Dog

Dog is a 2022 buddy comedy drama co-directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin. It is the directorial debut for Tatum and his longtime friend and collaborator Carolin. Carolin, a 6’6 Lake Forest, Illinois native, co-wrote the screenplay for Dog, and also wrote the screenplay for Magic Mike (2012), and Magic Mike XXL (2015). He is currently working on the screenplay for another Magic Mike film, with Steven Soderbergh returning as director.

Two former Army Rangers are paired against their will on the road trip of a lifetime. Army Ranger Briggs and Lulu (a Belgian Malinois dog) buckle into a 1984 Ford Bronco and race down the Pacific Coast in hopes of making it to a fellow soldier's funeral on time. Along the way, they'll drive each other completely crazy, break a small handful of laws, narrowly evade death, and learn to let down their guards in order to have a fighting chance of finding happiness.

The cast includes Channing Tatum, Jane Adams, Kevin Nash, Q’orianka Kilcher, Ethan Suplee, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Nicole LaLiberté, Luke Forbes, and Ronnie Gene Blevins.

Dog made its debut in theaters on February 18th, courtesy of MGM Studios

THE GOOD

When I first watched the trailer for Dog however many months back, I knew I was all in within 5 seconds. I mean, Channing Tatum and a heartwarming story about a man bonding with a war hero dog? Yeah, that is cinema gold in my book. But seriously, it's been a bit since we have seen Tatum in a leading role, but it seems like 2022 might just be his year with this movie and the upcoming action comedy The Lost City (preview and trailer here), where he stars alongside Sandra Bullock. That film is due out on March 25th, only in theaters. But just like rain is wet and snow is cold, if Tatum is in a lead role, you best pay attention. So, is this the film Channing Tatum deserves? Keep reading to find out!

Okay, spoiler alert. I loved this movie! I am a sucker for an experience that makes me feel something, and Dog is definitely a very emotional film. But don’t expect full on tears on the level of A Dog’s Purpose, or something along those lines. The reason being this is a great balance between comedy and drama, and in many ways it is a coming-of-age story, for a man, and for this incredible dog. With that being said, it does delve into some very difficult themes, including veteran suicide which is a significant problem in this country, which is just such a heartbreaking issue that needs to be talked about. Sorry to get all real with you guys, but I promise I will talk more about the cinematic experience that is more than worth the price of admission.

Dog tells a story that matters and needs to be seen, but above all else it never fails to be entertaining. Thanks to Channing Tatum and his ability to win over viewers no matter what the circumstance, and a dog you can’t help but root for, you will be reassured right away that you made the right decision seeing this movie. The opening scene is Tatum serving someone in a generic version of Subway as he gets treated like just any other slacker working an entry-level job. But Tatum’s story is unique, he is an accomplished Army Ranger who has been left in the lurch after suffering a head injury. He wants nothing more than to prove that he can still be of service, and it is made clear very early on that he desperately needs financial stability. One thing is for sure, his character is driven and relentless above all else. Although at first it seems he may be out for himself, we soon learn that this man has a big heart, and he has a lot to offer. What hit me the hardest with Dog is just the hard-hitting reality that we have a broken man and a broken hero dog, thrown into the trash pile by everyone else, who find each other and become the saviors they never realized they needed.

As I said, Dog is an action comedy with the emotional element mixed in, but trust me when I say, you will be laughing your butt off. The fact that Tatum is capable of developing such genuine on-screen chemistry with a dog, should not be overlooked. I read in an interview that during the scenes where the dog wouldn’t look at Tatum, instead of immediately going for a retake, he would take the route of “oh go ahead don’t even look at me” to make things feel that much more authentic. I mean, whether it is the dog ripping a water bottle out of Tatum’s mouth or ripping apart the upholstery in his sweet 1984 Bronco. I hate to date myself, but that bad boy was manufactured the year I was born, which is one more reason why I love this movie so much. So yeah, Dog is entertaining from start to finish, and is just such a fun yet important movie.

