Film The Gray Man
Genre: Action, Thriller
Directors: Anthony russo, Joe Russo
Writers: Joe Russo, Christopher Markus, Stephen McFeely
Cast: Ryan gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, Jessica Henwick, Dhanush
REVIEW
Fact: Behind every bad ass white guy is an equally bad ass Latina. When the CIA’s most skilled operative code named Six, played by Ryan Gosling (La La Land, Dune) inadvertently uncovers dark agency secrets a nutso evil looney tunes former colleague, Lloyd Hansen, played with demonic over-the-top glee by Chris Evans (The Avengers, Captain America: Civil war) puts a bounty on Six’s head setting off a world-wide manhunt by international assassins.
But coming to protect Six’s head as well as his “six” (behind) is Agent Dani Miranda played by Ana de Armas (Knives Out, No Time to Die). Miranda is every bit as capable and tough an agent as Six which is handy since the two get involved in more furious, fever-pitched gun battles with Lloyd’s hired goons than the Marines in the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. Fortunately for Six and Miranda the paid pistoleros are either myopic or just terrible shots because despite all the firepower aimed at Six and Miranda, they never seem to hit anything and come off looking more like the Keystone Kops than stone-cold killers.
The Gray Man is one of those large-scale action-adventure movies that is meant to be seen in a theater with appropriate booming deafening sound system. But now that The Gray Man is streaming on Netflix in order to fully appreciate the powerful visual impact of the film the bare minimum of a 60-inch flat screen TV with surround sound is required to get the full effect.
However, no particular screen size is required to enjoy watching Ana’s exploits as Agent Miranda in The Gray Man as she shoots, fights, kicks but and escapes danger side-by-side with Six as they battle the seemingly overwhelming and endless killer, heavily armed enemy forces of Lloyd Hansen. Ana de Armas is on the verge of becoming a superstar in Hollywood. Her star power gets closer and closer to supernova brilliance with every movie.
Ana de Amras has proven her acting versatility in different genre films like Blade Runner 2049 and Knives Out. She was the “Bond” girl in No time to Die and soon will be seen in Netflix’s highly anticipated biopic of Marilyn Monroe, Blonde. The Gray Man is a crowd-pleasing high-octane action-adventure movie that could turn into a franchise like The Bourne Identity or Mission Impossible which will give us the pleasure of watching Ana de Armas’s future exploits as Agent Dani Miranda either in the theaters or on a streaming platform near you.
Producers: Chris Castaldi, Jeff Krischenbaum, Mike Laroca
Production Company: AGBO
Distributor: Netflix
Available: Netflix
Rating:
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Film: The Valet
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Director: Richard Wong
Writers: Bob fisher, Rob Greenberg, Francis Veber
Cast: Eugenio Derbez, Samara Weaving, Max Greenfield, Betsy Brandt, Carmen Salinas, Amaury Nolasco
REVIEW
A Mexican character actor puts on a Master Class in light comedy. The Valet, a sweet, charming romantic comedy becomes the perfect vehicle to showcase the comedic acting talents of Eugenio Derbez (Acapulco, CODA). Derbaz plays Antonio, a parking valet for a swank Beverly Hills restaurant. His life takes a convoluted turn for the weird when a beautiful movie star, Olivia, played by Samara Weaving (Ready or Not, Guns Akimbo), talks Antonio into posing as her boyfriend to cover up her relationship with a married man. Antonio is offered a lot of money for the gig and he needs it, so he agrees.
This theme of a famous gorgeous female superstar celebrity getting romantically involved with a regular guy was used successfully in the hit movie, Marry Me with Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson and sadly all too briefly in the short-lived TV series, The Baker and the Beauty featuring Victor Rasuk and Natalie Kelley. In all three stories the Hollywood star is transformed by her relationship with her “down to earth” working-class romantic interest. In The Valet, Olivia not only is smitten with the irresistible good-natured charms of Antonio, but also finds herself accepted into his Mexican family, especially by his mother, Cecilia, played by the late veteran Mexican actress, Carmen Salinas (Man on Fire, Carnival Nights) in a lovely supporting role.
But it’s Derb az’s effortless comedic performance that is the linchpin of The Valet. Light comedy acting is an underappreciated art in Hollywood. Performing light comedy at a high level like Derbez does in The Valet is not only underappreciated but often overlooked when it comes to getting nominations during award season.
Such was the case this year as the Emmys looked past Derbaz’s comedic performances in both The Valet and his bi-lingual comedy TV series, Acapulco. But Derbez is in good company. Cary Grant, another master of light comedy roles, never won an Oscar (except an Honorary one toward the end of his life)and was only nominated twice. Whether Derbez ever wins any acting awards for his unique light comedy gifts, his on-screen persona will continue to warm our hearts and bring a smile to our faces.
Producers: Eugenio Derbez, Ben Odell
Production Company: 3Pas Studios
Distributor: Hulu
Available: Hulu
Rating:
