Savvas D. Michael’s 2023 action-comedy Hitmen is an attempt to force humor into a gangster plot and hope that the audience finds the marital discontent between a bumbling couple hilarious. Unfortunately, it’s the opposite, and the lead characters, Luke (Daniel Caltagirone) and Lauren (Lois Brabin-Platt) Loveday, end up becoming an insufferable duo quite quickly. While Eric Roberts tries his best as the dangerous Michael Hero, a lot of other talent is simply wasted because of poor direction and a lack of clarity about what to do with the script. After adding a bunch of characters and with a massive runtime to fill, the director lets the story run amok, and soon enough, Hitmen becomes a jumbled mess. Here’s what happens in the flea market version of British gangster comedy that we’re used to seeing.
Spoilers Ahead
How Does Trouble Start In The Lovedays’ Lives?
In a café in England,...
Spoilers Ahead
How Does Trouble Start In The Lovedays’ Lives?
In a café in England,...
- 8/7/2023
- by Indrayudh Talukdar
- Film Fugitives
Stars: Daniel Caltagirone, Adam Deacon, Lois Brabin-Platt, Max Lohan, Eric Roberts, Marco Leonardi, Georges St-Pierre, Lucas Aurelio, Elijah Rowen, Bentley Kalu | Written and Directed by Savvas D. Michael
Twenty-five years on from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels the British gangster revival is still going strong. Case in point Hitmen, the new film from writer/director Savvas D. Michael who has already made several contributions to the genre including The Bezonians, Smoking Guns and Original Gangster.
Luke and Lauren are having marital issues. But that doesn’t mean she’s thrilled when Jackie starts hitting on her and when she mocks him, hitting her. This leads to a beating which in turn leads to Jackie’s death.
That would be bad enough, but Jackie’s grandfather Michael is a wealthy CEO with some rather shady connections. When they’re acquitted by reason of self-defense he puts a million-dollar contract on the couple.
Twenty-five years on from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels the British gangster revival is still going strong. Case in point Hitmen, the new film from writer/director Savvas D. Michael who has already made several contributions to the genre including The Bezonians, Smoking Guns and Original Gangster.
Luke and Lauren are having marital issues. But that doesn’t mean she’s thrilled when Jackie starts hitting on her and when she mocks him, hitting her. This leads to a beating which in turn leads to Jackie’s death.
That would be bad enough, but Jackie’s grandfather Michael is a wealthy CEO with some rather shady connections. When they’re acquitted by reason of self-defense he puts a million-dollar contract on the couple.
- 5/30/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Couple who kill a man for harassing them in the pub are pursued by an army of his father’s goons. A few sparky performances can’t redeem this cartoonish thriller
One might start to wonder if the career of British writer-director Savvas D Michael (previously responsible for The Bezonians) may be propelled, like the scam in The Producers, by a deliberate intention to make crap movies for an investment write-off. Anything is possible in the wild and wonderful world of the film business. The only other explanation is that Michael thinks the laddish, nihilistically violent and yet not in the slightest bit amusing quasi-cartoon world he’s created in Hitman is entertaining. Could anyone be that deluded?
Hitmen’s inciting incident occurs when a bickering couple, office administrator Luke (Daniel Caltagirone) and estate agent Lauren are harassed in a pub by a drunken visiting American (Max Lohan) who is trying pick up Lauren.
One might start to wonder if the career of British writer-director Savvas D Michael (previously responsible for The Bezonians) may be propelled, like the scam in The Producers, by a deliberate intention to make crap movies for an investment write-off. Anything is possible in the wild and wonderful world of the film business. The only other explanation is that Michael thinks the laddish, nihilistically violent and yet not in the slightest bit amusing quasi-cartoon world he’s created in Hitman is entertaining. Could anyone be that deluded?
Hitmen’s inciting incident occurs when a bickering couple, office administrator Luke (Daniel Caltagirone) and estate agent Lauren are harassed in a pub by a drunken visiting American (Max Lohan) who is trying pick up Lauren.
- 5/29/2023
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Guardian - Film News
This year brought the return of Ghostface, Predator, Pinhead, Michael Myers, and Leatherface. Beyond the franchises, 2022 unleashed an onslaught of new releases that introduced new voices and horror icons to the genre. The indie scene continued to thrive, but horror surprised audiences at the box office more than once.
In other words, horror continues to dominate while it stretches its boundaries and flexes its creative muscles. The best horror movies of 2022 induced thrills, chills, delightfully gory kills, and even a few tears. If there’s one thing this past year made clear, it’s that horror-loving audiences are ready for a return to crowd-pleasing, fun horror that doesn’t skimp on scares.
