It's hard to imagine movies made by Clint Eastwood being taken as something other than "serious" or sometimes depressing, but the Academy Award winning actor and director has proven to be quite versatile when he makes his choices in making a film that has a certain theme or gravitas to it. His recent string of movies have been biopics that have concentrated on certain figures and incidents, with J. Edgar and American Sniper getting mixed to positive responses from critics and viewers alike. This year, Eastwood treads that same territory by adapting the story of "US Airways Flight 1549" - an airbus piloted by Captain Chesley Sullenberger with a crew of 155 passengers that was victim to a bird strike that forced the plane to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River. That 2009 incident came to be known as the "Miracle in the Hudson" - where Captain Sullenberger was hailed a hero for making the call and averting possible catastrophe and death if he chose otherwise.
Sully - Official Trailer [HD]
That movie is "Sully" - which saw its worldwide release last week. and is arguably one of Clint Eastwood's finest biographical drama to date. I got to see the film via a screening courtesy of Warner Bros. Philippines, and it's something that should be definitely seen just for the story alone along with its fantastic cast of actors which includes Academy Award winner Tom Hanks playing the man of the hour. Here's a review for the film, and there's good reason why it's one of the movies that should be seen in IMAX.
Kids have always had the wildest imaginations that literally take them to far away places and the grandest adventures that are build inside the confines of their minds... But what happens when one little boy actually experiences some "magic" and meets his guardian angel of sorts in the form of a dragon? It may sound impossible, but the wonders of Walt Disney Pictures never cease to make that a problem and that's the reason why a little live-action musical named "Pete's Dragon" bringing together a boy named Pete and his green giant fire breathing friend he names "Elliot". Released in 1977, the original film was set in the 1900's and saw both go off in grand adventures, with the message of family and friendship being the centerpiece of the film. Fast forward nearly 40 years later, and a remake directed by David Lowerey has risen up to give a modern interpretation of this classic tale that is a secret too big to keep.
It's been a while since horror movies that didn't rely so much on the supernatural or unexplained came around... But then comes that one film that dares to try ground that has often been skipped and underestimated because it looks "far too simple" to be considered terrifying. We get just that with "Don't Breath" - a film directed by Fede Alvarez who got his start with 2013's "Evil Dead" remake and now takes horror to another level - by situating three unwittingly daring teenaged crooks on the house and domain of a seemingly helpless blind man who has millions to his name - only to realize they have totally entered uncharted territory that could mean the end of their young and dangerous lives as thieves and swindlers.
Don't Breathe International Trailer
Set primarily in a neighborhood somewhere in Detroit, "Don't Breathe" centers on three kids named Rocky, Alex, and Money, who break into people's homes and steal money, possessions, and just about anything to make a quick buck in life. Rocky aims to uproot herself and her little sister to California and away from her uncaring mother and her live-in boyfriend.
They then decide to take their prospects on a seemingly helpless blind army veteran, who lives alone with his dog and has a $300,000 dollar cash settlement after losing his daughter in an accident. After convincing a hesitant Alex to join in (and doing so because of his feelings for Rocky), the trio break in and set out to do the theft.
Unfortunately their underestimating of "The Blind Man" leads to severe consequences and discoveries inside his house, as his handicap serves more as a horrifying wake up call that these teenagers have walked into the last crime they'll ever commit.
Walking into this one without any expectations at all, I was certainly surprised at how terrifyingly nasty and brutal a blind guy with issues can be in "Don't Breath", and that performance is credited with "Avatar" actor Stephen Lang - who is just a menacing Blind Guy who is protecting what he owns yet harbors a dark side and secret as well.
Jane Levy, who was in Fede Alvarez's "Evil Dead" remake, returns as the heroine who's doing the wrong things for the right reasons, and she discovers the grim truth that if you do crime on unsuspecting folks - something will bite back and that happens to her and her companions because of The Blind Man. It's that kind of movie that doesn't have spooks, demons, or monsters as the evil baddie - rather one sightless guy who's just going to kill you in the name of keeping what's his away from those who dare to take it.
Don't Breath is now showing in theaters! A definite must watch for those who enjoy thrillers with suspense and shock value! Special Thanks to Columbia Pictures PH for the special screening and distributing this home invasion turned horror flick sleeper hit to our shores!
