Crime Time... "Spenser Confidential"

Spenser Confidential (2020)

Rated R

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Winston Duke, Alan Arkin

Directed by Peter Berg


The Story:

Spenser (Wahlberg) is a former cop who has spent the last 5 years in prison for beating his commanding officer. On the day Spenser is released from prison, his old boss winds up dead. Spenser's alibi checks out, but now he's got to figure out who killed his boss and why, putting him in the cross hairs of the bad guys and the Boston Police Department, which may be one and the same!

Your mileage could definitely vary with this one.

Truth be told:

I've never read the Spenser books by Robert B. Parker.

Aside from casual memory of my dad watching Spenser For Hire back in the day, I barely watched any of those shows either.

So I cannot rend my garments and gnash my teeth for how Peter Berg and Mark Wahlberg have destroyed the character and tromped on my childhood.

Instead I can say that I had a pretty good time watching the film, and hope enough of us have tuned in since the Netflix Original premiered last Friday to green light further sequels.

:)

Looking around online, it seemed that many critics hated it, while audiences have pretty much given it a thumbs up.

One review said it harkened back to the dumb action flicks of the 80s.

Buddy, that's my bread and butter, and I consider that an endorsement, not a detractor! :)

Winston Duke fills out the role of Hawk really well, using his considerable size as both a weapon and that there is more to Hawk than just brawn.

Alan Arkin does his usual splendid routine as the put-upon father figure who just wants his boys to get along.

As with all Peter Berg action flicks I've enjoyed over the years, it's a fairly fast moving affair that keeps you buckled in and enjoying the ride from start to finish. This is his 4th collaboration with Mark Wahlberg, and perhaps they have finally found a franchise that can keep them partnering up for the foreseeable future, until Mark doesn't want to play action hero any longer.


Good job all involved!

How Many Secret Government Agencies Do We Have? "Mile 22"

Mile 22 (2018)

Rated R

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Lauren Cohan, Iko Uwais, John Malkovich, Ronda Rousey,

Directed by Peter Berg

The Story:

James (Wahlberg) leads his covert team to retrieve a potential asset (Uwais) who may have some damaging intelligence at his disposal while seemingly the entire foreign intelligence world converges to kill them all.

You'll rarely get bored when Peter Berg is helming an action flick.

They tend to play quickly, with lots of action and lots of dialogue.

While this helps to hide any plot holes you might otherwise find, it always makes for a fine time at the movies.

The movie starts off with a lively action scene and unfurls quickly after that point.

You can probably surmise how it's going to end long before the credits roll, but it's still a trip worth taking.

Most of the cast is given very little in the way of character development, but the movie also doesn't bother with much downtime to allow for it, so it's unlikely you'll get too connected with the cast as they meet their cinematic fates as the mission unfolds.

:)

Berg and Wahlberg are becoming quite the Director/Actor tandem with enjoyable action flicks that deliver a good viewing and a great box office. I'd be surprised if we don't see them teaming up again in the very near future.

Speaking Of Franchises That Won't Die..."Transformers: The Last Knight"

Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins, Josh Duhamel, Laura Haddock, Santiago Cabrera

Directed by Michael Bay

The Story:

Optimus Prime has left the Earth. Any remaining Transformers are hunted. That doesn't stop Cade (Wahlberg) from attempting to save those he can find. However, when clues from the days of King Arthur point to the only salvation the Earth might have to save itself from destruction from Cybertron...

Yeah, it sounds silly.

This whole franchise has been fairly silly since day one.

Now celebrating a decade of cinematic box office dominance, the Transformers are beginning to slow down at the box office.

This was reviled as one of the worst films of last year, but it's no more or less unwatchable than any of the sequels that came before it, or the original for that matter.

Michael Bay does what he does best, and that's blow stuff up.

Thankfully through the years, he's making the scenes a lot less dark, so the action is easier to see and follow as a whole.

Think about this as well:

This was the 3rd movie about King Arthur to appear in cinemas in 2017.

It was also the best of the 3.

Let that sink in for a moment.

