Inferno Review: More Puzzling Than Gripping

In 2006 the movie world was introduced to Robert Langdon in the thriller The Da Vinci Code. Based on the novel by Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code blended the likes of history and religion with a major conspiracy, and I for one found the thriller to be enjoyable. Then in 2009 the story of Robert Langdon continued in Angel & Demons which dealt with a conspiracy in the church. Personally I found the 2009 sequel to be just as good as its predecessor. Now the mystery franchise continues with the third installment in the Robert Langdon series: Inferno. Once again directed by Ron Howard Inferno brings a mystery that surrounds the work of Dante. The previews for the film showcased both the mystery and the action behind this thriller, and it looked to be a decent time at the movies. Yet could Inferno be another exciting adventure for Robert Langdon, or is this film a puzzle better left unsolved.

Inferno finds Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) in a another mystery as the professor is on the run from several parties looking for him. After getting help from a doctor named Sienna Brooks (Felicity Jones) Langdon discovers a Faraday Pointer that shows Sandro Botticeli’s Map of Hell. Upon his investigation of the map Robert discovers that billionaire Bertrand Zobrist (Ben Foster) created a plague called Inferno which will wipe out half of Earth’s population in a matter of days. Aided by Sienna, Robert sets out to find clues about the plague’s whereabouts before it is release as well as get it out of the hands of those who would use it for their own purposes.

Bridge of Spies Review: Historic Thriller Compels with Strong Ideas and Lead

There have been many historical films dealing with wars and those who fight in them, but rarely do we see movies pertaining to the Cold War. The idea of the US and Russia going against one another has been captured in a celluloid format, but rarely get to see dramas dealing with the events that made up this period in time. Fortunately the iconic director, Steven Spielberg, show us tension between the Soviet Union and the USA in the new historical drama: Bridge of Spies. Bridge of Spies captures the U-2 incident in 1960 where  attorney James Donovan not only had to defend an accused spy, but also negotiate the return of a US spy. With Spielberg helming the film, this movie was bound to get moviegoers' attention; but does Bridge of Spies do the true events justice, or should this historical drama found guilty?

Bridge of Spies captures the story of James Donovan (portrayed by Tom Hanks). Donovan is assigned to defend the accused Soviet spy: Rudolf Abel (portrayed by Mark Rylance). After dealing with the case and the scrutiny that followed, Donovan is then ask by the CIA to help negotiate the return of a US Spy Francis Gary Powers (portrayed by Austin Stowell). To guarantee the exchange, Donovan travels to Berlin to deal with negotiations, but things get even more complicated when Donovan seeks to release another American citizen who was imprisoned by East Germany.