REEL BRIEF

Saw "12 Strong" last night and thought it was OK. Over-the-top acting by Hemsworth, William Fichtner and Rob Riggle gives the film a poor start. Michael Pena is good, but it's Michael Shannon as the CWO that gives the movie any semblance of authenticity and realism. Best parts were the team's initial embed with N. Alliance, interactions with CIA bubba already established in-country, and the visual look of Afghanistan (thank you, New Mexico). The story lacks the excitement and concern for these dozen guys caught in a tough spot and isolated that I think Lone Survivor and American Sniper capture much better in their big-screen projects. AF and ground-pounders will be disappointed in the depiction of B-52 close air support...yeah, there's some "danger close" terminology but the overall process seems way too dumbed down for civilian consumption. Lastly, the real stars are the four-legged variety and this aspect is hardly covered once the team mounts up and moves out...which is too bad, because I think the horse soldier revelation was one of the most surprising stories coming out in the weeks following 9/11 and our initial boots on the ground in Afghanistan.

Clint Eastwood directed films are always unique. And we all know Dirty Harry likes to have actors improvise in scenes at times for realism. Now he’s using the actual key players in this true story hitting theaters early next year.

I strongly encourage Netflix subscribers to check out “Mudbound”. Powerful! A film that’ll punch you in the stomach several times, it’s starting to garner well-deserved Oscar talk. Phenomenal performances throughout the cast!

I saw “Justice League” earlier this week and was surprised at how good it was. Excellent casting all-around, particularly the newest DC movie additions. Jason Momoa is edgy as Aquaman and Ezra Miller delivers a youthful exuberance, a la Spider-Man: Homecoming, as The Flash. Cyborg was also effective in overall film. But Gal Gadot once again delivers a blockbuster in 2017 as Wonder Woman. Gratuitous ass shots of WW are offset with awkward shirtless moments of one male superhero. “Justice League” also cleans up and makes last year’s “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” better by tying up loose ends and getting closure. This movie reminds me of the successful ingredients found in Marvel editions for years...excellent leading characters, humorous camaraderie shared between superheroes, and a laser focus on new character superpowers. All make this DC theater experience the best in years. Grade: A

Despite a predictable plot, “The Magnificent Seven” rustles up a widely satisfying film for moviegoers to consume. It singlehandedly grabs a Colt .45 Peacemaker and makes Westerns cool again. A well-acted ensemble that looks like a United Nations peacekeeping force, is anything but. “The Magnificent Seven” looks, feels and sounds like the Old West. And that’s how it should be. Giddy up.

"Eastwood does a remarkable job of personalizing “Sully” to moviegoers and air travelers. Tom Hanks, in his most unrecognizable role since 2000’s “Cast Away”, effortlessly portrays the senior aviator on that fateful morning and represents the second-guessing that clouds every pilot’s mind after an incident. An enthralling script heavy in aviation-speak and a behind-the-scenes look at aircraft investigations reveals the enormous burdens and decision-making placed upon so few with precious little time to react."