Derek117

I have no idea what Idris Elba is doing in such low-brow product? I guess he needs the paycheck.

Whatever, he's good in it just like he is in everything. This time playing a UK Prime Minister, who's torn between his job saving the world, and a female secret agent, played by Priyanka Chopra-Jones.

In the most ridiculous casting (unless you're Arnold Schwarzenegger) John Cena plays an Action movie star who has been elected POTUS.

Together Cena & Elba & Chopra fight off more bad guys than in the first Kill Bill movie.

Humor is sprinkled throughout, maybe as a distraction from the implausible plot points.

Everybody seems to be having fun, and I did watching it.

The Amateur is the type of movie that does not get a lot of buzz, promotion, and huge box office, but delivers on its intended entertainment goals.

The current movie scene appreciates either big budget or comic-book movies, or "personal" films by directors that most movie-goers feel compelled to like, but really don't.

That leaves well-made, entertaining genre movies as the step-child of the business. That said, The Amateur has a lot to like, and I believe will do excellent business on streaming & cable.

Rami Malek, who I'm not a big fan of, does an wonderful job as the meek-but-brilliant hero out to avenge the murder of a loved one.

Having solved the mystery of Who did the murder, Rami can't get the CIA to go after the killers; and although he bluffs his way into "killer school"--immediately proves himself incapable of getting face-to-face payback.

That's when the Real Fun begins. Rami's Action Hero uses "how to" online resources and his intelligence to get justice.

The twist & turns are well executed, and the support case--especially Caitríona Balfe, in a brief role.

The budget for this film went into the location shooting all across Europe, which nails the authenticity for the film.

Definitely give it a watch.

I watched "Flight Risk" by accident during a rainy Saturday afternoon. Neither star, Mark Wahlberg or Michelle Dockery, are big "draws" for me. But, then again, it was raining.

Anyway, I was pleasantly surprised. It was like a Senior Film Student's final film before graduation. Compact, at 90 minutes. Closed quarters; taking place inside a 4-seater, single engine plane. And, with a clever mixture of Voice Actors interacting with Mark, Michelle, and Topher via the plane radio.

The plot is very simple, and to the point: transporting a high-value witness against the mob, and keeping him from being murdered.

The most challenging part of the film are the aerial scenes of snowy mountains in "Alaska"--that could have been filmed anywhere.

Mel Gibson, who I have mixed feelings about because of his love of blood & guts, as well as his cave-man personal views; manages to direct "Flight Risk" to a passing grade.

All-in-all, I was happy with my Saturday afternoon matinee B-movie.