Displaying items by tag: Nina Dobrev

THE BRICKLAYER

US, 2023, 110 minutes, Colour.

Aaron Eckhart, Nina Dobrev, Clifton Collins Jr, Tim Blake Nelson, Oliver Trevino, Ilfenesh Hadera.

Directed by Renny Harlin.

This action thriller is based on the novel by former Marine and FBI agent for 20 years, Paul Lindsay, writing under the name of Noah Boyd. The screenplay has changed the agency from the FBI to the CIA.

Renny Harlin has made action thrillers for several decades, especially Die Hard 2. There is quite a mixed quality to his work. The action sequences are very strong – even though Aaron Eckhart is the hero, bricklayer, agent, is able to defeat all kinds of tough opponents, though in one sequence succumbing to just one of them! However, Eckhart is strong and tough in the role.

The villain is seen at the opening, Clifton Collins Jr, a disaffected agent, turning Road, wanting to expose the CIA and its many tentacles in Western cultures, secret assassinations…

The central character is a very prim, first, agent played by Nina Dobrev who accompanies the bricklayer to Greece where the action takes place. Quite a number of complications, assassination of journals, a political assassination attempt, a final confrontation between hero and villain despite a bonding in the past.

Tim Blake Nelson is the CIA boss.

More or less as expected.

1. The title? The cover for the CIA agent? His explanation of his liking the work, precision, well fitting?
2. The CIA, action throughout the world? Attitudes Western countries? Covert operations? Assassinations and targeting? Reactions?
3. The realism of the screenplay? Or far-fetched?
4. The opening, the journalist, Victor Radek, his purpose, her reporting, the photos and or sitter? Shooting her? The next journalist on the list? The group politician on the list? His making a case, disrepute of the CIA?
5. The introduction to Steve Vail, Philadelphia, working on the building, the bricks, precision? Contact O’Malley? The meeting with Kate? The explanation of the situation? His decision to go to Greece, with Kate?
6. The subtext of Miles Davis, music, records, the gift from Victor Radek, Tye with the collection of records, indication of her guilt?
7. Kate, her CIA work, the office, re-examining the photos, discovering Radek?
8. The flight, the interactions between the two, her self-importance, professional, his attitudes, Frieda? The arrival, posing as husband and wife, the hotel, the range of surveilance? Going to meet Patricio, his skills, the vehicle, IT and tech?
9. She’s three, to the social, meeting with Tye, the past relationship, the discussions, her being bureau chief? The later encounters with her, at the apartment, the music?
10. The attack on the journalist and the square, the protesters, Constantine and his speeches, Radek and his communication with Vail, motivations, memories, the death of his family? The decoy and Vail following, the shooting? The escape, the pursuit, talking with Radek?
11. Vail and his visiting the club, the thug and his respectability, the fights? The credibility of Vail and his ability to conquer so many attackers? Yet in the office, his being overcome? The dangers for Kate, her involvement, with the vehicles? And the use of tracking devices?
12. Vail, the memories and flashbacks with Radek, his family, his job is with the CIA, the promised to transfer his family, the Russians, the killing his family? Vail, the deal with Radek that he could disappear?
13. The car chase, Radek’s escape, with the camera on the building, male or knocking it, the assassination attempt failing? Konstantin and his change of attitude, rescued by the CIA?
14. Final confrontations, Radek’s death, the suspicions about O’Malley, the vast transfer of the bid calling? Vail and his suspicions, going to Tye, the confrontation, her death?
15. The end, the interview with Kate and O’Malley, his being upset about suspicions, offer of promotion to Kate, her refusal? And Vail going back to his bricklaying?

THE OUT-LAWS

US, 2023, 95 minutes, Colour.

Adam Devine, Pierce Brosnan, Ellen Barkin, Nina Dobrev, Michael Rooker, Poorna Jagannathan, Richard Kind, Julie Hagerty, Lauren Lapkus, Lil Rel Howery.

Directed by Tyler Spindel.

If Adam Sandler had been younger when this film was being made, he would have taken the central role. In fact, this comedy comes from his Happy Madison company and plays very much like one of his comedies.

Comedian Adam Devine takes Sandler’s place as Owen, pleasantly genial, bank manager, engaged to yoga instructor, Parker (Nina Dobrev.). He has very stuffy and suspicious parents, Richard Kind and Julie Hagerty. In fact, this film is noted for its star power, especially Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin as the in-laws/out-laws, bank robbers. And Michael Rooker appears as the veteran FBI investigator.

So, there is some raucous comedy with the behaviour of the in-laws. And there are some serious tones with the in-laws/out-laws as the Ghost Bandits, bank robbers, teaming up with criminals, the effecting of a robbery, pursued by the FBI. Owen has his suspicions and confides them to his fiancee.

What happens is enjoyably complicated, giving information to the FBI and his being set up. However, criminals abducting his fiancee and demanding a ransom, his teaming up with the criminals for them to rob a bank mean twists. He hides in the vault, escapes, gets the money, returns to the vault. And the outlaws surrender.

Happy finale, the wedding, the in-laws able to come to the wedding – but Owen slipping a paperclip into their piece of cake for a further escape!

1. The title, an amusing pun?
2. From Adam Sandler’s company, tone, comic style, satire, broad comedy?
3. The American town, homes, banks…? Musical score?
4. The home situation, Owen and Parker, engaged, bank manager, yoga instructor, ordinary life? Owen as the young Adam Sandler style character?
5. The preparation for the marriage, the prospect of the in-laws arriving, Parker happy, unhappy? Owen’s parents, their harsh attitudes, ignorance, criticisms of Parker? The dinner, Owen and the issues of storage, plans? Rehan and the criminal listening in?
6. At work, the bank vault, the prank and freeing the victim, Owen’s help, knowledge?
7. The arrival of the in-laws, calling themselves Lily and Billy, the star power of Pierce Brosnan and Ellen Barkin? Breezing in, no explanations, the day out with Owen, the tattooes, drinking, the skydiving?
8. The bank robbery, Owen and the hangover, his noticing the clues, his growing suspicions about the Ghost Bandits?
9. Oldham, the FBI agent, pursuing the Ghost Bandits, his intensity?
10. Owen, his theories about his in-laws, confiding in Parker, her response?
11. Rehan, the meetings with the in-laws, the deals?
12. Owen, with Oldham, the truth, the set-ups?
13. The criminals, the abduction of Parker, the demands?
14. Owen, teaming with the in-laws, the discussions with Phoebe the bank manager, learning the details of the faults, the exits? His being locked in? The robbery, success, Owen escaping, yet getting the money, putting it back in the vault?
15. The arrest, Oldham allowing the couple out for the wedding celebrations, the surrender – but Owen putting the paperclip in the cake?