I also firmly fall into the camp that prefers the Transformers with Wahlberg over Shia LaBeouf.

Not sure if there will be any more in the franchise, but apparently Bumblebee is going to get his own movie, starring alongside John Cena.

My prediction: That will be the best one yet! :)

Final Grade: C

Boston Strong... "Patriots Day"

Patriots Day (2016)

Rated R

Starring Mark Wahlberg, John Goodman, Alex Wolff, Themo Melikidze, J.K. Simmons, Kevin Bacon,

Directed by Peter Berg

The Story:

A beautiful morning for the Boston Marathon in 2013 gives way to chaos as the Tsaranaev brothers (Wolff & Melikidze) detonate bombs near the finish line. Sgt. Tommy Saunders (Wahlberg) is pulling security and is near ground zero when the bombs explode. He helps lead the Boston Police Department and the F.B.I. manhunt to capture the suspects before they can strike again, or leave the city to strike elsewhere.

Naturally, this is based on a true story.

The 2nd true story for Mark Wahlberg to save the day is better than Deepwater Horizon.

As I mentioned in that film review, it's hard to accurately gauge the entertainment value on a movie where lives were lost and every day people step up and do heroic things.

The main argument that Patriots Day seemingly endured was the every man police sergeant who was in the right place at the right time at every step of the investigation.

Well, it's called a narrative device people. :)

It allows the story to flow a little better instead of jumping around from points A-F and introducing new characters along the way.

It's not a documentary.

It is engrossing and engaging.

It's also uplifting and poignant.

The drama of the police hunt, the emotional barrage of the victims of the bombing.

Keep a tissue handy, you might need it.

Very well done, but I've also come to expect that from Peter Berg who continues to craft very well made movies throughout his career.

While I rarely go back and watch movies like this again, I could see this as being an exception to that rule.

Final Grade:  B+

A Truly Bad Day At The Office..."Deepwater Horizon"

Deepwater Horizon (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, Dylan O'Brien, Gina Rodriguez, Ethan Suplee, Kate Hudson,

Directed by Peter Berg

The Story:

In April 2010, operational supervisor Jimmy Harrell (Russell) and his chief engineer, Mike Williams (Wahlberg) are trying to explain to BP executives why the Deepwater Horizon oil rig is overbudget and behind schedule. BP of course wants no more excuses so they order shortcuts to get caught up and back on schedule. Naturally, bad things are about to happen and the worst oil spill in history is about to occur.

Naturally, this film is based on a true story.

While it's not a documentary, and parts of it are dramatized, what is true is that corporate greed cost men their lives and spilled millions of gallons of oil into the ocean.

When it went to trial, naturally, BP executives got off with no charges.

Go figure.

Peter Berg continues to be one of those efficient directors that seemingly flies under the radar.  He makes a big budget film on a low budget, and makes the most of his cast, crew and editing. They are usually crisp movies that move along at a perfect pace and keep your interest from start to finish.

He re-teams with Walhberg, and set off on the quest to be an action drama that thrills and also leaves you holding your breath wondering how it's going to turn out, and who isn't going to make it.

Those people are honored as the end credits roll.

And that's part of what makes movies like this so difficult to watch.

You're both entertained, but at the end of the day, these weren't just actors getting killed to further the story, these were people who paid the ultimate price trying to do their jobs.

It also makes watching movies like this more than once a rare thing to do.

While they are technically sound and very well crafted, the subject matter doesn't cry out to be watched multiple times as an entertaining experience.

Your mileage may vary.

Final Grade: Solid B

A Fairly Dynamic Duo... "Daddy's Home"

Daddy's Home (2015)

Rated PG-13

Starring Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini, Thomas Haden Church,

Directed by Sean Anders

The Story:

Brad (Ferrell) really loves his wife (Cardellini) and her kids. He's trying to be the best step-dad in the world to them, and as time has passed, their intense burning hatred of him is slowly becoming casual indifference. Then Dusty (Wahlberg) breezes back into town, and Brad quickly falls from grace and slowly loses his mind as he attempts to win back the family that he's always wanted.

