Prisoner of War

Over the weekend, I attended the Sacramento International Film Festival and watched the movie PRISONER OF WAR starring Scott Adkins.

If you enjoy watching action films, PRISONER OF WAR will not disappoint you. The movie is set during World War II in a Japanese prisoner camp where prisoners are forced to fight in matches for the entertainment of their captors. Overall, the cast is very good, the film is shot well, and the sound design is outstanding. The movie is directed by Louis Mandylor.

PRISONER OF WAR opens in theatres in the United States on September 19th and the United Kingdom on November 10th. The movie will stream on an online platform after its theatrical release, according to producer Marc Clebanoff, who co-wrote the screenplay with Adkins and attended this weekend's screening.

American Assassin

AMERICAN ASSASSIN is a non-stop action movie. Viewers may want a break, but this film keeps on moving. So while watching, hang on!

Dylan O'Brien is effective as Mitch Rapp, a young man who is disheartened after his girlfriend's murder by terrorists. The experience puts him into fight mode, and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) takes advantage of that. Deputy Director Irene Kennedy (played by Sanaa Lathan) is the one who recognizes his skills. Lathan is excellent in her role; she should be cast in more parts like this.

In addition, Michael Keaton plays Stan Hurley, a former U.S. Navy SEAL who trains Mitch, along with Victor (played by Scott Adkins), and other recruits. Keaton applies great wit to his performance. After completing Hurley's training, Mitch and Victor join him in intercepting the sale of nuclear material, plutonium. The mission does not go as planned, and there are casualties.

The action thriller is directed by Michael Cuesta. The screenplay is written by Stephen Schiff, Michael Finch, Edward Zwick, and Marshall Herskovitz. The movie is based on the novel American Assassin by Vince Flynn.

AMERICAN ASSASSIN is currently playing in theatres.  The official Web site is http://www.cbsfilms.com/american-assassin/.