[I review the thriller "Carry-On," as well as the Trump biopic "The Apprentice" and "The Outrun," a poetic story of the healing power of nature]
Carry-On (2024)
Ethan Kopek (Taron Egerton) is a TSA officer at LAX and LAX is a good place for him to work because, let's just say he is lax. He is not very ambitious, licking his wounds from failing at the police academy. His pregnant girlfriend, Nora (Sofia Carson), a supervisor at the airport, has encouraged him to reapply. In an attempt to act like he cares, he asks his boss to let him do the baggage-scanning lane to have the opportunity to show him he has what it takes to deserve a promotion. It's Christmas Eve and what Ethan doesn't know is that he is going to have an even bigger opportunity to show he has what it takes...but not in any way he expected.
While at his post scanning carry-ons, a customer comes up to him with an earbud she said she had found. It has a note on it to listen to it at which point he is contacted by "The Traveler (Jason Bateman)," who orders him to let a specific carry-on case pass through the scanner --- or Nora will be killed. Meanwhile, "The Travelers" accomplice, "The Watcher (Theo Rossi)," monitors Ethan through a surveillance system. Ethan tries to thwart them, but every time he tries to alert someone to what is happening, something bad happens. And things go from bad to worse.
Meanwhile, LAPD detective Elena Cole (Danielle Deadwyler) has gotten wind of this and alerts the Department of Homeland Security and a sweep of the terminal is ordered. There are many twists and turns and lots of running up and down the terminal as Ethan keeps trying to interfere with the bad guys' nefarious plot and getting foiled by the Traveler. And it becomes more and more difficult to figure out who are the bad guys and who are the good guys. And what the heck is in that carry-on?
At first I had a difficult time with Jason Bateman as a bad guy, but he pulled it off. Taryn is believable as a disaffected TSA agent who really wants to be a cop and the cinematography adds to the drama. Lots of close-ups. Yes, some of the stuff here is far-fetched. Written by T.J. Fixman and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film falls into "Snakes on a Plane" territory at times and there are some frustrating moments where Ethan could have gotten himself out of this. He also does a bit too much running around the terminal but, all in all, the pace and action makes for a satisfying thriller.
I had to ask myself whether this would fall into the Christmas thriller debate. You know, that debate about whether or not "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie? This one also has a Christmas theme, and I think that is a popular thriller theme, because taking something homespun like Christmas and adding terror to it is especially scary...and thrilling. Whether this will make Christmas movie debate status like "Die Hard" is debatable!
Rosy the Reviewer says...this was the #1 most watched movie on Netflix for several weeks and is still in the Top Ten, so if you like thrillers and can suspend your disbelief at times, there are some thrills to be had here. I am now suspicious of everyone's carry-on! (Netflix)
The Apprentice (2024)
The Outrun (2024)
A young woman living in London and struggling with alcoholism, returns to the Orkney Islands, where she grew up, to heal.
There she takes a job with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds which involves a systematic search for the now-rare corn crake, listening for its distinctive frog-like call. Only 30% of corn crakes survive the migration to return to their breeding grounds each year. When Rona has a near relapse, she moves to the remote Papa Westray island, home to a tiny community, where she lives by herself. Like the corn crake, will she survive her migration away from drinking?
This film is all about Saoirse. It makes or breaks because of her, and she makes it work with her incredibly poignant face and an ability to make you feel her pain. You will be pulled in, rooting for her to make it. I am rooting for her to get a Best Actress Oscar nomination for this.
Based on the memoir by Amy Liptrot, this is a slow-moving, poetic film that jumps around in time but in a good way. (Keep an eye on Rona's hair color as it changes during various aspects of her life). Having read the book, I wondered how it would work as a film because not a lot happens, but thanks to Ronan's tour de force performance, director Nora Fingscheidt at the helm, and a screenplay adaptation by Fingscheidt and Liptrot, it is a mesmerizing experience and possibly inspirational for those wanting to stay sober. Rona learns that life always gives you a reason to drink but living one day at a time can work. It never gets easy, but it gets less hard. And living quietly in nature, appreciating being alive, can be healing.
Oh, and in case you are wondering - what is an outrun? In Scottish English, it is a piece of grazing land on a farm or outskirts which is where Rona takes herself to heal. But the word also means to out distance, beat or escape which also applies as Rona tries to out distance, beat and escape her drinking.
Rosy the Reviewer says...part nature film, part science lesson but mostly a meditation on addiction and the power of nature to heal. Beautiful and inspiring. (For rent on Amazon Prime and Apple+)
See You Next Time!