the little things (Blu-ray) review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Warner Brothers 
Release Date: May 4, 2021
Rating: R
Film: 3/5
 
Plot
Kern County Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Denzel Washington) is sent to Los Angeles for what should have been a quick evidence-gathering assignment. Instead, he becomes embroiled in the search for a killer who is terrorizing the city. Leading the hunt, L.A. Sheriff Department Sergeant Jim Baxter (Rami Malek), impressed with Deke’s cop instincts, unofficially engages his help. But as they track the killer, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.
 
My Thoughts
I’ll watch pretty much anything that stars Denzel Washington and when this title landed on my doorstep, I couldn’t wait to watch it. The reviews were mixed, and fans seemed to like it more than the critics did. Sure enough, it ends up being a middling affair with some good points and some pretty bad ones as well. First, Malek was poorly cast as the brooding detective and Jared Leto was wildly underutilized and I found his portrayal as the villain to be a bit cliched. All told, I thought the first two acts were engaging and did a good job of setting up the story, but the ending was a complete letdown and left a lot to be desired. At first I thought they were setting up a potential sequel, but the more I think about it I think the writer/director wanted something unique and it falls somewhat flat.
 
 
Video 4/5
 
Audio 4/5 (DTS-HD MA 5.1)
 
Special Features:
 

• Four Shades of Blue featurette
• Contrasts  in Style featurette
• Blu-ray + Digital Code

 

 
 
Conclusion
While there are worst ways to spend an evening, I really felt betrayed by the way the third act played out. In the end I felt like there was really no point to the movie because of the way it ended. I’d be curious to hear from others on their thoughts as well. Give it a rent or check it out on HBO Max.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Anthem AVM60 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-980
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion D110 Subwoofer x 2 (configured as tandem mid bass modules)
Mini DSP controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling

PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[bmoney]

This movie was very meh. At least to me. Maybe I was expecting too much

[David Vaughn]

This movie was very meh. At least to me. Maybe I was expecting too much

It started way better than it finished. I thought the tension in the first act was quite good and then went downhill from there. I love Washington though, which probably skewed my score 1/2 point higher

[bmoney]

i think him in it is what caused me to be disappointed.  high expectations