Movie Review - Rebel Ridge

Director: Jeremy Saulnier
Genre: Crime/ Action/ Drama/ Thriller
Runtime: 131 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, David Denman, Emory Cohen
 
Description: A former Marine (Aaron Pierre) grapples his way through a web of small-town corruption when an attempt to post bail for his cousin escalates into a violent standoff with the local police chief (Don Johnson).

Review: When Terry Richmond is on his way with a bag full of money to bail out his cousin, his money is confiscated by the local police. Completely dishonest but completely according to the law. That’s the beginning of a blood-curdling cat and mouse game in “Rebel Ridge”, where perfectly executed details add emotions and urgency to a compelling story.

“Rebel Ridge” starts strong, right in the middle of the action, and is immediately compelling. The only moments of calm are when Terry stares intensely but silently at his attackers, which lead actor Aaron Pierre is very good at. The subdued Pierre needs little to no convey palpable yet restrained anger and is thus excellently cast for the role. In addition to Aaron Pierre, AnnaSophia Robb in a supporting role and Don Johnson as the villain are also very impressive.

The film is exciting, it’s a high-level action thriller. It has a somewhat abrupt ending, which I personally didn’t love, but that’s the only critique I have.

Rating: 4,5/ 5

TV Show Review - Mare of Easttown (Mini Series)

Season: Mini series
Genre: Thriller/ Crime/ Drama
Number of episodes: 7
Year: 2021
Starring: Kate Winslet, Julianne Nicholson, Evan Peters, Jean Smart, Angourie Rice, John Douglas Thompson, Joe Tippett, Guy Pierce, David Denman

Description: A detective (Kate Winslet) in a small Pennsylvania town investigates a local murder while trying to keep her life from falling apart.

Review: We have known for some time that HBO creates quality series and “Mare of Easttown” is another absolute hit.
Seven hours of about an hour long you can watch this fantastic series that never gets boring. This detective series seems to have taken inspiration from British and Scandinavian genre series, because it has that same feel and quality. “Mare of Easttown” is one of the better shows I have seen this year.
Mare Sheehan is a small-town detective who is torn apart by the death of her son and the fact that she has been searching for a missing girl for a year. Her family seems completely broken, but they are not dysfunctional. On the surface they seem hopelessly divided and don’t really like each other either. But when you dis a little deeper, you see much more love and togetherness.
Mare lives with daughter Siobhan, her grandson Drew and her mother Helen in the same house. The film doesn’t have any wild car chases or action sequences, there are no picture perfect characters. We meet real people with flaws and imperfection. “Mare of Easttown” seems to be taken from life and captivates from beginning to end.
HBO has managed to created another amazing series. Kate Winslet, who plays the titular Mare, does an excellent job. There is little to be said for her acting. She carries the show and truly convinces you in everything she does. Winslet is surrounded by an equally amazing cast: Jean Smart as her mother Helen, Evan Peters as her partner Colin Zabel, Angourie Rice as daughter Siobhan and Julianne Nicholson as Mare’s best friend Lori.  
The plot of “Mare of Easttown” is not that special, but the way it is played out, including the wonderful and surprising conclusion, makes this series a little gem. And it doesn’t need another season, because Mare’s story has been told and the mysteries have been unfolded. I can truly recommend “Mare of Easttown” for anyone that likes a raw, realistic detective drama with lots of surprising plot twists.

00s Movie Review - When a Stranger Calls

Director: Simon West
Genre: Horror/ Thriller
Runtime: 87 minutes
Year: 2006
Starring: Camilla Belle, Tommy Flanagan, Katie Cassidy, Tessa Thompson, Brian Geraghty, Clark Gregg, Derek de Lint, David Denman

Description: During a babysitting gig, a high-school student (Camilla Belle) is harassed by an increasingly threatening prank caller.

Review: Jill just broke up with her boyfriend Bobby, because he made out with her best friend. They talked it out over the phone, which caused Jill’s phone bill to go over the limit. Her father want her to earn the money back and take on a babysitting gig. On the night of a huge school party, Jill is stuck babysitting for the Mandrakis family. They live in a remote mansion. When Jill arrives, the kids are already in bed, so it seems to be a peaceful night. Because she doesn’t know the house, it starts scaring her a bit. Especially when Jill starts receiving creepy phone calls from a stranger.
“When a Stranger Calls” is a remake from the original film from 1979. But like most horror movie remakes, it’s not a memorable film. It’s filled with clichés. It takes at least an hour before the mystery caller becomes really threatening, before that it’s just false jump scares. Not even jump scares, just simple scares. And the characters are all very flat. The motives for the stranger are also lost.
“When a Stranger Calls” is a perfect film to watch when nothing else is on TV. And is easy to forget. Not a great horror film.

Rating: 2 / 5