Tornado 20225 Indie Film Spoiler Review

 Main Topic - Tornado Film (May 30^th, 2025) | Blog #6

Directed by John Maclean

Review Written by James Wreh

May 30^th,  2025, Screening

1. Initial Impressions

• This was a different type of film, a smaller, less-known film, and there was not a lot of hype around this film, and that is okay. Early on in this movie, I had my doubts, didn’t think I would like it; however, things started to turn around for me as the story progressed, and I started to care about the main character, “Tornado”.

2. Setting and Genre

• The film is set in the year 1790, evoking a subtle Western aesthetic but incorporating swords and pistols, and horses.
• The early pacing was a bit slow for me, but the film gains momentum halfway through the second act.

3. Music and Sound Design

• The score is heavily string-driven (violins, cellos), contributing significantly to the film’s atmosphere.
• Music intensifies both dramatic and lighter scenes, almost becoming a character in itself.

·          The sound design and mixing, particularly during the fire sequences (burning carts and carriages), stood out as highly effective, with layered effects and balanced post-production mixing that enhanced the scene’s intensity.

·          As an outsider of the film industry and fan, I’ve noticed the different parts of filmmaking and post-production processes, such as sound design, mixing, and layering during editing, which enhances my appreciation of how these elements impact the overall viewing experience.

·        See a short from Episode #67 discussing the score and sound design of this film:

Tornado - The Score Was Better Than Expected 🎻 -YouTube

https://youtu.be/5CKxBhmd3bI

Spotify | https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/bjCr0b5bTWb

4. Cinematography and Visuals

• Cinematography is praised, especially during key scenes:
• The character of Tornado (Koki) embarks on a “revenge tour” for her father.
• Notable shots include her silhouette against the sun and dynamic sword fight finishes, holding her stances after some of those sword battles, creating some great visuals with the sunlight as the backdrop to her stances.
• The final scene features a classic “walking into the sunset” moment, executed with notable visual flair. It was great timing for that shot.

5. Narrative Structure

• The film uses a non-linear timeline:
• Opens with a confusing sequence set after some critical events.
• Flashes back to earlier events (two days earlier) before returning to real time, similar to certain TV procedural dramas.
• One actor I want to point out is Dennis Okwera; his character was the “Psychotic Bandit. He did not have any lines of dialogue; his performance depended on his facial expression, movement, and a few fighting scenes, which was an interesting choice. Something I did not notice until the end of the film.

6. Conclusion

 I was pleasantly surprised by the film, and I had no idea what to expect from it.

  I commend the director, cast, and crew for delivering a solid and unique film experience.

  See my spoiler review of the film below as I discuss the film in more detail from my point of view. This was a different type of film in a good way, in my opinion.

Companion Podcast & Video

Full episode #67 Tornado (2025) Spoiler Review | What Makes It Different is available to watch and listen to on YouTube | https://youtu.be/nKMrM6oz1Ww

 Spotify 🎧🎬 Tornado: A Quiet Storm of Indie Cinema-EP#67

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/ewIGtc5bTWb 

Screening Attended on: May 30^th, 2025

Written and recorded by James B. Wreh, creator, host, and producer of The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast.

Enjoyed the review? Subscribe on YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/@KRUBOY-PRODUCTIONS ) or follow The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast on your favorite podcast platform for more film, production, and Broadway breakdowns.  You can also find me on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Podbean, and other major podcast platforms.

Follow me on TikTok as well, @nerdypodcaster124  - https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdypodcaster124

 

Thunderbolts* 2025 Film Spoiler Review

 Main Topic  – Thunderbolts Film – 5/2/25 | Blog # 5

Directed by: Jake Schreier
Review Written by: James B. Wreh
Screening Dates: May 2, 2025, and May 9, 2025

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Overall Impression

• Movie: The second MCU film of 2025, Thunderbolts.
• Reception: Excellent and thoroughly enjoyable, with strong character development for the main cast.
• Engagement: Captured my attention from the very beginning.

