Triple 9 Official International Trailer #1 (2016) - Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Winslet Movie HD
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EDDIE THE EAGLE -Set your course for `80-inspired fun
Director Dexter Fletcher was born in the mid-sixties, and therefore grew up watching `80s films. Then again, since hes also a prolific actor, he also acted in many `80s films himself (like Gothic and Lionheart). No doubt that history informed his treatment of Eddie the Eagle, a sports biopic set in the late eighties, and filmed that way, too.
Real-life Michael "Eddie" Edwards (played by Taron Egerton), competed in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics, despite having the odds and the establishment against him. He didnt do it alone, of course; his mother Janette (an endearing Jo Hartley) always believed in him no matter what, and reluctant his coach Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman), himself an ex-Olympian, smoothed out his rather rough edges. Along the way, the two become friends, win hearts and minds, and Peary even stays on the wagon, since he long fell from grace and into the bottle. But Eddie charms him out of the woods and into the light, with Eddies relative success being Pearys as well. As heavy as all of that may sound, its a rather lighthearted affair here, almost a puff piece of drama.
But its such a fun story because of the likes of Egerton bringing crazy Eddie the Eagle to life. Hes a joy to watch with every flabbergasted face he pulls and every step he waddles. He seems to act with his whole body, creating a character so immediately lovable, its difficult to do anything but be on his side. Even Hugh Jackman ditches his trademarked Wolverine scowl, playing a fictional coach inspired by some of the actual coaches who taught Edwards. But being a fluff film at its heart, even when Jackman is playing Peary at his worst, theres still a charm there to keep things from getting too gloomy. Theres plenty of heart, humor, and even a few moments that may move you, or make you stand up and cheer much like any another sports flick.
But what makes this sports biopic stand apart from similar fare is not only the lighthearted tack it takes even in the midst of serious competition and obstacles, but its `80s feel. Everything from the music (which may be its most obvious `80s homage) to its pacing and structure recall classic John Hughes films of the `80s; I half expected Molly Ringwald to make a cameo at any minute. What might have been a pleasant but run-of-the-mill sports flick became something more, plastering a smile across my face its entire runtime.
The whole cast was obviously in on the idea, too. Everyone seems to be having a great time on screen bringing this offbeat story of an unlikely athlete becoming the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping. Edwards finished last in both the 70 and 90 meter events; but his pluck won over the crowds which eventually warmed the hearts of the elitist establishment who were unhappy he was representing them at the Olympics.
But thats classic `80s! The underdog fighting against the man whos trying to keep him down, man! Redemption in the form of getting demoralized former champion to dump the booze and get back on that horse!Also present are the stock but necessary side characters, including fellow team members who look every bit like the standard bullies who populated the high schools of many a Hughes film, who always come around to respect our lovable protagonist in the end.
The location shots also helped take Eddie the Eagle up a notch. The filmmakers probably could have used green screen for that, but instead they shot the Ski jumping competition in Germany, and you just cant fake that kind of scenery.
Thankfully Eddie the Eagle also just barely crosses the PG-13 line, with nary a very offensive thing on screen, which allows the whole family to enjoy the journey. Thats good news considering the other offerings at the Cineplex these days.---B+105 minutesRated PG-13 for some suggestive material, partial nudity and smokingDirected by: Dexter FletcherWriting Credits: Sean Macaulay (screenplay) and Simon Kelton (screenplay), Simon Kelton (story)Starring: Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, Jo Hartley, Tim McInnerny
TRIPLE 9 -A hard-hitting but muddled urban thrillerFrom Open Road Films: In TRIPLE 9, a crew of dirty cops is blackmailed by the Russian mob to execute a virtually impossible heist. The only way to pull it off is to manufacture a 999, police code for "officer down". Their plan is turned upside down when the unsuspecting rookie they set up to die foils the attack, triggering a breakneck, action-packed finale filled with double-crosses, greed and revenge.
And thats the elevator pitch, as long as you can say it in seven seconds. But one of the problems with such an ambitious script idea is executing it. I challenge any viewer having just seen Triple 9 to explain its plot, because the synopsis from Open Road Films leaves quite a bit out.
Like the cast, which is a veritable Whos Who in Hollywood: Gal Gadot (thats Wonder Woman to you), Teresa Palmer, Kate Winslet (Rose!), Norman Reedus (thats Darrel to you), Aaron Paul (yo, its Jesse Pinkman!), Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie (The Falcon), Woody Harrelson (Woody!) and Clifton Collins Jr., among a few others.
Yes, thats a lot of talented people, but many are grossly underused (Palmer, playing a barely-there wife of a cop in waiting), or miscast (Winslet, playing a matriarch of a crime family). Meanwhile, others are so perfectly cast they might as well have just walked from one set to the other (Im talking to you, Reedus, playing Darrel with a gun instead of a bow), or theyre making a career out of playing drug addicts (Paul playing Mr. Pinkman again). Typecasting comes to mind with these guys, as well as with Harrelson, although thats not to say he doesnt steal every scene hes in.
Meanwhile others show off their chops, and display a range unseen in some of their other projects, such as Affleck, Ejiofor, and Mackie. Affleck specifically provides a comparatively bright spot in a dark movie, one in which you find yourself rooting for the least of multiple evils. They are also the focus of a rather complicated story, one that has its fair share of plot holes.
Which is a shame since Triple 9 has so much going for it, in addition to its cast. The tension simmers in the opening scene and then boils over in the first action sequence. This and other such sequences are gritty and realistic, aided by a soundtrack that seems nonexistent most of the time, until wisps of ambient sounds coalesce into rudimentary but propelling music. The soundtrack and effects never get in the way of the realism of the action sequences, which are gory enough to earn the well-deserved R-rating on their own. And the hand held technique is perfectly balanced; providing the realism of a documentary without making the viewers dizzy.
But what gets shaky is the plot. As multiple lines intertwine, the weaknesses develop. Between the importance of family and loyalty over tremendous greed, and the double crosses that pile on top of double crosses, Triple 9 gets messy and unconvincing. The clunky exposition tries to explain everything early on, but then gives up halfway through. The mechanics of the plot take over, which admittedly allows for some satisfying paybacks and comeuppances, but it fails to answer many of the questions regarding motivations that crop up. Thats a problem, since we have so many great actors onscreen creating some riveting characters, whom we eventually fail to connect with, or care about. Its also a shame that so many genuinely taut action scenes fail to matter in the end.
Triple 9 is a well made film from a production standpoint, but it trips over its problematic plot on its way to painting a very depressing picture of urban life in America.---C+115 minutesRated R for strong violence and language throughout, drug use and some nudityDirector: John HillcoatWriter: Matt CookStarring: Gal Gadot, Teresa Palmer, Kate Winslet, Norman Reedus, Aaron Paul, Casey Affleck , Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie, Woody Harrelson, Clifton Collins Jr.
Source: http://fox13now.com/2016/02/26/richards-reviews-eddie-the-eagle-triple-9/
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