Welcome back to Flick Picks, your twice-monthly movie fix.
This time around, I’m taking a quick spin through three very different films: the action sequel “Nobody 2,” the supernatural family drama “Presence” and the emotional powerhouse “The Green Mile.” And don’t forget to check out the snack recipe at the end.
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Sequels work best when they turn the first film’s formula on its head. “Nobody 2” does just that.
In the 2021 original, Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell went from mild-mannered family man to reluctant assassin after crossing a crime lord – giving us one of the decade’s best action scenes in that now-famous bus fight.
This time, Hutch’s assassin life is the grind. Working off a debt from the first film, he’s stuck running bloody “errands” for a Russian banker. A standout moment has Hutch texting his wife with bloodied fingers to say he’ll be late for dinner, then anxiously awaiting her reply. It’s a small but perfect character beat.
After a particularly tough job, Hutch wants to reconnect with his wife and children, so he takes them to a cheesy amusement park from his childhood – the same one his dad (a still-spry Christopher Lloyd) once took him. But as his boss warns, Hutch always finds trouble, and soon he’s facing a crooked sheriff, a local crime boss and a syndicate leader played by Sharon Stone. Think “National Lampoon’s Vacation” meets “Taken.”
Does “Nobody 2” measure up to its predecessor? Yes and no – but more yes than no. Director Timothy Tjahjanto delivers inventive, high-energy fight choreography, with a finale that turns the amusement park into a lethal playground. Imagine “Home Alone,” but with way more broken bones.
Crucially, the film never forgets the family at its core. Thanks to Odenkirk’s warmth and charismatic presence, it’s easy to see why Hutch’s wife forgives him for pulling her and the children into yet another mess. (Seriously, I’d pay to watch him read the encyclopedia.)
That said, the original’s climax was stronger in terms of sheer action craft. And while I’m a fan of Stone’s work, she’s not entirely convincing as a crime syndicate queenpin, despite the venomous dialogue she’s given.
Still, everything else clicks. “Nobody 2” is exactly the sequel it needed to be, and it leaves me hoping Odenkirk and company have enough fight left in them for a third round.
New on streaming
“Presence” opens with a first-person shot from a second-story window of a suburban house, the camera gazing expectantly down at the driveway below. From there, it glides through the home, exploring every room and corner as though someone – or something – is trying to familiarize itself with its surroundings.
Soon, a Realtor arrives in a rush and is soon joined by a father, mother, son and daughter – four people in clear need of family therapy. Moments later, as though we’ve leapt forward in time, the family has settled into the house.
In these opening minutes, director Steven Soderbergh efficiently establishes the geography of the film, introduces its central “character” – the titular presence through whose eyes we watch the movie – and sets the stage for the story to unfold.
It’s immediately clear the presence is supernatural, but “Presence” isn’t a haunted house tale or traditional horror flick. Instead, it’s a family drama about frayed relationships. Through fragmented dialogue and voyeuristic glimpses of private moments, a narrative emerges and carries the film toward a final shot that lingers long after the credits roll. At its core, “Presence” isn’t about the ghost that inhabits the home but about the people who live there.
Soderbergh remains one of the most on and off directors working today. When he misses (“Full Frontal”) – oof. But when he’s firing on all cylinders (“Contagion”) – wow. For me, “Presence” lands in the “wow” category. His inventive use of long, uninterrupted takes gives the presence both personality and emotion. That feeling of eavesdropping on the characters’ push and pull drew me in and deepened my empathy for them.
Reactions to the film, however, are mixed. Some viewers, expecting a conventional horror movie with jump scares and gore, were disappointed. Others felt the dialogue and acting were uneven. I understand those critiques but don’t fully agree. While there are a few cringeworthy moments, the performances are strong overall – especially Lucy Liu’s portrayal of the mother – and the pacing never drags. And that final shot? It reshaped much of what I thought I understood about the story.
Soderbergh has always relished experimentation, and “Presence” stands among his more successful gambles. At just 85 minutes, it’s a lean, compelling piece of filmmaking – perfect to slot between “not tired yet” and “ready for sleep.”
From the vault
“Have you seen ‘The Green Mile?’” my wife asked as we scrolled through a streaming service, looking for a movie to fill an evening. When I said no, she gasped in disbelief and then hit play.
Set during the Great Depression on E Block – nicknamed “The Green Mile” – at a fictional Louisiana prison, the film follows head guard Paul Edgecomb (Tom Hanks) as he oversees death row inmates. His world changes with the arrival of John Coffey (Michael Clarke Duncan), a towering man convicted of murdering two young girls. Despite his imposing size, Coffey is gentle and naïve – and as Paul witnesses his extraordinary supernatural gift, he begins to doubt Coffey’s guilt.
As expected from a Stephen King–penned story, the character work is exceptional. Every death row inmate feels fully realized, from Coffey’s tender innocence to Eduard Delacroix’s tragic dignity. Duncan delivers a career-defining performance, while Hanks grounds the film with his signature, understated strength. Meanwhile, Director Frank Darabont balances the supernatural elements with a deep human core and delivers an ending that remains one of the most devastating in modern cinema.
How did I miss this classic? I could gripe about its three-hour runtime, its occasional oversentimentality, or its predictability – once Coffey’s gift is revealed, few surprises remain – but none of that diminishes its impact. This is a great film. Don’t let it slip by unwatched, as I did for 26 years.
Rolling out the snacks
From our kitchen comes sheet-pan nachos – the ultimate melted-cheese masterpiece. Just spread a layer of tortilla chips on a baking sheet, sprinkle on shredded cheese, black beans, jalapeños and any other toppings you love, then slide the tray into a 400°F oven. In about five minutes, you’ll have golden, bubbly perfection ready to devour. Serve them hot with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole, and prepare to be everyone’s favorite movie-night chef.