simran

Genre: Action / Crime Drama

Rating: 4.5/5


“Good Bad Ugly” centers on Red Dragon (Ajith Kumar), a notorious gangster who chooses to surrender himself in the hopes of turning over a new leaf and reuniting with his estranged son. However, when unforeseen threats emerge, Red Dragon is forced to step back into the dangerous underworld to protect the only family he has left.

“Good Bad Ugly” plays to the strengths of Ajith Kumar, delivering a fan-pleasing portrayal of both his vintage villainy and his matured emotional depth. Ajith’s powerful screen presence, coupled with his iconic voice, shines against Arjun Das’s brooding and intense new-age antagonist, creating an electric old-school versus new-school dynamic. The nostalgic return of Simran is a clever nod to longtime fans, bringing heart and familiarity. Trisha brings a strong, grounded performance as the moral compass in Red Dragon’s life, helping move the emotional threads of the story. The film smartly balances action, comedy, and sentimental fan-service moments.

While the film delivers on fan expectations, its narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and deeper character development for its supporting cast. Some plot conveniences and an overreliance on nostalgia may limit broader audience appeal beyond the fanbase. Certain dramatic beats felt rushed, leaving little time for emotional resonance to fully land.

The ambition to blend high-octane action with heavy emotional stakes sometimes leads to tonal inconsistencies. At moments, the shift from gritty underworld drama to lighter fan moments feels abrupt. Additionally, though Ajith Kumar’s effort to showcase his dancing skills is commendable and welcomed by fans, it slightly disrupts the otherwise darker tone the film establishes.

“Good Bad Ugly” is a tribute to Ajith Kumar’s enduring legacy, offering vintage thrills while teasing new dimensions to his craft. It’s a solid entertainer that successfully taps into fan nostalgia while hinting at an exciting evolution for AK. While not without its flaws, the film’s heart, energy, and performances make it a must-watch for fans and a compelling action-drama for broader audiences.

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Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies

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In these uncertain times, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned horror movie. Unfortunately, Presence is not an old-fashioned horror movie. Yet, as I discovered, this is a good thing!

When I heard about the premise of this movie, I was intrigued. The stylishly subtle trailer was, appropriately, haunting.  And was that Lucy Liu? A haunted house movie from the perspective of the ghost? As a seasoned horror movie buff, I was all in!

Like the majority of people I missed the films brief theatrical release. Luckily I was able to catch it on streaming. Visually the film is easy to enjoy from your own home, as it’s rather cosy looking. I never thought I’d be describing a horror movie as ‘cosy’ looking but it’s true! This is not a James Wan type creepy, dusty, decrepit house harbouring a haunting. No, this is a 100 year old jewel toned, oak finished colonial style home. 

Despite this the story follows the beats we are all familiar with: troubled family of four move into a new house. The big deviation from the trope is we, the audience, are seeing events unfold from the POV of the ghost or presence. 

Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven) chose to film the entire piece using a small (14mm) hand-held digital camera. Soderbergh himself acted as the ‘presence’ following the actors around. From the audiences perspective it is like watching the family through a barrier or pane of glass. Cleverly, windows and mirrors are hugely prominent and integral throughout.

The presence mainly follows and tries to interact with the daughter of the family, Chloe (Callina Liang), who has recently suffered the trauma of her best friend dying suddenly. Through Soderbergh’s experimental filming, we feel the dysphoria and frustration the ‘ghost’ is feeling at trying to affect the world around it, particularly during the anxiety-inducing final scene!

However, in what could be yet another mismarketing of a film, the trailer promised to be the ‘scariest movie you will see this year’ and ‘terrifying’; instead, they delivered this subversive, character-driven, family drama. If you are expecting jump scares and dramatic music stings, this is not your movie. I could understand if someone was disappointed that the only seemingly scary thing is the mother’s and son’s relationship, right up until the gut-punch of the final scene. 

Presence is definitely a slow burn, tension building until the final scene, and the unveiling of the ‘presence’ giving us a new understanding of the whole story. The ending is disturbing and stays with you as you re-analyse earlier scenes. 

My one complaint is that the character Ryan (West Mulholland) with his Chesney Hawkes hair, perhaps needed more subtlety. The rest of the cast was completely solid and believable as a family with so many unspoken issues. 

I wouldn’t recommend this film for everybody but maybe be as so bold to say it’s a horror movie for people that don’t like horror movies. It’s well-lit and cerebral with realistically flawed characters.

Presence is available to stream.

Three and a half stars.

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Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)

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Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan


Overview

Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.

Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.

Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.

The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.

The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.


Rating: 9/10

Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.


Pros

  • Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
  • Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
  • Rich mythological lore
  • Epic fight choreography

Cons

  • Sparse episode release
  • Story pacing can be uneven at times

Final Verdict 9/10

If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.

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