Ice Road (The Ice Road)

2021 Netflix

Rated: PG-13

Length: 1 hr 43min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Thriller

Starring: Liam Neeson, Laurence Fishburne, Benjamin Walker, Amber Midthunder, Marcus Thomas, Holt McCallany, Martin Sensmeier, Matt McCoy, and Matt Salinger.

This Mission Is On Thin Ice

Mike McCann (Liam Neeson) is a Big Rig Driver hauling semi-trailers for The Nordak Trucking Company in Pembina, North Dakota. As he pulls in and gets out of a truck he hears his brother inside a garage being harassed by a couple of other truck drivers. His brother Gurty (Marcus Thomas) is an ace mechanic but suffers from PTSD and Aphasia from serving in The Iraq War. The truckers are calling him names and tossing his coffee thermos to each other keeping it from Gurty who is frantically trying to get it from them. Mike goes into the garage and catches the thermos mid-toss and reprimands the drivers for harassing his mentally challenged brother. One of the drivers calls him retard and Mike tells him,” I told you not to ever call him that!”. Then the driver looks at Mike at says, “RETARD!”. Mike promptly punches the man cold and he falls on the ground. Mike and Gurty are instantly fired from their jobs.

At the Katka Diamond Mine in Northern Manitoba, the miners have been instructed by the management to turn off their methane sensors in the mine in exchange for $100 dollars a month extra in their paychecks, so as to speed up production. The problem with that is as they are drilling they won’t know if they hit a methane pocket, which is extremely dangerous and could cause a huge explosion. And that’s exactly what happens and collapses the mine around 26 miners trapping them deep underground. The only way to save them is to cap the wellhead so they can safely extract the miners, but they need the equipment ASAP and the only way to get it there in time to save the miners is by trucking it across the already closed and starting to thaw Ice Road. A very risky mission, so risky they are going to be sending three different semi stuck and trailers, each equipped with the well head and supplies they need to cap the well, so that at least one will make it if two fail.

Mike hears about the mission needing drivers and decides, given the hefty payout, that the risk is worth it. He and Gurty head to Winnipeg to apply for the mission. Jim Goldenrod (Laurence Fishburne) has decided to organize the mission and is recruiting drivers for the job. He bails out Tantoo (Amber Midthunder), who is in jail for protesting, a Native American activist and the best Ice Road Trucker that Jim knows. When Jim gets back to the office with Tantoo he looks at Mike and Gurty and considers them for the risky Ice Road Run. After he watches Gurty take out a rocker arm assembly on an engine in no time at all, he tells them they are hired for the mission. Jim is going to drive one of the rigs himself, Mike and Gurty will drive the second and Tantoo the third rig. Tantoo’s brother works in the mine so the mission is personal for her, he is one of the trapped miners. Accompanying Tantoo is Tom Varnay (Benjamin Walker), an Insurance Risk assessor for The Katka Diamond Mine.

As the three head off onto the long Ice road and the treacherous mission running against the clock and the thawing ice, we find out that Tom Varnay has other ideas about any of the three rigs making it to The Katka Mine. The race is on against the elements, the ice, and the risk assessor sent by the management of the mine that don’t want the mission to succeed. It is a familiar Liam Neeson Action movie, the underdog called to action to make things right, thwart the bad guys and succeed in his mission. He does not disappoint in this role, it is exactly what you expect of the Taken star. This time as a trucker making his way across the perilous Ice Roads of Northern Canada. He plays the part well, as does Laurence Fishburn. I really liked Amber Midthunder in this as the gritty Native American girl not afraid of the white man. Marcus Thomas as Gurty was loveable, you felt for the guy trying to help his brother achieve success on the run and battling his disabilities

So while it is a bit predictable, it is also a fun ride full of action and adventure. There are definitely some edge of your seat moments as the danger escalates. I have seen this a few times and watched it again before I watch the sequel Ice Road: Vengeancetonight on Amazon Prime. I watched Wind River again a few nights ago and as I was watching this last night I thought one of the miners looked familiar. He was in Wind River too. Martin Sensmeier played Tantoo’s brother Cody Mantooth, one of the miners trapped in the mine in this and Chip, Natalie’s brother in Wind River.

The Ice Road is s good movie if you haven’t seen it. Liam Neeson doing what he does best on The Ice Road. Stay tuned for the sequel review tomorrow…..Ice Road: Vengeance!

Ice Road: Vengeance

Wind River

Arcadian

2024 RLJE Films

Rated: R

Length: 1 hr 32min

Action ~ Drama ~ Horror ~ Sci-Fi ~ Thriller

Directed by: Benjamin Brewer

Starring: Nicolas Cage, Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins.