Because it was such a strong year for horror, here are the top 15 best horror movies of 2022.
15. Hellraiser
The arbiters of pain and suffering are back in the Hellraiser franchise’s eleventh feature, this time with a reimagining...
In other words, horror continues to dominate while it stretches its boundaries and flexes its creative muscles. The best horror movies of 2022 induced thrills, chills, delightfully gory kills, and even a few tears. If there’s one thing this past year made clear, it’s that horror-loving audiences are ready for a return to crowd-pleasing, fun horror that doesn’t skimp on scares.
Because it was such a strong year for horror, here are the top 15 best horror movies of 2022.
15. Hellraiser
The arbiters of pain and suffering are back in the Hellraiser franchise’s eleventh feature, this time with a reimagining...
- 12/23/2022
- by Meagan Navarro
- bloody-disgusting.com
Blood, Sex & Royalty is a Netflix documentary series that showcases the vicissitudes and most shocking stories of the British Royal family in the 16th century. It stars Amy James-Kelly, Max Parker and Adam Astill. The series is written by Francesca Forristal.
In three episodes we will follow Anne Boleyn’s trajectory, in the good times and in the bad. Political and sexual intrigues are aplenty.
A new series that covers the history of the British royal family in the 16th Century. It is a modern docu-drama take on this lineage. The intrigues of the numerous iconic monarchs take center stage.
About the Series
In its novel approach, this doc-series alternates between dramatizations, which are amusing, count on good performances and scenography, and the enthusiastic accounts given by numerous experts who relay the sequences of events past. It includes accounts by historians Professor Tracy Brorman; Dr. Lauren Mackay; Professor Suzannah Lipscomb; Dr.
In three episodes we will follow Anne Boleyn’s trajectory, in the good times and in the bad. Political and sexual intrigues are aplenty.
A new series that covers the history of the British royal family in the 16th Century. It is a modern docu-drama take on this lineage. The intrigues of the numerous iconic monarchs take center stage.
About the Series
In its novel approach, this doc-series alternates between dramatizations, which are amusing, count on good performances and scenography, and the enthusiastic accounts given by numerous experts who relay the sequences of events past. It includes accounts by historians Professor Tracy Brorman; Dr. Lauren Mackay; Professor Suzannah Lipscomb; Dr.
- 11/23/2022
- by Veronica Loop
- Martin Cid - TV
To mark the release of The Bezonians, out now, we’ve been given 1 copy to give away on DVD.
Meet big boss man Plato (Andreas Karras), he’s a family man with old fashioned values and questionable beliefs who runs the Bezonians Social Club, where a colourful bunch – from Greek immigrants to a merry mix of lonely locals – have spent much of their lives. Gambling away their savings, drinking away their sorrows deep into the night while putting the world to rights – over the years they have become his second family.
When Plato makes the mistake of playing poker with scheming bombshell Lola (Lois Brabin-Platt) it’s not long before things go terribly wrong… When Lola wins big, Plato is put in a tough bind, made all the worse when her sadistic boyfriend, Willard Greb (Vinnie Jones) gives him just 24-hours to come up the cash, putting everything and everyone he knows at risk.
Meet big boss man Plato (Andreas Karras), he’s a family man with old fashioned values and questionable beliefs who runs the Bezonians Social Club, where a colourful bunch – from Greek immigrants to a merry mix of lonely locals – have spent much of their lives. Gambling away their savings, drinking away their sorrows deep into the night while putting the world to rights – over the years they have become his second family.
When Plato makes the mistake of playing poker with scheming bombshell Lola (Lois Brabin-Platt) it’s not long before things go terribly wrong… When Lola wins big, Plato is put in a tough bind, made all the worse when her sadistic boyfriend, Willard Greb (Vinnie Jones) gives him just 24-hours to come up the cash, putting everything and everyone he knows at risk.
- 5/2/2022
- by Competitions
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Bull Review — Bull (2021) Film Review, a movie written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams and starring Neil Maskell, Laura McAlpine, Yassine Mkhichen, David Hayman, Jake Davies, David Constant, Chris Coghill, Ajay Chhabra, Lois Brabin-Platt and Adam Xander Angelides. Paul Andrew Williams’s new film, Bull, doesn’t hide the fact that it is an extremely [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Bull (2021): Neil Maskell is Perfect as a Man Out For Revenge in Overly Violent Film...
Continue reading: Film Review: Bull (2021): Neil Maskell is Perfect as a Man Out For Revenge in Overly Violent Film...
