Tag: Drama

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Movie Review

Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes (2026) Short Movie Review

Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes- Movie Review

Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes explores grief, mentorship, and emotional growth in a talented high school prospect's life journey.

First Reaction – Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes brings raw emotion to understanding tragedy in life.

Director: Marcellus Cox

Writer: Marcellus Cox (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Ruthie Austin
  • Stephen Cotfield Jr.
  • Duana Ervin
  • Eric McNair

Plot: A Talented High School MLB Prospect spends the day with his new mentor from the Big Brothers of America Program.

Runtime: 23 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes

Recap

The short movie follows a talented high school MLB prospect. He lives with his grandmother after the tragedy in their lives. Jamarcus has been signed up for a mentor program with Jasper in hopes of guiding him down the right path. We follow his latest session with the man who hopes to offer him guidance in this pivotal moment in his life.

Best Parts

The story delves into the raw emotion of losing a loved one and the guidance provided by parents. It shows how easily young people don’t want to open up about emotion, and the important part that mentor programs offer in helping express those emotions. The message is important, and performance carries the meeting, which will shape a life. Along with every review of a short movie, I ask the same question: could it be a full movie? The answer is yes, and it could delve into even more emotions and deeper backstories behind the motivation to mentor.

Final Thoughts –Jamarcus Rose & Da 5 Bullet Holes is filled with raw emotions and an intense impact.

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Movie Review

Hard Truths (2024) Movie Review

Hard Truths – Movie Review

Hard Truths is an emotionally charged film featuring strong performances, exploring human strengths and weaknesses amid family conflict and grief.

First Reaction – Hard Truths is a powerhouse of performances in an emotionally driven story.

Director: Mike Leigh

Writer: Mike Leigh (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Ongoing exploration of the contemporary world with a tragicomic study of human strengths and weaknesses.

Runtime: 1 Hour 37 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Hard Truths starts as we meet Pansy (Jean-Baptiste) and her family, Curtley (Webber) and Moses (Barrett). She constantly worries and complains, while her husband and son accept it. Elsewhere, her sister Chantelle (Austin), and her family are dealing with problems in different ways.

As the anniversary of Pansy and Chantelle’s mothers’ passing is coming and the two must arrange to visit her grave. The two are very different, but somehow have a connection to give Pansy the only calm in her life.

Verdict on Hard Truths

Recap

The movie follows a bitter, depressed and angry woman who takes out her frustrations on everyone in her life. Her sister has a different look at life, and the two clash when it comes to visiting their late mother’s grave.

Best Parts

The story shows how easily people can see life differently. It shows a positive and a negative point of view, showing how people deal with things in different ways. The performances are fantastic, and it hits home that you can affect other people’s lives around you. This is hard-hitting to match the title, showing everything people are trying to make it through.

Final Thoughts – Hard Truths is a fantastic performance-driven powerhouse.

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Movie Review

Tunnels (1989) Movie Review

Tunnels – Movie Review

Tunnels follows two investigative reporters uncovering a deadly cover-up linked to missing homeless people and disturbing truths beneath the city sewers.

First Reaction – Tunnels gives a truly disturbing truth behind the crime world.

Director: Mark Byers

Writer: Daniel Yost (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Two investigative reporters track down reports of giant rats in a city sewer system.

Runtime: 1 Hour 33 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Tunnels starts when two desk reporters Pam (Bach) and Sharon (Dallas) decide to investigate reports of missing homeless people. It takes them into the sewers and stories of giant rats. However, their investigations tend to lead to a different direction and the reporters uncover a much deadlier cover-up.

The pair discover a bigger story than what their publisher is willing to publish. However, it means they are getting in more danger and face off against the truth in the sewers.

Verdict on Tunnels

Recap

The movie follows two journalists who decide to investigate the story of giant rats in the sewers. However, their journey sees them discover a much more disturbing truth and trying to break it puts their lives in danger.

Best Parts

The bigger mystery and cover up is disturbing and brings to life a real-life situation the rich might get involved in. also, the idea we live in the darkness of the shadows for operations only improves the bigger shock involved.

Worst Parts

The problem comes from it being sold as a creature lurking in the shadows and goes in a completely different direction. It also makes one of the reporters out to be extremely naïve to what is going on. This ends up being more of a crime drama than a horror in the sewers.

Final Thoughts –Tunnels has a disturbing series of events to reveal a shocking truth.

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Movie Review

September 5 (2024) Movie Review

September 5 – Movie Review

September 5 examines the moral dilemmas faced by a broadcasting team covering the hostage crisis during the 1972 Munich Olympics.

