Category: Spy

Black Bag

2025   Focus Features

Rated:  R

Length:  1 hr  33min

Drama ~ Mystery ~ Romance ~ Spy ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Steven Soderbergh

Starring:  Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan.

It Takes A Spy To Hunt A Spy

George Woodhouse (Michael Fassbender), a hard-nosed British intelligence officer, has been handed a stressful assignment by Arthur Stieglitz (Pierce Brosnan), the head of the National Cyber Security Centre: track down the mole responsible for leaking a powerful piece of cyber-weapon software called Severus. The stakes go from professional to deeply personal once George learns that his own wife, Kathryn (Cate Blanchett), herself an elite agent, has landed on the shortlist of suspects alongside several of their close colleagues. Under intense pressure, George invites all the suspects, including Kathryn, to an unusually tense dinner party, where he employs unconventional, even sneaky, interrogation methods to push for confessions without tipping his hand.

As the investigation spirals, George is forced to confront cracks in both his marriage and his faith in the people closest to him. Suspicion mounts when mysterious clues appear: a hidden movie ticket in the wastebasket, a sudden trip to Switzerland by his wife without telling him, and signs that millions may have been transferred to an overseas bank account in her name. Kathryn finds herself under fire at work and at home, but her relationship with George, built on both trust and professional rivalry, becomes the movie’s driving force as the pair try to outwit a blackmailer playing them against each other.

With suspicion and paranoia swirling, the movie stays laser-focused on psychological tension rather than car chases or shootouts. Every dialogue and sideways glance carries extra weight, especially as dinner party secrets unravel and loyalties are put to the test. Amidst layers of secrets, lies, and suspicion, George and Kathryn face the biggest challenge: their loyalty to each other is tested by the possibility that one of them could be the traitor. Despite the mistrust and high-stakes espionage around them, their relationship proves strong and unbreakable. In the end, George and Kathryn reaffirm that their love and faith in one another are what truly matter, insisting that betrayal is not an option between them. Their partnership stands as a core, human element amid the chaos of spy games and political intrigue.

Black Bag is not your typical action spy movie because it focuses more on psychological tension, character dynamics, and subtle espionage rather than car chases, big explosions, or nonstop action scenes. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, it’s a smart and sleek thriller that unfolds primarily through conversations, suspicion, and quiet moments of betrayal. Instead of flashy set pieces, the film builds suspense around trust issues, particularly within the main couple and their coworkers, and the careful maneuvering in their closed, claustrophobic environments like dinner parties and office spaces. It is a whodunit that is devoid of a lot of action and does move a little slow. You do have to pay attention to the details as George does, to figure things out. It was a different role for Michael Fassbender but enjoyable nonetheless. It does come off as a little cold and sterile where there is not much action and again moves a little slow. But it is more about the relationship of George and Kathryn and how they handle this test of their marriage.

Sure, it’s worth a watch but go in knowing that it is a bit different than your average spy action movie.

Back In Action

2025   Netflix

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr  54min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Comedy ~ Family ~ Spy

Directed by:  Seth Gordon

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Andrew Scott, Jamie Demetriou, Kyle Chandler, and Glenn Close.

“What if Mr. and Mrs. Smith had kids?”

Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz star as Matt and Emily, Secret Agents for the CIA. Matt and Emily have done what spies aren’t supposed to do, fall in love with each other. Right before their assignment, Emily realizes she is pregnant. Their mission doesn’t go as planned and they end up on a plane fighting off the crew who turn out to be covert spies themselves. Right before the plane goes down, they share a parachute and escape, landing safely. They both agree that, since Emily is pregnant, this is the perfect time to fake their deaths. Disappear off the grid, start from scratch and build a family.

Fast forward fifteen years and they are the typical suburban family. Matt and Emily are raising their fourteen year old daughter Alice and their twelve year old son Leo. Constantly battling too much screen time on their children’s devices, juggling work and after school activities. They even drive a mini-van to soccer practices and games that Matt coaches. As they try to control Alice’s covert underage nightlife activities, their cover is blown and they are forced to take the kids into hiding with them. They head to England where Emily’s Mom Ginny (Glenn Close), a former Secret Agent for the MI6, lives on a sprawling countryside estate outside of London.

There are plenty of story twists and turns as they try to vanish again, and protect their kids. It is a familiar storyline but then aren’t all the spy movies. The agents go on an assignment to retrieve the thing the bad guy has that will disrupt the working order of our world. That’s always the mission, but this time it involves kids, and Matt and Emily love their kids. The kids are awesome on their own, they have been raised well and being a spy runs in their blood. They just don’t know it yet. I really liked McKenna Roberts as Alice, and Rylan Jackson as Leo. There is plenty of action and a few laughs as Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz hold their own on the fight floor and the acting stage.

