Tag: crime

REVIEW: Conventional ‘Belén’ still has impact

Stories of wrongful imprisonment often show situations of injustice, as well as resiliency and fights for freedom. That’s what a viewer can expect in “Belén,” which is set in Argentina.’

Camila Pláate plays Julieta in “Belén,” a woman who, after having a miscarriage in a hospital, is charged with having an illegal abortion, as well as homicide. The charges lead to her being sentenced to prison, with a limited defense by her public attorney.

Seeing issues with the case, lawyer Soledad Deza (Dolores Fonzi), decides to take up the case with plans to appeal the court’s decision. This is a difficult effort, as she and her team face fierce resistance in the press and judicial system. However, women start to rally when behind the cause when they learn the story of Julieta, who takes the alias Belén to protect her family.

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REVIEW: ‘Just an Accident’ has strong moments, but isn’t great as a whole

The lingering trauma of political and government oppression can last long after the acts of violence and imprisonment take place.

That’s what’s shown in “It Was Just an Accident”. The movie mainly centers on Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri), a mechanic who one night recognizes the voice of a man stopping by the garage he works in. Vahid, who believes that man was once a guard at an Iranian prison who regularly engaged in torture and mistreatment, kidnaps the individual.

Driven by anger, Vahid is looking to exact justice on the man who notably has a prosthetic leg. However, he’s still unsure if it’s the right person, and wants to confirm the identity. To do so, he brings in others who were wrongfully held in the prison and mistreated to see if they can ID the man.

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REVIEW: ‘Caught Stealing’ has more cinematic crimes than just theft

“Caught Stealing” involved the filmmaking contributions of several great talents, making it ultimately unfortunate that the movie ends up a disappointment.

Set in the late 1990s, the movie centers on Hank Thompson (Austin Butler). Once a promising Major League Baseball prospect, Hank’s life took a bad turn and he now works at a neighborhood bar to get by. Work follows him home, too, as he drinks regularly.

Hank’s home is also adjacent to a British punk rock neighbor named Russ (Matt Smith), who has left the apartment for a trip back to the U.K. Unfortunately, Russ was involved in illegal activity and criminal elements looking for the Brit come across Hank, which spirals into a dangerous situation for the bartender.

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REVIEW: Lee’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’ succeeds largely on cast, style

Denzel Washington’s son gets kidnapped in this movie, and here, he doesn’t have his Equalizer skills to rely on for a rescue.

In the film, based on 1963’s “High and Low” by Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, Washington stars as David King. A music mogul, King is head of a major label and has built a reputation of having the best ears in the business. Eventually, his status draws the attention of a kidnapper, who abducts his son.

In the process, the abductor also kidnapped the son of one of King’s workers and friends, Paul (Jeffrey Wright). The man who committed the crime demands ransom, and in a flash, young lives, millions of dollars and his music empire are at stake.

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REVIEW: ‘Sovereign’ is an intense look at extremism on the human psyche

One of the more dangerous movements in America over the last few decades gets explored in great detail during this new drama.

Christian Swegal makes his feature directorial debut with this film, centering on the real story of Jerry Kane (Nick Offerman) and his son Joe (Jacob Tremblay). Jerry was well known in circles of the sovereign citizen movement for his speeches about his interpretation of American law and home ownership rights.

His perception of power that the American government has, and his disregard for the operations of law enforcement and courts, leads to a growing tension with authority. That eventually leads to a fateful 2010 run in with police in West Memphis.

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REVIEW: As a thriller, ‘Longlegs’ is laudable, but not quite legendary

Sometimes Nicolas Cage plays a character who’s just a little off. That’s not the case here, because the character he portrays in “Longlegs” is completely off.

In this film, Cage plays a serial killer known as Longlegs who’s been on the loose for decades. To help catch him after a recent family massacre, the head of Oregon’s FBI office brings in Agent Lee Harker (Maika Monroe). 

Awkward in social situations but completely dedicated to her profession, Harker begins the case with vigor, going over every clue, including letters left by Longlegs. Eventually, she’s able to decode them, but they only lead to more mysteries and memories from her own past.

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REVIEW: Journey of ‘The Bikeriders’ is interesting, but not genre defining

Here we are, the best motorcycle film to hit theaters since “Wild Hogs.” Kidding of course.

The latest movie featuring motorcycle riders rumbling down the open road is a period piece drama centered on a Chicago-based club called the Vandals. The film is told from the perspective of Kathy (Jodie Comer), a woman narrates her experience marrying one of the club members and being around the group as it gained membership and began more illegal activity.

Her husband, Benny (Austin Butler), was one of the higher-ups in the group, behind its leader Johnny (Tom Hardy). The film explores how they and other core club members started the group and where it took their lives.

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REVIEW: ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ is a chaotic blast

“Love Lies Bleeding” is a really accurate title, because this film has all three. It also has a ton of awesomeness.

Kristen Stewart stars as gym manager Lou in “Love Lies Bleeding.” A recluse, Lou seems to just be on cruise control in her life. Jackie (Katy O’Brian), meanwhile, is a woman who’s hitchhiked from Oklahoma to New Mexico, with hopes of competing as a body-builder in Las Vegas.

The two meet and begin a relationship, and fall for each other quickly. However, situations related to their past, present and future put them on a wild collision course with destiny that challenges their love.

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REVIEW: ‘See How They Run’ succeeds on strong humor

More Saoirse Ronan mystery movies, please.

In director Tom George’s feature film debut, Ronan portrays Constable Stalker, a young officer on the force, who is assisting Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockewell) on a murder case. The victim in the case is Leo Kopernick (Adrien Brody), a film director who was set to helm the adaptation of Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.”

As it just so happens, there are plenty of suspects who had a dislike for Leo, and the investigators’ case soon becomes an Agatha Christie-like whodunit. The two protagonists have to work quickly, too, as the murderer remains a danger to others involved in the production.

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REVIEW: Plaza positively shines in ‘Emily the Criminal’

Aubrey Plaza showed great acting skills in 2020’s “Black Bear” and she has followed it up with another strong performance this time around.

As the title implies, Plaza plays a young woman named Emily. Carrying a troubled past with her, Emily is down on her luck, working a bad job and paying off seemingly insurmountable loans.

Needing more income, she reluctantly decides to get involved in a credit card scam ring. While Emily starts having success, though, it pulls her deeper into a dangerous situation.

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