Breaking

Solid drama based on the true story of an ex-Marine who took over a Georgia bank in 2017 threatening to blow it and a pair employees up with a bomb. The soldier, Brian Brown-Easley, played by John Boyega has been caught up in a dispute with The Veteran's Administration. At wit's end, he decides that making a spectacle will get the attention of the media. Director and Co-Writer Abi Damaris Corbin sets up the situation in a fairly straightforward manner. The emphasis is clearly on Brown-Easley as the movie methodically shows the hours leading up to the takeover. As the situation escalates, we get more glimpses of his ex-wife and child. The two bank employees provide an element of immediate endangerment. Nicole Beharie is particularly good as the calm but determined manager as is the late Michael K. Williams as the hostage negotiator. When the movie moves past the immediate hostage situation inside the bank, the script gets a bit more dicey. The point of view and background details get a bit muddled. The acting holds it together, but, a more directed narrative would have tightened the suspense all the more. Brown-Easley's story did all too briefly cast a light on military veterans' plight, but, alas, the moment passed soon after the situation was finalized. BREAKING is good calling card for Corbin, and Boyega's performance should lead to more opportunities outside the Star Wars/sci-fi universe.

Breaking is an intense and emotional film, filled with many levels of suspense that constantly grab the audience's attention. Breaking, based on a true story, follows the main character Brian (John Boyega), an ex-Marine struggling after being discharged due to injury. After being turned down for financial support by the Veteran Affairs office, Brian has had enough. In order to get money he feels his only choice is to lock himself in a bank with two of its employees as hostages. While doing so, Brian manages to get the attention of police officers, FBI agents, firefighters and newscasters in order to make his situation known to the VA offices. Breaking has an outstanding storyline. The execution of the meaning and message behind it-about how dysfunctional the VA offices can be- is done really well. It definitely has an effect on audiences and educates us on this extremely important topic. Furthermore, the acting in this film is phenomenal-every single actor has such strong talent. They really lock you in with their words and emotions. Brian's character, especially, has so many different layers to him, and each one is showcased so well, and feels so believable. Finally, Abi Damaris Corbin's direction is one of my favorite aspects of the movie. Each angle feels so specific and his direction sets the tone strongly. For instance, a scene would zoom in on particular things, which not only highlights those actions, but makes the film feel overall more realistic and natural. The message of Breaking is to never give up on what you believe is right. This film includes profanity and gunshots. I give Breaking 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST!

LOW RATINGS FROM THOSE WHO JUST DON'T CARE Anyone who understands the human condition of dealing with a society that doesn't care about the most vulnerable people who struggle day after day, will appreciate the message of this important movie. It's not only veterans who face homelessness, it's also those who suffer from mental illness. In any case, they are mostly alone and struggling to figure out how to get the help they need. By the time they get any direction on where to go and who to ask, they are already beaten down and their spirits are broken. This is the point for them in which death means peace and freedom.

892 succinctly highlights the reality of many U. S. veterans and their difficulties adjusting to civilian life after their time in service. John Boyega and Michael K. Williams, in particular, give outstanding performances based on the true-story of marine vet Brian Easley. 892 is moving, heart-wrenching and filmed in such a way that the audience is able to empathize with the plight of a man holding a bank hostage as a last ditch attempt to save himself and provide for his family. 892 shares Brian's story in an unpretentious manner, helping the audience focus on the actual (real) issues rather than relying on the usual Hollywood grandeur and pomp. An absolute must-watch.

Rivaling Pacino in Dog Day Afternoon and Washington in John Q Boyega puts out a Tour De Force performance in this touching and all too common story about a guy stepped on by the government. Being a true story makes this movie cut even deeper. Depending on your political take in today's ALL TOO RACIST CULTURE you may make up your mind about what those in power chose to do to end this situation. But, I thought immediately about Pacino and Washington's performance...But I actually FELT something for this character, although I didn't agree with his methods!! Better than good movie .... Excellent Boyega!!!

Will this movie appeal to everyone? No it won't. Does this movie contain huge action packed CGI filled scenes? Again, no , it doesn't. Car chases? Nope. Nudity? Nope. A huge cast of actors that try and steel the screen from each other? Not one bit. So what's good about it? Basically everything I just said. This movie relies on what has been missing from a lot of movies recently and thats straight up good acting. A decent script is also present and it is accompanied by a very good music score. I'd be lying if I said that it is an amazing movie because it isn't but it's certainly above average and way above the majority of what's come out this year.

John Boyega even bears a striking resemblance to Denzel Washington while simulating the borrowed mannerisms and speech patterns he performs with great aplomb. Michael Kenneth Williams shows one last time why his character artistry is so profoundly missed. Not the first time this story, or one nearly identicle to it has been told, but the underlying theme bears repeating. And until the very apparatus that was created to care for all Americans who served this country can be reasonably adequate in addressing the problems assocated with modern warfare and combat in general, tragedies like this will continue to occur.

It had no major highs I'm still waiting for it to take off and it's over lol It was kind of flat and boring it's not a action film in any way like the trailers make u think U can pass on this one wasn't bad but definitely wasn't good.

Performances were great, some shots were interesting. However, everything that could happen in a movie like this that would make it interesting did not happen. There are no events that propel the story forward. You don't learn anything new about the characters. Nothing happens that has any consequences for future events. You learn everything there is to know about the main character in 10 minutes, then comes scene after scene of things ALMOST happening, with absolutely no consequence. Maybe he talks to someone, maybe he doesn't, maybe someone almost tries to escape, that's it. It doesn't matter. No event has any consequence because NOTHING happens in this movie. You don't find anything important out. Then there is an ending. Complete waste of time. I could summarize what happens in this movie in 3 sentences, and actually watching it would give you no further value.

Based on true events you kinda hope this story is just all made up or at least seriously dramatized. If everything really happened like in the movie than we have a melting pot of incredibly stupid people, from the hostages to the hostage taker to the police. That said the movie is well shot, but the best thing about it is the acting. Good job from the entire cast making this an enjoyable movie to watch. The story is sad though, but realistic as we all know the VA is a shame in a country that proclaims itself as the greatest country in the world. The story could and would have been finished in half an hour in any other country by simply giving the man his 892 dollars. But it's the United States, the land of the trigger happy, where killing people is almost a national sport. Hopefully and most likely the sniper will read every single review as that's what vain people do so that he can read what a scumbag he is, he's the only one that should rot in prison for the rest of his days. Killing somebody for 892 dollars, shame on you America.