It has been over a decade since Cameron Diaz made a movie. She had decided that she needed to focus on her personal life, raise a family, and get off the Hollywood grid. Jamie Foxx approached her with this film and she said, “If I’m going to do a movie, I’m going to do it with Jamie. No questions asked.” It was really good to see her “Back In Action”, I think she did an awesome job, kicking butt and taking names, the Cameron Diaz we all know and love.  You could feel the chemistry and the love between Jamie and the kids. She can still hold her own acting and fighting. Job well done and welcome back Cameron Diaz.

I had watched Jamie Foxx’s Netflix special on Netflix What had happened was….where he talks about his medical ordeal for the first time. Very touching story, if you get the chance you should watch it. In a nutshell Jamie came down with a mysterious illness, basically his brain started hemorrhaging for no apparent reason. He almost died, was in a coma, came to but couldn’t move his body. He then spent agonizing months in rehab and physical therapy learning how to walk again. Seeing him “Back in Action”…..you want to jump up and scream YEAH! GO JAMIE!!!! Job Well Done on all accounts, and welcome back Jamie Foxx. Ya still got it!

I love the soundtrack to the fight scenes, perfect! I loved the story, I loved the action, I loved seeing Jamie and Cameron together raising kids, I could feel the love! They did everything to protect their kids and it shone through in the movie. I didn’t pay much attention to what the bad guy was up to or the device he wanted, a mere subplot behind the parents fighting for their family and their kids.

Yes, yes and yes. I can’t wait to watch it again, and I just know there’s a sequel coming…BRING IT ON!

Highly Recommended!

Two Thumbs up!

Heart Of Stone

2023   Netflix

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  2 hr  2min

Action ~ Crime ~ Spy ~ Thriller

Directed by:  Tom Harper

Starring:  Gal Gadot, Jamie Dornan, Alia Bhatt, Sophie Okonedo, and Matthias Schweighöfer.

HEART OF STONE: An unfriendly or unkind disposition. “She had a Heart of Stone.”

Gal Gadot stars as MI6 Field technician Rachel Stone. Rachel and her team are in the Italian Alps to capture Mulvaney, a wanted arms dealer. They are in a casino resort high up on the top of a mountain where there is a livestream of a Navy Seals operation being broadcast. Mulvaney and the other guests are there to place bets on the outcome. The extraction of Mulvaney doesn’t go as planned and a gunfight breaks out. Parker (Jamie Dornan) manages to get Mulvaney out of the casino and into the cable car amidst the fighting and head down the mountain. Stone slips away and contacts………..

Jack Of Hearts (Matthias Schweighöfer) who, using his very sophisticated extensive computer simulation in real time, guides her down the mountain from his location in London. It is very impressive how Jack of Hearts assists Stone from that far away. It is an action and suspense filled trip down the mountain as Stone deals with every obstacle in her way with Jack’s assistance. As she races down the mountain, the rest of her MI6 team is also trying to get to the bottom to intercept Parker and Mulvaney before a security team reaches them. It is an adrenaline filled race as all three parties try to get to Mulvaney and Parker first.

It is a spy thriller and I can’t talk anymore about the plot without giving things away. Nobody is who you think they are, there are many surprises as the movie unfolds. Stone is called “Nine of Hearts” and referred to as “Heart of Stone” given her cold blooded approach to doing her job. Who does Rachel Stone work for? Does MI6 call her “Nine of Hearts” Who does Jack of Hearts work for? These are questions that get answered as the movie unfolds, and you have to watch for that as it get very tricky following who is who and doing what for what reason. And just when you think you have it figured out…….

I loved Matthias Schweighöfer in Army of Thieves and Army of The Dead, although I liked Army of Thieves much better than Army of The Dead. When I found out that Matthias also directed Army of Thieves, as well as starring in it, I was very impressed and made a mental note to keep an eye out for him. I really like him in this as well, great job, one of my new favorite actors (Top ten lists coming soon!). I just re-watched and reviewed Red Notice and really like Gal Gadot in it and decided to watch her in this movie. Excellent job of portraying Rachel Stone, the bad-ass spy holding her own against anyone in any situation. Kind of like a female James Bond.

It is non-stop action, a tremendous thrill ride full of twists and turns you don’t see coming. It has a lot of modern James Bond type technology that I love to watch and see in a movie. The plot line is a familiar one, but it is what spies do, it is their job to keep the bad guys from getting their hands on things they shouldn’t have and stop them from using them to destroy the world as we know it.

I would DEFINATELY watch this again.

Highly Recommended!

Two Thumbs Up!!

The Union

2024   Netflix

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr  47min

Spy ~ Comedy ~ Action ~ Adventure

Directed by:  Julian Farino

Starring:  Mark Wahlberg, Halle Berry, and J. K. Simmons.

