ACTION: “Havoc.” / “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.” / “iHostage.”

“Havoc” (2025, Netflix) action/drama thriller. After a drug deal gone wrong, a bruised detective must fight his way through the criminal underworld to rescue a politician's estranged son, unraveling a deep web of corruption and conspiracy that ensnares his entire city. Stars Tom Hardy. 

       I guess, Mr Hardy is now the new action star as the other macho heroes get super old. (I don't like Jason Statham that much.) With “Havoc,” he proves that he, too, “dies hard.” But, I forgot, Keanu Reeves’ John Wick isn't Des d yet. And Nic Cage isn't just an action dude, he prefers all kinds of “nouveau shamanic” silliness, 15 movies a year.

       Anyway, what do we expect in actioners, anyways. Bang bang shang-a-lang royale! This movie is almost 99 percent all that. Director Gareth Evans relishes the thrill eh. Ah, this time we see Hong Kong cinema style mayhem because the bad guys are the Chinese Triad led by a bad gal (or woman) and bad grrrl right hand. 

       But I must single out Jessie Mei Li as the cop Ellie, who looks like Jessica Marten or Olivia Munn. She has drama within the unbelievable ruckus. I'd like to see her again because I am sure, there will be a “Havoc 2.” 🎥💻📽

“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” (2025, Netflix) heist film and the sequel to the 2018's “Den of Thieves.” Gerard Butler and O'Shea Jackson Jr. reprise their roles from the first film. This one is a tad more ambitious, inspired by the 2003 Antwerp diamond heist. Plot: An LASD sheriff (Mr Butler) follows a suspected thief (Mr Jackson Jr.) to Europe in an attempt to team-up with him for a robbery. 

       Gerard vainly tries a Jeff Bridges by way of Bruce “John McClane” Willis bit here and fails. But not so badly. The beard saved him. Meanwhile, O'Shea can never be a Samuel L. Jackson or Ving Rhames but Common would fit better if they gave him the Donnie role. Or instead of O'Shea, they brought back Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, from the Part I shenanigan.

       Actions sequences aren't so hot, just the usual stuff, but the hotness was instead ably delivered by the badass women, Evin Ahmad as Jovanna "Cleopatra" and Nazmiye Oral as Chava. Part I was better because it also had kickass dudes like Pablo Schreiber and Evan Jones. Anyhow, Part III is hinted at. 🎥💻📽

“iHostage” (2025, Netflix) Dutch crime drama, based on the hostage situation that took place in the Apple Store in Amsterdam in 2022. The perpetrator, who himself wears a bomb vest, threatens to blow himself up and thus the building and the hostages. In this tense situation, there is a switch between the perspectives of the perpetrator, hostages and the aid workers who try to prevent this possible tragedy.

       I suggest you don't google and find out how the situation ended. That'd ruin your viewing interest, altogether. (I did look it up, LOL! after two episodes. Damn.) Still, the series is a fine watch. Commendable ensemble acting. 🎥💻📽