ON THROUGH THE NIGHT // A FILM REVIEW OF "DRUNK BUS"

BY MATEO MORENO

There's a kind of comedy that was a staple of the 1980's. A movie that's sweet and funny but has a real beating heart and often sneaks up on you just as you thought you had it all figured out. The kind of film that plays with a movie trope and zigs where it usually zags and it leaves you smiling leaving the theatre. That's what DRUNK BUS gives you, a cheesy smile plastered over your face and a bit of a "Huh" feeling inside, the kind of feeling you have when you realize that a sweet light hearted comedy actually surprised you.

Charlie Tahan plays Michael, a young man who seems to be in an endless rut. He's reeling from a break-up that he's still not completely over (a young woman named Amy, played by Sarah Mezzanotte) and spends his nights driving a "drunk bus," which takes college kids safely from campus into town, so that they can drink and not have to be on the road themselves. He's not happy per say, as he's practically sleepwalking through cleaning up vomit, telling frat boys to quiet down, telling others to stay behind the line and having to listen to his boss call over the CB radio and give him shit (an always reliable Will Forte). His two friends Justin and Kat often ride and keep him company (Tonatiuh, Kara Hayward) but that's practically the only bright side of his day.

After one especially rough night shift, one where he's punched by a drunk frat boy, the company hires Michael a bodyguard named Pineapple (played by tattoo artist Pineapple Tangaroa in his first main acting role). He has a face full of Maori tattoos and multiple piercings to boot. He's a big, intimidating man who turns out to be much more emotionally open than Michael. He takes Michael under his wing, if you will (in addition to protecting him on the bus), teaching him about life and not letting it pass you by. Pineapple also has a knack for befriending almost everyone on the bus, including those who he pulls apart as they're trying to fight. His patience is extraordinary in fact, and they quickly bond, forming an odd couple kind of friendship that just might be the light out of the tunnel that Michael needs.

Although the plot strands start predictable (and some stay that way), much of DRUNK BUS swings into a surprising and heartfelt territory, exploring the pain of trying to fix what seems like an unfixable life and get yourself back on track. Charlie Tahan is dependably solid as our eyes into the world, and he seems to understand that although he's driving the bus, he also understand that the film is truly about the strong supporting cast. Kara Hayward shines as a friend who just might be more and Tonatiuh plays the easy going friend with buckets of confidence. Zach Cherry and Dave Hill add an appropriate amount of weirdness to their small roles, stealing scenes every time they show up. But the true MVP of the film belongs to the bodyguard himself. Pineapple Tangaroa is the heartbeat of the film, with more than enough charm to spare. He's funny, warm, caring and is much of the reason why the film works so well. His friendship with Tahan is also quite touching, pulling on more than a few heartstrings as it goes along. DRUNK BUS is a tender look at the lost years of youth, when you're still figuring it all out, and layers on beautiful coat of paint that truly shines.

GRADE: B+

WRITTEN BY Chris Molinaro DIRECTED BY John Carlucci, Brandon LaGanke STARRING Charlie Tahan, Pineapple Tangaroa, Kara Hayward, Will Forte, Tonatiuh, Zach Cherry, Sarah Mezzanotte, Dave Hill, Martin Pfefferkorn NOW PLAYING IN SELECT THEATRES AND ON DEMAND. FOR MORE INFO: DRUNK BUS

RUNNING MAN // A FILM REVIEW OF "MOST DANGEROUS GAME"

BY MATEO MORENO

The new streaming app Quibi, created by Jeffrey Katzenberg, has officially launched, and the platform is offering a 90-day free trial through the end of the month. Prefect timing for all of us (re: nearly everyone) who's stuck at home. Each program, and they have movies, TV shows and reality television so far, offer each "episode" in 10-minute small bites, which are released one at a time daily on weekdays. One of the starry new offerings is the running man thriller MOST DANGEROUS GAME starring Liam Hemsworth and Christoph Waltz.

This high octane thriller starts off without any set-up. We meet Dodge (Hemsworth), our main protagonist as he is meeting with a business man by the name of Miles Sellers (Waltz) who runs "The Tiro Fund." Dodge is hoping that Sellers can help him out with a loan, as he is badly in need of money, with a baby on the way and Cancer treatment eating away at him. However, Sellers isn't interested in giving a loan. What he is interested in is Dodge participating in a game. The most dangerous kind of game, in fact, where he himself would be hunted by rich people who enjoy that kind of thrill. It would take place over the course of 24 hours and should he survive, he'll have more money than he could even dream of. In fact, each hour he survives, more money will automatically be wired into his account. Should he not survive the 24 hours and a hunter catches up with him, they would actual kill him and the game would be over. At first, Dodge rejects the request outright, saying he'll go to the cops. However, Dodge is a desperate man and in the end, he agrees to the insane request.

Since this is on Quibi, I've only seen the first few chapters and can't fully review the film in its entirety. But from all of the offerings I've seen on the new streamer, THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME is one of the strongest, anchored by the magnetic Chritoph Waltz and a very game Hemsworth. The game has just begun where I'm at so far, but I'm definitely invested and drawn in by the stylish directing of Abraham and the literal "thrill of the chase." This kind of show seems perfect for 10-minute episodes, drawing your excitement just enough to draw you into the next chapter. This is a new way to experience a thrill ride like this, and I'm completely game for it.

GRADE: B+

WRITTEN BY Nick Santora, Josh Harmon, Scott Elder, DIRECTED BY Phil Abraham STARRING Liam Hemsworth, Christoph Waltz, Sarah Gadon, Zach Cherry. NOW AVAILABLE TO STREAM ON Quibi