Posted May 13, 2025 by Sean Patrick – Sean at the Movies
If you’ve ever wondered how a solid, stylish action film can vanish at the box office before anyone notices, look no further than Shadow Force. The new film from director Joe Carnahan stars Kerry Washington and Omar Sy as ex-CIA assassins turned fugitive parents—and despite being packed with thrilling action, emotional beats, and even a Lionel Richie joke that works, the movie was seemingly doomed from the moment someone gave it that title.
I had a great time watching Shadow Force and even more fun writing about it. This one feels like a throwback in the best way possible: tight direction, great performances, and a totally adorable kid sidekick who might just be a future star. It deserved a better shot in theaters—and definitely a better title.
If you enjoy sharp, stylish action films with heart—and if you can get past the Cannon Films-era title—you might find yourself pleasantly surprised by Shadow Force. I was.
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Crimson Tide Turns 30 – Why This Nuclear Thriller Still Holds Water
Posted May 12, 2025 by Sean at the Movies
This week marks the 30th anniversary of Crimson Tide, one of the most gripping military thrillers of the 1990s. Directed by Tony Scott and starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman, the film pits two commanding performances against each other in a tense ideological standoff aboard a nuclear submarine.
Crimson Tide turns 30!
In honor of its anniversary, I’ve published a full review on Vocal diving deep into what makes Crimson Tide still resonate after three decades—its political subtext, powerhouse performances, and that unforgettable scene with the Lipizzaner stallions.
Movie Review: Without a Paddle (2004) – Lost in the Woods and in the Script
Tags
Without a Paddle review, Dax Shepard movies, Seth Green comedy, Matthew Lillard film, 2000s buddy comedies, Steven Brill, Burt Reynolds cameo, D.B. Cooper movies, road trip comedies, Hollywood formula films
Overview
*Without a Paddle* (2004) is a road trip comedy that leans heavily on formula and familiarity. Directed by Steven Brill (of *Little Nicky* and *Mr. Deeds* infamy), it stars Matthew Lillard, Dax Shepard, and Seth Green as three childhood friends reunited by tragedy and launched into a backwoods misadventure that borrows liberally from better films like *City Slickers*, *Road Trip*, and *Deliverance*. The result is a forgettable comedy that coasts on clichés and cameos rather than clever writing.
Plot Summary
Following the death of their adventurous childhood friend Billy, Jerry (Matthew Lillard), Tom (Dax Shepard), and Dan (Seth Green) reunite to fulfill a long-abandoned dream: a canoe trip in search of D.B. Cooper’s lost fortune. What starts as a tribute to friendship and youthful dreams quickly devolves into chaos as the trio gets lost in the Oregon wilderness. Along the way, they face off with an angry bear, a pair of cartoonish redneck drug dealers (played by Ethan Suplee and Abraham Benrubi), a crooked sheriff, and nature itself. Helping—or possibly hindering—them is a grizzled backwoods recluse played by Burt Reynolds, whose appearance seems to serve more as a pop culture wink than an acting choice.
Highlights
D.B. Cooper premise: A great idea buried beneath lazy gags and flat execution. The legend of Cooper deserved a better movie.
Comedy trio chemistry: While the characters are written as caricatures, Lillard, Shepard, and Green do their best with what little they’re given.
Nature scenes: Some of the outdoor cinematography is pleasant—when it’s not being used for slapstick bear chases.
What Doesn’t Work
Generic script: The film follows a strict comedy formula, with little originality and no risk-taking.
Unseen backstories: The more intriguing lives of the characters—especially the deceased Billy and wild-child Tom—are told, not shown.
Burt Reynolds cameo: Played for laughs, but the movie gives him nothing to do except remind you of better films.
Lazy writing: Characters are broad stereotypes (the neurotic nerd, the slacker ladies' man, the directionless nice guy) used in place of real development or clever dialogue.
Final Thoughts
While *Without a Paddle* isn’t offensively bad, it’s the kind of comedy that feels engineered by committee rather than inspired by creativity. Screenwriters Mitch Rouse and Jay Leggett crib elements from more successful films without adding anything original to the mix. It’s mildly amusing at times—mostly thanks to reflexive laughs from remembering better movies—but ultimately forgettable. This is the cinematic equivalent of fast food: easy to consume, completely disposable, and barely satisfying.
Rating
⭐ Rating: 1.5 out of 5 stars
Call to Action
Do you think *Without a Paddle* deserves cult status or should it stay forgotten? Leave your thoughts below!
Check out our reviews of early 2000s comedies right here.
