Bit quiet on the film front lately as I have been doing a lot of reading in the evenings instead, but here a couple of films I have watched this week.
Plot
LAPD detective Tom Ludlow is a ruthlessly efficient, unorthodox undercover cop. Captain Jack Wander always covers for Ludlow, as do even his somewhat jealous colleagues. After technically excessive violence against a vicious Korean gang during the liberation of kidnapped child sex slaves, Ludlow becomes the target of hotshot Internal Affairs captain James Biggs, who feels passed over after Wander’s promotion to chief. Ludlow’s ex-patrol partner, Terrence Washington, sides with IA but is killed during a shop robbery in Ludlow’s presence. Ludlow works his way through the twisted rungs of the police and the deadly streets of Los Angeles for answers that lead to more and more questions.
This is a dark and gritty cop film, corruption runs deep here and you can see how far straight away. It is a shame that Keanu can’t see things clearly! Even with the Captain of Internal Affairs trying to offer his help, but then no one likes the IA do they! This film bolsters a lot of guts and it pays off.
I can’t believe this film is 12 years old and I am only just seeing it now! I did enjoy it and it reminded me of how good some films were back in the day. I am not a fan of Keanu but he plays a good role in this film and Chris Evans is fab support to him. He is a little green around the gills and Keanu takes him under the wing but you can’t help but worry. Not a lot of fighting or action, quite a lot of gunfights but then who does not love a good gunfight! (only in films!) Forest Whitaker does what he does best and steals the limelight with his speeches when he talks you stop and listen.
It starts typically that we don’t like Keanu, a cop off the rails, not remembering where the lines are, his team have his back and protect him. When he witnesses his ex-partner being gunned down, then we see the extent of the cover-up and things are getting fishy. I do love films about corruption and cover-ups, and love following the clues and trying to figure out what the heck is going on and we do have a few twists and turns here! Some you see coming and a couple I did not.
Amazing cast of actors and some stellar acting, plus it has Captain America in it! Enjoyed this outing with the Street Kings.
Main Cast
Plot
In 1978, five 12-year-olds win a CYO basketball championship. Thirty years later, they gather with their families for their coach’s funeral and a weekend at a house on a lake where they used to party. By now, each is a grownup with problems and challenges: Marcus is alone and drinks too much. Rob, with three daughters he rarely sees, is always deeply in love until he turns on his next ex-wife. Eric is overweight and out of work. Kurt is a househusband, henpecked by wife and mother-in-law. Lenny is a successful Hollywood agent married to a fashion designer with three kids and his two sons take their privilege for granted. Can the outdoors help these grownups rediscover connections or is this chaos in the making?
This was the movie choice this week and I have lost count of how many times I have watched this, not recently mind you!
This film is still just as funny as it was the first time I saw it, the jokes still work and what a cast of comedy greats! This is another film that has stood the time, 10 years old!!! Mini-me loved it, some of it went over her head but she now is demanding to watch the 2nd one. For me, nearly everything worked, yes we have some cringy jokes, but the premise of a group of friends reconnecting after so long was something to enjoy. People who try to be something they are not and remember the memories of childhood. You have so many different home backgrounds, from he stay at home dad, the rich family, the family who are trying to get by, the singleton and the one who has “hot” children and a wife who could be his mum!
With the cast of actor/actresses you know what you are in for and in my opinon it does not disappoint! I love the banter the friends have and how easy it was to slip into after all the years, a sign of true friendships.
Definitely a good time film and I am glad I watched it again.
Main Cast
Quiet week this week for films, tiredness, reading and going home all contributed to this.
Have you watched either of these movies? What did you think?
Until next time xxx
Jules_Writes says
It has been ages since I last watched Grown ups, but I remember loving it! I haven’t seen Street Kings but it has an impressive cast!
Zoé says
Growns up is brilliant! I loved it this time stones. Street kings is so good and dark. And yes that cast was immense!
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Haven’t seen either of these but would give them a try especially Street King sas I love Captain America!?xx
Zoé says
Oh I am on that Chris Evans train. A bit obsessed-with him at the moment. Only watched it for him ? xx