Revolving around the antics of old school detective Lou (Mark Ruffalo), who is falling out of favour with the higher-ups in his all-consuming quest to take down a successful bandit. One who uses the brain instead of brawn to complete his audacious transgressions. Lou is also in the midst of a number of life-changing moments. His wife Angie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is leaving him, and his superiors are running out of patience with his single-mindedness.

Into this situation, we are dropped in the city of Los Angeles, and it adds an important element to the story. The discrepancies between the haves and have-nots in this ever-evolving metropolis rumble underneath almost every scene. There are a number of high-power action pieces that stitch together the story and keep things moving along nicely. There is also the contrast between the staid nature of the criminal Davis and the explosive antics of fellow crim Ormon (Barry Keoghan), who creates havoc everywhere he goes.

Even though all the characters in Crime 101follow a somewhat traditional story arc, there are a number of surprises coming your way. As things progress and the tension ramps up in the final reel, you are seemingly led to a point where you feel certain of the outcome for all the parties involved. But here is where the film really delivers, and you are actually given a resolution much more satisfying and life-affirming than expected.
Rob Hudson
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When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher.

As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.

Adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, the film is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter). Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte round out the cast.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh with Nick Nolte and Halle Berry.
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In the twisty, stylish crime thriller CRIME 101, Davis (Chris Hemsworth) is an elusive thief whose high-stakes heists have mystified police.

He’s planning his biggest ever score — hoping it’ll be his last — when his path collides with Sharon (Halle Berry), a disillusioned insurance executive whom he’s forced to work with, and Orman (Barry Keoghan), a rival thief with far more disturbing methods than Davis’s. As the multi-million dollar heist approaches, relentless detective Lt. Lubesnik (Mark Ruffalo) closes in on the operation, raising the stakes even higher, and the line between hunter and hunted starts to blur.

Each of them is soon forced to confront the cost of their respective choices — and the realisation that there’s no turning back. CRIME 101 is written and directed by Bart Layton (American Animals, The Imposter).

CRIME 101 will be released in Aussie cinemas February 12!
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His new film is another period piece (that makes three in a row) and plays out like a longhand love letter to his past. The Western is set almost exclusively in one room and is dialogue heavy to the extreme. That it works so effectively at it’s almost three hour running time is a testament to his skill with words and his utilization of the right mix of actors and actions. The violence is extreme in the few moments that it occurs and gives the film its rightfully earned R rating.

Tarantino’s films have always rewarded fans of the medium and the new work is rife with references to his earlier films (Red Apple anyone?) and nods to directors he appreciates (Alfred Hitchcock is first to spring to mind). He also revels is doing things his way, so I can’t see even a power couple like Bob and Harvey having the ability to pare back the extended running time.

Investing time in a QT film is always a safe bet because even if you don’t like his work, he creates film dialogue like no other. Discussing his films with your friends after the screening can be almost as much fun as the viewing itself, so sort yourself out after your mandatory trip to spend time with the Part 4 repeat and settle in for a generous treat of a film both time and content wise.

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/roadshow

A biologist’s husband disappears. She puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she’s expecting.

Written & directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) and based on Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling Southern Reach Trilogy, ANNIHILATION stars Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny and Oscar Isaac.

ANNIHILATION IN CINEMAS FEBRUARY 22, 2018.
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His new film is another period piece (that makes three in a row) and plays out like a longhand love letter to his past. The Western is set almost exclusively in one room and is dialogue heavy to the extreme. That it works so effectively at it’s almost three hour running time is a testament to his skill with words and his utilization of the right mix of actors and actions. The violence is extreme in the few moments that it occurs and gives the film its rightfully earned R rating.

Tarantino’s films have always rewarded fans of the medium and the new work is rife with references to his earlier films (Red Apple anyone?) and nods to directors he appreciates (Alfred Hitchcock is first to spring to mind). He also revels is doing things his way, so I can’t see even a power couple like Bob and Harvey having the ability to pare back the extended running time.

Investing time in a QT film is always a safe bet because even if you don’t like his work, he creates film dialogue like no other. Discussing his films with your friends after the screening can be almost as much fun as the viewing itself, so sort yourself out after your mandatory trip to spend time with the Part 4 repeat and settle in for a generous treat of a film both time and content wise.

Rob Hudson
www.thehatefuleight.com