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“Horizon: An American Saga”
To begin with, it is horribly embarrassing to admit that I left this film well before the ending. However, the sad fact is that it had an unrecognizable plot that drifted from one lackluster character to another.
Taking place during the Civil War, the film tries to tell the story of how America’s West was won. While settlers challenged the homes of Native Americans, their interaction was largely devoid of meaning.
Costner is a sensational actor, and I love “Dances with Wolves” (1990) and “Field of Dreams” (1989) among others. And while I love Westerns, this movie pales in comparison to the great book and film “Lonesome Dove” (1989).
Scene after scene bored me to tears. Though this is the first of four planned American Westerns directed by Costner, I have a hard time imagining the release of any sequels.
Reaching the age of 69, maybe he should drift into the cinema sunset with his honor and dignity preserved.
“A Quiet Place: Day One”
While John Krasinski directed the first two “Quiet Place” films (2018 and 2020), he backed away here. However, he is a co-writer with director Michael Sarnoski.
The film’s basic plot will surprise no one. An alien invasion destroys much of New York City. A woman dying of cancer, played magnificently by Lupita Nyong’o, joins other survivors trying to avoid being eaten. Everyone must remain absolutely silent as the four-legged beasts respond to the slightest sound.
While it didn’t bother me even though I wear hearing aids, all of the dialogue after the attack involved humans whispering to each other. Nonetheless, the facial emotions of the dominating characters will break your heart.
Nyong’o won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for “12 Years a Slave” (2013). Her performance here as Sam merits serious consideration for a Best Actor nomination this year.
Here you follow her as she leaves a treatment facility with her cat Frodo while suppressing her constant desire to eat pizza. Tragedy strikes as she eventually joins forces with Eric (Joseph Quinn), a stranger whom she meets on the street.
Though staying at arm’s length, their relationship strengthens as they spend every minute of every day hoping to survive. While I won’t give away the ending, it involves trying to get to a rescue boat given that the monsters can’t swim. I was left a bit teary-eyed as one monster escapes with Frodo.
Monsters or no monsters, death was closing in on Nyong’o. In the process, it was clear that she was honoring her dear friend Chadwick Boseman, who died several years ago of colon cancer after both starred in “Black Panther” (2018).
Life had meaning for her whether she lived months, days or hours. She could face her destiny with honor if she found a way to save Frodo and Eric.
“The Bikeriders”
Based on a book by Danny Lyon, this is a movie about Midwest biker clubs from 1965-73. However, even great performances from Tom Hardy, Jodie Comer and Austin Butler can’t save “Bikeriders” from its repetitive destruction.
In summary fashion, Hardy plays Johnny, the head of the biker club known as the Chicago Vandals. The members like him and he enjoys the freedom away from his wife and job.
Comer is wonderful as an outsider who falls in love with Austin Butler’s outlaw Benny. He is drifting through life and you will never forget an opening scene where he takes a vicious beating in a bar where one foot is nearly chopped off.
But the film leaves you emotionally shaking your head as the club is taken over by younger riders during the Vietnam era. They drift from a social club into a menacing group inspired by drugs and violence.
What made this film so interesting to me is that it caused me to relive my early years as a criminal defense lawyer from the late 1970s through the 1980s. After helping David, an inmate needing some legal advice, he turned out to be the head of the Outlaws Motorcycle Club in Indianapolis.
After his release, he sought my services for various club members. He was a college dropout with a warm personality, and I greatly enjoyed my professional interaction with the club in their two homes and nightclubs in downtown Indianapolis.
As an example, one of my favorite members was Ewell “Piss Pockets” Pogue. Usually high on various substances, two prostitutes would accompany him to every court hearing! He put his name and birth date on his arm in ink to help refresh his memory!
But my days helping the Outlaws ended when David, like Johnny, was gunned down by an Outlaw wanting his leadership position. As happened to the Vandals, the Outlaws quickly became a dangerous, reckless gang.
After attending David’s funeral, I politely ended my legal help. Tom Hardy’s Johnny had a lot in common with David.•
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Robert Hammerle specializes in criminal law as of counsel with Hackman Hulett LLP. When he is not in the courtroom or the office, Bob can likely be found at one of his favorite movie theaters preparing to review the latest films. To read more of his reviews, visit www.bigmouthbobs.com. Opinions expressed are those of the author.
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