- 4/18/2022
- by Thomas Duffy
- Film-Book
The British crime thriller film Bull, written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams, had its premiere in theaters late last year and will be arriving on digital platforms on April 8. The film stars Neil Maskell as the titular character Bull and features David Hayman, Tamzin Outhwaite, and Lois Brabin-Platt in supporting roles. The plot centers on former gang member Bull who returns after a 10-year exile and seeks revenge on the people who betrayed him, including his father-in-law, and attempts to be reunited with his son. The film received generally positive reviews and praise for Maskell’s performance. In The
Five Movies To Watch When You’re Done With “Bull”...
Five Movies To Watch When You’re Done With “Bull”...
- 4/12/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
All the Old Knives (Janus Metz Pedersen)
All the Old Knives wants you to sweat and swoon in equal measure. Playing in the same tried and true sandbox as some of the great espionage thrillers before it, director Janus Metz Pedersen’s adaptation of Olen Steinhaur’s 2015 novel traffics in all necessary trappings of its genre. Between the clandestine correspondence and popped peacoat collars against wet European streets, it’s certainly not shy about cinematic crushes. This infatuation is wholly appropriate, because––chilly demeanor notwithstanding––All the Old Knives is a burning romantic at heart. – Conor O. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Bull (Paul Andrew Williams)
It’s been ten years since Bull’s (Neil Maskell) son Aiden was taken...
All the Old Knives (Janus Metz Pedersen)
All the Old Knives wants you to sweat and swoon in equal measure. Playing in the same tried and true sandbox as some of the great espionage thrillers before it, director Janus Metz Pedersen’s adaptation of Olen Steinhaur’s 2015 novel traffics in all necessary trappings of its genre. Between the clandestine correspondence and popped peacoat collars against wet European streets, it’s certainly not shy about cinematic crushes. This infatuation is wholly appropriate, because––chilly demeanor notwithstanding––All the Old Knives is a burning romantic at heart. – Conor O. (full review)
Where to Stream: Amazon Prime
Bull (Paul Andrew Williams)
It’s been ten years since Bull’s (Neil Maskell) son Aiden was taken...
- 4/8/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
It’s been ten years since Bull’s (Neil Maskell) son Aiden was taken by his ex-wife (Lois Brabin-Platt’s Gemma) and father-in-law (David Hayman’s Norm). Ten years that have apparently progressed with few worries for everyone but him. Norm still runs the local crew of heavies putting the screws to businesses they need to help move their merchandise; said crew have all started families without a thought of what occurred. That Bull’s return is unexpected shouldn’t surprise, considering how long he’s been gone, but the level of terror he induces in those staring down the other end of vengeance’s knife or gun certainly is. With nothing to lose as he demands Aiden’s current whereabouts, he burns through town without remorse.
More than just a revenge film, however, writer-director Paul Andrew Williams’ Bull proves a rather effective mystery too. You may not like the...
More than just a revenge film, however, writer-director Paul Andrew Williams’ Bull proves a rather effective mystery too. You may not like the...
- 8/15/2021
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
Bull Trailer — Paul Andrew Williams‘ Bull (2021) movie trailer has been released by Signature Entertainment. The Bull trailer stars Neil Maskell, David Hayman, Ivy Amelia Angelides, Lois Brabin-Platt, Ajay Chhabra, Chris Coghill, Jake Davies, Laura McAlpine, and Tazmin Outhwaite. Crew Paul Andrew Williams wrote the screenplay for Bull. Raffertie created the music for the film. [...]
Continue reading: Bull (2021) Movie Trailer: Former Gang Enforcer Neil Maskell Returns Home for Revenge in Paul Andrew Williams’ Thriller Film...
Continue reading: Bull (2021) Movie Trailer: Former Gang Enforcer Neil Maskell Returns Home for Revenge in Paul Andrew Williams’ Thriller Film...
- 8/13/2021
- Film-Book
Bull Trailer — Paul Andrew Williams‘ Bull (2021) movie trailer has been released by Signature Entertainment. The Bull trailer stars Neil Maskell, David Hayman, Ivy Amelia Angelides, Lois Brabin-Platt, Ajay Chhabra, Chris Coghill, Jake Davies, Laura McAlpine, and Tazmin Outhwaite. Crew Paul Andrew Williams wrote the screenplay for Bull. Raffertie created the music for the film. [...]
Continue reading: Bull (2021) Movie Trailer: Former Gang Enforcer Neil Maskell Returns Home for Revenge in Paul Andrew Williams’ Thriller Film...
Continue reading: Bull (2021) Movie Trailer: Former Gang Enforcer Neil Maskell Returns Home for Revenge in Paul Andrew Williams’ Thriller Film...
- 8/13/2021
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
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