The Vid has really thrown a wrench into the movie business. Films have been pushed back, released online for streaming, both for free and for a premium price. The future is up in the air on to what will happen with film. Warner Bros has decided at least for time being, all their films will be released on theaters, and to HBO Max to stream on the same day. A decision that has angered many in the film industry, yet to be clear if it will work, but something this film fan a huge fan of. Being able to watch new movies in the safety of my own home is a great feeling. So great that I am no longer borrowing an HBO Max profile, signed up myself.
The first film of WB’s experiment is out. The Little Things. I sat down to watch it Friday morning, and was not disappointed in the experience. Made my own popcorn, has some grapefruit gummy bears from Albanese Gummies, and an ice-cold root beer. Along with my surround sound, and HD 4k 65 inches, I did not feel like I missed anything not being in the theater. I love the theater going experience, however there is something relaxing about being able to watch at home.
The official rundown of the film reads:
Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.
Now this story is not very new we have seen this movie. It is a good movie, do not get me wrong, but it is just a basic plot. One that we have seen a million times before. Beat cop comes across a case that reminds him of an old one he worked, must team up with the new hotshot detective to solve it. Like I said, we have seen it a million times. The point is to try and find a way to make it interesting even though we have seen it. This go around, the way they did so was by making sure the cast was strong. And this is a strong cast.
With a script that was written in the 90’s for Steven Spielberg, now directed by its writer, John Lee Hancock. To bring his story to life is an all star cast of Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto. The cast truly makes this film a strong movie. Without these cast members in their roles, it was a little more basic than it should have been. The chemistry is not perfect between Malek and Washington, but did it really need to be? I do not think so. This is not a buddy cop film. These are two different types of detectives separated by years, they should not have ideal chemistry. However they both work well with the creepy performance that Leto delivers. And that is where the film finds its stride.
Negatively the film can take it is time at moments. It let us a lot of things sink in. Sometimes a little much and takes a little too long. Might have benefited from another pass through the editing bay. Shaving a little time off really could have helped. There is a good opening scene in which a girl is running from someone we do not know. Now she comes back later in the film, but ultimately has no relevance to the film, or the outcome. This side story kind of feels like it was ripped from a good episode of Law & Order and would have worked had it had more weight on the film.
And while I loved the cast, and they are the heart and the soul of the film, I did have a small issue with Malek. Only because I kept seeing him as Freddie Mercury. That is a little bit of a testimony to Malek’s talent as he did such a good job as the front man of Queen. He is really good as the young detective, but I just kept thinking he was going to bust out into song at times.
So it sounds like I am saying it is not a good movie? That is not true. It is a good movie. It lacks anything new yes. If you a looking for a revolutionary look at the cop genre this is not it. Not only that, but the film also feels like it was made in the 90s. Because that is when it was written. But it is still a good movie to watch. Especially on streaming. It is your day off; it is a good movie to sit down and watch. I think films like this will really benefit from the streaming and theaters deal. Because I do not think this is a movie worth going out to the theater, but sitting at home and watching? Very enjoyable. Even if it is to just watch the cast be incredible in a mediocre movie.
Maybe it just how we like to look at things here at The Grind. Everyday we answer the call to find the positivity. Every film, every show, every piece of news we want to find the joy, and what we can celebrate in them. Because that is what we love. That is why you are reading this right? You enjoy films. Sit back and enjoy.
We are giving the Little Things 3.2 out of 5. But do not take our word for it. Check it out yourself! It is streaming throughout February on HBO Max, as well as in select cinemas. So take your favorite way to watch movies, and go give it a watch. Then come back and Answer the call in the comments below with your thoughts on the film, and the cast.
The Grind 
WW1984 was the first film of the HBO Max/Theaters experiment
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Yes it was! Good point! What I think I meant to get across was that while Wonder Woman 84 had this treatment, that was announced before WB decided to put their entire 2021 slate on HBO Max. But you are correctly, WW84 hit it first.
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