'Chief Of Station' (2024) Movie Review

Another week, another direct-to-video action-thriller. Lately, many of these stars either Aaron Eckhart or Olga Kurylenko, and director Jesse V. Johnson’s Chief of Station happens to feature both. (It truly only stars Eckhart, with Kurylenko relegated to a supporting role, but we’ll take it.)

'The Bricklayer' (2024) Movie Review

It makes a great deal of sense that Renny Harlin’s The Bricklayer was once earmarked as a Gerard Butler vehicle. Butler remains a producer, while Aaron Eckhart takes the role of former spy Steve Vail, and does a passable growly, grumble-voiced tough-guy mutter. Though admittedly, without Gerry’s sweaty macho charisma, the finished product loses some oomph. The plot is pure dumbed-down airport-novel espionage with little investment, stakes, or suspense, but thanks to a brisk pace and action that whips damn hard, this offers up an entertaining thriller that scratches a specific itch.

'The 355' (2022) Movie Review

The big hook for The 355 is the insane cast. Director Simon Kinberg assembled an epic level of talent that includes Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Diane Kruger, Penelope Cruz, Bingbing Fan, Sebastian Stan, Edgar Ramirez, and Jason Flemyng, all chasing after a MacGuffin box in a globetrotting spy caper. And the result it wildly just okay.

'Cliff Walkers' (2021) Movie Review

Director Zhang Yimou is best known for his sweeping historical epics, like Hero and House of Flying Daggers, but it turns out he also has a bit of espionage in his DNA. His latest film, Cliff Walkers, does take place in a certain bygone era, though a much more recent one. And instead of swords and lush period costumes, he delivers his first taut, chilly spy thriller, one full of suspense, betrayal, treachery, and the usual slick execution and eye for detail one expects from him.

'Jesus Shows You The Way To The Highway' Trailer: Strap In For The Craziest Damn Thing You've Ever Seen

With a title like Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, you know you’re in for not-your-average-movie. But even if you’re familiar with writer/director Miguel Llanso’s apocalyptic, magical-realistic adventure Crumbs, you’re still not prepared for this film. It’s finally getting released and you should watch this trailer to get just a slice of what lies in store for you.

Fantasia 2019: 'Jesus Shows You The Way To The Highway' Movie Review

With a title like Jesus Shows You the Way to the Highway, you probably expect to something a bit outside of the mainstream. Also, considering it comes from Miguel Llansó, the writer/director behind 2015’s equally off-kilter Crumbs, strange things are in store. And Jesus doesn’t disappoint, combining science fiction, cold war spy thrillers, superheroes, Afro-futurism, and enough surreal flourishes to make Jodorowsky’s head spin.

Watch The Trailer For Park Chan-Wook's 'The Little Drummer Girl' Series

Anytime Park Chan-wook does anything, I’m there. The same generally goes for any John le Carré adaptation. But the Oldboy director adapting the master spy novelist is too good a proposition to ignore. I’ve been eagerly waiting for Park’s version of the espionage thriller The Little Drummer Girl, and this new trailer has what I’m looking for.

'Red Sparrow' (2018) Movie Review

Red Sparrow exists in a strange middle place that doesn’t serve the adaptation of retired CIA officer Jason Matthews’ best-selling spy novel particularly well. It’s not tense or intriguing enough to stand with the best recent espionage thrillers, like Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Nor is it pulpy and trashy enough to be fun and provide an illicit charge. It’s fine, if way overlong, but it’s just kind of occupies space.

Park Chan-Wook Will Adapt John Le Carre's 'The Little Drummer Girl'

It makes such an insane amount of sense, yet somehow I never thought about it until right this very moment, but Park Chan-wook adapting a John le Carre novel sounds like a perfect meeting of the minds. And just to be clear, that’s what’s happening. The South Korean hit machine signed on to adapt The Little Drummer Girl in a six-part adaptation. If six hours of Park Chan-wook doing John le Carre doesn’t sound like the best way to spend six hours, we probably wouldn’t be friends in real life.

'American Made' (2017) Movie Review

After watching American Made, I’m convinced Tom Cruise needs to work with Doug Liman way more often. Which isn’t much of a reach, as the actor/director combo has the sci-fi adventure Luna Park on the slate in the near future. But between this and Edge of Tomorrow, or whatever title you prefer, Cruise—who I maintain is the last great traditional movie star we have left—hasn’t been this good in years.

'Spectre' Movie Review

Spectre, the latest James Bond film, begins with a blistering opening scene, the kind of action sequence that, when you stumble across the movie on TV years from now, you’ll stop what you’re doing and watch, even if you don’t stick around for the rest. Set in Mexico City during a massive Day of the Dead celebration, the international man of mystery tracks a target through the crowd of skull-mask clad revelers. Visually striking, intricately staged, and beginning with a soaring, uninterrupted take, it starts the movie out on a high note (though there’s a missed opportunity for a singularly James Bond moment at the end). The ensuing film, however, never quite measures up to this opening.

'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.' Movie Review: Sometimes Slick And Fun Is Good Enough

If you’ve ever seen a Guy Ritchie film, especially the likes of Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, you won’t be surprised by what you get in his update of the 1960s spy serial The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. Fast-paced and energetic, full of handsome heroes and a sultry villainess, and hyper-stylized, this isn’t a particularly deep movie, but it is an entertaining espionage romp that provides a decent amount of amusement.