First Reaction – September 5 is an interesting point of view of the tragic events.

Director: Tim Fehlbaum

Writer: Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, Alex David (Screenplay)

Cast

  • Peter Sarsgaard (Jarhead)
  • John Magaro (Overlord)
  • Ben Chaplin (Murder by Numbers)
  • Leonie Benesch (Pot Luck)
  • Zinedine Soualem

Plot: During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, an American sports broadcasting team must adapt to live coverage of the Israeli athletes being held hostage by a terrorist group.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: September 5 starts when ABC sports broadcasting team Roone Arledge (Sarsgaard), Geoffrey Mason (Magaro) and Marvin Bader (Chaplin) jump on a story. During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, a terrorist group hold Israeli athletes hostage. The TV crew look to break the story and expose what has been happening.

However, during the broadcast, they find themselves facing morale dilemmas and knowing they are the biggest studio covering the story. But it might come at a cost, as their reporting could have given the terrorists the advantage.

Verdict on September 5

Recap

The movie follows the broadcasting team trying to break a massive story of the real hostage situation during the 1972 Olympics. They push to break barriers to make sure they get the story and are left in the middle of the consequences of their decisions.

Best Parts

The movie builds an interesting dynamic between what is right and what is best. It shows that reporting the story was important, but it could have caused negative reactions. The idea we watch nearly everything from the studio is interesting too, as we only hear the reports from the ground, which also keeps things interesting to watch.

Worst Parts

The tragic events are already well portrayed in many other films, whether it be the documentary, or up close and personal telling of the events. This doesn’t do much to show the barbaric actions of the terrorists and enough of the spotlight on why this happened.

Final Thoughts – September 5 gives us another fascinating glimpse into the tragic events.

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Movie Review

The Good Fight (2024) Movie Review

The Good Fight – Movie Review

The Good Fight depicts a former fighter’s struggle with alcoholism and the quest for redemption before losing everything.

First Reaction – The Good Fight is the routine redemption story.

Where to Watch

The Good Fight (VOD Release 12/2/25).

Director: James Edward Holley

Writer: James Edward Holley (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: After a series of bad decisions threaten to destroy his family and career, Luke must look inside himself and decide what’s really worth fighting for.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Good Fight starts when former fighter Luke (Stinnett) sees his life spiralling out of control. He has a drinking problem, which is tearing his family apart. Elsewhere, his boss, Chief (Holley), pushes lawyer Michael (Schneider) to help him sort his life out.

When the final straw is drawn, Luke must decide what he wants to do in the future. He has one last chance before he loses everything and faces jail time.

Verdict on The Good Fight

Recap

The movie follows a former fighter who has spiralled into a drinking problem. He is about to lose everything and his loved ones do what they can to support him. However, he is facing a test to save his life before it is too late.

Best Parts

The redemption story is strong, as we are used to seeing it, and it works well in moving things along. Elsewhere, the performances are strong throughout, too.

Worst Parts

While this has a good redemption story, it leaves you questioning why Luke kept getting away with his multiple offences for so long. In another world, you would question why they weren’t locked up earlier to protect innocent people from their behaviour.

Final Thoughts –The Good Fight follows the traditional redemption story.

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Movie Review

Finding the Way Back (2020) Movie Review

Finding The Way Back – Movie Review

Read this review of 'Finding The Way Back' and learn about the inspiring story of Jack Cunningham's comeback.

ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – W (Way Back)

Director: Gavin O’Connor (Warrior)

Writer: Brad Ingelsby (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Jack Cunningham was a high school basketball phenom who walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Years later, when he reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater, he may get one last shot at redemption.

Runtime: 1 Hour 48 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Finding The Way Back starts when former hot shot basketball star Jack (Affleck) gets offered a chance to help his former high school. He has his problems with drinking and his life hasn’t gone the way he imagined. However, he reluctantly accepts the job and starts taking on the coaching role.

As Jack gets to know his players, he starts learning about their troubled lives and working toward helping them. He identifies the best players and learns more about their personal lives, bringing out the best in the team.

Verdict on Finding The Way Back

Finding The Way Back is a sports drama following a grieving man with addiction who is offered a chance to coach his old high school basketball team. However, his personal problems start getting in the way despite him improving the team as they aim for their first championship.

This drama shows how people can inspire the best in people, even if they are fighting with their own grief. It also highlights how important it is to try and discuss grief if you are ever going to move on in life. While other movies might hit the more typical approach to recovery. This puts more focus on the challenges to get there in the first place. Ben Affleck is wonderful in the leading role and we get the importance of his character’s story.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Finding The Way Back is a brave take on dealing with grief.

