"American Made" Review by Tim Hellman

'AMERICAN MADE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A biopic based on the life of a former TWA pilot, named Barry Seal, who became a contract pilot working for the CIA, as well as a drug smuggler for the Medellin Cartel (in the 1980s), and later served as a DEA informant. The movie stars Tom Cruise as Barry Seal, and it costars Domhnall Gleeson and Sarah Wright. It was directed by Doug Liman (who also directed Cruise in 2014's 'EDGE OF TOMORROW'), and it was written by Gary Spinelli. The film is a modest hit at the Box Office so far, and it's also garnered mostly positive reviews from critics. I found it to be a highly entertaining, and pretty educational crime biopic.

In the late 1970s, Barry Seal (Cruise) was a bored pilot working for TWA, and also smuggling illegal cigars into America. He's approached by a CIA operative, going by the name Monty Schaefer (Gleeson), and offered a job flying clandestine reconnaissance missions over South America. Seal is later asked to be a courier between the CIA and General Noriega, and during this time he's also asked to fly cocaine into the US (on return flights), by the Medellin Cartel. The CIA pretends not to be aware of this, and continues to employ Barry; while moving him and his family to Mena for safety. Seal continues working for the cartel, and the CIA (making tons of money), while also trying to keep his wife (Wright) and daughter happy.

The movie is surprisingly entertaining, from the opening scene till the very last (and that's a pretty high compliment in my opinion). It's just a hell of a lot of fun! Cruise is amazing (like usual) in the lead, and he pretty much makes the whole movie work (on his own almost). Liman is a decent enough director too, but this movie is all about Tom Cruise (and he totally sells it). It's also amazing how he can make a character that should be pretty unlikable, in any other film, totally lovable (despite all of the immoral things he does). The movie is just a blast to watch, and that's saying a lot for a biopic (in my opinion). I usually think they're boring.

"The Mummy" Review by Tim Hellman

'THE MUMMY': Three Stars (Out of Five)

A reboot to the classic 'THE MUMMY' franchise, and the first installment in Universal Pictures' new Dark Universe series (with plans to reboot multiple other classic 'monster movie' franchises as well). This film has Tom Cruise battling an evil ancient princess, that he awakens from her mummified state (buried beneath the desert in a crypt). The movie also stars Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, Jake Johnson and Russell Crowe. It was directed and co-produced by Alex Kurtzman (who also co-wrote 'MISSION IMPOSSIBLE III', also starring Cruise) and it was written by David Koepp, Dylan Kussman and Christopher McQuarrie (who's also worked with Cruise multiple times before). The film has received mostly negative reviews from critics, and it's also underperformed at the domestic Box Office. I'm pretty disappointed with it as well.

Two American soldiers (Cruise and Johnson), serving time in Iraq, unwittingly unearth an ancient princess (Boutella), buried beneath the Iraqi desert in a crypt (by calling in an airstrike). They're then assigned to assist an archaeologist (Wallis), that one of them previously had an affair with, investigate the newly discovered crypt. While investigating it, they also awaken the mummified princess (of course). The soldiers are also then cursed by the evil mummy, and then forced into an otherworldly adventure like nothing they've ever been through before.

The film has some decent effects in it, and a few cool mummy fight scenes. Cruise is also (like usual) a great action hero in it as well. Other than that though, the movie is mostly forgettable. I love monster flicks too, so I really wanted to like it. There are definitely a few thrills here and there, but they're mostly forgettable. I hope the next Dark Universe film is a lot better than this one, that's for sure.

"Mission Impossible: Rouge Nation" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

The fifth installment in the popular 'MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE' action franchise; which is a continuation of the classic 60s and 70s TV show (of the same name). Tom Cruise once again reprises the starring role of Ethan Hunt, head of the 'Impossible Missions Force'. In this adventure the team must take on a rogue criminal organization, called the Syndicate. The film was directed by Cruise's buddy, Christopher McQuarrie; who also directed Cruise in 'JACK REACHER', and co-wrote the screenplays for 'EDGE OF TOMORROW' and 'VALKYRIE' (which also starred Cruise). Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and Ving Rhames all reprise roles from other chapters; and they're joined, this time around, by Rebecca Ferguson, Sean Harris and Alec Baldwin. It's an excellent addition to the series.

