Jeremy Saulnier’s latest Netflix release, Rebel Ridge, dives headfirst into a politically charged narrative that grips the audience from the very first scene. This intense action-thriller centers around Terry Richmond, a Black man (played by Aaron Pierre), who faces a corrupt law enforcement system in the fictional town of Shelby Springs. The film sets a powerful tone with an opening altercation, where Terry is unjustly thrown off his bike and accused of carrying drug money. He’s simply on his way to bail out his cousin but soon finds himself in a fight against a system rigged against him.

The film’s premise revolves around Terry’s quest for justice as he unearths a much larger conspiracy. What starts as a routine traffic stop quickly escalates into a battle of wits and willpower between him and a town controlled by crooked cops. Led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson), Shelby Springs’ law enforcement operates under its own rules, pushing Terry to take matters into his own hands. With the help of Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), a local court clerk, Terry starts to unravel the corruption, seeking to expose the truth and bring down the people responsible for ruining his life.

Director Jeremy Saulnier builds tension meticulously, creating a narrative that keeps the viewer at the edge of their seat. The story is centered around Terry’s resilience, showing how far he’s pushed before finally fighting back. It’s not just an action-packed revenge thriller, but a commentary on the systemic issues that continue to plague marginalized communities. Saulnier’s decision to repeatedly show Terry being wronged adds emotional weight to his journey, making his eventual retaliation both satisfying and justified.

Aaron Pierre delivers a standout performance as Terry Richmond. His commanding presence on screen elevates the film, particularly in the quieter moments where his determination and frustration are palpable. Pierre’s portrayal of Terry is nuanced, bringing depth to the character without losing the grit needed for the action sequences. His interactions with Don Johnson’s character, Chief Burnne, are particularly captivating, creating a tense dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist.

AnnaSophia Robb also delivers a solid performance as Summer McBride, though her role as the whistleblower feels a bit predictable at times. Despite this, her chemistry with Pierre helps to ground the film, adding a layer of humanity to the otherwise action-driven plot. Don Johnson, as the corrupt police chief, brings an appropriate sense of menace, though his role doesn’t offer much beyond the standard villain trope.

While Rebel Ridge hits many of the right notes, it occasionally drags in its pacing. The film’s extended runtime feels slightly overstretched, especially as it repeatedly emphasizes the lawlessness of Shelby Springs. However, the action sequences are skillfully executed, with Saulnier maintaining a gritty yet smooth flow that keeps viewers invested until the final act.

In the end, Rebel Ridge delivers a satisfying payoff as Terry successfully fights back against the corrupt system. Though it may tread familiar ground in terms of its narrative, the strong performances and Saulnier’s sharp direction make it a compelling watch. Aaron Pierre’s portrayal of Terry Richmond is especially noteworthy, making Rebel Ridge a film worth watching for fans of political action-thrillers.

Michael Keaton recently honored Tim Burton with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, praising the filmmaker for his game-changing vision with the 1989 “Batman” movie. Keaton, who starred as the iconic superhero, shared how Burton’s bold choices transformed the superhero genre and paved the way for the multi-billion-dollar industry that exists today.

Reflecting on their early collaboration, Keaton recounted the moment Burton handed him the script for “Batman” following their successful partnership in “Beetlejuice.” Despite the uproar from fans and media over his casting as Batman, Keaton admired Burton’s courage to stand by his decision. He shared, “The guts it took to stand by that decision will always be appreciated by me.”

The 1989 “Batman” film not only cemented Michael Keaton’s place in Hollywood but also set a new standard for superhero movies. Keaton noted that the success of the movie helped launch the superhero genre into the mainstream, saying, “There are a lot of people making a lot of money out there with their superhero movies because of his [Burton’s] choice and his vision of what those movies could be, because he changed everything.”