As far as the acting is concerned, Dog is headlined by Channing Tatum, and a dog. I mean they get easily 80% of the screen time, which is not a bad thing. The bread and butter of the film is the unbreakable bond that is created between these two, but you also get some fantastic interactions along the way as the duo takes a few planned, and unplanned, detours as they head to their intended destination. One of my favorites is between Tatum and actor former wrestler Kevin Nash, who plays a character known only as Gus. Nash, a brooding 6’11 former D1 basketball star for the Tennessee volunteers, is known for his humor. His chance encounter with Tatum’s character starts off dicey to say the least, but I could watch these two hangout and chat all day long. Nash is exactly what you think of when you hear the term “Gentle Giant”. Even though he doesn’t get a ton of screentime, Ethan Suplee plays a pivotal role in the film. He is a character that is most connected to the man who is the reason this trip is happening, and he also helps to really bring home the films focus on veteran suicide awareness, and just the struggles in general our veterans deal with post-combat for a number of reasons.

Channing Tatum is simply masterful in his performance. I’m not ashamed to say I am a huge Tatum fan, I mean he is a great looking guy, incredibly fit, and I mean we have all seen Magic Mike. But what people seem to forget all too easily is he is a great actor, and has such an infectious presence on-screen. I mean, for the majority of this film it is Tatum talking to a dog, yet I was all in from start to finish. The reality is, very few actors can pull that off and win over viewers the way he does. Tatum is incredibly genuine in his love for animals, should come as no surprise as he is a dog lover himself. He actually lost a dog to cancer a few years ago, who was also named Lulu, the name of the dog in the film.

Let’s take this opportunity to talk a little bit about Channing Matthew Tatum. Born in the small Alabama town of Cullman, 50 miles north of Birmingham, he is arguably one of the most multi-talented actors working today. The 41-year old who stands at an even 6’0, was offered a full scholarship to play football in West Virginia after high school, before dropping out of college. Not only is he a physically gifted athlete, he is an incredible dancer. He was an absolute force in the 2006 film Step Up, and continued to prove his abilities in the Magic Mike franchise. Bottom line, Tatum is for real, and his resume of 65 acting credits, many of which hit films, speaks for itself. I like to think that if it is a thing to have an actor spirit animal, Channing Tatum is mine. Plus, he is currently dating the equally talented Zoë Kravitz, otherwise known as Catwoman in the upcoming surefire blockbuster, The Batman (preview and trailer here). Mark my words, this is Hollywood’s newest power couple, so move over Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively.

From a technical standpoint, Dog is a beautiful film in many ways. I really enjoyed the sights along the road trip, making you feel like you were along for the ride. The film takes full advantage of the scenery available in Santa Clarita, CA, which had me ready to plan a vacation. Dog also serves as a reminder not to visit Portland, Oregon, unless perhaps you need a nice sweater made from 100% hemp. I mean yeah I see the “Keep Portland Weird” signs, and trust me, it's going to stay weird for the foreseeable future.

THE BAD

You’ll be hard pressed to poke holes in this movie, unless perhaps you hate dogs or emotion, or perhaps both. Maybe you are anti-war? Okay, well the film examines all positions as far as that goes. But, if you are hoping for a ton of war film action sequences, that you will not get. Even though the story in itself is rooted in the effects of war, we are shown what it’s like for these veterans once they return home and are essentially written off. The majority of the film is Channing Tatum bonding with a dog, and if that doesn’t sound appealing to you, you might want to just move along. So yeah, you won’t catch me bashing this movie.

THE VERDICT

A powerful story of struggle and perseverance when the odds are stacked against you, Dog is an emotional journey that will stick with you long after you leave the theater, and is easily the most impactful role of Channing Tatum’s career and one heck of a directorial debut. You will be laughing hysterically one minute, and in tears the next. The balance of humor and real-life drama is so incredibly seamless, making it clear that the writers and directors of the film share an obvious personal connection. The more I think about this movie the more I appreciate it, and I personally cannot wait to see it again. Dog will not only appeal to all audiences, it will start a conversation of awareness as it relates to our military veterans, and for me you just can't put a price on that.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.9/10

Dog is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Uncharted

Uncharted is a 2022 action adventure film directed by Ruben Fleischer, from a screenplay by Rafe Judkins, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway, with a story by Judkins. Fleischer is best known for 30 Minutes or Less, Gangster Squad, Venom, and Zombieland: Doubletap. 

Street-smart Nathan Drake, is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter, Victor "Sully" Sullivan, to recover a fortune amassed by Ferdinand Magellan, and lost 500 years ago by the House of Moncada.

