Tag: Embeth Davidtz

Spoiler-Free Review of “Retribution” in Theaters: A Decent, but Familiar Thriller

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“I need you to do your thing…”

Retribution released in theaters on August 25th 2023. The action film stars Liam Neeson, Jack Champion, Embeth Davidtz, Matthew Modine, and Noma Dumezweni. It runs for approximately an hour and thirty minutes.

While driving his two kids to school, Matt Turner receives a call from an unknown enemy who informs him that there is a bomb under his car and he must do what he says to keep him and his children alive. 

Here is the trailer:

Retribution is your standard Liam Neeson film with solid pacing and plenty of intense moments, but does it do enough to earn a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

A quick watch.

I’ve seen my fair share of Liam Neeson movies and some are a lot better than others. But I always love seeing him in these action-thrillers and I appreciated that this one didn’t mess around with unnecessary fluff or set-up.

We got right into things and I didn’t look at the time once. There were plenty of edge-of-your-seat and intense moments built into this one, making it an entertaining thriller…although don’t expect it to do anything too extraordinary.

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

Believable performances.

I expect Liam Neeson to be amazing even in mediocre movies. After all, that’s what keeps me coming back to the movies for more. He delivered in this one and met my expectations.

The kid characters were actually really likable, which surprised me. I thought they both did a good job and they helped me connect to the movie a little more.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

Predictable…

I think that the previews revealed a little bit too much. Some moments might have been a bit more shocking if they hadn’t been included in the trailer. We did get a twist thrown our way, but I wouldn’t say it was that shocking and everything just felt a little bit too safe and standard.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Lionsgate

I’m in about 75 percent…

I’m in for Liam Neeson and this was a good enough thriller, but I guess I was expecting a little bit more here. We’re still chasing after another Taken and I’m not sure that any of his new thrillers will ever come close to that, but maybe we need some more shock value added in to throw us for a loop.

Either way, if you like Liam Neeson movies, you’ll get what you expect in this one.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Retribution in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

DON’T TAKE THE JOB…

It was only supposed to be temporary…but when Olivia Crewe accepts a new position that seems too good to be true, she soon discovers that twelve other girls previously had the same job as her. Only none of them lasted for more than thirty days. No notice. Nothing…right before they mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

My supernatural thriller Girl Number Thirteen is out now! I hope you enjoy!

Girl Number Thirteen is available here!

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Spoiler-Free Review of “Old” on Demand: Creepy Concept

**This is a spoiler-free review so feel free to read on!**

“Sounds like a great memory for us…”

Old originally released in theaters back on July 23rd 2021. The M. Night Shyamalan thriller is now available to watch on demand. The film stars Vicky Krieps, Gael García Bernal, Thomasin McKenzie, Alex Wolff, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Rufus Sewell, Ken Leung, Nikki Amuka-Bird and Embeth Davidtz. It runs for approximately an hour and forty-eight minutes.

Several families meet on a tropical vacation when they all end up being invited to the same secluded beach. However, things start to go horribly wrong when it appears that the island is somehow making people age at a rapid rate as they race against the clock to figure out a way off the island.

Here is the trailer:

Old creates an unsettling vibe with a horrifying concept, but does the film check off enough boxes to be worthy of your next watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

A mystery that reels you in with an incredible setting.

I can always tell how much I like a movie based on how much I am paying attention. This is one of those movies that hooked me from the start. The setting is beyond breathtaking and the concept is really unique and horrifying. I needed to understand what was happening and I could not look away while I was watching.

The way this film was shot was so well done and the eerie soundtrack really elevated it that much more for me.

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Something truly different.

It’s really hard to come up with something original and fresh these days. The film is inspired by the book, Sandcastle and I think that it truly managed to accomplish something new. The kind of horror we witnessed was different and yet it was just as disturbing (if not more so) than some of the more gruesome and terrifying things I have seen.

That scene in the cave though…yikes!

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

Cringe-worthy dialogue at times and not enough character development…

This was really frustrating because we actually got a fantastic cast to watch. However, the dialogue was just a little bit too on the nose for me. I’m all for well-placed hints, but some of the ones we got were beyond ridiculous. The audience can figure this out on their own…

I also think that the characters really needed to be fleshed out so much more. We got sprinkles of it toward the end of the movie, but I just wanted more especially since I loved the overall concept so much.

Mixed thoughts on the ending.

I think this is one of those movies that people will either really love or really hate. I was drawn in completely and once we got to the ending, I didn’t want the credits to come because I had so many thoughts going through my head. This really made me think, but I’m still not sure how I felt about the ending. I just had too many questions at the end that weren’t fully answered.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Universal Pictures

I’m in!

I could not stop watching this movie and I think that it did truly present us with something new and different. This movie really makes you think a lot about things and it explored a new kind of horror in an effective way.

I have a checklist of things that could have been improved and I wanted so much more for the characters, but overall I really was surprised by how much I actually liked this movie.

I think that there will be a lot of mixed reviews and different opinions on this but I think the film creates a conversation worth having.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Old in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

Best,

Amy Koto, TV Fanatic Girl

PLAY BY THE RULES…STAY ALIVE…

A harmless night of fun turns deadly for six college friends but the game has only just begun. Take a mystery thrill ride right from your own living room. Dash and Seek is out now! I hope you enjoy!

READ IF YOU DARE…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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