Family Is Stronger Than Fear

Arcadian drops us deep into a world where every night is a fight for survival, and every day is a fragile respite from the terrors that lurk outside. Paul, played by Nicolas Cage,, hunkers down with his twin teenage sons, Joseph (Jaeden Martell) and Thomas (Maxwell Jenkins), on an isolated farmhouse, their lives strictly organized around a nightly lockdown to keep out mysterious, predatory creatures. The film wastes no time throwing viewers into this tense routine, where every sunset brings dread and the comfort of family is tested by the constant threat from just beyond the barricaded doors.

Thomas, outgoing and impulsive, often pushes the boundaries of their father’s rules, sneaking away for brief encounters with Charlotte, a resourceful neighbor from the next farm. Meanwhile, Joseph plays by the rules and quietly studies their world, even daring to trap one of the nocturnal creatures in hopes of understanding it better. Arcadian skillfully builds drama by focusing on these sibling differences, revealing how each boy handles fear, isolation, and the flickering hope for connection in a world that’s lost its sense of safety.

A single brash decision shatters their carefully curated routine, plunging the family into a series of harrowing confrontations. As the threats evolve and old alliances fracture, the tension ratchets up, leaving Paul and his sons struggling not only against the monsters outside, but also against their own insecurities and doubts. Arcadian is less about explaining what caused the apocalypse and more about exploring how these survivors cope, adapt, and search for meaning and hope—even when the world grows darker with each passing night.

Arcadian drops you into a tense, post-apocalyptic world where survival means daylight refuge and nightly battles against terrifying creatures. Nicolas Cage quietly anchors the story of a father trying to keep his twin sons safe as the monsters evolve new ways to attack. With sharp creature design and sibling drama at its core, Arcadian offers a fresh take on the creature feature genre that fans of atmospheric horror won’t want to miss. Perfect for viewers who crave suspense and a story about family fighting to hold onto hope in a dark, dangerous world. Well worth a watch!

Sinners

2025 Warner Brothers Pictures

Rated: R

Length: 2 hr 17min

Action ~ Drama ~ Music ~ Southern Gothic ~ Gothic Horror ~ Supernatural Horror ~ Thriller ~ Vampire Horror

Directed by: Ryan Coogler

Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Miller, and Delroy Lindo.

You Keep Dancing With The Devil,

One Day He’s Gonna Follow You Home.

Clarksdale, Mississippi.

October 15, 1932.

Two brothers, Elijah “Smoke” and Elias “Stack” Moore (Both played by Michael B. Jordan) return back home after leaving to become soldiers in WWI and then spending time in Chicago working for Al Capone’s Crime Syndicate. They have returned home to Clarksdale, Mississippi in the Delta to open up a Juke Joint. They have stolen cash and a truck load of Irish Beer, Italian Wine and corn liquor. They have found an abandoned sawmill and meet with the owner to purchase it and the land it sits on. Their cousin Sammy has convinced his Pastor father to let him use the Resonator Guitar from the church for the evening and they also recruit the older Bluesman Delta Slim who plays piano and harmonica. They have also lined up a huge amount of Catfish and sides to serve in the Juke Joint that evening. The word spreads and The Juke Joint is soon filled up with eager patrons and lively blues music by Sammie and Delta Slim. Sammie’s musical gifts and transcendent blues music soon summon more than good times. There is evil coming, drawn by the rhythm of the blues and the scent of fresh blood.

So….where do I start? With History? With the History of The Southern United States? With Slavery? With the K.K.K. ? With Racism? With Jim Crow? With Music History? The History of The Blues? The History of Mojo? Mojo Bags? Haints? Vampires? Voodoo? Al Capone? Chicago Crime in the 1930’s? I honestly don’t know because this movie touches on all of that and I just don’t know how much you know about all of that. Let’s start with Robert Johnson…….

Robert Johnson was a legendary blues musician and songwriter from the Mississippi Delta, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of blues music. Though his recorded career lasted only about seven months, he produced 29 songs that would become foundational to the Delta blues style and deeply influence later rock and blues musicians such as the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton. Johnson’s vivid guitar playing and haunting vocals earned him lasting fame, but part of Johnson’s mystique stems from a famous legend that he acquired his extraordinary musical talent by making a deal with the devil at a crossroads, where Highways 61 and 49 intersect in Mississippi. According to the myth, Johnson traded his soul to the devil in exchange for mastery of the guitar, which explains his sudden, astonishing improvement in skill after a period of obscurity. As the legend goes the devil offered Robert a guitar, and by grabbing the guitar around the neck and taking it from his hands, he would therefore be accepting the deal of trading his everlasting soul for mastery of the guitar.

