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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated 21 Bridges (2019) in Movies
Sep 22, 2020
Direction and Lead Performances elevate a "so-so" script
The world lost a tremendous talent when 44 year old Chadwick Boseman lost his battle with cancer. Whether it was as Jackie Robinson in 42, Thurgood Marshall in THURGOOD or as T'Challa/Black Panther in the Marvel movies, Boseman's charm and charisma lept off the screen and drew you into whatever project he is in.
This charm and charisma is very much in evidence in the by-the-book cops chasing robbers action flick 21 BRIDGES. As the cop chasing "the fugitive", Boseman elevates the proceedings to a level above what this average script had to offer.
Set in NYC, 21 BRIDGES tells the tale of Detective Andre Davis (Bozeman) who must chase down a couple of thieves - and cop killers - before they can escape New York. Told in one night, Davis makes the call to close the "21 Bridges" of the island of Manhattan so the bad guys are stuck on the island.
And...that's the first disappointment with this film, it doesn't do anything with that premise. Do the bad guys try to escape on one of those "21 Bridges"? Nope. The bridges are never really mentioned again...so why call this film "21 Bridges"?
What does work is Boseman's performance. His Davis is competent, honest, smart and earnest and you are drawn into his work. As is the work of the person who is thrust into the action as his partner, Vice Cop Frankie Burns (Sienna Miller). You might roll your eyes when you hear Miller's name for her early career was more about being on the tabloid pages than it was about being on the screen, but she has morphed herself - and her career - into something quite interesting through turns in films like FOXCATCHER and AMERICAN SNIPER and she is as equally interesting as Bozeman in this film. The 2 make a good pair.
The rest of the supporting cast - Taylor Kitsch, Keith David and the great J.K. Simmons - are solid, if not spectacular. But there are 2 standouts. Alexander Siddig (Dr. Bashir in STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE 9) is interesting as the "money launderer" and Stephan James (IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK) is just as charming and charismatic as Bozeman as one of the the thieves on the run. If you are looking for a young, charismatic actor to fill the hole created by Bozeman's death, James could very well fit the bill.
I've mentioned that the script by Adam Mervis and Matthew Michael Carnahan is nothing special, but what is special is the Direction by Brian Kirk (a TV Director of such shows as GAME OF THRONES and LUTHER). This is his Major Motion Picture debut (as far as I could tell) and there were some VERY interesting shots and some taught, tense moments. He'll be a director to watch in the future.
While nothing too special, 21 BRIDGES is better than "good enough" - a cops 'n robbers film that will hold your interest for the relatively quick 1 hour and 39 minute running time.
Letter Grade: B
7 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
This charm and charisma is very much in evidence in the by-the-book cops chasing robbers action flick 21 BRIDGES. As the cop chasing "the fugitive", Boseman elevates the proceedings to a level above what this average script had to offer.
Set in NYC, 21 BRIDGES tells the tale of Detective Andre Davis (Bozeman) who must chase down a couple of thieves - and cop killers - before they can escape New York. Told in one night, Davis makes the call to close the "21 Bridges" of the island of Manhattan so the bad guys are stuck on the island.
And...that's the first disappointment with this film, it doesn't do anything with that premise. Do the bad guys try to escape on one of those "21 Bridges"? Nope. The bridges are never really mentioned again...so why call this film "21 Bridges"?
What does work is Boseman's performance. His Davis is competent, honest, smart and earnest and you are drawn into his work. As is the work of the person who is thrust into the action as his partner, Vice Cop Frankie Burns (Sienna Miller). You might roll your eyes when you hear Miller's name for her early career was more about being on the tabloid pages than it was about being on the screen, but she has morphed herself - and her career - into something quite interesting through turns in films like FOXCATCHER and AMERICAN SNIPER and she is as equally interesting as Bozeman in this film. The 2 make a good pair.
The rest of the supporting cast - Taylor Kitsch, Keith David and the great J.K. Simmons - are solid, if not spectacular. But there are 2 standouts. Alexander Siddig (Dr. Bashir in STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE 9) is interesting as the "money launderer" and Stephan James (IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK) is just as charming and charismatic as Bozeman as one of the the thieves on the run. If you are looking for a young, charismatic actor to fill the hole created by Bozeman's death, James could very well fit the bill.
