DRAMA. “Bang Bang.” / “Misgivings.” / “Boiling Point.” / / “Despair.” / “Best Sellers.” / “London to Brighton.”

“Bang Bang” (2024, Paramount+) drama. Tim Blake Nelson is Bernard "Bang Bang" Rozyski, a retired 1980s boxing legend attempting to reconnect with his estranged family. 


       The film is set in Detroit and focuses on themes of redemption and legacy, rather than a typical journey to the top of the boxing world. So don't expect a Rocky-styled joint here.

       Usually under-recognized Tim Blake Nelson's showtime. He embodied the character as second skin without the bombast of a De Niro or Pacino. 

       This indie drama breathes life because Tim vomits, groans and screams all over it. But in a restrained way. Kudos to director Vincent Grashaw for transforming an otherwise stereotypical premise into a compelling ride. 🎥💻📽


“Misgivings” (2024, Amazon Prime) Australian indie drama. Set in rural NSW, the story follows a protagonist named Suze who discovers shocking truths about her husband during a spontaneous road trip. 



       This drama aptly defines what is “slow burn,” albeit per romantic drama. Pretty much like watching a daytime soap that ends in a supposedly surprising ending, which also concludes in a scream, literally. 🎥💻📽


“Boiling Point” (2021, Amazon Prime) British drama, co-written and directed by Philip Barantini. A one-shot film set in a restaurant kitchen. 


       Led by Stephen Graham as chef Andy Jones, the ensemble performance is A-1. No doubt. Although I don't agree that the intense engagements are realistic enough, so be it. 

       But after 4 seasons of “The Bear,” I don't think this movie offers anything new. Yes, irrelevant of Rotten Tomatoes’ sparkling words: “Gripping from start to finish, Boiling Point uses its bold formal approach to support a thrilling tightrope of a tale.” 🎥💻📽


“Despair” (2017, Tubi) Scottish drama-thriller. The film follows a couple who rescue a woman freezing in the Scottish mountains, only to realize she is not who she claims to be, leading to a slow-burning, suspenseful narrative. 


       Slow burn, with an accent on “slow.” Apparently low-budget and amateurish performances but, for some eerily magnetic reason, I stayed watching till end credits. The mystery kept me up. 

       Writer/director Hank Orion did a not-so-bad little project. 🎥💻📽


“Best Sellers” (2021, Amazon Prime) comedy-drama. Young Lucy Stanbridge has inherited her father's once successful publishing house. She must try to keep it afloat in face of a recent streak of disastrous releases. The answer could be reclusive but unmanageable novelist Harris Shaw. 


       Although as a really-old writer, grumpy and alcoholic, Michael Caine's delivery is not-so-new as his past roles, he still remains as the spirit of this movie. Audrey Plaza, as publisher Lucy, gamely and ably engaged Mr Caine in an entertaining joust. 

       Credits to director Lina Roessler and writer Anthony Grieco for turning an otherwise hackneyed storyline into a fine, far from boring ride. This movie is poignant and heart-wrenching. 🎥💻📽


“London to Brighton” (2006, Plex) British neo-noir crime film. A prostitute is sent by her pimp to procure a young girl for an aging gangster. 



       For a directorial debut, Paul Andrew Williams (who also wrote the script) did a fine job. I had some problems with the editing or pacing but I am cool with the uneasy camera work and exemplary ensemble acting. For his efforts, Mr Williams won these: British Independent Film Award for Best Achievement in Production, Golden Hitchcock award at the Dinard Festival of British Cinema, New Director's Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, Best Feature Film at the Foyle Film Festival, and a Jury Prize at the Raindance Film Festival. 🎥💻📽

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