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Nobody | Average Guy Movie Review

Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) is nobody. Just an average guy; he goes to work, comes home to his wife and two kids, and that's about it. That is, until a home invasion causes him to snap. You see, Hutch used to be a government agent, one who specialised in eliminating problems. But in the process of trying to reclaim what was taken from his family, he inadvertently angers the local Russian mob. Now they want blood, and Hutch is more than happy to make them work for it. Imagine if John Wick's wife hadn't died, that they'd had a couple of kids, and John got a job as an accountant. Then fast forward about 15-16 years and you've got yourself Nobody . Yes, with Derek Kolstad on writing duties it doesn't simply look like a John Wick  movie, it practically is one; a home invasion forces an assassin out of retirement, which gets him in trouble with some Russians. Now that you mention it, that does sound oddly familiar. But there are some differences in Nobody 's exec

The Outpost | Average Guy Movie Review

The story of the Battle of Kamdesh in 2009, in which a small group of American soldiers defended Combat Outpost Keating from roughly 400 enemy insurgents. The base was part of a network established to monitor Taliban traffic in the Hindu Kush mountains. However, given its position, the base was considered to be a death trap, described by one soldier who fought there as "like being in a fishbowl or fighting from the bottom of a paper cup". As war movies go, this is one that goes out of its way to show the harsh realities of not only war, but of life in the military as well. The movie begins by introducing us to the base, and the men occupying it. Which proves to be an eye-opening look at their perilous position, and the mundane side of soldiering. Everything from routine patrols, to the complexities of dealing with the locals, including the occasional attack by Taliban fighters, and of course the really fun stuff like burning the contents of the camp latrines, and the odd spec

Honest Thief | Average Guy Movie Review

After successfully robbing a series of banks, Tom Dolan (Liam Neeson) meets Annie Wilkins (Kate Walsh), and they soon fall in love. However Tom decides that if they are to have a chance at a happy life together, he must first pay for his sins. But when he tries to turn himself in, he is framed for murder by two corrupt FBI agents looking to keep the stolen money for themselves. Now Tom must utilise his "particular set of skills" to clear his name... so he can turn himself in and go to prison. The first thing that strikes you when watching Honest Thief  is; if you're a bank robber looking to give up your life of crime, and the authorities have no clue who you are, maybe just stop robbing banks. It seems like a lot less hassle. You can always find a way to anonymously return the money, that is, if you want to. The second thing that strikes you is that simply quitting being a bank robber would definitely be the easier choice, given all of the extra crimes you'll have to

What Did We Think Of The End Of These Two Great Shows?

Two fantastic shows have come to an end. The Kominsky Method 's third and final season is now on Netflix, and the final episode of Mare of Easttown  has been broadcast (on Sky/Now TV in the UK). But are those conclusions all that we hoped for? Well... Detective Mare Sheehan had a lot to clear up in the final episode of Mare of Easttown . At the end of episode six there were a lot of unanswered questions - not to mention a few unresolved issues - enough to leave audiences wondering if the last episode could answer every one of them. But that is exactly what they did, and as with the rest of the series, episode seven proved to be an edge of your seat affair. Right from the off, Mare of Easttown  proved to be a gripping detective drama, one that would keep us guessing throughout. It helped that the approach to the police work felt authentic, especially the fact that Mare can't switch off, and the case becomes almost an obsession for her. Not surprising really, given the fairly lon

Judas and the Black Messiah | Average Guy Movie Review

In the 1960's a young car thief called William O'Neal (Lakeith Stanfield) was recruited by the FBI to infiltrate the Chicago chapter of the Black Panther party. His job was to report on the organisation's activities and to get close to their leader; Fred Hampton (Daniel Kaluuya). America's troubles with racism have been well documented over the years. It's something that continues to shock the world today. Having grown up in Britain I was aware of the Black Panthers and their struggle, but I hadn't heard of Fred Hampton. The same goes for William O'Neal and the work he did for the FBI. Director Shaka King has brought this frightful bit of history to life in gritty detail. Authenticity is definitely a word that springs to mind when watching  Judas and the Black Messiah , everything from the look of 1960's Chicago, to the animosity towards the Civil Rights movement and the African American community. But King also manages to keep things balanced, avoiding

Marvel Studios’ Eternals | Moustache Teaser Reaction

The first trailer for Marvel Studios' The Eternals  has landed, and while it doesn't give all that much away, it does promise something a little different to what has gone before it. If you haven't seen the trailer or just want to watch it again, you can check it out below. This trailer leaves me more curious than excited, which in a way feels the wrong way round. Normally I'm just excited to see where the latest Marvel adventure is taking us. It is nice, however, to see an upcoming instalment of the MCU on the horizon that I know next to nothing about.  There really isn't much here to work with. The trailer establishes that these long-living, superpowered beings exist. They have been living on Earth for quite a while - having arrived on a ship that looks like a giant, flying slab of granite - and have influenced but not interfered with humanity in order to see us develop. Oh, and they're not so hidden as to be unaware of what's going on in the world/galaxy.

They're Back! | My Return To The Cinema... Again

Normally when I watch a movie (either on the big or small screen) I write a review, share my thoughts on that movie with whoever wants to read it. But given the turmoil of the last year and a half, something which forced cinemas around the world to close their doors, permanently in some cases, it seemed more appropriate to write something about the experience. After seven months of no cinema, the place never looked so good! The first thing that hit me - apart from the excitement of finally going back to the big screen - was the smell. As I walked in the door of my local Cineworld it was there; the delicious smell of warm popcorn. Even through the mask it was delightfully strong. It was something I hadn't realised I missed, but it felt like a warm welcome. The feeling of being back in one of those seats, popcorn in hand, was fantastic. For once the adverts seemed to fly by, giving way to the trailers. I was so pleased to be back that even the new Conjuring movie looked good (I am no