Heart of The Beast

 

        While I usually avoid films with dogs, I made an exception here because...the dog doesn't die. That's not a spoiler. The director has been on social media saying it and even if you missed that, the dog is seen at the very start of the film which then becomes a flashback story.

        Brad Pitt stars as James Belmont, an ex-special forces soldier traveling with his beloved dog Odin (played by four different dogs actually) in the Alaskan wilderness (actually New Zealand). When a medical emergency causes their seaplane to crash, the two must hike over 50 miles through rough and dangerous terrain to reach the closest road.

        Director David Ayer and his cinematographer, Mauro Fiore exploit the natural beauty of the land in breathtaking visuals but never forget that the heart and soul of this film is the bond between James and Odin. Closeups of Odin's expressive face will melt your heart. 

         The film co-stars J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe in minor roles but the film belongs to Mr. Pitt and Odin.

          Some scenes required a touch of CGI and even some puppetry but everything is blended beautifully and every shot is convincingly realistic. Even the stunt work appears to be Mr. Pitt every time. 

          There are some dangerous and heartbreaking sequences that some may find hard to watch. Ultimately though, you will find yourself lost in the adventure and bond that James and Odin share.

Resident Evil

 

           Co-written ( with Shay Hatten) and directed by Zach Cregger ("Weapons"), this new film is loosely based on the video game franchise. Having never played the game, I'm not sure how close it fits into that "world" but as a stand alone horror film, it's pretty good.

            The film stars Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier delivering an unknown specimen to a hospital in Raccoon City. Driving along a deserted snow and ice covered road, he accidently hits a woman and this sets off a chain of events that Bryan is completely unprepared for.

            Mr. Abrams is excellent in the role of the reluctant hero. As the film progresses he encounters more and more bizarre creatures and his reactions and mutterings to himself are, at times, very funny.

             Co-starring as humans he encounters along the way are Zach Cherry, Kali Reis, and Paul Walter Hauser. It is Mr. Abrams, however, who carries the film and keeps it exciting.

              It's a fast paced ninety minutes as Mr. Cregger pours on the rising body count with plenty of blood and gore. Personally I'm still on the fence about the ending but that will be for the audience to debate.

The Weight

 

         Period drama set during the depression stars Ethan Hawk and Russell Crowe (although to be fair,  while an important part, Mr. Crowe only appears in the beginning and towards the end).

          Mr. Hawke plays Samuel Murphy, recently incarcerated into a brutal work camp building roads. Mr. Crowe is the warden who offers him early release if he will, along with three other prisoners, transport gold bars through the Oregon forest. Anxious to reunite with his young daughter, he accepts the mission.

            Carrying the gold on foot, the men encounter multiple hazards which increases the already suspenseful mission. Along the way, the pick up a native American woman who has run away from the work camp.

              The film co-stars  Julia Jones, Austin Amelio, Avi Nash, Lucas Lynggaard Tannesen, and Avy Berry.

             There is an an old school feel in the film's direction and cinematography. Even the credits at the end have an vintage look about them.  It's a very well done, exciting and suspenseful story.