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GERARD BUTLER. “Kandahar.” / “Last Seen Alive.” / “Copshop.”

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“Kandahar” (2023, Sling) spy action thriller film , loosely based on actual events, the story follows a CIA operative and his translator who flee Afghanistan after their covert mission is exposed. Stars Gerard Butler.          Mr Butler's CIA and ex-MI6 Tom Harris’ bearded macho posturing is easily the highlight of this movie, forget that this is all a lame derivative of the usual Americans/Europeans warring elsewhere cliché. With some stabs at guilt? And the battle scenes are short of spectacular. 🎥💻📽 “Last Seen Alive” (2022, Hulu) action thriller. A man takes the law into his own hands in the search for his missing wife.         A critic mentioned that this movie is “achingly similar” to that of the 1997 Kurt Russell film “ Breakdown.” I saw that movie but I am not bothered by the similarity. Many movies manage to project “original” identities although loosely based on previous films (such as Akira...
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ACTION DRAMA. “The Wrecking Crew.” / “The Rip.” / “Silent Night.” / “Warrior.”

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“The Wrecking Crew” (2026, Amazon Prime) buddy cop action comedy. Private investigator Walter Hale is killed in an apparent hit and run in Hawaii . His sons, estranged half-brothers US Navy SEAL James and suspended police detective Jonny, are informed of his passing.          This is a Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista weekend, guys! Bring out the Coleman cooler of Coronas and seafood boil and enjoy!         All macho shit, I know. Yet this movie's charm and wit are infectiously unavoidable. The story is flimsy, I know. But the awesome action sequences + the smart-ass attitude are sheer delight! The highway spectacle, featuring Morena Baccarin on the wheels, is worth a bottoms-up chug-along. Morena is the top macho on that one.         And it looks like there's a sequel, upcoming? Let it roll! 🎥💻📽 “The Rip” (2026, Netflix) action thriller film written and directed...
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“This is Spinal Tap.” / “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.”

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“This is Spinal Tap” (1984, HBO Max) mockumentary comedy film directed by Rob Reiner . Christopher Guest , Michael McKean , and Harry Shearer are members of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap .         Mr Reiner and the stars wrote the screenplay, though most of the dialogue was improvised. The band (or actors) wrote and performed all the songs.         I didn't see this satire when it was first shown decades ago. Now, I agree Spinal Tap's cult status is justified. Ruthlessly funny, brilliantly edited, loosely acted. Wicked is the word. But wicked-hilarious. 🎥👍📽 “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues” (2025, Amazon Prime) mockumentary comedy film directed by Rob Reiner . The sequel to “ This Is Spinal Tap ” (1984) about the members of the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap as they reunite for one final show.           Christopher Guest , Michael McKean ...
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COMEDY DRAMA. “The Roofman.” / “Other People.” / “Thelma.”

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“Roofman” (2025, Apple+) crime film , based on the real-life spree robber Jeffrey Manchester , played by Channing Tatum , who hid out in a toy store after escaping from prison. Critics love this movie, basically due to Mr Tatum as their “eminently likable leading man.” But I ain't buying it. The true to life premise is already a magnet but Derek Cianfrance's direction lacked dramatic allure and overall thrill.         Yes, regardless of the kickass supporting cast: Kirsten Dunst , LaKeith Stanfield , J uno Temple , Peter Dinklage , Ben Mendelsohn , Uzo Aduba , and Jimmy O. Yang. 🎥💻📽 “Other People” (2016, Hulu) comedy-drama . A struggling comedy writer goes home to Sacramento to take care of his mother Joanne, diagnosed with rare leiomyosarcoma .          Not saying that this movie, a debut effort by director Chris Kelly, is an awful movie. In fact, Molly Shannon and Jesse Plemons, as mom and son David a...
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FOREIGN CINEMA. “The Follies.” / “Dream Story.” / “Train to Busan.” / “The Commune.” / “I, Olga Hepnarová.”

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“The Follies” (2025, Netflix) Mexican anthology drama. The film follows a series of people pushed to their limits as they rebel against confinement, self-censorship, and family pressure.  I am not a fan of most of Rodrigo Garcia's work but this one got me.          A series of stories unfold in Mexico City that embrace the intensity and authenticity of human emotions when pushed to the limit, exploring the challenges of family expectations, social pressures, freedom, courage, and the imposition of self-censorship.        Well-crafted, well-acted and unapologetically disturbing. The provocation is more talkative than visual. Still, this is a movie that ignites an intense discourse, or fight, in the living room, LOL! And it's not even political. But I digress. 🎥💻📽 “Dream Story” (2024, Tubi) German psychological (supposedly) thriller. A jealous husband in Berlin who, after his wife admits to fantasies, de...
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