Tag: Matthew Modine

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 “Wrong Turn” 2021: Chilling Redemption for the Franchise

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

“Strangers don’t get to leave…”

Wrong Turn 2021 was originally released back in January 2021. The film is currently available to stream on Showtime. The reboot is the seventh entry to the franchise.

Wrong Turn (2021) stars Charlotte Vega, Adain Bradley, Matthew Modine, Emma Dupont and Bill Sage. The film runs for approximately an hour and fifty minutes.

A group of friends set off to hike the Appalachian Trail in unfamiliar territory as they quickly learn the dangers of straying off the path.

Here is the trailer:

Wrong Turn 2021 could have easily gotten lost in the shuffle of the six prior movies, but it does attempt to present us with something new and different. Does the reboot deserve a watch? Let’s find out…

The Pros:

Images courtesy of Showtime

Characters worth your time.

While some of the characters left a lot to be desired, others really stood out and proved their worth as we approached the second half of the film. As the audience, you genuinely feel sympathy for the characters and root for certain ones against all odds.

It’s difficult to achieve this in these types of movies so I was impressed with the believable performances and layered characters. This was a nice touch and helped elevate the film above the other entries…although the original film will always be iconic for me.

Images courtesy of Showtime

Unsettling and disturbing reveals…

I thought I knew what I was going to get with this film and it really did surprise me in a good way. The film took several unexpected turns and attempted to channel some folk horror as well, which I thought was a bold choice.

While the original film really captured the thrilling run for your life premise, the other films fell flat and just tried to repeat what we had already seen before. This film is completely aware of that and knows the audience is as well, so I thought it was a smart choice for it to go off in a different direction for the reboot, creating a new kind of fear along the way.

Brutal kills.

Like, really brutal! I had to turn away a few times because the kills were extremely violent in this film. If you are here for lots of gore, you will not be disappointed. The horror we witness is terrifying on a whole new level.

The Cons:

Images courtesy of Showtime

Attempts to do a lot…

This film jams a lot into two hours. While some of it translated really well and completely shocked me, other moments didn’t really add up for me. The writers were stretching a lot and creating a dialogue, which is a good thing, but sometimes less is more and this film was slightly short of pure perfection for me because it attempted to do a little too much.

So am I in or out?

Images courtesy of Showtime

I’m in!

While the original film of the franchise is still my favorite, the reboot really made a valiant effort to provide us with a terrifying entry that truly shocked me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was completely invested from start to finish and I think this film successfully created something unique for the audience. It felt like more of a standalone film and I didn’t see many connections with the other movies, but I still enjoyed it just the same.

I honestly loved this movie and I highly recommend for horror fans to give it a chance.

I hope you enjoyed the review and feel free to post your own thoughts and theories on Wrong Turn (2021) in the comments section below. Thanks so much for reading and happy viewing!

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!

Play if you dare…

Dash and Seek is available here!

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