MOVIE REVIEW: "SHOOT THE MESSENGER" (2014)

“KILL THE MESSENGER” (2014) MOVIE REVIEW

An ambiguous title, this suspense laden film exposes the treacherous exploits of a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb (JEREMY RENNER) who leaves no table unturned and will snoop at all costs, just to get wind of a scoop.

Gary (RENNER) works for the San Jose Mercury News as staff writer during the mid-1990s.

Work is often not bliss as he and his boss never seems to get along.

So when an attractive woman named Coral (PAZ VEGA) calls to meet up somewhere to hand him a grand jury transcript file depicting the CIA’s shady drug deals with Nicaraguan Contras, Webb smells a golden opportunity for an unusual scoop.

He digs further and after doing some investigations which eventually leads him to Central America for a crucial interview with imprisoned drug lord Norwin Meneses (ANDY GARCIA).

After the unabridged interview, he finds he has enough content to write a three-part expose called “Dark Alliance”.

While his effort wins him a journalist of the year award and is besieged with media attention, he finds himself trapped in the aftermath of setbacks that threatened his freedom, his career as well as his family.

Two-time Academy Award nominee JEREMY RENNER handles his role with aplomb. He leads an all-star cast in this dramatic thriller based on the true life story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb.

Webb uncovers a story which leads him to the shady origins of the men who started the crack epidemic on the nation’s streets…He further discovers that the CIA was aware of major dealers who were smuggling cocaine into the U.S., and using the profits to fund the rebels fighting in Nicaragua.

Despite warnings from drug kingpins and CIA operatives to stop his investigation, Webb keeps digging to uncover a conspiracy with explosive implications.

His journey takes him from the prisons of California to the villages of Nicaragua to the highest corridors of power in Washington, D.C. – and draws the kind of attention that threatens not just his career, but his family and his life.

The film director sucessfully spins a mesmerizing combination of exciting story-telling and historical narrative that’s bound to keep you on edge.

Will Gary Webb die in the end?

Just visit the cinema for the answer.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5

Local Distributor: GSC MOVIES

“THE BOURNE LEGACY” Movie Review. A Reboot doused in a palatable New Dressing.

“THE BOURNE LEGACY” PRESS PREVIEW

An apt title, this one, and it has finally arrived.

“THE BOURNE LEGACY” proudly parades the continuation of this grit-and-intrigue actioner in the line of the fabulous BOURNE franchise.

Only that this time around, TONY GILROY, the co-writer of the earlier three films has taken over the helm.

 The newly established film director happily conjures his personal version, culled from using material from the original novels by the late ROBERT LUDLUM.

He breathes a fresh feel by injecting a new hero (JEREMY RENNER)  whose deeds will be exemplified, fighting for dear life, in death-defying situations triggered by events and characters from the past three films.

The first half of the film meanders with the spewing of red herrings, intensifying the suspense.

Action peaks in the second half and thence it is pulsating excitement all the way.

The JASON BOURNE character portrayed by MATT DAMON had been written off the hook.

Call it a rehash or a reboot, the old chapter has closed and a brand new chapter is now beginning. Now,  JEREMY RENNER is taking the form of AARON CROSS – and he alone will carry the weight of this movie.

He is ably supported with the “additions” of veterans such as RACHEL WEISZ, EDWARD NORTON and STACY KEACH.

JEREMY RENNER is Aaron Cross, an intelligence operative who participates in an integral secret government program called OUTCOME.  This project utilizes pharmacology to enhance soldiers’ brains and bodies.

After the inexplicable chain of events that happened in the last film “ULTIMATUM”, Jason Bourne uncovered clues in London and New York about the truth shrouding the secret government program that had transformed him into a ruthless killer.

OUTCOME’s head Eric Byer (EDWARD NORTON) therefore decides to shut down his program and kill all its members.

However Aaron Cross (JEREMY RENNER) manages to survive the shelling.

He enlists the help of biochemist Dr. Marta Shearing (RACHEL WEISZ) as he needs the intelligence enhancing medications in order to survive.

Together they flee from Byer’s agents who are out to silence them.

The two’s fierce determination to stay alive takes them on a dangerous journey through the US, the exotic East – culminating at Manila, where the last vital piece of the Bourne puzzle is located.

One of the notable action highlights of the film takes place in Manila where there’s a cat-and-mouse mayhem of dashing, jumping, kicking and acrobatics in dark alleyways, atop roofs and congested side streets,

jeepneys are spinning perilously at ferocious speed, relentless motorbike and car chasing to hump up the adrenaline rush.

These scenes were shot in Pasay City, Manila’s San Andres Bukid district, the Navotas fish port and Palawan, providing the notion that the Philippine locales can give the Thai’s (foreign film makers’ favorite location choice) a run for the money.

An entertaining film, depending on what you are looking for.

For avid fans of suspense and action thrillers, this one deserves your attention.

“THE AVENGERS” 3D Movie Review. All HELL breaks loose when MARVEL’s SUPER HEROES illuminate the IMAX SCREEN.

“THE AVENGERS” PRESS PREVIEW

Bate your breath, folks.

Here’s another of those absurd actioners featuring a stirring potpourri of bankable comic talents, six to be exact.

In terms of feasibility, this Super Heroes mega team-up wields a brilliant box office clout.

 ”THE AVENGERS” is perfectly cast.

On the select list are The Iron Man (ROBERT DOWNEY JR), The Incredible Hulk (MARK RUFFALO), Thor (CHRIS HEMSWORTH), Captain America (CHRIS EVANS), Hawkeye (JEREMY RENNER) and Black Widow (SCARLETTE JOHANSSON).

These are the iconic American super heroes dwelling within the fictitious Marvel Super Space.

And they are assembled here, larger than life, unbelievably stereo-typed, overly muscled to fire up the screen with happy hokum and merry mayhem.

When the arrogant cum elusive villian Loki (TOM HIDDLESTON) swears to usurp the Earth by declaring war on humanity and threatening to bring forth an alien invasion, Nick Fury (SAMUEL L.JACKSON), Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., looses no time to seek a killer team in order to restore the world back from the brink of disaster.

Scouring the globe, a daring recruitment drive begins.

Suspend your disbelief when you behold these Super Heroes nursing their super-charged egos as they quibble sarcasm and hurl insults at one another.  All this while, even when they are rallying together to fight a menacing war to save the Earth from annihilation.

It’s obvious that the producers are indulging in an exemplary marriage between art and commerce.

Shot on a whopping budget of USD 220 million, this epic should not fail.

Film Director JOSH WHEDON definitely delivers his goods as with this immensely entertaining movie.

The visual effects and fight stunts in 3D stereoscopy are phenomenally breathtaking.

So far most critics are giving it “two thumbs up” and the worldwide audiences are eagerly awaiting the movie’s release date.

Are you ready?

Now stay braced and get prepared to be blown away by the stupendous visual effects and the non-stop action.

Let your hair down, move with the flow and let the formidable team of the Super Heroes take you through a spectacle of wit, fun and adventure.

Two-and-half hours of escapism to relieve you of your work stress is definitely worth it.