the truest friend does not doubt... but hope

A little bit of everything!

Mechanic : Resurrection (2016) - "Arthur Bishop, the master assassin who faked his death in hopes of putting that part of his life behind him, now lives a quiet life in Rio. But someone who knows who he is shows up and tells him, that if he wants to continue living this life, he will do three jobs for someone. Bishop tries to tell them he has the wrong man but they know who he is and if he won't do the job, they will take him but he gets away. He then goes to a resort in Thailand run by a friend, Mae, where he tries to find out who is looking for him. Later a woman named Gina shows up looking for medical assistance and Mae can't help but notice bruises all over her body. Mae deduces she's a battered woman and when Mae hears her being beaten, Mae asks Bishop to help her. He goes and kills the guy she's with. He kills the man and then sets fire to the boat he's on. But he sees that Gina has a photo of him. He deduces that they one who wants him, sent her. He confronts her and she admits that she works at a children's shelter in Cambodia and that someone told her if she didn't do what he said, the children would be endanger. While waiting for the man to come, they get close. And when the man's people comes, they grab them. Bishop is brought to the man who wants him to do the jobs and he tells Bishop that if he doesn't do it, Gina will be killed. So Bishop has no choice but to do it."
source: I own the DVD

I watched it because: I recently saw the first in the series
IMDB: 5.7/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 30% Audience: 40%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "'There's no sign of the intruder.'
    'That's because he's sitting right in front of me in the safe room, jack-off.'"

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Dennis Gansel

my notes: I liked it better the second time. The love story is ridiculous but the action is creative and compelling.

originally reviewed here
overall:  recommended

Emma (1996) - "Emma Woodhouse is a congenial young lady who delights in meddling in other people's affairs. She is perpetually trying to unite men and women who are utterly wrong for each other. Despite her interest in romance, Emma is clueless about her own feelings, and her relationship with gentle Mr. Knightly."

source: I own the DVD
I watched it because: I was in the mood for something light
IMDB: 6.6/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 83% Audience: 76%
my IMDB: 6/10

notable quote: "I must throw a party for her. Otherwise everyone will feel at once how much I dislike her."

MPAA rating: PG

directed by: Douglas McGrath

my notes: it's not my favorite of the Emma films, but it's not the worst either. Jeremy Northam is the top of the heap.

Academy Award winner: Best Music, Original Musical or Comedy Score
Academy Award nominee: Best Costume Design

originally reviewed here
overall:  recommended

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) - "The family of 'Big Daddy' Pollitt (Burl Ives) convenes at his and Big Momma's (Dame Judith Anderson's). Among the attendees is alcoholic son, Brick (Paul Newman); an ex-football player, who spends his time drinking and avoiding the ministries of his libidinous wife, Maggie (Dame Elizabeth Taylor)—'the cat'. As this gathering isn't so much as a gathering but a farewell (Big Daddy is terminally ill) a lot of memories and revelations which had been hidden come to the surface of both father and son."
source: I borrowed the DVD from the public library
I watched it because: I'd never seen it, and I've been in Paul Newman mode
IMDB: 7.9/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 97% Audience: 92%
my IMDB: 8/10

notable quote: "What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?'

    'Just staying on it I guess, long as she can.'"

MPAA rating: [approved]

directed by: Richard Brooks

my notes: it's a fascinating, tough, taut, wonderful movie. Burl Ives is magnificent! Newman and Taylor have some terrific chemistry. I thought it was wonderful!
Academy Award nominee:
• Best Picture—Lawrence Weingarten

• Best Actor—Newman

• Best Actress—Taylor

• Best Director—Brooks

• Best Writing, Screenplay based on material from another medium—Richard Brooks, James Poe

• Best Cinematography
overall: highly recommended

Wrath of Man (2021) - "Mysterious and wild-eyed, a new security guard for a cash truck surprises his co-workers when he unleashes precision skills during a heist. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman's ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score."
source: I borrowed the DVD from my public library
I watched it because: I'm in Statham mode
IMDB: 7.1/10  -  Rotten Tomatoes: Tomatometer: 67% Audience: 90%
my IMDB: 7/10

notable quote: "He's a dark fucking spirit."

MPAA rating: R

directed by: Guy Ritchie

my notes: incredibly intense, moody story of an unsettled soul. Overstylized, manipulated ... and still quite entertaining
overall:  recommended

[the title quotation is from Emma]