Luther: The Fallen Sun

“Luther: The Fallen Sun” is a 2023 Netflix original crime/drama/thriller currently sitting at number one on Netflix. It stars Idris Elba (Beast), Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), and Dermot Crowley (Luther).

Luther is on the case of young man who was murdered, the killer feels Luther is getting close and brings some of Luther’s tactics to light sending Luther to prison. Now with more murders coming to light, Luther must escape prison and stop the killer before it’s too late.

Fans of the show “Luther” can rejoice. Everyone’s favorite detective is back. Great thing about this movie is that it’s also a great standalone film as well. If you haven’t seen the show, no problem, it’s the same characters but it doesn’t tie directly into the show. So, you’ll love it if you haven’t seen the show and you’ll love it if you have. I’m personally a fan of the show and was pumped when this movie was first released. It’s fast paced, action packed, and can only deliver the way Luther can. It also teases there may be a sequel, only time will tell. If you are a fan of the show, Alice unfortunately doesn’t make an appearance in this one, maybe the next one. I give it an 8/10.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

“Sonic the Hedgehog 2” is the 2022 sequel to the 2020 movie “Sonic the Hedgehog.” It brings back Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), James Marsden (X-Men), Jim Carrey (The Mask), Tika Sumpter (Ride Along), and Natasha Rothwell (Archer) while adding Idris Elba (Luther), Colleen O’Shaughnessey (Danny Phantom), and Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds).

Sonic 2 picks up where the first one left off. Dr. Robotnik is on the mushroom planet trying to find a way back to earth. He manages to open up a portal allowing Knuckles to come through, Dr. Robotnik develops an idea to get back to earth and have Knuckles help him take care of Sonic once and for all. Meanwhile, Tails comes to earth to warn Sonic and help him stop Dr. Robotnik.

If you go back and look at my review on the first one (https://kingsblog.movie.blog/2020/05/09/sonic-the-hedgehog/) you’ll see, I was surprised at how good it was, so I was looking forward to the second one. This one actually surpasses the first. It’s a two-hour movie, but it doesn’t feel like it. They do a great job of finding the perfect blend of comedy and action that the whole family will love. The addition of Idris Elba as Knuckles is great, he reminds me of Drax from “Guardians of the Galaxy”, also Natasha Rothwell plays a very funny role in this one. They tease a third one in the post credits scene, so keep an eye out for it. You can watch the second one as a stand-alone film, but I suggest seeing the first if you haven’t. There are also several nods to the video game throughout the movie. They knocked this one out of the park, I give it a 10/10. It’s just a great lighthearted watch.

The Suicide Squad (2021)

‘The Suicide Squad’ is the second, or even the remake of the 2016 version ‘Suicide Squad’. This one is James Gunn’s version, it stars Margot Robbie (Suicide Squad), Idris Elba (Luther), John Cena (Blockers), Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad), Viola Davis (Suicide Squad), Daniela Melchior (Parque Mayer), David Dastmalchian (Prisoners), Sylvester Stallone (Rocky), and Pete Davidson (The King of Staten Island).

Just like the first Suicide Squad, a group of rag tag villains are brought together in order to save the world.

Two Reasons I wanted to see this movie, 1. James Gunn. James Gunn directed both Guardian of the Galaxy films, which both are amazing. 2. John Cena, John Cena is hilarious in everything he is in, Blocker’s is one of the funniest movies I’ve seen. So with these two involved it was a must see for me. This one is a mix between ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Deadpool’, you have your rag team and comedic relief, mixed with gore and cursing. Not sure what I was expecting but not really this, I didn’t expect all the gore and swearing. Honestly it worked though, it was a perfect blend of action and comedy. Sylvester Stallone’s character and John Cena were hilarious. Forget the first film, that one is garbage, this is the true Suicide Squad. Like I said it’s hilarious, the characters mesh perfectly together, it’s full of action, it’s a great superhero movie. It hasn’t done well in theaters, and there’s talks that Margot Robbie is to blame, that they are looking to move on from her. Which is stupid because, Margot Robbie is awesome as Harley Quinn, she brings the character to life. Leave Margot alone, she’s not the issue. It’s probably the release to HBO Maxx, and the first one being garbage, why ticket sales have sucked. I do find it funny though, the DCU had to bring in a MCU director to put out a good movie, but hey whatever works. James Gunn and ‘The Suicide Squad’ lived up to their potential, I give it a 9/10.

Concrete Cowboy

‘Concrete Cowboy’ is a 2021 Netflix original drama based off the book ‘Ghetto Cowboy’, it stars Idris Elba (Luther), Lorraine Toussaint (Orange is the New Black), Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things), Jharrel Jerome (Mr. Mercedes), and Method Man (How High). A troubled youth (McLaughlin) from Detroit is sent to live with his estranged dad in Philly, who is a black cowboy, living in a community of black cowboys. He soon learns to love his dad’s lifestyle, but starts to fall in with the wrong crowd in Philly. He now must choose which path to go down.

The cool thing about this movie is, it’s based on a true story. When you think of Philadelphia, you probably think of Freedom, Rocky, the Philadelphia Eagles, and cheese steaks. One thing you probably don’t think about is horses. Apparently there use to be several communities of black cowboys and horses, and one by one they got shut down, and developed over, until only one remained, the Fletcher Street Stables. This by itself makes the movie worth watching, plus they actually have a couple of the cowboys star in the movie, and you get to hear them talk about it in the credits. Really cool stuff, now let’s talk about the movie itself. McLaughlin is a great up and coming actor, it’s good to see him in stuff, and who doesn’t love Idris Elba? The man is awesome in everything he plays. So much in fact, he’s being casted as the next James Bond. They do a good job starring side by side in this film. Outside of them, Jerome plays a great job as the troubled friend, Smush, who has already ventured down the wrong path. Method Man plays a great part as well, as a cop, which I always find comical when a rapper plays some sort of legal job in a movie or show. It’s a heart touching movie, and isn’t a tear jerker like most dramas. I tend to not like the real sad movies. Overall it’s a must watch. I give it a 9/10.