Serving as an origin story and prequel to the Uncharted videogame franchise created by Amy Hennig, the film stars Tom Holland as Nathan Drake, and Mark Wahlberg as his mentor Victor “Sully” Sullivan, along with Sophia Taylor Ali, Tati Gabrielle, and Antonio Banderas in supporting roles.

Uncharted premiered in theaters and IMAX 3D on February 18th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing.

THE GOOD

First off, I feel like I should preface this review by saying that I’m a huge fan of the Uncharted video games the film is based on. I have always felt like they in many ways bridged the gap from the Tomb Raider franchise, which I grew up playing, and had that rejuvenated Indiana Jones feel to them. They always felt similar with the style of play, and the immersive story and environments. Once it was announced that they were in talks to release a movie based on the games, I was pumped. They went back and forth with a number of actors rumored to take on the leading roles of Nathan Drake and Victor Sullivan, finally landing on Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg, which needless to say, was more than fine by me. As you can imagine, I was going to see this movie on opening night. So, did it live up to my sky high expectations? Keep reading to find out!

Listen, don’t shoot the messenger on this one because I’m sure you have seen some of the early reactions, but Uncharted is a damn good movie. Full disclosure, I let some of the nonsense seep into my brain as well wondering if they botched yet another video game to film adaptation, but that couldn’t be further from the case here. First and foremost, Uncharted caters to the fanbase, and I’m talking shrimp cocktail and lobster rolls, not pigs in a blanket and deviled eggs. Fans of the video games will be fighting the urge to leave the theater and go fire up their Playstations, or at the very least will guarantee that's what they will be doing once they get home. Unless of course they have a movie review to write, but don’t worry I know what I will be doing later. Fans will also notice that the film draws quite a bit of inspiration from the newest Uncharted game, A Thief’s End, which according to Tom Holland is his favorite game in the series.

When you take the time out to visit the movie theater, you want an experience that will keep you engaged and entertained from beginning to end, and that is exactly what you get with Uncharted. The story and the characters are interesting and relatable, the pacing is great and it has a nice balance of action while slowing down when necessary, and it also has a very clear identity from the beginning. The origin story element sets the stage nicely and sprinkles in just enough background for the main characters to ensure everything makes sense. I also loved the back and forth banter between Holland and Wahlberg, and felt like both delivered a ton of great one-liners. Holland was pretty funny for the majority of the film, even finding ways to keep it light while having his butt kicked pretty good. Uncharted has it all in my opinion, a fantastic cast which I will talk about more later, great characters, an immersive storyline with plenty of emotion and intrigue, and enough action to keep you locked in throughout.

As I already touched on earlier in the review, one of the biggest strengths of Uncharted is its ability to stay true to the video games. I mean, we all know how hard it is to turn a video game into a movie, but to do that successfully and in such an authentic way, that’s one hell of an accomplishment if you ask me. I watched the movie with my brother who is also a huge fan of the games, and we were constantly nudging each other over the abundance of fan service found throughout the film. It was great! The fight sequences and big action scenes felt like a video game, and oftentimes even the way some of the enemies were standing felt like a video game. The Uncharted games are known for their fantastic cutscenes, and in many ways this movie felt like one long cutscene which is very much a compliment. I also really enjoyed the cinematography from Chung-hoon Chung, who recently did the horror thriller Last Night in Soho (check out our review here). He took full advantage of the magical sights thanks to filming taking place in Spain.

As promised, lets talk about the cast for a bit. I mean, even if you have zero attachment to the video games, the cast alone will surely fill the seats. Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg in the lead roles, with Antonio Banderas as a quality bad guy with a cool accent? Yeah, you know damn well you are interested in everything about what I just said. Holland fits the Nathan Drake mold perfectly, that is evident from the start. The breakout actor has seen his career skyrocket after landing a role as Spider-Man, but he has also proven he can act outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with films like Cherry, or The Devil All the Time, to use just a few examples. He is an a-list actor in every sense of the term, and I couldn’t be more pleased about him taking on this role.

Now Mark Wahlberg, who is definitely one of my favorite actors, felt a bit out of place in his role as Victor Sullivan, better known as Sully. At first anyway. But as the film progressed he started to become the character, and by the end I completely agreed with the casting decision. Plus, the movie is supposed to be an origin story/prequel so it makes sense why Sully would seem on the younger side compared to the video games.

