Writer: Christian Sparkes (Screenplay) Joel Thomas Hynes (Story)
Starring: Will Patton, Mark O’Brien, Ben Cotton, Vickie Papavs, Connor Price, Dayle McLeod, Curtis Caravaggio
Plot: A father faces a personal crisis when he discovers his estranged son fleeing a botched drug deal. The two men embark on a violent odyssey that grapples with themes of fatherhood, family and fate.
Runtime: 1 Hour 22 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Hammer starts when drug dealer Chris (O’Brien) looks to work with his younger brother Jeremy (Price) to get one over a drug dealer Adams (Cotton) leading to everything going wrong and Chris’s father Stephen (Patton) reluctantly looking to help him fix it, finding out just how much trouble Chris has gotten himself in, with the idea of trying to fix their broken relationship, however difficult it will turn out to be.
Thoughts on Hammer
Thoughts – Hammer is a slow movie thriller that will see a broken family needing to put the pieces back together to solve a problem which could see them getting more than bargained for, showing a parent will always protect their son. This is a thriller that isn’t as engaging as it wants to be, with a lot of shouting a screaming, without much storytelling going on, it is mostly driving to a certain location, have an argument, before going to the next and the same happening. The performances are solid enough, it just ends up feeling flat overall.
Final Thoughts – Hammer is a flat thriller with next to nothing going on through the film.
Cop Secret will have its UK premiere at BFI London Film Festival on 6th October.
A tough super-cop, in denial about his sexuality, falls in love with his new partner while investigating a string of bank robberies where nothing seems to have been stolen.
Plot: A kid must decide between choosing the future his father wants and following his dream of becoming a pro skater.
Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: North Hollywood starts as we meet high school student Michael (McLaughlin) who is reaching the crucial part of his life, where he must decide between college, working with his father Oliver (Vaughn) in construction or following his dreams of being a professional skater.
As Michael starts finally talking to his high school crush Rachel (Cosgrove), he starts to see his potential skating career take off, hanging out with a new group of people, while his father continues to push for him to make sure he plans for his future.
Thoughts on North Hollywood
Characters & Performances – Michael is the high school student, planning on moving to college, while harbouring dreams of becoming a professional skater. He has often lived in the shadow of his father’s shadow, always trying to keep him on the right path in life, with Michael wanting to take more chances in life, which will see him in that position where he doesn’t know what will happen next in his life. Ryder McLaughlin does give us a performance where we get to see the struggles in life, wanting something more, while not knowing what is best, the confliction his character is going through is in every scene. Rachel is the high school crush that Michael has waiting to get closer to for years, it is one of the things that will see him risk something more in life. Miranda Cosgrove does the basic side of this role well, she doesn’t get a chance to do much more than being potential love interest with her feet on the ground. Oliver is the father of Michael’s, he is strict because he knows how hard life will be on Michael, he is fair though, offering college or a chance to work with him, he is always willing to advice in life, struggling with the idea that he might not making something for himself. Vince Vaughn is the best part of the acting in this film, bringing a honest figure to life, a man that has seen the world and always wants the best for a loved one.
Story – The story here follows a high school student that is facing the difficult decision on what to do next in his life, with his dreams of being a skater not being seen as a smart choice, with college or employment being what his father is pushing for. This is a coming-of-age story where a teenager who is about to enter adulthood must make the decision which is best for him, he knows whatever he picks, his life will change, his friendships will fade away, his father will be there for him though, but the importance of this decision will define him. This story might not offer much more than we have seen before but does everything it needs to for the film to become enjoyable.
Themes – North Hollywood is a comedy drama looking at the desire of a high school teenager wanting to become a pro skater, which will only pay if he is a success, leaving him in the middle of the position of whether he will be able to make it in this world. The North Hollywood setting shows people who are living in a dream world, but not a celebrity world.
North Hollywood will be available on Digital Download from 11th October.
Final Thoughts – North Hollywood is an entertaining comedy drama.