In the very beginning of the movie they talk about how music has been intertwined with legend and folklore. Music and rhythm being used to conjure up spirits and commune with the afterlife. The Native American Indians, African culture and the slaves of the deep south in America all used music and rhythms to conjure up and communicate with the spirit world. The Blues in the delta was often referred to as the devil’s music. Right after we see the brief introduction of that history, we see young Sammie heading into his Father’s church. His clothes are torn, he is traumatized and bloody with one hand on the neck of what’s left of that resonator guitar. His Preacher father tells Sammie to just let go, choose goodness and let the devil’s music go. A direct reference to the Blues legend of Robert Johnson and the Devil at The Crossroads.

As I am writing this I realize that there is so much imagery and substance in this movie, I could probably write a book about it. I have never seen a movie where it touched on so many themes across so much history. Honestly, it is based in the south in 1932 complete with Delta Blues folklore, cotton fields, sharecroppers, corn liquor, juke joints, Saturday night fish fry’s, and Delta Blues music. The sharecroppers work all week, 6 days a week, 12 hours a day and then on Saturday they head to the local juke joint with their hard earned money and blow off steam for the week. They dance the blues away, drink and forget their troubles, and have as much fun as they can before the Sunday morning sun comes up. Then there is the Haint aspect, the evil spirits, vampires. Complete with garlic, wooden stakes and the rising of the morning sun. Hoodoo Voodoo, Mojo bags, Rootwork, using herbs and cantations to protect and ward off evil sprits.

See what I mean? We haven’t even discussed Jim Crow, Slavery and racism. I have to draw a comparison with From Dusk Till Dawn, it had to have been an influence on this movie. I must confess I am a huge fan of Blues music and Delta Blues. That era also fascinates me, the 1930’s, so I love this time period and the music. I am also a big Horror Movie fan, I love the old school monster movies and Vampire movies. So for me, this movie checks all the boxes. Honestly I don’t know what else to say, if you are looking for a blues history or period movie only, this might not be for you. If you are looking for a Vampire horror movie, all the blues references, settings and music might be too much for you. It combines both of those kind of like Cowboys and Aliens combined Western and Sci-fi.

I forgot the ending…as the credits start to roll and you think the movie is over, don’t look away. Buddy Guy is seen playing and there is a final scene where Buddy Guy (who is Sammie 60 years later) has a conversation with the Haints from the beginning of the movie. It ties it all together.

If you are looking for a Southern Gothic Supernatural Thriller full of Blues Music, Blues Folklore, Vampires, Action and Drama set in 1932 Clarksdale, Mississippi…….This is your movie!

Make some popcorn,

Grab a beverage,

and Stream This Movie!

Currently on HBO MAX

and for rent on Prime.

Fast And Furious Presents: Hobbs And Shaw

2019 Universal Pictures

Rated: PG-13

Length: 2 hr 17min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Thriller

Directed by: David Leitch

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Idris Elba, Vanessa Kirby, Eiza González, Cliff Curtis, and Helen Mirren.

Nothing is stronger than family.

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw centers on two reluctant allies, Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), who are forced to team up amidst a high-stakes pursuit of a powerful super virus that could potentially wipe out the entire human race. The story begins in London, where MI6 agent Hattie Shaw ( Vanessa Kirby), Deckard’s younger sister, acquires a programmable super virus called “Snowflake” from a cyberterrorist group named Eteon. After a violent attack by Brixton Lore (Idris Elba), an enhanced ex-MI6 agent with cybernetic abilities who kills her team, Hattie injects herself with the virus to keep it from falling into enemy hands and is then framed as a criminal on the run.

Hobbs, an ex-DSS agent estranged from his Samoan family, and Shaw, an ex-MI6 agent with a complicated past, are independently tasked to track down the missing virus by CIA Agent Victor Locke (Played by Ryan Reynolds in an uncredited Cameo Role). They initially clash due to their rivalry but eventually must collaborate to find and rescue Hattie. Their mission leads them through intense action sequences, including a daring car chase and battles against Eteon’s forces, as the trio uncovers the deadly potential of the virus and the high stakes of Brixton’s plan for global dominance.

They try to trick their way into the Eteon Lab where there is a virus extraction machine that can recover the virus capsules from inside Hattie. But the machine is damaged as they escape the lab with it. With everyone looking for them after Eteon plastered their pictures all over every news media in the world, Hobbs decides there is only one place they can go. The one place he never wanted to go back to, home to Samoa. Knowing that they would be safe on the remote island with his estranged family long enough to fix the machine and extract the virus, they head to Samoa.

Hobbs has a complicated but deep relationship with his brother Jonah, who initially feels hurt and neglected because Hobbs had been absent from his family’s life for a long time. When Hobbs returns to Samoa, there’s tension between them, but they eventually begin to reconnect and rebuild their bond. This reconciliation is important because it not only strengthens their family ties but also becomes vital in the fight ahead, and Hobbs knows that Jonah has the expertise and the technology to fix the Virus Capsule extraction machine.