According to some light research I did, before Wahlberg was given the role, other big names such as Bryan Cranston, Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Pratt, Chris Pine, Chris Hemsworth, Matthew McConaughey, and Woody Harrelson, were all considered. That gives you an idea of the allure surrounding this film. Antonio Banderas is fantastic as usual in his role as Santiago Moncado. I also really enjoyed Sophia Ali as Chloe Frazer, another character from the video games. She is as beautiful as she is untrustworthy. Tati Gabrielle was a badass in her role as Braddock, a real thorn in the side of Drake and Sully. I won’t give anything away, but one specific cameo in the film is simply EPIC, and the real ones will get it. That is all I am going to say about that. So yeah, just see the movie!

THE BAD

I’m not going to sit here and act like Uncharted is free of any warranted criticism, because that would be a bold faced lie, and I’m a pretty honest guy. Most of the time, anyway. But seriously, you can poke holes in several elements of the film if you look at it from an outsider's perspective, and what I mean by that is someone with no insight or appreciation of the video game franchise it is based on. Is the action extremely exaggerated and over-the-top at times? Sure it is. Are the fight sequences not quite as brutal as we might prefer, yes again. 

But, if you have been paying attention during this review, one primary contributing factor keeps coming up, and that is the fact that at the end of the day this movie is based on a video game. I mean, need I say more? And I’m not talking about a video game with a mature rating, this is in the realm of a T (Teen 13+) rating, which might explain the abundance of children chaperoned to the theater by their ever so generous and caring parents. It also avoids feeling corny, which is a difficult balance if you ask me. I just can’t sit here and drop criticism when I feel like the ultimate goal was accomplished. If you feel otherwise, feel free to let us know in the comments section.

THE VERDICT

Action-packed, hilarious, and just an absolute blast right up until the end credits, Uncharted is undoubtedly one of the best video game to film adaptations to date. By the end the chemistry between Tom Holland and Mark Wahlberg is bursting at the seams, and I personally cannot wait for the next movie which is surely inevitable. If you are a fan of the games you will love this movie without question, but you will still be more than pleased if you come in without any idea of what to expect. Do yourself a favor and check out Uncharted in theaters sooner than later, and be sure to stick around for both post-credit scenes as well.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.2/10

Uncharted is now playing only in theaters. Check out the latest trailer below.

Titane

By: Andrew Wing

Titane (French: [titan], lit. ‘Titanium’) is a 2021 body horror film written and directed by Julia Ducournau. The French-Belgian co-production stars Agathe Rousselle (French journalist, model, and also the co-founder of feminist magazine Peach) in her feature film debut as Alexia, a woman who, after being injured in a car accident as a child, has a titanium plate fitted into her head. Vincent Lindon (won Best Actor at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film The Measure of a Man), Garance Marillier (known for her role in Ducournau’s previous film Raw), and Laïs Salameh also star.

The film had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on July 13, 2021, where Ducournau became the second female director to win the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top award, as well as the first female filmmaker to win solo. It received critical acclaim and was selected as the French entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards, but did not make the shortlist. At the 47th César Awards, it was nominated for four awards, including Best Director for Ducournau and Most Promising Actress for Rousselle. At the 75th British Academy Film Awards, Ducournau received a nomination for Best Director.

THE GOOD

The movie that really made me fall in love with film was Bong Joon-ho’s Parasite. I honestly think it’s arguably the best movie ever made, but before actually watching it for the first time, I remember hearing about how well it did at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the Palme d’Or. Now as I have gotten more into the world of film, I know how big of a deal winning that award is, so when I saw that Titane won it at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, I knew I had to check it out. Also, it had a perfect trailer in my book as it shows you a ton, but still doesn’t tell you too much about the plot, so I was amped for it. With that said, let’s dive into this review and find out if it was worthy of winning the Palme d’Or!

Trust me when I say this, remember the name Julia Ducournau. This is only the second feature film from Ducournau, her first being Raw. Raw is also a body horror film that was recently streaming on Netflix, but it was certainly a movie unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Like with Raw, Titane is also unlike anything I’ve ever seen as we get a ton of unusual fetishes, extreme violence and a handful of moments that will make you squirm. It took me until about the opening scene for me to realize that this was definitely a step up from Raw. It really felt like Ducournau further defined what makes her one of the most unique voices in cinema right now which is all the more impressive considering this is only her second time doing this. Her direction is remarkable here as this film is so confidently executed. It is magnificently unique, daring and one of the most batshit experiences I have ever had with a film. It is one of those movies that doesn’t come around very often and I treasured that so much that I loved this movie.

