Movie review: Intense Halle Berry drives 'Kidnap' | ABS-CBN

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Movie review: Intense Halle Berry drives 'Kidnap'

Movie review: Intense Halle Berry drives 'Kidnap'

Fred Hawson

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Updated Aug 07, 2017 07:50 AM PHT

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Ever since Halle Berry opened the Oscar Best Actress door "for every nameless, faceless woman of color" for winning the elusive plum prize for her role in "Monster's Ball" (2001), her career seemed to have taken a down turn instead of up. Aside from her regular appearance as Storm in the X-Men movies before the "First Class" reboot, she had nothing else quite memorable. She even got a Razzie for Worst Actress in "Catwoman" (2004).

Quite by coincidence, Berry's last film of note was also a film about a kidnap incident, entitled "The Call" (2013), where she played the 911 operator who receives a distress call from an abducted girl. The topic of her newest film "Kidnap" is quite apparent from the title alone which reeked of a pulpy potboiler. I went in not expecting too much. I just wanted to see Ms. Berry in action in the lead role again.

Karla Dyson works as a waitress in a diner as she struggles to support her six-year-old son Frankie while dealing with her divorce from her husband. One day at the amusement park while her attention is diverted by a call on her cellphone, Karla realizes that Frankie is missing. In her distress, she caught sight of an old green Ford Mustang driving off, with a big woman stuffing her boy into the car! Karla rushes to get her own car and gives chase to the couple who kidnapped her son.

This film is all about Halle Berry and her intense portrayal of the never-say-die Mad-Max of a mother who never gave up chasing down the car that had her abducted son in it. She was doing incredibly brave and dangerous things no ordinary woman (or any ordinary man for that matter) could have done in real life. To say that Karla was relentless is a gross understatement. Berry made sure we feel the despair and vulnerability of this mother as she stuck to her chase no matter how many times she cheated death doing so.

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The two kidnappers Terry and Margo Vicky were portrayed as crazy redneck hicks by Lew Temple and Chris McGinn respectively. These are one-dimensional bad guys who were not the typical crooks who try to get away as fast as they can from those chasing them. These guys were bold and confrontational. They had Karla pinned in several precarious situations from which she was always lucky and superhuman enough to escape from. This kept the excitement level of the film going.

Director Luis Prieto made the most of the limitations of the script by Nate Gwaltney. With the panicking Halle Berry on the wheel, the car chase sequences were made to feel exciting and heart-pounding. It was no joke trying to extend a car chase for over an hour and engage the audience the whole way, and Prieto did not always succeed. If you suspend disbelief and just ignore some of its illogical details and improbable situations, this thrill ride was quite entertaining, if you have 95 minutes to kill. 5/10

This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."

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Eugene, Donny, and Kathryn Embark on New Roles as 'Pilipinas Got Talent' Season 7 Judges

Eugene, Donny, and Kathryn Embark on New Roles as 'Pilipinas Got Talent' Season 7 Judges

Metro.Style

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Updated Feb 21, 2025 09:51 PM PHT

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Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) is set to be back for its seventh season. Following the reveal of Melai Cantiveros-Francisco and Robi Domingo as the new hosts, the reality competition show's judges have now been revealed. Asia's Superstar Kathryn Bernardo, "New Gen Matinee Idol" Donny Pangilinan, and "Comedy Star for All Seasons" Eugene Domingo join "The Boss" Freddie "FMG" Garcia in the powerhouse panel

FMG is a staple on the show; he has seen the evolution of PGT since he's been among its judges since it first aired in 2010. But this stint is something new for Eugene, Kathryn, and Donny. Nevertheless, with their global achievements and remarkable talents that serve as sources of Pinoy pride, all three actors are perfect to be instrumental in shining the light on the world-class talent of Filipinos. 



A renowned comedienne who's known for iconic portrayals in movies like Kimmy Dora and Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Eugene said that she will "add the fun" to PGT—no doubt she will but her rich dossier also lends credence to her inputs as a member of the panel of judges. She also added that FMG is the "authority," Kathryn is the "heart," and Donny is the representative of "the young generation."

Kathryn has been in the industry for over two decades, starting as a child star and now Asia's Superstar with box-office successes in movies like The Hows of Us; Hello, Love, Goodbye; and Hello, Love, Again. Despite everything she's achieved so far, taking on this new role shows that Kathryn never stops learning and is open to projects she's never done before.

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As one-half of the phenomenal love team DonBelle, Donny rose to fame through shows like He's Into Her and Can't Buy Me Love. He also has some background as a VJ and host, and he said it has always been his dream to be part of PGT since his MYX days. Finally, that dream is about to come true as PGT premieres this March. As a creative with an eye for quality output, Donny will be fun to watch and listen to as he shares his thoughts and comments as a judge.


Stay tuned to Pilipinas Got Talent Season 7, soon!

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