Thelma and Louise (1991)

Thelma and Louise (1991)

9/10

Starring

Susan Sarandon

Geena Davis

Directed by Ridley Scott

I’ve long heard of the movie Thelma and Louise, but the cover picture of two ladies smiling while driving always put me off. I never got around to watching it, and since the cover didn’t appeal to me, I never read about it either. But today, without reading anything and overcoming my hesitation about the cover, I decided to watch the movie—and boy, what a thrill!

If like me you are waiting for a reason to go see this movie, well here is a reason, it is that good.

Thelma and Louise is an awesome movie and one of the best fugitive films out there. The thrill starts after a brief intro on the two leads and doesn’t let up until the very end, where you find yourself holding your breath as they ride off in the final scene.

Here’s what the movie is about: Thelma (Geena Davis) is married to a controlling, unappreciative husband. Louise (Susan Sarandon), her best friend, is the wilder of the two and seems to have a better grip on her life. Both decide to take a fishing trip to break free from their routines, but their journey takes a dark turn when Thelma is attacked by a man who tries to rape her. Louise comes to her rescue, scaring him off with Thelma’s gun. However, the man’s loud mouth pushes Louise over the edge, and she shoots him.

Don’t worry—I haven’t given away any spoilers. All this happens at the beginning of the movie. The incident leaves Thelma scared and Louise deeply conflicted. They decide to flee, convinced that no one will believe their story.

From there, the movie takes off. We see Thelma mature as they’re on the run, while Louise, who initially seems so in control, becomes vulnerable, scared, and unsure of what to do next.

This is a movie you’ve got to see. A critical and commercial success from 1991, it earned six Academy Award nominations and won Best Original Screenplay. Ridley Scott was nominated for Best Director, and both Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis (both embodied their roles magnificently) were nominated for Best Actress, though they lost to Jodie Foster for her role in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).

Take the time to watch this movie for the incredible performances by the two leads and the powerful portrayal of feminism. They take control of their lives, refusing to let anyone make them feel small or impose a rescue mission they didn’t ask for.

Lastly, I need to mention the drawbacks I saw in the movie. The pacing is mostly tight, but a few scenes linger longer than necessary, slightly slowing the momentum. The antagonists—feel a bit one-dimensional, serving more as obstacles than fully developed figures. The movie builds tension well, but certain plot turns are predictable, making the ending feel inevitable. That said, none of this takes away from how incredible the film is—go see it, it’s amazing.

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

7/10

Starring

Andy Serkis

Woody Harrelson

Steve Zahn

Directed by Matt Reeves

When the story of the Planet of the Apes reboot began, I couldn’t help but wonder what the journey would be like, the direction it would take, and the changes it would make compared to the original series. When I saw the first movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), in this supposed trilogy (though there could be more films in the future), I was blown away by the performances and the screenplay. James Franco’s role in the first movie made me worry about his absence in the second, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014). But the sequel had everything you’d want in a great movie—battles, coups, and a decisive plot twist that set the stage for the franchise’s future. Franco’s lack of presence has a lot to do with his personal life issues, and nothing to do with the movie production.

This movie, War for the Planet of the Apes, picks up where the second left off. The ape colony is under attack by humans, and the death toll on both sides is massive. The sad part of the first act is that some apes are siding with the humans, helping them attack Caesar’s colony. The battle doesn’t go well for the humans, and Caesar, wanting to send a message that he desires peace, spares the lives of the survivors.

Things take a dark turn when a traitor within the colony leads a team, headed by a man known as The Colonel, into their home. The apes defend themselves, but the casualties include Caesar’s wife and son. Consumed by grief and rage, Caesar orders the colony to head to the desert while he sets out to hunt down The Colonel. Maurice, his trusted advisor, warns him against this path, but Caesar is determined to seek revenge.

This decision nearly costs Caesar his life. Along the way, he discovers that the humans are divided into two factions, and The Colonel isn’t just cruel—he’s evil, willing to kill anyone to prevent the apes from taking over and the humans from regressing into primitiveness.

Additionally, I must add that the movie leans heavily on its emotional weight, which slows the pacing at times, especially in the second act. While Caesar’s journey is gripping, some side characters don’t get enough development, and the human villains feel one-dimensional in their cruelty. The action, though intense, takes a backseat to the drama, which might leave some viewers underwhelmed, considering it’s presented as a war film. Still, despite these flaws, the movie tells a powerful story with stunning visuals and strong performances.

War for the Planet of the Apes is everything I expected and more. Matt Reeves’ work as director and co-writer deserves applause, as the movie explores themes of empathy, mercy, and revenge. The dramatic twists will leave you marvelling, and the explosive visual effects and art direction will stay with you long after the credits roll. This was a ride I wouldn’t mind taking again, and I think you’ll love the movie too.

Bon Cop, Bad Cop 2 (2017)

Bon Cop, Bad Cop 2 (2017)

7/10

Starring

Patrick Huard

Colm Feore

Directed by Alain Desrochers

Bon Cop, Bad Cop 2 is packed with enough laughs and adventure that you’ll wish the movie dragged on a bit longer. The actors have aged well since we last saw these buddy cops in 2006 (Bon Cop, Bad Cop 1), as they try to solve a murder where a body is found hanging on a signpost—half in Quebec and half in Ontario.

Not much has changed in the magical chemistry these two bring to this Canadian comedy. The movie’s direction is unique, with the humor growing as the story unfolds, making you never want it to end. Like the first movie, the dialogue switches between French and English.

It’s been eleven years since these two worked as partners, but they’ve remained friends. One case brings them back together, and that case is what this movie is all about.

Martin Ward (Colm Feore) and David Bouchard (Patrick Huard) are Canadian police officers. In the first movie, they were on the same level, but in this sequel, Martin has been promoted to a federal position, while David remains a provincial cop. Both are investigating a car theft ring, but from different angles. Martin is working from the top, trying to bust the ring’s garages in hopes of catching their leader. Meanwhile, David has gone undercover, spending a year stealing cars and doing whatever it takes to get close to the ringleader.

During a garage bust, Martin discovers David undercover and lets him escape to help David gain favor with the ring and get closer to the man in charge. It works, and soon, both begin building a case together, trying to figure out why the thieves are focused on stealing cars instead of dealing in something bigger, like drugs or guns.

Their investigation crosses paths with the FBI when they follow one of the men from the garage. This leaves them confused about why the United States is involved with a Canadian car theft ring. Their further investigation leads them to uncover a terrorist plot—but I’ll leave you to watch the movie to find out what it’s all about.

While the first movie focused on the cultural differences between French and English Canadians, this one shifts its focus to the relationship between Canada and the United States, as the story cuts across the borders of the two countries.

The shift in focus might be a drawback for some, as the originality of the first film takes a backseat. The pacing stumbles at times, especially when balancing humor with the heavier terrorist plot. Some side characters, particularly the villains, feel underdeveloped, making the stakes less intense than they should be. That said, the banter between the leads is still sharp, even if the story doesn’t always give them enough room to shine. I enjoyed this movie just as much as the first—it’s a great sequel, and both actors deliver fantastic performances, even with the change in focus.