A fishing vessel and crew head into mortal danger during an enormous storm. Genuinely impressive VFX lend this true story adaptation some real weight. The script is a little corny and the acting suffers as a result – but there is no denying the film delivers some punch. Worth a watch!
Tag: William Fichtner
Phantom (2013, dir. Todd Robinson)
A veteran Soviet submarine commander is sent on a final classified mission to test new technology. Okay Cold War flick that does nothing new, but which revels in the subgenre (!) to pleasing one-ping-only effect. Makes maximum use of an old Russian vessel for its principal location.
All The Devil’s Men (2018, dir. Matthew Hope)
A manhunt for a rogue CIA operative. Utterly rote action flick that aspires for grittiness, but is hampered by a clunky script more focused on working around a meagre budget than on being inspired into creativity by it, and by a po-faced lead performance. A guesting Bill Fichtner enlivens things early on.
12 Strong (2018, dir. Nicolai Fuglsig)
A special forces team is dropped behind enemy lines in Afghanistan to take out an enemy stronghold. Well-shot but uninvolving post 9/11 drama, based on a true story. The usual battle movie cliches, though with occasional interesting Western genre flourishes.
Contact (1997, dir. Robert Zemeckis)
A young astrophysicist decodes a signal from an alien intelligence. Good-hearted SF thriller from the Carl Sagan novel held together by fine performances and a positive outlook on space.
255 Review 