I've mentioned that the script by Adam Mervis and Matthew Michael Carnahan is nothing special, but what is special is the Direction by Brian Kirk (a TV Director of such shows as GAME OF THRONES and LUTHER). This is his Major Motion Picture debut (as far as I could tell) and there were some VERY interesting shots and some taught, tense moments. He'll be a director to watch in the future.
While nothing too special, 21 BRIDGES is better than "good enough" - a cops 'n robbers film that will hold your interest for the relatively quick 1 hour and 39 minute running time.
Letter Grade: B
7 Stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Papa's Freezeria HD
Games
App
Serve up summertime treats in Papa's Freezeria HD, now available on iPad! NOTE: This game...
Bridge Constructor
Games and Entertainment
App
+++ Over 50 million players worldwide +++ +++ Number 1 in the games charts for iPad & iPhone in 89...
LeaningTraveler Oahu
Travel and Navigation
App
LeaningTraveler Oahu - a GPS adventure travel guide map app that provides turn-by-turn GPS map...
Inis
7.8
Rate It
Tabletop Game
Inis is a game deeply rooted in Celtic history and lore in which players win by being elected King...
CelticGames BoardGames 2016Games
Rafe Jadison (9 KP) rated Water Weaver (Wraidd Elfennol #2) in Books
Nov 27, 2017
Phenomenal
Somewhere between Oz and Narnia, and not that far from the little alley that takes you to Hogwart’s, is a beautiful island called Wraidd Elfennol. The way that Rick Riordan brings to life the traditions of the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Norse, Morgan Sheppard pulls her readers into the not so forgotten world of the Welsh, where magic is a way of life, and nature is something strong and powerful that must be kept in order. With strong characters and magnificent details, Sheppard takes her readers on an odyssey that leaves them laughing, gasping, and begging for more. A story that appeals to old and young alike, Water Weaver is as educational as it is page turning as it follows young and gifted Marella on her journey to discover who she is and what she is made of when she and the other Chosen of Wraidd Elfennol must travel to mystical lands in a desperate attempt to save their tranquil world from all the harm that can come from a world out of balance. Sheppard does her own weaving as she blends humor, fact, and poignant life lessons into a piece that reads like an articulate friend telling you a fascinating story in front of a cozy fire. She had hooked me with Marella, the first book in this series, but now I am an addict. Water Weaver is an extraordinary read that leaves you craving exotic foods, a warm cup of tea, and her next book.
Rodney Barnes (472 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Mar 22, 2019 (Updated Mar 22, 2019)
Very Disappointed
Contains spoilers, click to show
I am one of the biggest Star Wars fans you would meet. I have been to theaters to see all movies. As a kid I saw A New Hope in the theater. The Last Jedi however was an abomination. What you have in this movie was a director that did whatever he wanted and hardly addressed anything in The Force Awakens; which now in my opinion is irrelevant.
In the old canon Luke was such an awesome powerful character and leader. Instead of that we get some crazy old guy who has lost connection with the force because his nephew has turned to the dark side (Hmmm A gifted force user turning to the dark side never heard this type of storyline before). The Knights of Ren was not addressed. Luke confining himself to an island and force projecting himself was just plain dumb to me (Hmmm a Jedi Master exiling himself...never heard that storyline before either). The revelation of Rey's parents was anti climatic. The Canto Byte scene was unnecessary. The the thing I was most disappointed in was when Snoke was killed. He was a character I was really interested in. I have heard the people that like this movie say most are mad because this movie was not a "fan service". That is inane reasoning because without fans you have nothing. If this was just another type of Sci fi movie it would have worked. As a Star Wars movie.....just plain bad
In the old canon Luke was such an awesome powerful character and leader. Instead of that we get some crazy old guy who has lost connection with the force because his nephew has turned to the dark side (Hmmm A gifted force user turning to the dark side never heard this type of storyline before). The Knights of Ren was not addressed. Luke confining himself to an island and force projecting himself was just plain dumb to me (Hmmm a Jedi Master exiling himself...never heard that storyline before either). The revelation of Rey's parents was anti climatic. The Canto Byte scene was unnecessary. The the thing I was most disappointed in was when Snoke was killed. He was a character I was really interested in. I have heard the people that like this movie say most are mad because this movie was not a "fan service". That is inane reasoning because without fans you have nothing. If this was just another type of Sci fi movie it would have worked. As a Star Wars movie.....just plain bad
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Tomb Raider (2018) in Movies
Mar 23, 2019
Three tries and I finally got through it.