“The Union does the dirty work for the CIA and FBI, they’re blue-collar workers, average everyday people living ordinary lives just like you. They get plucked by The Union to be trained to shoot and do combat intelligence and tactical weaponry.”

Mark Wahlberg stars as Mike McKenna, a broke construction worker still living at home with his mom, still working the same job, still hanging out at the same bar with the same friends, in Paterson, New Jersey. One day after work he and his buddies are playing pool and drinking beer at their usual spot Wilson’s Bar, when Mike’s ex-girlfriend Roxanne Hall(Halle Berry), who he hasn’t seen since high school, suddenly shows up.

They spend the evening drinking, playing pool and reminiscing. Roxanne talks Mike into going to a place in the park where they used to make out in high school. Mike finds their old song on his phone and they start to slow dance. Roxanne then jabs him in the neck with a tranquilizer and kidnaps him. Mike comes to in a hotel room in London, England where she explains why she did it.

Mike tries to leave the hotel and runs into Tom Brennan(J. K. Simmons) who offers to buy him breakfast and explain everything. “We work for The Union. We do the dirty work for the FBI and the CIA. We recruit ordinary hard working Blue Collar people like yourself and train them to help us do the dirty work under the radar, keeping the world safe. We need you Mike.”

It’s a typical spy story, bad guys got the goods that will change the world for the worst and we have to stop them at any cost. Usually it’s guys in prison that get recruited for the role, in this story it’s the average Joe blue collar worker down on his luck. Hence the name The Union. Reminds me of The Gray Man I just saw with Ryan Gosling. It’s more of a comedy than an action thriller. Didn’t feel like it was hitting on all cylinders.

Given the star power I feel it should have been better. I’m a big Mark Wahlberg fan. Just saw him in Spenser Confidential, one of my favorites. He was definitely better in that movie. I like J.K. Simmons and Halle Berry but didn’t seem like the roles gave them enough room to make their performances better. It’s definitely not their best.

It’s ok, just ok…

One thumb up, the other down and a wave of both hands sideways as in ….ah, just so-so.

Update: Mom and Dad just watched it. “Yeah, it was alright,  If Mark Wahlberg wasn’t in it, I don’t think I would have watched it.”

The Man From U.N.C.L.E.

2015   Warner Bros. Pictures

Rated:  PG-13

Length:  1 hr  56min

Action ~ Adventure ~ Comedy ~ Spy

Directed By:  Guy Ritchie

Starring:  Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, and Hugh Grant.

“So I have news….A fresh little unpleasantness has arisen…. but I’ve spoken to your superiors and now that we’re all such good friends, they’ve kindly agreed to let me keep the team together for awhile. Oh, and you have a new code name…..rather a good one…..U.N.C.L.E.”

United Network Command Law Enforcement

Henry Cavill stars as Napoleon Solo, an indentured Agent for the American C.I.A. at the height of the Cold War in 1963 tasked with crossing into Russian controlled East Berlin, Germany and extracting…….

Gaby Teller(Alicia Vikander), a female mechanic whose father Dr. Udo Teller worked for the Germans during War World II developing rocket technology. After the war he worked for the Americans until he suddenly disappeared. Now Napoleon needs to convince Gaby to escape with him into West Berlin to help find her Father before the Russians get to her. As they try to escape they are followed by…….

Illya Kuryakin(Armie Hammer), a Russian KGB Agent tasked with stopping Napoleon and extracting Gaby for the Russians. A car chase ensues with Illya hot on their tale but Napoleon and Gaby manage to escape over the wall into East Berlin.

The next day the Russians and the Americans decide to team up together to stop Alexander(Luca Calvani) and Victoria Vinciguerra(Elizabeth Debicki), Nazi sympathizers who have kidnapped Dr. Udo Teller to build a nuclear bomb for them. So Napoleon Solo, Illya Kuryakin and Gaby Teller (who is secretly working for the British MI6) set out on a mission to stop the evil villainous Victoria managed by Alexander Waverly(Hugh Grant).

I remember watching the TV Series as a kid and being a big fan. This is an excellent adaptation of the TV series. I love the chemistry between Illya, Napoleon and Gaby. Especially Illya and Gaby. In a scene in the hotel room Gaby decides to get drunk on Vodka and have some fun. She puts on her sunglasses, cranks the radio and starts dancing to entice Illya to join her, the chemistry between them is unmistakable. One of my favorite scenes.

This is an excellent Spy Caper, thoroughly enjoyable, good clean fun!

I’ve seen it several times, one of my favorites!

Highly Recommended!

Two Thumbs Up!

Where’s the sequel?

I just did a quick search and there are rumors of a possible sequel but nothing concrete yet…Let’s keep our fingers crossed!