*This is a true story
IMDB Synopsis
FBI agent Daniel Jones performs an exhaustive investigation into the CIA’s use of torture on suspected terrorists. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the CIA adopted new interrogation techniques.
One of the greatest movies of all time All the President’s Men in the 70’s kicked off an investigate thriller genre that has spawned recent movies like The Post, Spotlight, Dark Waters and now The Report. Only Spotlight for me got close to the level of the Redford and Hoffman classic, but The Report tells an extremely dark story that keeps you relatively hooked the entire way, even if you have seen the tricks before.
Directed by Scott Z. Burns The Report is a new movie from Amazon Films (streaming now on Amazon Prime) follows Senate Staffer Daniel Jones (Adam Driver) as he basically sits in a room for 5 years and figures out that the CIA tortured hundreds of people. He has to go through every step of the bureaucracy in order to get the titular report released, however as this is a true story, you can see that it did end up coming out.
If anyone wants to read the full 700 page report here it is.
Stock Watch
Stock Up – Adam Driver
This man is having a year so far with The Dead Don’t Die, this, with Marriage Story and Star Wars still to come. He is going to get a Best Actor nomination probably for Marriage Story and in my end of the year awards he will probably be mentioned as well (I know that is the most prestigious). He does his thing as Daniel Jones but it is not a showy role at all. He does a lot without speaking but still makes every scene he is in interesting. He is rivaling Bale as the top guy in the game right now.
*A couple other tidbits
- Annette Bening is great in her smaller role as Senator Feinstein. She does not have a ton of substance to work with but she is getting Oscar buzz apparently.
- Jon Hamm similar to Bening had a smaller role in this but was still great as usual.
- We really tortured a bunch of dudes huh?
Were going to also start a new segment here called Who’s That Guy? This movie is perfect for it because it is littered with That Guys!
Who’s That Guy?
Tim Blake Nelson – 87 IMDB Acting Credits
He is known but he still is an all timer. He always plays like a slimy kind of dude and he is no different here. You have seen him all over the place most recently in Angel Has Fallen, Watchmen on HBO, and in the upcoming Just Mercy. Oh yeah he is also in Holes.
Ted Levine – 87 IMDB Credits
I thought I recognized Buffalo Bill in this movie? The famed Silence of the Lambs actor has shown up in random movies throughout his time, but he gives a solid performance here as the Director of the CIA John Brennan. He plays a great asshole.
Michael C. Hall – 30 IMDB Acting Credits
Dexter Nuff Said.
Corey Stoll – 60 IMDB Acting Credits
Corey Stoll is more of a rising that guy, but he has been in a ton already. House of Cards, Ant-Man, First Man, Girls and much more. He is not in much of this but he gives a good account in the few scenes he has. He held his own in sparring with Adam Driver.
Ben McKenzie – 25 IMDB Acting Credits
This is more of personal choice as he is mainly known from The O.C. and Gotham. He is only in one scene of one of the flashbacks but I recognized his voice immediately. Love seeing him pop up.
This is a movie you have seen before just with a different sickening story this time. This is very well made and well acted, I think it just misses a bit compared to others in the past.
Juice Rating:
*You can find all of my Movie Ratings here.
*You can follow my Letterboxd account here.
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