Warwick Showcase

MONKEY MAN
* * *
(Violent, Political, Revenge Movie)

Dev Patel directs and stars in the title role of this R-rated, extremely violent movie about an underground Indian fighter who gets the pulp beaten out of him in fixed fights for little money.

Referred to as Kid, he also works as a dishwasher and waiter in a posh restaurant/brothel, where he sneers at the haves, while living his miserable life among the have-nots. Kid’s mother has been murdered in front of him when he was young, and he lives to revenge the police chief who murdered her.

Kid loses it one day as he has had enough of his mistreatment and that of an abused female “employee.” He attacks the police chief, his bodyguards, and anyone who gets in his way in one of the bloodiest scenes I’ve watched at the movies.

He is chased through the streets   in quick-cut scenes and injured nearly to his death. Saved by a cult, he gains back his strength.

Kid takes on the bad guys, seeking his revenge on the police chief in an even bloodier battle, with a shocking outcome.

The R-rated violence may be a bit too much for some, but the political messages about the injustices to the downtrodden in India come through loud and clear.

AVON

THE ZONE OF INTEREST
* * *

This slow-moving Oscar-winner from Poland is filled with irony, as we watch German commander of Auschwitz, Rudolf Hoess and his wife Hedwig raise their five children in a large house and pristine gardens under the shadow of the concentration camp.

Everything is idyllic as Hedwig tends the beautiful flowers, the children swim in the pool, the servants prepare their meals, and Rudolf goes off to work every morning.

The perfect life is disrupted when Hoess is reassigned, leaving his family to be promoted to a new assignment, only to be brought back to oversee new responsibilities at Auschwitz in a stunning, chilling, subtle conclusion.

The film makes a strong statement about the insecurity and inequality of war, doing so in a very slow and often tedious way.

NETFLIX

RIPLEY
* * * ½

Netflix has sent (The Amazing Mr.) Ripley off to Italy to return the prodigal son of a wealthy man to America.

The con-artist discovers more than he bargained for in this black and white film noire.

VIKINGS
* * * ½

It’s a bloody battle as the Vikings head west to discover new lands and new people to rid of their treasures.

The haves and have-nots clash, lessons are learned about how to treat those who are different than you, and who to trust.

LONGMIRE
* * * ½

Our daughter turned us on to this series about a middle-aged Wyoming sheriff who tackles a murder an episode. Quirky characters, original plots, and some surprise endings make this a fun hour to watch.