Not only did Ducourneau direct, but she also wrote the original screenplay for the film. I absolutely loved the screenplay as this movie is ridiculously insane. The screenplay is amazing. As insanely violent and gnarly as it can get at times, and sometimes cynical in the first-third, the film actually has a surprising amount of heart, believe it or not. It’s even wholesome in a sense as it’s a story of these two tortured souls connecting in a strange way. There is even some dark comedy in the film that works so well in some scenes. It really tied together the movie as a whole and Ducourneau was fully aware of the right dose of comedy that was needed to make this movie feel a tad self-aware. Continuing with her excellent screenplay, the majority of the fun with this film is not knowing what to expect and all the surprises you get. I am not going to discuss the plot more in depth because I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say the ending is a perfect ending in my book. It was exactly how this movie was supposed to end.

I am a critic who has seen a ton of movies, but I would be lying if I said I fully understood all the ideas going into this movie and I don’t even have words to describe it. Despite me not knowing everything she was going for, I still have to give props to Ducournau for pushing the envelope with the themes she went for here. The film is about brutality, sexuality, and even gender identity, and I’m sure there are even more genres at play here that I might not even know about or missed. And with the Academy Award nominations that came out last week, I was a little bit disappointed. I would’ve loved for the Academy to go outside the box and nominate her for Best Director or Best Original Screenplay because her craftsmanship here was outstanding and one for the ages. All of her sensibilities were absolutely on point from the tone, to the flow of the story, and everything was in such good hands.

Yes, Titane is gripping, entertaining, and fascinating, but what makes it what it is is the fact that this movie is just beautifully acted. So with that said, it’s about time we talk about the two lead performances because holy s**t. First with the star of the show, actress Agathe Rousselle. I was blown away at the fact that this is her feature film debut as an actress. Her performance was perfect as she plays a character that lacks humanity, and I honestly couldn’t imagine another person in this role. The number of emotions she conveys with so much silence was unfathomable as she barely even speaks in this movie. Now to her co-star, Vincent Lindon. Vincent Lindon is amazing in this. His character is so aggressive, desperate, and damaged and his chemistry with Rousselle was flawless. He even has some scenes that might make you shed a tear or two. Oh and one more thing, the man is incredibly jacked.

Lastly, I loved the look of Titane. The cinematography we got here from Ruben Impens was top tier. It was so well shot, so much so that it was very tough to look away from at times. Add in his brilliant camera work and the lighting choices, I felt like I was watching this thing wide-eyed the entire time. And I can’t forget to mention the music. Oh, the music! I loved every choice made by Jim Williams, and trust me when I say there are some songs in this killer soundtrack that’ll start making you bop your head.

THE BAD

Simply put, this movie is fu**ed up! It is extremely gruesome and violent at times and just be prepared that there is a lot to stomach here if you are going to take my suggestion and check it out. You will know in the first third of the film if you are going to be able to stomach it or not, but if you can, definitely do it because it is truly exhilarating. Also, as I say in the good section, there is no denying that I didn’t have a full grasp on this movie and everything it was going for, and you might not either. Yes, it was frustrating at times, but I honestly felt thankful to be watching a movie so challenging because it gave me a memory with how wild of a ride Titane is.

And last thing to note is that this is a French film. Therefore, the film is entirely in the French language, so if you are someone that can’t do subtitles, then this isn’t the movie for you.

THE VERDICT

Julia Ducournau’s Palme d’Or winning film Titane is a bonkers, WTF movie that I had one hell of time watching! Ducournau delivers one for the ages as she perfectly executes her multi-layered and uncompromising vision behind her purely cinematic direction and unbelievable screenplay. It also features some masterful, deeply-committed performances from both Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon.

I have it coming in at #3 for my best films of 2021 behind Licorice Pizza (see my full review here) and Dune (see my full review here). I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, but if you consider yourself a cinephile and are prepared to have your mind blown, you just have to see this one! Now streaming on Hulu!

TED TAKES RATING - 9.7/10

Titane is now available to watch on Hulu. Check out the latest trailer below.