“The Accountant” (2016)
This 2016 action thriller stars Ben Affleck as a
mathematical genius, leading a double life as a rural accountant, and
freelancer to crime syndicates. As he did in “Daredevil” Season 2, Jon Bernthal proves to be the scene-stealer, in this Ben
Affleck-intended vehicle. As Bernthal single-handedly breathes life into
the monotonous "Accountant."
"The Accountant" is slickly directed by Gavin O’Connor, who ran into a similar problem with the leading actors of his previous film, "Warrior." Wherein, Tom Hardy found himself in the same position as Bernthal’s in "The Accountant" -- the supporting actor, who garners the lead focus, and could have played the main role.
The script for "The Accountant" is where things take their most troubling turn. While it shows its downside, “The Accountant” also asserts what it seems to believe are the positives of David's father's aggressive approach to parenting his autistic son. Portraying his brutal method going unchecked by any sufficiently wary reaction from other characters, runs the risk of veneration, one too many times.
Elsewhere, Anna Kendrick's charming performance, and a few twists, and turns (some surprising, others not) help “The Accountant” add up as an engaging thriller. Rating: 6/ 10
"The Accountant" is slickly directed by Gavin O’Connor, who ran into a similar problem with the leading actors of his previous film, "Warrior." Wherein, Tom Hardy found himself in the same position as Bernthal’s in "The Accountant" -- the supporting actor, who garners the lead focus, and could have played the main role.
The script for "The Accountant" is where things take their most troubling turn. While it shows its downside, “The Accountant” also asserts what it seems to believe are the positives of David's father's aggressive approach to parenting his autistic son. Portraying his brutal method going unchecked by any sufficiently wary reaction from other characters, runs the risk of veneration, one too many times.
Elsewhere, Anna Kendrick's charming performance, and a few twists, and turns (some surprising, others not) help “The Accountant” add up as an engaging thriller. Rating: 6/ 10
“Shut In” (2016)
Naomi Watts stars in this slow boil thriller about a mom,
widow, and therapist, struggling to solely care care for her grown son, following a car
accident that has left him unable to move. With the stress of the situation taking its toll, she
starts to feel overwhelmed, and is plagued by scary dreams, and waking visions.
Making matters worse, a patient (Jacob Tremblay), later disappears from her home. As a snow storm gets ready to hit, the need to find the missing boy, and answers for her mental state, reach a defining turning point.
Naomi Watts nobly carries a script that is tediously repetitive, throughout its first two-thirds. After that "Shut In" does something unexpected, springing to surprising life in its third act. It is in this final chapter, "Shut In" proves to be a film worth hanging on for, although there is a frustrating ride to get there.
The good news is “Shut In” is a short film, albeit it feels longer; thanks to the slow build of its first two quarters. In stark contrast, the ending act flies by, culminating in a redeemable thriller that packs a few frights along the way. Rating: 5.8/10
Making matters worse, a patient (Jacob Tremblay), later disappears from her home. As a snow storm gets ready to hit, the need to find the missing boy, and answers for her mental state, reach a defining turning point.
Naomi Watts nobly carries a script that is tediously repetitive, throughout its first two-thirds. After that "Shut In" does something unexpected, springing to surprising life in its third act. It is in this final chapter, "Shut In" proves to be a film worth hanging on for, although there is a frustrating ride to get there.
The good news is “Shut In” is a short film, albeit it feels longer; thanks to the slow build of its first two quarters. In stark contrast, the ending act flies by, culminating in a redeemable thriller that packs a few frights along the way. Rating: 5.8/10
“Jason Bourne” (2016)
Car chases, or rather crashes, and loads of high-tech talk,
usher Jason Bourne back to the silver screen, and the Bourne franchise. Unfortunately he does not have
much to come back to, this time.
A predictable opening death, and a highly disappointing denouement that features Bourne needing to be saved (enough with this trope already), keeps “Jason Bourne” from feeling like part of the live-wire franchise, the "Bourne" series once was.
To put it bluntly, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) does not get saved. He does the saving. Introducing a plot point that depicts anything to the contrary is inexcusable, especially when the opener assures viewers that Bourne has not missed a beat since his last appearance.
The scarcity of hand-to-hand combat only dampens the experience more. Thankfully, a standout turn from Riz Ahmed, and a brilliantly understated one by Alicia Vikander are enough to keep things interesting. Rating: 5.5/10
A predictable opening death, and a highly disappointing denouement that features Bourne needing to be saved (enough with this trope already), keeps “Jason Bourne” from feeling like part of the live-wire franchise, the "Bourne" series once was.
To put it bluntly, Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) does not get saved. He does the saving. Introducing a plot point that depicts anything to the contrary is inexcusable, especially when the opener assures viewers that Bourne has not missed a beat since his last appearance.
The scarcity of hand-to-hand combat only dampens the experience more. Thankfully, a standout turn from Riz Ahmed, and a brilliantly understated one by Alicia Vikander are enough to keep things interesting. Rating: 5.5/10
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