Michael Keaton praises Tim Burton: “There are a lot of people making a lot of money out there with their superhero movies because of his choice and his vision of what those movies could be, because he changed everything.” https://t.co/wxrWvt5aTS pic.twitter.com/F32Vp0xmHS

— Variety (@Variety) September 3, 2024

Keaton also reflected on the intense backlash that followed his casting in the late 1980s. Comic book fans sent over 50,000 letters to Warner Bros., expressing their disapproval. However, Keaton said he’s still baffled by how much people cared. “The fact that people cared one way or another so much is still baffling. But that was a ballsy move on his [Burton’s] part.”

In recent interviews, Keaton has credited Burton with revolutionizing Hollywood blockbusters, stating that without Burton’s “Batman,” there might not be a Marvel or DC cinematic universe today. He added, “He was doubted and questioned, but he deserves enormous credit for what he accomplished.”

The actor and director are reuniting for “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” a sequel set to hit theaters on September 6. While their collaboration also includes Disney’s 2019 live-action “Dumbo,” Keaton admitted that he wasn’t happy with his performance in the film. “I think I let him down on one movie, and it bugs me to this day. I sucked in ‘Dumbo,’” he shared in a recent interview with The New York Times. Despite this, Keaton and Burton’s legacy in shaping modern superhero films remains undeniable.

Watch Keaton’s full speech at Burton’s Walk of Fame ceremony in the video below.

The newly released Ronald Reagan biopic, directed by Sean McNamara, has outperformed initial box office predictions during its opening weekend. Despite receiving largely negative reviews from critics, the film secured the fourth spot on the weekend charts, showcasing its surprising commercial success.

Titled Reagan, the movie stars Dennis Quaid as Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, and Penelope Ann Miller as Nancy Reagan. The narrative spans Reagan’s life, from his childhood and early acting career to his political ascent and presidency. The story emphasizes Reagan’s opposition to communism during his time in Hollywood and his role in the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union. Jon Voight narrates the film, portraying a fictional retired KGB officer who holds Reagan responsible for the collapse of the Soviet regime.

Released on Friday before Labor Day weekend, Reagan was the only new movie to contend with the major blockbusters still dominating theaters from earlier in the summer. Over the three-day period from Friday to Sunday, Reagan grossed $7.4 million, with projections indicating a total of $9.2 million by the end of Monday.

The film’s box office performance is notable, given its competition. According to Comscore’s estimates, the weekend’s top earner was Deadpool & Wolverine, which brought in $15.2 million. Alien: Romulus followed with $9.3 million, while It Ends With Us matched Reagan‘s $7.4 million, albeit finishing slightly ahead in third place. Twisters rounded out the top five with $7.2 million.

Audiences have responded positively to Reagan, reflected in the film’s impressive 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 1,000 reviews. Viewers praised the performances of Quaid, Voight, and Miller, with one review highlighting the film as “action-packed” and a “great film for anyone who lived during the Reagan years.” Another reviewer described the biopic as delivering “Oscar-winning performances” and commended the film for its heartfelt portrayal of Reagan’s life.

Critics, however, have not shared this enthusiasm. Odie Henderson of The Boston Globe criticized the film as “the worst kind of hagiography” and labeled it a “wretched 2½-hour bore.” Nick Schager of The Daily Beast echoed this sentiment, calling Reagan “the worst movie of the year” and expressing disappointment in its execution. Richard Roeper of The Chicago Sun-Times commented that while there is potential for a compelling story about Reagan’s life, Reagan is not that film.

The movie also faced challenges before its release, with allegations that Facebook had restricted advertising and promotional efforts for the film. Dennis Quaid claimed that Facebook was “censoring the free flow of ideas” by limiting the reach of ads related to the film. Facebook acknowledged the issue but attributed it to a possible mistake. The incident was highlighted in a letter from the film’s digital marketing director, Eric McClellan, to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, where McClellan detailed various difficulties encountered when attempting to promote Reagan on the platform.

Despite these controversies, Reagan has managed to capture the interest of moviegoers, demonstrating that even in the face of critical skepticism and promotional hurdles, a film can still resonate with its intended audience.