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Performances

• Florence Pugh: Delivered a standout performance, especially in the opening voiceover scene where her character speaks to someone she has tied up. Her arc—and the emotional journey that came with it—was one of the film’s strongest points
• Lewis Pullman: His character arc felt earned, particularly the way it concluded. Both the writing and Pullman’s execution made Bob/Century’s journey compelling.
• Supporting Cast: Fun and engaging, with each character uniquely contributing to the story.

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Tone and Comedy

• Tone: Established effectively from the start, balancing action, heartfelt moments, and serious beats.
• Comedy: Well-timed and placed appropriately, adding to the experience without overtaking any scene.

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Action and Storytelling

• Action Sequences: Executed well, adding excitement with a clear purpose, the action consistently moved the story forward rather than feeling like a spectacle for its own sake.
• Story Flow: Smooth pacing, with no slow moments for me; the rhythm kept the audience engaged throughout.
• Interconnectedness: Integrated seamlessly into the broader MCU narrative, referencing past events and character arcs. This worked for hardcore fans like me, who’ve seen every MCU film and Disney+ show, while also catching casual viewers up so they weren’t lost in the story.

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Music and Score

• Thunderbolts Theme: A memorable main theme that elevated the film; the score overall was a major strength.
• Score Variety: The music shifted effectively between moments, enhancing the story. A favorite moment for me was near the end when the Thunderbolts theme played after Yelena says to Valentina, “We own you now,” and the composer(s) Son Lux slid in the original Avengers theme just before the credits rolled. Seeing it a second time only made me appreciate it more.

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Character Development and MCU Connections

• Character Arcs: Strong introductions and growth, particularly for the Thunderbolts–New Avengers team. Century’s journey from start to finish was a highlight, with his development feeling well-earned by the end.
• MCU Integration:
• Yelena: References to her sister’s death.
• Bucky/Winter Soldier: Ties to his past storylines.
• Ghost: Further acknowledgment of events from Ant-Man and the Wasp.
• Red Guardian: His integration sets up his presence in future MCU projects.

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Post-Credit Scenes

• First Scene: A humorous grocery store moment with Red Guardian out of costume. Also something I noticed in the Thunderbolts Trailer before the  film released on Disney Plus, the “Red Guardian character” foreshadowed the 1^st post credit scene we  the audience didn’t know at the time check out this short in this link here:

Thunderbolts | We Missed This Mid-Credit Thunderbolts Hint 🤯 https://youtu.be/Vv-74tzu2ZU

• Second Scene: Set up a potential conflict between Sam Wilson as Captain America and the formation of the new Avengers (highlighted by Yelena’s tense and combative phone conversation with him), tying into upcoming Avengers: Doomsday and or and Secret Wars.
• Future Connections:
• Fantastic Four Tease: The final shot showed the Fantastic Four arriving on Earth, with their theme playing as they entered the MCU’s 616 timeline. It raises questions for me as a fan—will the New Avengers (or at least some of them) cross paths with the Fantastic Four in Fantastic Four: First Steps, or will Marvel save that meeting for later MCU projects?
• Upcoming MCU Movies: Fantastic Four: First Steps (July 2025) seem likely to connect to Doomsday or Secret Wars.

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Final Thoughts

• Anticipation: I’m excited to buy the Blu-ray, watch it again, and explore the production features—especially behind-the-scenes looks at filming locations in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and U.S.-based sets. I also hope to see how the Thunderbolts theme was created, as well as the process of developing the score, hopefully included in the production features.
• Overall Rating: I truly enjoyed this film, with very little to criticize. I didn’t know I wanted a Thunderbolts film, but I’m glad we got one—especially for Yelena’s progression, which Florence Pugh portrayed brilliantly.

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Additional Notes

• Release Date Mentioned: Fantastic Four set to release July 25, 2025.
• Timeline Integration: Suggests the Fantastic Four will shift from the 1960s into the MCU’s current timeline, setting up major crossovers.

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Conclusion

In my opinion, Thunderbolts stands out as one of the MCU’s stronger entries, with compelling performances—particularly Florence Pugh’s—balanced tone, well-placed humor, engaging action, and seamless MCU integration. It effectively sets up future storylines, especially with the Fantastic Four tease, keeping excitement high for what’s next, though opinions may vary among viewers.

