Tag: Vince Vaughn

Dragged Across Concrete (2018): Action / Crime / Drama

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Two suspended cops descend into the criminal underworld as they both struggle financially.

Third feature film from writer/director S. Craig Zahler who amazes once more. Cast: Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White, Thomas Kretschmann, Jennifer Carpenter, Laurie Holden, Don Johnson, Udo Kier.

After Bone Tomahawk (2015) and Brawl in Cell 99 (2017), Dragged Across Concrete is not the shock to the system his previous two films were but lands on screen in a time that “political correctness” has reached its peak. A slow-burn action/crime/drama which infuriates but also entertains with solid acting, writing, cinematography, editing and directing. Realistic and surrealistic dialogues which make one think, in either case, how on Earth did he come up with that (or why on Earth didn’t I think of that first)?!

With reviews as low as 0 and high as 10, you won’t find much in between. Don’t listen to anyone though (yes, not even myself)! Watch it and see where you stand in this world of violence, corruption, rights but no obligations, and opinionated masses that no matter what you say or do will offend… someone.

The world is what we make of it. I vote for communication and respect.

You can find it here: https://amzn.to/2Q2VCSc

Brawl in Cell Block 99 (2017): Action / Crime / Thriller

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Remember the “Wedding Crashers” (2005)? “The Break-Up” (2006)? “Couples Retreat” (2009)? Forget about them! And forget about that Vince too! Writer/Director S. Craig Zahler knocks on Vince Vaughn’s door:

S: Hey pal! Fancy making you look like tough as nails? Kick ass like it has never been kicked before?

V: Oh… WOW… How?

S: Right, check this story, yeah? You were a boxer, now you are a mule, and you get arrested. What happens next is a helluva new level of improbability that no one will give two s@£$% as you’ll be bashin’ heads in, smashin’ bones, ripping jaws, and more, with bare hands. What you sayin’, bro?

V. Uhmm… Give me a couple of days to talk about it with Ben (Stiller) while playing dodgeball.

OK… maybe it’s not exactly how it happened. What happened though prior to filming was Vince Vaughn training for 3 months as a boxer putting on fifteen pounds of muscle. And I kid you not, the final cut is an impressively choreographed, R-rated, constant, bloody, brutal brawl that will keep you entertained for over two hours.

Vince Vaughn is an equally brilliant comedian as he is a tragedian. He delivered an astounding performance in “True Detective” (2015) and he does the same here. On the other hand, the writer/director of “Bone Tomahawk” (2015) is an expert in raw violence and, I for one, am really looking forward to “Dragged Across Concrete” (2018).

You can find it here: https://amzn.to/2t4772D