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was intrigued when the reboot became a reality, however I believe they dropped the ball in advertising and the movie no longer became a priority. I finally had the opportunity to view it and stopped the viewing withing fifteen minutes. I tried again several times later and on the third try today I made it through the entire movie. The secret is getting through the initial boring begining. You want to pay attention to the narration at the begining where Laura Crofts father is narrating, after that feel free to check out for awhile. This generally is used for character development, which they do, kind of, its just not very interesting.
Once Laura sets off following her fathers footsteps looking for this forbidden island its like a new movie. The pace of the movie picks up and we finally get moving towards the plot of the movie. The new acotr playing Laura Croft Alicia Vikander fits the role well, however you will grow tired of her "wimper" whe she is in distress or fighting which I believe "weakens" her character. So go out and give it a try, my Snore Factore raiting is 6/10 for the first 30 minutes and that is adjusted once the movie actually starts to a 3/10.
Once Laura sets off following her fathers footsteps looking for this forbidden island its like a new movie. The pace of the movie picks up and we finally get moving towards the plot of the movie. The new acotr playing Laura Croft Alicia Vikander fits the role well, however you will grow tired of her "wimper" whe she is in distress or fighting which I believe "weakens" her character. So go out and give it a try, my Snore Factore raiting is 6/10 for the first 30 minutes and that is adjusted once the movie actually starts to a 3/10.
Jessi Bone (48 KP) rated A Call To Haiti's Awakening in Books
Mar 25, 2019
Little Haiti History Book
“The uniquely tragic history of the land is marked by the slavery, struggles, suffering and striving for betterment”
Ernst Etienne in his a very small ninety pages book takes on the Nation of Haiti. Haiti is actually one of two nations on the Island of Hispaniola. He covers from the beginning of the nation when it was a set of different tribes all the way to what Haiti is today and what the nation can look like in the future. Mr. Etinne in his search of the past even covered the five different chiefdom's of the Taino Indians and their culture, beliefs, and values with unequally distinctive tribes. The actions he took on covering the history both negative and positive with slavery, pirates and struggling of the countries past and. His bravery with being willing to show all of it both positive and negative is unique in today's world where we want to forget the parts of our pasts we do not like. He is kind of bad stuff and shows how people will a lot of times make bad decisions when striving for betterment. The photographs and photographic documents were a wonderful bonus to accompany the text throughout. The information he gives is historical in nature but is in by no means boring. I found it interesting and fun and at parts quit surprising. I had no interest in Haiti but with the help of Mr. Etienne, I want to learn more about this small nation.
Ernst Etienne in his a very small ninety pages book takes on the Nation of Haiti. Haiti is actually one of two nations on the Island of Hispaniola. He covers from the beginning of the nation when it was a set of different tribes all the way to what Haiti is today and what the nation can look like in the future. Mr. Etinne in his search of the past even covered the five different chiefdom's of the Taino Indians and their culture, beliefs, and values with unequally distinctive tribes. The actions he took on covering the history both negative and positive with slavery, pirates and struggling of the countries past and. His bravery with being willing to show all of it both positive and negative is unique in today's world where we want to forget the parts of our pasts we do not like. He is kind of bad stuff and shows how people will a lot of times make bad decisions when striving for betterment. The photographs and photographic documents were a wonderful bonus to accompany the text throughout. The information he gives is historical in nature but is in by no means boring. I found it interesting and fun and at parts quit surprising. I had no interest in Haiti but with the help of Mr. Etienne, I want to learn more about this small nation.