The Nice Guys - Box Office Review

If asked, I’m sure you have a particular director that you look forward to seeing additional films from. Their name appears and immediately your interest is peaked and you anxiously wait for the next film to be released in theaters. Shane Black has become one of those directors who, mostly, has been making entertaining films that I am re-watching almost 30 years later (Lethal Weapon 1987, he wrote it but Richard Donner directed it). When the news dropped that he was writing and directing “The Nice Guys” I had high expectations so let’s dive and take a look at my thoughts regarding this film in this box office review… 

The films starts off in Hollywood California in the 1970s. A girl has gone missing, another one dead and as the story unfolds it’s clear that this won’t be just another easy cash grab job for either of the main characters. There’s violence, nudity, car accidents, humor, great music and more in this film. It’s practically got everything you’d want from a murder mystery/cop drama set in Hollywood of yesteryear. 

Russell Crowe plays a hired hand who beats people up who mess with underage girls. Ryan Gosling plays a private investigator whose most recent case involves a missing person who hasn’t been seen since their funeral. These are not your typical hero’s, in the traditional sense, but they are the two men we are routing for as the film progresses. 

The film revolves around the relationship these two men have with each other as professional colleagues but it’s Angourie Rice who really brings a sense of humanity and realism to the film. Her portrayal as the daughter of Holland March (Gosling) is not only believable but enjoyable. She brings out the best in both Jack and Holland and her determination and intelligence added a fresh personality on screen to keep things moving and feeling fresh. 

“The Nice Guys” is in theaters now! I recommend you see this film on the big screen. It’s not special effects heavy but the story is entertaining and the characters so remarkably done that it’s worth supporting with your hard earned dollars. I have seen it twice now and the second time was even more enjoyable than the first and I thoroughly enjoyed my first viewing. It's a wonderful blending of "Lethal Weapon" meets "Kiss Kiss Bang Bang." If you enjoy character driven stories that keep you guessing and can make you laugh, this is the film for you. It’s quite possibly my favorite film of the year and definitely in the top 10 so far. It's a fresh story and it succeeds without being tied to any other franchise or genre currently popular. Go see this film!

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Triple 9 - Box Office Review

Dirty cops, the Russian mob, hispanic gang bangers, lots of gun fights, explosions, smoke bombs, abandoned buildings and more are part of what made "Triple 9" an entertaining action film. The pacing on this film was a little slow which was a surprise considering the high volume of action present within. The cast was stacked with talent. The mood and tone of the film were appropriate for the concepts being told. So why did I walk out of the theater thinking, "Eh, not terrible but not great either." Let's explore...

Let's start with probably the largest culprit that lessened my post viewing excitement. The pacing of this film was slow. It wasn't across the board slow either. It would have moments of high energy, edge of the seat, popcorn shoveling, eyes wide open action sequences. Next, the breaks slam down and we're dealing with personal/family tensions that develop the characters and deepen our understanding of the motivating factors of the key players in the film. This happens at what feels like a much slower pace. 

Next up, we have cliche's. I want to be clear that cliche's aren't necessarily a bad thing. If the film is designed to utilize the cliche' characters in a manner that acknowledges the fact that's ok. Comedies do a great job over exaggerating the cliche' new cop on the force who thinks he knows it all. He's a no nonsense, skull busting tough guy. This film seemed to celebrate the cliche' characters and for me personally I didn't particularly care for it. This film led me to believe it's a dramatic look at what the lives of these characters are and the choices their life leads them to in a non comedic way. I rest all the blame for this on the director, who provides the actors instructions on how to portray their characters. John Hillcoat also directed the film "Lawless" which had pacing problems in my opinion. I enjoyed that movie too but I wasn't celebrating it. 

The casting of this film managed to hire several talented actors. Normally, when I post the names I add their IMDB link so you can explore their previous works. As you explore you might find a new film and that might deepen your appreciation for the particular actor, or you might hate it. Either way, you're watching more movies. Since this film has so many talented actors I won't be listing them or their IMDB's but you can click on the link above for the film and peruse there. The casting was the highlight of this film for me. I love seeing all the actors on screen and I was curious to see how well Gal Gadot would hold her own on screen with these other talents. She wasn't in much of the film but her role was pivotal and she performed her character well while seeming believable. I'm curious to see her as Wonder Woman in "Batman VS Superman" but we'll explore that film later this month after I see it. Other than her, I knew exactly what I'd get from the rest of the actors and I wasn't disappointed in their performances. I could've used less cop cliche's but that's not their fault. They were just doing the job the director told them, and they did that well. 

"Triple 9" is in theaters now. I give this film one full magazine of ammunition and a smoke bomb but that's only to make your escape out of the theater and safely arrive at Redbox to rent it. If you enjoy heist films with lots of action and some entertaining plot twists this is the film for you. I enjoyed it but I wasn't walking out of the theater talking to people about it. If you go see it, or have seen it, comment below and share your thoughts.

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