The movie opens with a spectacular action scene, involving Ethan Hunt (Cruise), and his team, stopping the sale of nerve gas to terrorists. Hunt next attempts to expose the existence of a rogue terrorist organization, called the Syndicate. He's limited in resources though, when the CIA shuts his team down; and orders Hunt captured and brought in. Hunt goes on the run, while continuing to hunt down the Syndicate; with a little help from his friends.

This is an action series that never lets up, or falters; it's as good now as it was when it began, in 1996. One of the keys to it's continuous success, is the fact that they bring in a new director, with a different perspective, for every installment. Brain De Palma's original film is a classic action movie masterpiece; the series went in a completely different direction when Hong Kong action master John Woo took over, in 2000. Ever since, a new (up- and-coming) filmmaker has made the series seem fresh and continuously captivating (J.J. Abrams, Brad Bird and now McQuarrie). People love to compare it to the James Bond franchise, and I think it's even better (it's much more consistent). Cruise continuously proves himself to be one of the best action film stars ever, and he has a lot of great help; from Pegg and the stunningly gorgeous Rebecca Ferguson (as well as the rest). The movie, like it's predecessors, is awesome; I can't wait for 'MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE VI'!

"Edge of Tomorrow" Review - Written by Tim Hellman

'EDGE OF TOMORROW': Five Stars (Out of Five)

Tom Cruise stars in this big budget sci-fi action flick based on the Japanese 'young-adult book' (referred to as a 'light novel' in Japan) 'All You Need Is Kill', by Hiroshi Sakurazaka.  It was directed by Doug Liman (who's also directed such hit movies as 'SWINGERS', 'GO', 'THE BOURNE IDENTITY', 'MR. AND MRS. SMITH' and 'JUMPER') and written by Christopher McQuarrie and Jez and John-Henry Butterworth; the Butterworths also wrote the 2010 political thriller 'FAIR GAME' (which Liman also directed).  McQuarrie previously worked with Cruise on 'VALKYRIE' (which he co-wrote) and 'JACK REACHER' (which he wrote and directed).  This movie also stars Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson and Noah Taylor.  It's a clever and fun thrill ride that's as much a thinking man's action film as an effects filled alien/war flick.

The story begins five years into a war with an invading alien species called Mimics.  The Mimics are winning and about to take control of Continental Europe as the United Defense Forces, UDF (combined NATO armies), introduces a new weapon to their soldiers called 'Jackets'.  'Jackets' are mechanized exoskeleton body armor; which one soldier, Rita Vrataski (Blunt), used to kill hundreds of Mimics at Verdun (giving her the nickname 'Angel of Verdun').  A UDF spokesman, named Major William Cage (Cruise), has made a career out of promoting military products, like the 'Jackets', to the public.  When a UDF commander, named General Brigham (Gleeson), wants Cage to join beach forces in France (in order to report on them), Cage blackmails the General in an attempt to get out of it.  Brigham then has Cage arrested, stripped of his rank and shipped to the London Heathrow Airport; where he's ordered to join the forces in combat there.  His worst fears come true when the Mimics slaughter the UDF armies and kill Cage.  To his surprise he wakes up a day earlier and finds himself continually repeating that day; until he can some how change things and stop the Mimics.  He of course joins forces with Vrataski, who seems to know what might be happening to him.  

The film is sort of like a sci-fi/action version of 'GROUNDHOG DAY' but that doesn't mean you've seen anything like it before.  It's completely original and different than any other potential summer blockbuster you might see this year (or any other).  The script is brilliant, Liman's directing is perfectly fitting (to the material) and the acting is superb.  Cruise gets to play a cocky pussy in the beginning of the movie and then evolves into a precise 'killing machine'.  He makes a great reluctant hero and this is one of his better performances.  Blunt is hot and also an awesome action heroin; she just kicks so much ass, the entire movie.  It's also great to see Bill Paxton as another soldier (this time an officer) killing aliens again (it's an awesome homage to 'ALIENS').  It's definitely one of the best movies of the year (so far), so of course it's one of the least successful (so far).  It is doing really well overseas though (where Cruise is still a huge star) so it should at least make it's money back.  It's just a shame more people won't see it on the big screen domestically; they'll definitely be missing out!