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Black Dog (2024) Movie Review

Black Dog – Movie Review

Read our review of the movie Black Dog. Join Lang as he forms an unlikely bond with a black stray dog and embarks on a new journey.

Director: Hu Guan

Writer: Rui Ge, Hu Guan (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Released from jail, Lang returns to his hometown in Northwest China. As part of a dog patrol tasked with clearing stray dogs before the 2008 Olympics, he bonds with a black stray. The two lonely souls embark on a new journey together.

Runtime: 1 Hour 46 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Black Dog starts when Lang (Peng) is released from prison and tries to restart his life. he isn’t welcomed back to his neighbourhood and the hostile reception, leaves him accepting people won’t like him. Lang has been assigned to help deal with the stray dog problem in the area, as the country prepares for the 2008 Olympics.

He starts by trying to capture one that has been around the area and soon the pair start bonding. However, they are both stubborn and the battle for control takes over. It creates a bond between unlikely souls who need a fresh start in life.

Verdict on Black Dog

Black Dog is a drama following a released prisoner helping clean up the streets from stray dogs. He ends up befriending an aggressive stray and adopting it. It shows a friendship in an area where he isn’t welcome after his past actions.

This movie takes us on a journey of reform as one man searches for his place after a past crime. The connection he makes with the stray is moving, showing any animal can find calm with the right person. It shows people will live with regret and want to do the right thing for people and animals alike. The dog does steal the show with its commitment to Lang, with Eddie Peng giving a performance which shows the regrets his character lives with.

Where to Watch

BLACK DOG will open in UK and Irish cinemas from Friday 30th August 2024.

Final Thoughts – Black Dog is a moving story about one man and his dog.

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Movie Review

ABC Film Challenge – Action – B – Black Dog (1998) Movie Review

Director: Kevin Hooks

Writer: William Mickelberry, Dan Vining (Screenplay)

Starring: Patrick Swayze. Randy Travis, Meat Loaf, Gabriel Casseus, Brian Vincent, Gramham Beckel, Brenda Strong, Charles S Dutton, Stephen Tobolowsky

Plot: A weapons loaded truck is shadowed by FBI and ATF. It explodes and kills the driver. Jack, just out of prison, is pressured into driving another truck from Atlanta to NJ. Things get rough when hijacking attempts are made.


Tagline – The rules of the road are simple. Don’t turn back.

Runtime: 1 Hour 29 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Black Dog starts when Jack Crews (Swayze) is offered a one time job to drive a truck across the country for a massive fee $10.000, he learns that during his time in prison, his wife Melanie (Strong) hasn’t been able to keep up with the payments on their home, leading him to accept the job to clear the debts.

The Job Jack takes, sees him needing to ride with Earl (Travis) with protection from Wes (Vincent) and Sonny (Casseus), which will see them being tracked by the law and a businessman Red (Meat Loaf) who is looking to take the load of the man he did the deal with.

Thoughts on Black Dog

Thoughts – Black Dog is an action thriller that will see a reluctant truck driver take a job which would help clear his family’s debts, only to find himself in the middle of an arms deal gone wrong, needing to drive to survive and save his family. This is a chance for a man who made a mistake in life to do the right thing with a simple driving jo, only for things to take a darker turn, where he must become a fighter, using his driving skills for the best. The idea of watching the FBI and ATF fight over who should have the rights to lead the investigation does almost add a comical side to the film. Patrick Swayze did make for a strange choice in an action leading role, but he does well with the serious side, while handling himself in the fight sequences well. The supporting cast is strong too, with the four on the trip having the right chemistry for not feeling like they are comfortable being together. Meat Loaf does make for the right type of over-the-top villain in this film too. This is an enjoyable wildly over the top action film, that fitted the action world of the late 90s.

Final Thoughts – Black Dog is a wildly over-the-top action film that is entertaining throughout.