themonk-97176 Reviews

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

Simply brilliant

[9/10 · 18 March 2023]

Bale never disappoints and this one is no exception. He and Damon nailed it, and the chemistry was there.

Very few movies can hit every emotion for me, but straight up, I laughed out loud often, and then also got misty-eyed.

THIS is what a movie can be. This is what Babylon could make, but very seldom does.

I gave it down one star, simply because I came out of it hating the Ford motor company's shadiness. Not sure if they were going for that, but all who played villainous Ford employees played those roles so damn well.

Except for Bernthal, another of my favorite performers, who played being caught in the middle perfectly.

I congratulate all involved, the writers, directors and of course actors.

As so many have stated, even if you aren't a fan of racing, this movie is well worth it. Enjoy!

As Good as Dead (2022)

I dug it.

[8/10 · 17 December 2022]

What can I say? I'm a fan of Michael Jai White. He's the action star I could have a beer with. You always know what to expect in his action movies, great fight scenes. Berenger is always a great bad guy and Mandylor has a classy style about him that's always cool.

The kid was a bit stiff and unemotional but Ivan was better as the brother. The whole training the kid was a bit rushed, like how long did he train before becoming a kick ass fighter?

Overall it was a good action flick, and anytime White, Adkins, Jaa, Uwais, Chen (Donnie or Tiger), are in it, well yeah, I'm going to check it out.

Better yet, an Expendables type movie with the martial artists named and more would be great.

Anyway, back to this movie, it flowed well with the action. It was a pretty basic kind of plot, but these are all about the action and White always comes through on that.

Accident Man: Hitman's Holiday (2022)

Comic book good

[8/10 · 17 October 2022]

Hey, I liked this comic derived action better than the drivel of Marvel and DC at this point.

Actually I think Mike Fallon and Deadpool would be a great team. But whatever on that.

Adkins is always spot on, and the major studios don't do him justice in giving him supporting roles.

Accident Man and Debt Collector are brilliant in their way, and this one gave Adkins even more cred as a lead.

Poco was a great character, the best of the killers coming after him.

Sarah Chang was awesome, and I hope we see more of her.

If you're a fan of Adkins this one is great.

Personally, I want to see more Debt Collector and Boyka. Adkins has made some great action characters, and this movie did not disappoint with his Mike Fallon role.

Dead for a Dollar (2022)

Not sure what this was

[6/10 · 4 October 2022]

I'd start by saying Waltz, Dafoe, Bratt and the others are great actors. All did a great job with what they had here. Problem is, not sure what they had here.

The scenes were a bit choppy and kept waiting for a tv commercial to play between them.

Pretty sure I nodded off at one point and missed some, but it made no difference.

This was a western, I think, but not one I'd recommend for western movie watchers. The actors are top notch but just couldn't save it.

I would have tried for a spaghetti western vibe over this 50s American tv series type. The scenes with Waltz and Dafoe were good but the writing, no sir, I didn't like it.

It was simply too elementary. Ah well, better luck next time.

Code Name Banshee (2022)

Good but kinda weak

[6/10 · 30 July 2022]

First, I always dig Antonio and his action roles. His accent adds to his character every time, and I heard something about his daughters messing with him about it in real world, so that's a cool little side note. Anyway, it's great to see him in this one; I'll always watch a movie with him, the mariachi started it all.

King rocks it as well. I like the fact she was not a superhuman character but did show weakness as she kicked ass. She did great.

Flanagan was born to be a bad guy, and he does it superbly each time.

The downfall was the storyline. Weak. Never really explained a lot of things, how this all came to pass but just a skeleton outline of past events.

To sum it all, the cast was great, the action was fitting, but the storyline left a lot to be desired. Not the cast's fault, but it takes from their acting. A good B movie to watch if you want a quick little action show with Antonio.

The Gray Man (2022)

Good potential

[8/10 · 25 July 2022]

Rosling did very well as the action hero type. Character development and background story was minimal, but he filled the role very well.

Remainder of the cast was great, including sociopathic Evans.

Didn't quite follow the reasoning of the last contract killer with the "these are not honorable men" thing. He kills for money soooo...

Overall it kept me watching and interested with no moments I thought were so or unnecessary, save the childhood flashbacks that weren't really fleshed out.

I could watch a sequel.

Ip Man 4: The Finale (2019)

Too heavy on stereotyping racism

[8/10 · 17 July 2022]

I love Donnie Yen and the Ip Man trilogy. Yen is fantastic in every role. Atkins is always excellent and we need more Boyka, but that's a different story.

The only flaw I found in this one is the over the top white racism. Not sure a Marine leader would have lasted acting like Barton, and someone would have stepped in, even in that day. Now, the riff between karate and Kung fu has always been around, but I had to knock off a couple of stars for that aspect of the movie.

With that being said, this was a great ending to the trilogy, and no one will ever play Ip Man like Yen. Kind of hate to see it end, but it's been a great tribute to Man, even if some was exaggerated. But then he was a legendary man and martial artist.

Well done to every one who took part in the making of these movies. Together these are movies to binge on a quiet afternoon you wanna see some action with a real life hero.

The Northman (2022)

Good for that genre

[8/10 · 10 July 2022]

It would help the viewer if they had knowledge of Norse and Rus mythology and the history there. That being said, most who see this will probably have and enjoy it. It's straight up revenge plot, without much other mixed in.

In a time where European history is being erased, this is refreshing to see. Throughout history, tribes and clans have battled for ruler, all over the world. All over the world there was war and defeat, with slaves being taken of all colors and nations. The victors acknowledge the history even bloody and unjust, the defeated decry it. But, it is still the way, only now the rulers are all corrupted and power mad, and keep all people subjected. But, that's a whole other story.

I recommend this movie. Great action, and although I'm sure exaggerated, a good glimpse of an ancient world not taught in schools.

The Terminal List (2022– )

Fuqua and Pratt - Stellar

[10/10 · 9 July 2022]

First, I love Antoine's stuff. He gets a direct hit every time, and this is no exception.

Fantastic story, well produced and executed. Pratt is in his element here and portrays this character flawlessly.

All the cast was fantastic and his brother, damn just spaced his name, was stellar as well as supporting.

Ok, enough you get the picture. Watch it, binge it, and like me, wish there had been more.

Clean (IV) (2021)

Dark action

[7/10 · 31 January 2022]

Brody is an intense actor and this was right up his alley. A bit of a cliche plot but, action movie people will like it. Graphic violence, and Fleshler plays a great bad guy. The whole cast did good. It's not John Wick, but it certainly is good to get that action movie fix.

Castle Falls (2021)

Hey it's Dolph and Scott

[8/10 · 26 December 2021]

These two guys are up there with me for action. I enjoyed it. Story wasn't anything that great but the acting was on par for them and I always love their action scenes. Not quite Universal Soldier but yeah I dug it. Keep rocking guys.