Eastwood’s ‘The Mule’ carries the load

Cinema legend Clint Eastwood leaves an indelible mark on yet another movie in “The Mule” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment).

The Mule

This time, Eastwood works both ends of the camera, taking on directing and acting roles. It’s the first time he has filled both roles since 2009’s “Gran Torino.”

The film is inspired by a true story. Eastwood plays a man in his 80s who is broke with looming foreclosure on his business. He signs up for an easy job, to be a driver. Unfortunately, it’s for a drug cartel.

Bradley Cooper intervenes as a hyped-up Drug Enforcement Administration agent, and details of Eastwood character’s past come up to question himself with law enforcement and cartel musclemen on his heels. The film also has a sentimental feel to it of growing old and missing out on life.

Eastwood has great help from a stellar crew. Besides Cooper, others contributing mightily are Laurence Fishburne, Dianne West, Michael Pena, and Andy Garcia.

Bonus features include a making-of documentary.

Other titles

“Aquaman” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment) is an over-the-top wonderland of the underwater world.

Jason Momoa stars as Aquaman, and the movie gives a full-blown account of his entire past. He was born to the Queen of Atlantis (Nicole Kidman) but abandoned as an infant and left to die before being rescued by a lighthouse keeper. Thereby, he became able to live below and above the water.

The film follows how this remarkable individual became a hero both underwater and on top of it, ultimately becoming king of Atlantis and a founding member of the Justice League as Aquaman.

Bonus features are abundant – as in more than a dozen. These awesome features take a deep-dive (pun intended) of Aquaman.

BBC Studios also comes through this week with “Roy Clarke’s Last of the Summer Wine Vintage 2009.” This two-disc gem comes in at 300 minutes of entertainment as comedy star Russ Abbot joins the cast as Hobbo, while Alvin, Entwistle, Clegg and Truly bring us more attacks on the routine of life in the 31st season of Britain’s longest-running comedy.

Article written by Steve Slosarek

Staff Writer
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