Review Written by: James B. Wreh

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Companion Podcast & Video

Full episode #62- Thunderbolts* Spoiler Review is available to watch and listen to on YouTube and Spotify 🎧🎬

https://youtu.be/hTW_038kahw

https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/OeMm6UVvKWb

Screenings  Attended on: May 2^nd  & May 9^th, 2025
Written and recorded by James B. Wreh, creator, host, and producer of The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast.

Enjoyed the review? Subscribe on YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/@KRUBOY-PRODUCTIONS) or follow The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast on your favorite podcast platform for more film, production, and Broadway breakdowns.  You can also find me on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Podbean, and other major podcast platforms.

Follow me on TikTok as well, @nerdypodcaster124  - https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdypodcaster124

Les Misérables Live Broadway Musical Production Review

Main Topic Discussed – Les Misérables Live Broadway Musical Production 

Blog # 4

DPAC (Durham Performing Arts Center) – Thursday, July 17, 2025, Performance
Directed by: Laurence Connor & James Powell
Music Director/Conductor: Glenn Alexander II
Review Written by: James B. Wreh

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General Impressions

• Attended a live Broadway performance of Les Misérables (“Lay Miz”), marking my first time seeing this musical live.
• The production was very good, featuring strong vocal performances and impressive technical execution.

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Structure and Storyline

• The first 20 minutes took some adjustment to fully grasp, as I later realized it served as the prologue before the title Les Misérables appeared on stage and the main narrative began.
• The interconnected storylines and numerous characters made the plot dense and, at times, difficult to follow—especially for a newcomer to this Broadway Production of Les Misérables.
• The story spans from 1815 through the 1830s and into the late 19th century in France, exploring themes of pursuit, loss, guardianship, love, and redemption. Key elements include:

• Jean Valjean, initially a prisoner, is released on parole and pursued throughout his life by Javert, with their paths crossing multiple times.
• Valjean turns his life around, first becoming a factory owner in France and later the Mayor of the same town. He meets Fantine, a factory worker desperate to care for her daughter, Cosette. After Fantine is fired and falls ill, Valjean promises her on her deathbed to care for Cosette.
• Valjean rescues Cosette from a harsh situation and raises her as his own as she grows into a young woman.
• Cosette develops a love story of her own, unfolding against the backdrop of the June Rebellion of 1832.
• Many key characters die during the battle scene.

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Musical and Technical Aspects

• Most of the dialogue is sung, with very few spoken lines, creating an almost opera-like experience unlike other Broadway productions I’ve seen.
• The live orchestra played nearly continuously, with breaks only during scene transitions and intermission. Their endurance and performance deserve high praise.
• Vocal standout: Student actor Christian Mark Gibbs gave a particularly compelling performance until his character’s death.
• The ensemble displayed rich harmonies in group numbers, complemented by strong individual performances.
• A memorable choreography moment involved the company marching in place before moving forward in formation while singing in harmony. Performers entered and exited the formation seamlessly, showcasing careful rehearsal and coordination. This sequence likely required significant practice in rehearsal spaces and stage adjustments during dress rehearsals to achieve the precision seen on stage—well executed by all involved.
• Technical highlights in Act II stood out, including excellent lighting design, strategic positioning, and sound effects—particularly impactful during the battle scenes.

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Personal Experience

• As a first-time viewer of this musical, I found the production fun, interesting, and technically impressive, though the complex plot made it initially hard to follow.

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Dates and Setting

• The story is set between 1815 and the 1830s, with the June Rebellion of 1832 (Young Revolutionaries vs. the French monarchy and government troops) as a central backdrop.
• Performance attended by James Wreh on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at the Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC).

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Companion Podcast & Video

Full episode #76 is available to watch and listen to on YouTube and Spotify 🎧🎬

https://youtu.be/BiamdS2YLHc

 https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dkYJBBVjCWb

https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdypodcaster124 

Performance Attended on: Thursday, July 17^th, 2025
Written and recorded by James B. Wreh, creator, host, and producer of The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast.

Enjoyed the review? Subscribe or follow The Silly, Nerdy & Wordy Podcast for more film, production, and Broadway breakdowns.

Also available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Amazon Music, Podbean, and other major podcast platforms.