The Samoan community, led by Hobbs and supported by his brother and other family members, comes together to prepare for an epic battle against Brixton, who threatens global destruction with a deadly virus. The brothers draw on their Samoan heritage and warrior spirit, merging traditional strength and modern tactics to stand against the coming enemy. This powerful alliance of family and community showcases themes of unity, loyalty, and courage as they put everything on the line to protect humanity from a catastrophic threat. Their fight is not just personal—it is a struggle for the survival of innocent lives everywhere.

I have seen this movie a few times and I was anxious to watch it again after I found out it was going to be on Netflix with most of The Fast And The Furious Franchise. It does not disappoint, with such Star Power, how could it? I am a huge Jason Statham fan and a big fan of Dwayne Johnson, and the two together are perfect in my opinion. More, please! I had forgotten how much of a Bad-Ass Vanessa Kirby is in this movie, from the very beginning she holds her own with Statham and Johnson, giving The Rock a run for his money in one scene. Awesome job by Vanessa! I just watched her in Night Always Comes and really enjoyed her in that one as well. I thought she was really good as Josephine De Beauharnais in Napoleon, which is a really good movie also.

I feel like I could go on for days about this movie I like it so much….Idris Alba is excellent as the evil cyborg trying to rid the planet of the weak side of humanity. That motorcycle of his is something else! Wicked special effects on that one! And the last part of the movie where Hobbs goes home to Samoa is great. Watching his Mom break bad with a flip-flop that EVERYONE on the island respects was hilarious and heart-warming. You see the love and sense of family they all have for each other. Getting a glimpse of the Samoan culture and their fierce Warrior Spirit was awe-Inspiring. Kevin Hart also has an uncredited Cameo as a US Air Marshall. And on and on and on….. Seriously….do yourself a favor..

Grab A Beverage,

Make Some Popcorn

And Stream This Movie!

And when the credits start to roll don’t look away,

there are two more small scenes in the midst of the credits,

Don’t Miss Them!

Napoleon

Night Always Comes

Fountain Of Youth

2025 Apple TV+

Rated: PG-13

Length: 2 hr 5min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Mystery

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Starring: John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson, Arian Moayed, Laz Alonso, Carmen Ejogo, and Stanley Tucci.

Life Is About The Adventure

Fountain of Youth promises a whirlwind globetrotting treasure hunt packed with family drama, ancient mysteries, and the seductive allure of eternal life. At its core, this film is about two estranged siblings, Luke (John Krasinski) and Charlotte (Natalie Portman), who reluctantly reunite to chase a mythical treasure that could change their lives forever. Luke, the reckless adventurer son of a famed archaeologist, drags his sister out of her comfortable but squeezed life as a museum curator in London. Their quest? To find the legendary Fountain of Youth, funded by a terminally ill billionaire whose motives become as murky as the clues they follow through Ireland, Switzerland, and Egypt. Along the way, they dodge international law enforcement, clash with a secretive group sworn to protect the fountain, and confront the chasms that years of separation have carved between them.

Guy Ritchie delivers his signature brisk pacing with visually arresting chase scenes and fight sequences, creating a sleek adventure movie that never asks you to think too deeply. The script is littered with nods to classics like Indiana Jones, National Treasure, Uncharted and Tomb Raider, making it feel comfortably familiar with a slightly different twist on the Treasure Hunt movie. John Krasinski and Natalie Portman deliver solid performances, their sibling chemistry thrust into sharp focus as the magical environment tests their resolve. Supporting roles, particularly from Domhnall Gleeson as the enigmatic benefactor, Esme Bianco (Eiza González) as a fierce guardian of the fountain, and Stanley Tucci as The Elder in charge of the guardians of the fountain add welcome unpredictability and energy.

While the movie channels the familiar thrills of treasure hunts past, this time it’s the special effects that truly steal the show. Guy Ritchie’s knack for lively pacing remains intact, but the VFX team brings an extra layer of wonder to the screen, especially when the action reaches the legendary fountain. Shimmering water, surreal bursts of color, and dazzling transformations create a spectacle that’s both magical and memorable. This climactic sequence isn’t just eye candy, it injects real energy and awe, elevating the stakes and reinforcing the film’s central theme of chasing the impossible. Stylistically, the costumes and soundtrack keep things vibrant and lively; a quirky J-pop track and lush floral patterns mark the film’s funnier and more flamboyant moments.

Fountain of Youth still leans on genre conventions and lighthearted family drama, but the special effects, especially in the fountain scenes, make this quest feel fresh again. For viewers who crave blockbuster magic, these moments transform the film from a pleasant diversion into something truly cinematic.

Give this adventure a go!

Don’t forget the popcorn!