STORYLINE: Hank Thompson, once a hotshot high school baseball prospect, turned unlucky alcoholic, going-nowhere bartender mistakenly gets caught up in a bloody treasure hunt through New York City. It turns out that the cat Hank’s neighbor left in his care is sitting on a secret. Hidden at the bottom of its cage is a key wanted by a sadistic cop, Russian mobsters, a Samoan hit man, and a pair of psycho brothers who dress in leather gear. (IMDb) 

    Director Darren Aronofsky is a versatile filmmaker, even if I haven’t enjoyed all of his films. I really enjoyed The Wrestler (2008) and Black Swan (2010) while I can not say the same anout Mother! (2017).  The Whale (2022) I go back and forth on, and I thought Brendan Frasier gave an incredible performance, worthy of his Academy Award. The film I loved the most on the resume of Darren Aronofsky is one he only produced, that’s 2021’s Catch the Fair One.  If you haven’t seen it, I highly encourage you to seek it out.  Now the director has his latest release, the action packed Caught Stealing starring Austin Butler and Regina King.

     The action film features an all star cast, Austin Butler (Elvis, The Bikeriders), Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Liev Schreiber (Spotlight), Zoe Kravitz (the Divergent series), and the immortal Carl Kane.  All the characters they played were cookie cutter to the action genre. Each performer appeared to be enjoying themselves in their role.

   The plot for Caught Stealing was predictable.  The action sequences were a simple with a few over the top ones sprinkled throughout the film.  Adding all this together the film was mindlessly entertaining. 

    Mindlessly entertaining can be good.  It’s a nice balance to the serious films.  Not every feature has to teach me a life lesson.  I enjoy both kinds of films. 

    I was glad to see this one in theaters, as I am with all films, good and bad. The sound effects playing on the surround sound and action engulfing ,e on a big screen was a fun experience.

    Until next time I will catch you at the movies!