Much like the last time these two teamed up (The Other Guys) there are laughs to be had, but overall, it was just an okay movie.

Naturally everything goes wrong for Brad, and while comical at first, it just keeps compounding and you're like, "okay, I get it".

Not everything in life, or movies, needs to be turned up to 11.

Eventually the tables will turn and the charmed life that Dusty is enjoying will fail, but it takes quite a bit for him to realize that there is more to being a dad than just "being cool".

The energy and interplay between the two is there, and I hope that should they decide to buddy up again, they will finally get that script that puts it over the top as a truly enjoyable film that lives up to the high expectations the audience has going into the film.
 
The best bits usually involve Thomas Haden Church. That guy kills i as Brad's boss. :)

So yes, there are some laughs, but for me, not everything clicked perfectly this go round.

And really, when the kids are the ones using the most profanity in the film, it's time to get another opinion on the script.

I've seen kids that don't care for an authority figure (see Uncle Buck) and they don't need to swear up a storm to get the point across.

Final Grade: C+

You've Got To Know When To Fold 'Em... "The Gambler"

The Gambler (2014)

Rated R

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Jessica Lange, John Goodman

Directed by Rupert Wyatt

The Story:

Jim (Wahlberg) is an English professor who has a serious gambling problem.  The problem, he doesn't know when to walk away while he's ahead.  So when he gets in debt up to his eyeballs, he asks another loan shark (Goodman) for more money so he can pay off that debt.  Of course when he squanders that money, he better pull something out of his hat before he winds up swimming with the fishes!

Sure, it sounds good on paper.

But man, was it poorly executed.

Clocking in at just a shade under 72 hours long, or at least that's how it felt, The Gambler was a good 80 minute movie with incessant, unneeded padding before, during, and after it was over.

Case in point, when he runs at the end of the movie.

And runs.
And runs.
And runs some more.
And keeps on running.
Please note he doesn't sweat after running through the entire city.

I got the point of the scene about 15 seconds into the running and knew what it was leading up to.

That it took 5 minutes (did it really? hard to say, felt like a shade under forever) to get there...

Unforgivable.

When the movie was good, though infrequent, it was pretty good.

So Marky Mark escapes worst of the year honors, but just barely.

Final Grade: C-

I Really Doubt "Transformers: Age of Extinction" Is The Last Film In The Franchise

Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)

Rated PG-13

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Kelsey Grammer, Stanley Tucci, Jack Reynor,

Directed by Michael Bay

The Story:

It's been 5 years since the Autobots and Decepticons waged war and destroyed Chicago. Now the American government has declared war and is hunting down the remaining Autobots and Decepticon survivors. When robotics tinkerer Cade Yeager (Wahlberg) discovers Optimus Prime, he revives the leader of the Autobots, and the few remaining Autobots gather to help Cade and and his family to take down the government contractors that are using Transformer technology to create their own version of Autobots for sale.  However, as is standard with all Transformers plots...

There is more to it than meets the eye.

:)

Oh come on, you know I had to do it!!

So, I've watched the 3 previous Transformer movies.  Couldn't tell you what happened in any of them except:

Shia LaBeouf whined a lot.
Megan Fox attempted to act a little.
Transformers fought, a lot, in poorly lit action sequences.

So I come back, a glutton for punishment apparently.

However, this one improved in at least 3 obvious ways:

No Shia.
No Megan.
No poorly lit action sequences.

Congratulations and welcome to the best installment of the Transformers franchise.

Granted, that's not saying a whole lot. ;)

With a bloated, nearly 3 hour running time, the movie rarely dragged, which is a good thing.

But still, at nearly 3 hours, I can watch 2 really good 90 minute films instead.

Still, had a good enough time and if there is another film, I'll check it out on DVD.

I'm a glutton for punishment, remember?

Final Grade: C+ maybe even a B- if you push me hard enough.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Nope, once was good enough, but at least it was better than all of the previous versions before it.

