'The Hitman's Bodyguard' (2017) Movie Review

I have way more complicated feelings about The Hitman’s Bodyguard than I initially expected. On one hand, it’s a modestly entertaining 1980s style action throwback about two-mismatched bros in the vein of Lethal Weapon, Beverly Hills Cop, 48 hrs., and really any movie of that era where a white dude and a black dude—one stuffy, one impetuous—team up. And it delivers a fair approximation of those movies.

'Criminal' (2016) Movie Review

I’m all for actors reinventing themselves later on in their careers, especially when it involves turning to gritty, low and mid-budget genre fare. Thus far, however, Liam Neeson has had the lion’s share of the success when it comes to claiming this more mature action hero status, though guys like Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger never really vacated their thrones. Sean Penn and Pierce Brosnan both tried their hand at it over the last few years, with less than stellar results. Kevin Costner is no stranger to thrillers, and though he took a swing and whiffed with 3Days to Kill, he’s back to give it another go with Criminal.

'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy' Movie Review

Based on John le Carre’s 1974 spy novel of the same name, “Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy” has a lot going for it. Chief on this list is the cast, led by Gary Oldman, who gives an intense but understated performance as George Smiley, a Cold War era British intelligence operative. As opposite as he can be from that other famous Brit spy, Smiley is tasked with exposing a high-ranking mole in the organization. With a supporting cast that includes Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Ciaran Hinds, and Benedict Cumberbatch—which may be the best name in cinema—Smiley cautiously roots out the informant using crafty tricks he’s acquired through a lifetime of playing the spy game.