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Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Kerry Washington's new action movie is a blast — and blew my expectations away
It's tough to decide whether to go to the theaters or stick to what's on the best streaming services. But if you want something to watch this weekend, go to your local cinema and check out Kerry Washington in "Shadow Force." I'll be honest, when I saw the trailer, I wasn't particularly impressed. It felt like a cliche action movie in all the worst ways. But I had a chance to see it at the Atlanta Film Festival and felt I had an obligation to go. I'm glad I did, because I had a blast (pun somewhat intended). Don't get me wrong, this movie doesn't break the mold, and it definitely has some of those aforementioned action movie cliches. But it also has some great performances, hilarious moments and impressive action set pieces with some spectacular kills. Here's why you should go see 'Shadow Force' when it hits theaters this weekend. 'Shadow Force' stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as Kyrah and Isaac, respectively. These two were former members of a special forces team known as Shadow Force, but they fell in love, had a son named Ky (Jahleel Kamara) and decided to abandon their team and go dark to keep Ky safe. Unfortunately for them, one day Isaac's location is exposed to the world, and now Shadow Force director Jack Cinder (Mark Strong) has unleashed the remaining members of his kill squad to hunt Kyrah and Isaac down — offering $50 million to whoever can get the job done. Full disclosure: This movie is borderline a rom-com masquerading as an action comedy at times. There's an ex who isn't over the relationship, a woman trying to protect her family, and even star-crossed lovers connecting through the soulful music of Lionel Richie. But for as much as this movie can be a love story, it's also got gunfire, explosions, and well-executed hand-to-hand combat. The climactic action set piece, in particular, is up there with set pieces from the best action movies. Set on an island villa, this scene devolves into a shootout that's thrilling to watch, with quite of few impressive kills. It then transitions into a chase sequence and a few final battles with another fantastic kill or two, and by the end, you feel like you more than got your money's worth. Action isn't the only thing 'Shadow Force' has going for it — Jahleel Kamara is hysterical as Kyrah and Isaac's son and Da'Vine Joy Randolph kills it as Auntie, one of Kyrah and Isaac's old friends who is also hunting Cinder and the remains of Shadow Force. Mark Strong as the villainous Cinder also produces a few incredible moments, including one that had people in my screening gasping in shock. But these performances ultimately wouldn't make this a movie worth going to the theater for if the action isn't well-executed. That's the main reason to go see "Shadow Force." So, go to your local theater, grab some popcorn and a soda and strap in for 104 minutes of mindless fun and Hollywood violence. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson shine in 'Friendship' — but I have one problem with this new comedy
"Friendship" stars Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd as two neighbors hoping to become fast friends. Do they become best buddies? Well, you'll have to go watch "Friendship" in theaters to find out. It opens in select U.S. cities today, with a wide release coming on May 23. Of course ... you could just wait to see it on Max, one of the best streaming services. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the movies, and think you should go and support your local cinema whenever you can. But after watching "Friendship" at the Atlanta Film Festival, I think it's a movie a lot of people can wait to watch. "Friendship" stars Tim Robinson as Craig Waterman. He lives in a quiet suburban neighborhood with his wife Tami (Kate Mara), who recently beat cancer, and their teenage son Steven (Jack Dylan Grazer) Craig leads a quiet suburban life. That is, until one day a misdelivered package forces him to go over to the new neighbor's house. There, he meets the charismatic Austin (Paul Rudd), and it's love at first sight for Craig. They begin a budding friendship, until a series of missteps by Craig cause Austin to wash his hands of their friendship. Watching the trailer" for "Friendship," you can tell that this movie wants to be part comedy and part psychological thriller. Having seen the finished product, I can confirm the movie does manage to do this. It is undeniably hilarious, and things definitely take an eerie turn once Craig and Austin's friendship devolves. But the movie struggles to commit one way or the other, and it would be such a stronger movie if it did. Even in the final scenes, it can't decide which route it wants to go, ultimately landing largely on one genre but not before being a different one just the scene before. In the trailer, IndieWire is quoted as calling this movie "'I Love You, Man' for sickos." That's pretty spot on, I just wish it had leaned harder into being "I Love You, Man" (an iconic Paul Rudd comedy) or leaned harder into being for sickos. IndieWire's quote wasn't the only one that caught my eye when revisiting the trailer. In the comments, one of the top comments was from user @johnnyvenus5435. It said, "Until I see this movie myself, with my very own eyes, I will believe that this is just one really long Tim Robinson sketch, and not a moment sooner." Well, @johnnyvenus5435, I've got news for you. "Friendship" feels exactly like one really long Tim Robinson sketch. Now, if you like Robinson, or his hit Netflix sketch comedy show "I Think You Should Leave," you might not view this as a bad thing. I might have just sold you on the movie. But although I do love Robinson's comedic style, I was hoping for more than just a longer version of an "I Think You Should Leave." There's literally a point in the movie where you expect him to say he's wearing Calico Cut Pants. That's how much it feels like one of Robinson's sketches. So yes, you'll have fun watching "Friendship" — unless you don't like Tim Robinson, in which case this movie, which rests largely on him as an actor, isn't for you. But I'd wait for it to come to Max later in the year, which as an A24 film, it eventually will. Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made. Here's what he's been watching lately:
Axios
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
What to do in Atlanta this weekend: Boats, bites, block parties
Let's get outside, folks! Here's what to do this weekend: 🔦 The cemetery so pretty they made it a park closes out Illumine, the visual art installation blended into mausoleums, headstones and native plantings. (Thurs.-Sun.) 🎥 Check out notable movies and documentaries at the 49th annual Atlanta Film Festival. (through May 4) 🎸 Emo-pop powerhouse Mayday Parade plays the Tabernacle. (Fri.) 🛥️ The Lake Lanier Boat Show: Think of a boat show, only this time it's on the water.(Fri.-Sun.) 🏌️♂️ PGA Tour Champions tee off at the Mitsubishi Electric Classic at TPC Sugarloaf. (through Sun.) 🥁 The Inman Park Festival is back with big crowds, bands, a not-to-be-missed tour of homes and one of Atlanta's most joyous parades. (Fri.-Sun.) 🏐 The Atlanta Vibe, the city's pro volleyball team, hosts the Grand Rapids Rise at Gas South Arena. (Sat.)