My Money Is On Marky Mark Being The "Lone Survivor"

Lone Survivor (2013)

Rated R

Starring Mark Wahlberg, Taylore Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster, Eric Bana,

Written and Directed by Peter Berg

The Story:

Marcus Luttrell (Wahlberg) and the rest of his SEAL team head into Afghanistan on a secret mission to capture a Taliban leader.  When they are discovered by some goat herders, they are faced with the dilemma: spare them or kill/capture them?  Following their explicit rules of engagement, they let them go.

Naturally, the team is hunted down and killed until only Luttrell is left.

This is their sad story.

Not only do they lose most of their team, even a rescue attempt goes awry costing more men their lives.

That Luttrell finds safety and salvation in the village is both ironic and heartwarming.  The villagers live by the code to protect people from their enemies.

That includes standing up to the Taliban to give Luttrell a chance to survive and mend.

The end credits are a brief and touching tribute to the lives that were lost during this mission, and only begin to scrape the surface of how many have perished during this conflict.

I hate to give movies like this a low grade.  They mean well, showing people how horrible war can be, and how great those that serve in the military really are.

But somehow, I just didn't connect with this film or the characters enough to make me care more for their fates.


Or perhaps knowing that everyone aside from Wahlberg is going to bite the dust going in to the movie, all of the suspense is already sucked from the viewer, and so then it's just an exercise in paint-by-numbers.

And that's too bad.

Final Grade: C+/B- range

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Much like Zero Dark Thirty, many of these movies are now a one and done.  Well done, but too much for repeated viewings.

"2 Guns" Are Better Than One.

2 Guns (2013)
Rated R - Violence/Language/Nudity

Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg

Directed by: Baltasar Kormakur

The Story:

A DEA Agent (Washington) and an undercover Naval intelligence officer (Wahlberg) are working together to take down a drug lord (Edward James Olmos).  Neither realizes the other is an undercover agent until after they rob a bank they think contains his money.  It turns out it holds a lot of money from the CIA, and they want it back.  Can the two put their differences aside and work together to save their own lives?

I remember watching the trailer for this movie and thinking, "that looks like it will be a pretty fun movie."

Yay!

I was right.

The chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg makes this film an enjoyable buddy cop/action flick.

Someone Is Going To Be Shot

They play very well off of one another, and I have to admit that I really enjoy seeing Denzel Washington play a little more humor with his character than he normally does.  Wahlberg coasts through his part with a wink and a smile, literally, and both are engaging throughout.

As each of their single stories unfolds, the mystery and intrigue to the plot deepens.  Layers of who do you trust? are revealed as both men find out that they cannot trust the people they work for any longer.  However, it's when they are onscreen together that the movie really shines, and the film wisely keeps them partnered up through most of the screen time.

Plus, with the bank robbery and the shenanigans that ensue with double and triple crosses, it's a heist film.

I think I've been pretty clear on my love for the heist film.

:)

Let's Play A Game...

The layers of bad guys includes the Navy (James Marsden) and the sinister head of the CIA (Bill Paxton) who want the money that has been stolen.

Based on a Boom! Studios graphic novel, it does play very much like a well-made comic book.

I approve!

Final Grade: B+

Would I Watch It Again? Yes, I would happily watch this one again.

Would I Buy This Movie? Yes, I'm adding it to the Christmas List of 2014.

It's Time To Pump...You Up! "Pain and Gain"

Truth is stranger than fiction.

And way more coked up!

The Story:

Daniel Lugo (Mark Wahlberg) is a fitness trainer at a local gym in Florida.  He's tired of getting nowhere in search of the American dream, so he has a plan:  Steal it from a rich jerk, Victor Kershaw (Tony Shalhoub).  So he enlists his best friend Adrian (Anthony Mackie) and they bring in some even bigger muscle in ex-con Paul (Dwayne Johnson) to pull off their heist.  Things don't go so well, but eventually they begin to bleed Victor dry of all of his assets.  Then things begin to go from bad to worse for the trio...

Sure, some of the events are exaggerated for the big screen, but basically, this is a true story unfolding before your eyes.