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Movie Review

Train Dreams (2025) Movie Review

Train Dreams – Movie Review

Train Dreams explores the poignant journey of Robert Grainier, illustrating his struggles and fleeting hopes in early 20th-century America.

First Reaction – Train Dreams is a moving journey through the changes in life.

Director: Clint Bentley

Writer: Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar (Screenplay)

Writer: Denis Johnson (Novella)

Cast

Plot: Train Dreams is the moving portrait of Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly-changing America of the early 20th Century.

Runtime: 1 Hour 42 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Train Dreams starts as Robert Grainier (Edgerton) tries to make a life in the open American land. He works as a logger and railroad worker. Elsewhere, he marries Gladys (Jones) to begin a family.

Robert wants to find work closer to home and believes his next job could give his family a chance at that life. However, tragedy strikes and Robert is left alone in the world waiting to learn what might have happened to the life he dreamed of.

Verdict on Train Dreams

Recap

The movie follows a logger and railroad worker trying to have a life in a growing America. However, his life takes an unexpected turn and he spends his time wandering around waiting to find answers.

Best Parts

The movie uses the American dream to highlight the struggles people went through to create the America we know today. It has an emotional core as one man is left questioning everything he worked for. The performances are wonderful and carry the story forward, despite its bleak nature. If we find the biggest highlight, it comes from showing a life which changed so quickly and society was difficult to keep up with.

Worst Parts

Sadly, at the end of the day, it is just another story of the American Dream and doesn’t do anything we haven’t seen before.

Final Thoughts –Train Dreams is a moving, emotional journey.

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Movie Review

My All American (2015) Movie Review

My All American – ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – M – My All Ameircan – Movie Review

My All American – ABC Film Challenge – High School/College Movies – M – My All Ameircan - Movie Review

Director: Angelo Pizzo

Writer: Angelo Pizzo, Jim Dent (Screenplay)

Cast

Plot: Freddie Steinmark, an underdog on the gridiron, faces the toughest challenge of his life after leading his team to a championship season.

Runtime: 1 Hour 58 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: My All American starts when underdog aspiring football player Freddie Steinmark (Wittrock) gets a scholarship to Texas University. Coach Royal (Eckhart) sees something in him and decides to give him this chance. It doesn’t take long for Freddie to make a major impact on the team as they reach the Championship season.

However, as the season unfolds, Freddie starts suffering from a knee injury. He doesn’t want to push for medical advice and fights through the pain. However, this comes at a price, when the injury becomes more serious than anyone could imagine.

Verdict on My All American

My All American is a sports drama following a college football who inspired a team to reach the championship. Only for his career to be put in doubt by an unlikely injury. Now, he must fight for his life, not just the team.

This is a moving story about a young man who inspired a whole college to succeed. It shows that sports can bring people together for the better. However, most importantly it shows that life can come at you pretty fast and you never know what the next chapter will hold. A sporting drama with a big heart that should be watched by anyone who respects the legends of the game.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – My All American is a moving sports drama.

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Movie Review

Frankenstein (2025) Movie Review

Frankenstein – Movie Review

Frankenstein, directed by Guillermo del Toro, offers a brilliant adaptation of the classic tale, showcasing compelling performances and a dual perspective narrative.

First Reaction – Frankenstein is a brilliant telling of one of the best stories of all time.

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Writer: Guillermo del Toro (Screenplay)

Writer: Mary Shelley (Novel)

Cast

Plot: A brilliant but egotistical scientist brings a creature to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.

Runtime: 2 Hours 29 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Frankenstein starts when Victor (Isaac) is found in the Arctic Circle. However, he isn’t alone; his Creature (Elordi) is hunting him down and clashes with the crew. Victor recounts his story of coming from a wealthy family and meeting Harlander (Waltz) at medical school.

The two work together to understand reincarnation and master its power. However, the Creature they create becomes more difficult to handle — and, worse, to destroy.

Verdict on Frankenstein

Recap

The movie follows the legendary story of Frankenstein and his Creature. We follow the story from Victor’s point of view and his determination to learn science, and the Creature’s point of view, where he learned more about the world.

Best Parts

The movie splits the story into two points of view, which offers up the bigger conversation the original story presents. It keeps everyone having a motivation for what they see as the best thing in life, even if it causes trouble to others. The performances are fantastic and elevate the story throughout the movie. Elsewhere, the sets a brilliant, and take us into the world with ease. This is one of the best visions of the story and keeps things feeling more grounded to the original idea.

Final Thoughts –Frankenstein is an outstanding vision of the iconic story.