The two films today are both worthy watches that deliver in different ways. Vengeance is smart and witty, while Prey is sci-fi adventure.

Vengeance (Video on Demand) - B.J. Novak was an audience favorite in The Office television series, and it’s interesting to see how this first full feature directorial job plays out. He’s also the screenplay writer and lead star. And the first thing I’ll say in appreciation is how the arc of his character defies expectations, as he smartly gives the best lines to the characters surrounding him, while B.J.’s Ben self-deprecates, and turns the film into a Manhattan city boy’s voyage of discovery in rural Texas. It’s how and why this New York journalist and wannabe podcaster ends up in Abilene, Texas that makes the plot device of the film, but it’s the snappy dialogue and rich development of characters that makes this such an enjoyable thinking man’s film.

 
The opening scene after the credits is priceless as we’re in a Manhattan roof party, and it’s Ben with John Mayer (in a cameo, playing himself) talking about relationships and commitment to Life that’s downright hilarious, with Mayer poking fun at himself. When Ben gets a call about a girl he hooked up with named Abby having died in her hometown of Abilene, things get complicated rather rapidly. It seems she gave the impression to her family that Ben was her boyfriend. Ashton Kutcher plays a small-time Texas record producer, and it’s a quirky, fun role for him. This film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year, and it’s easy to see why it became an audience favorite. It takes on social media and podcasts, attitudes of people towards Life and personal disasters, in an intelligent manner.

Prey (Hulu, Video on Demand) - If you think back to how Creed gave new life to the Rocky franchise, this film Prey achieves similar results for the Predator franchise. The very first Predator film starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and was a testosterone-fueled horror adventure that helped define the genre; but unfortunately, most of the sequels should have been left on the cutting floor. What Director Dan Trachtenberg smartly does, is reposition the franchise by going back in time a few centuries, having the Predator come to Earth while Comanche Indians ruled their part of the United States, and having a woman who refuses to accept she can’t be a warrior take the central role. In one swoop, Trachtenberg then turns the franchise into one of women empowerment and basic survival, of Indian American wiles against an advanced E.T. Smart!

Naru, the female Comanche, is played by Amber Midthunder, and she’s perfect in the lead role, showcasing physical power, determination and resourcefulness, while also betraying vulnerability and uncertainty. Her relationship with her brother warrior, Taabe (Dakota Beavers) lies at the core of the film, and it’s only equaled by the relationship between Naru and her dog - played by Coco, a Georgia rescue dog that earned a lot of publicity when the film became a streaming hit this summer. Trachtenberg previously directed 10 Cloverfield Lane and has done episodes of The Boys and Dark Mirror. So he’s a dab hand at mixing horror and thrillers. Despite the fact that the film straddles SciFi and horror, it’s gorgeously shot, with some really impressive drone shots, and sequences that reflect the food chain. Good, involving film that deserves to be watched.