It's unbelievable in the ineptitude of our trio, and also the sheer willpower of Victor to not get killed!  Insane...

I must mention that it's a film directed by Michael Bay, which should immediately make many people roll their eyes and groan.

Not this guy, I've got no problem with the majority of his films.  They're perfect popcorn films.

The hard part of this film is that it is based on a true story.  It's hard to root for either side because one side is doing illegal things and the other is a jerk.  But you feel bad rooting against either, because they do a good job playing their roles.

The guy deserves to have his money stolen... and they deserve to go to jail.

Hard to have a rooting interest when your own film divides the feelings of the audience.

Of the cast, The Rock easily steals the picture as the larger than life coke head.  He's funny and he delivers the best lines throughout the film. 

Also not mentioned is the always great Ed Harris as the private detective who helps bring the trio to justice.  Nice to see him playing a good guy again, as he's been wearing the black hat too often lately.

Crazy story you have to see to believe.

Final Grade: B-/C+ range.  Good but not great.

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  I'd probably have to pass on owning it, and I'm not sure I'd sit through it again.  Once was good.  Maybe after a few years have passed?

Nothing a Band-Aid Won't Fix... "Broken City"

Based on a true story.

Well no, but with political corruption... yes... yes, it is.

: )

The Story:

Billy (Mark Wahlberg) is a former cop who lost his job seven years ago to protect the department and the Mayor (Russell Crowe) from a scandal.  Now, as the race for Mayor is heating up, Billy is called in to find out who the Mayor's wife (Catherine Zeta-Jones) is sleeping with before the rival camp does.  However things get really shady when the man that Billy is following turns out to be the campaign manager for the candidate trying to unseat the Mayor!

While interesting, there was a lot to do about nothing.

A very talented cast, also including Barry Pepper, Kyle Chandler and Griffin Dunne are more or less wasted on bit parts that could have easily been fleshed out more.

Considering the amount of movies that I've watched recently that have crossed the 2 hour mark, this one certainly could have spiced up the drama surrounding the infidelity... or really shown the animosity between the two mayoral candidates.

Instead, the movie starts off in the middle of some action, and then 7 years slip by.  With a week to go in the campaign, suddenly the Mayor brings Billy in as a private investigator.

Too rushed.  Too predictable.

Neither is a good situation for a political drama.

For what it is though, everyone does a great job.

No complaints with what they gave the audience, other than I wished it had been more.

Final Grade: C+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor: Not going to happen.

The Buddy Comedy Redux... "Ted"

Naughty little bear...


The Story:

John Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) makes a wish when he's a little boy that his little bear, Ted (Seth Macfarlane), could be his bestest friend forever.  And magically, it happens.  Ted becomes famous for a bit, but fame for a stuffed talking bear is fleeting, and 20+ years later, both are still not growing up, much to the dismay of John's girlfriend (Mila Kunis).

Your mileage may vary...

Chalk me up as not a Seth Macfarlane fan.  Nope, I don't watch Family Guy, or any of the other funny cartoons aimed at grown ups.  Yes, I've seen some before, yes, they can be both hysterical, and awful, sometimes at the same time.

Now instead of being animated, it's a live action buddy comedy with a CGI bear.

It is funny, but again, many of the jokes/situations simply try too hard to push the envelope and really go nowhere for me.  It's like the joke is funny... so let's add another and try and make it funnier...and another...and let's keep pushing...

And at that point, you've lost me for humor and are going for cheap laughs.

I'm willing to laugh, but I'm not cheap.

Nor am I easy.

: )

The funnier moments were all centered around John.  Mark Wahlberg plays great in comic roles, and I think a lot of people forget that as he often gets typecast in the action flicks.

In the end, it's a really charming story buried under crude humor, for the sake of being crude.

That kills any hope of being enjoyed around these parts.

In other words, I'm not sticking my hand in a steaming pile of crap to attempt to find a jewel.  I'll take your word that it's there.


Final Grade: C+

Would I Own It: Nope, but I'm sure a lot of folks will disagree with me.