Review: ‘The Tax Collector’ loses its money maker too soon.

SYNOPSIS: David (Bobby Soto) and Creeper (Shia LaBeouf), are “tax collectors” for the crime lord Wizard, collecting his cut from the profits of local gangs’ illicit dealings. But when Wizard’s old rival returns to Los Angeles from Mexico, the business is upended, and David finds himself desperate to protect what matters more to him than anything else: his family.

As a fan of Narcos and Cocaine Cowboys, I had incredibly high expectations for The Tax Collector. The slick editing in the beginning, that mixes voiceover and time-jumping violence immediately drew me in. Soto plays David with strength and a conscience. This felt like a fresh take on the typical gang genre. While there is a family angle that is different from the usual fare, it was the introduction of Shia LaBeouf‘s character Creeper that locked me into this particular narrative. He is an unexpected maniac. In reality, it should have come as no surprise because that’s LaBeouf’s schtick; he embodies any role with frightening ease. It was his role that kept me watching The Tax Collector because the idea of Creeper going nuts, simply based on a very brief intercut scene had me salivating for his character’s abilities to take shape. Then, it was a bit of bait and switch. While Bobby Soto was entertaining enough, and the rest of what feels like an ensemble cast is strong as well, LaBeouf’s character disappears and I lost most of my emotional investment. With the aspect of religion Vs religion used in a kind of silly way, I only watched until the end after some serious violence for violence’s sake occurs and thought, “Well, I’ve made it this far. How does this end now?” It’s pretty brutal (this is me warning you now) if you’re at all squeamish. After some truly senseless deaths, and ironically, one that not satisfying enough, the movie sort of just ends okay. That final shot though, come one now. Which is something I actually said out loud at the screen. Admittedly, I thought LaBeouf was the best part of this film. Show up for the genre, the music, the color choices, stay for Shia and The Tax Collector may just keep you in your seat.

RLJE Films will release the thriller THE TAX COLLECTOR, In Theaters, On Demand and Digital on August 7, 2020.

THE TAX COLLECTOR stars Bobby Soto (The Quarry, “Narcos: Mexico”), Cinthya Carmona (“East Los High,” “Greenhouse Academy”), George Lopez (“George Lopez,” Valentine’s Day) and Shia LaBeouf (Honey Boy, The Peanut Butter Falcon). The film was directed and written by David Ayer (director and writer of Suicide Squad, Fury, End of Watch and the writer of Training Day).

‘BROKEN HORSES’ takes your heart strings on an extraordinary ride.

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Your parents teach us right from wrong. What if your parents aren’t around? What if we’re molded from something evil instead? In Vidhu Vinod Chopra‘s new film BROKEN HORSES we meet two very different brothers at a pinnacle time in their life. When a manipulative man strolls into their lives, each brother takes a path of his own. 15 years down the road, simple minded and gentle soul Buddy works and does a little too well for himself, while younger brother Jake, now living in the city, is the successful music prodigy from his youth. Buddy reaches out to the newly engaged Jake to give him his wedding gift. Jake is hesitant to return to his desolate, Mexican border hometown, but understands that the love of his brother wills him to do so. Upon arrival, he learns that Buddy is being used as a deadly pawn in a drug lord’s chess match. Jake has no choice but to dedicate himself to saving his brother. 
BrokenHorsesAntonStillThe script takes some truly unexpected turns. I was constantly on my toes, especially emotionally. This engrossing story is only amplified by the stunning character development by Chopra’s writing and the outstanding and moving performances by Anton Yelchin and Chris Marquette as Jake and Buddy. Yelchin, in yet another film in a long line for 2015, plays a caring and protective role. It’s slightly more challenging than his usual boyish, all American vibe. Vincent D’Onofrio is manic in the role of evil puppeteer, Julius. There is very carefully crafted back story that we only get a glimpse of, and frankly it’s just enough.BroeknHorsesChrisVincentStillThe profoundly magnificent acting award, hands down, goes to Chris Marquette. There is a fine line when portraying a person that is not of average cognitive function . It can so easily read disingenuous and forced. Marquette gives us a performance of a career as Buddy. Every beat is perfection. This is one that must not be overlooked. Even if the film were not as great as is, Marquette blows everything out of the water. BrokenHoresesStillBroken Horses is enchanting and thrilling all in one. A game of sick manipulation is slowly built into a war for the soul. The acting is top notch and the scenery is breathtaking. Heart-pounding and gut-wrenching, Broken Horses is a story of undying love and devotion that will resonate with everyone.

Synopsis: Having left town as a child after the death of his father, young music prodigy, Jacob Heckum (Anton Yelchin), returns to his desolate hometown after years only to discover that Buddy (Chris Marquette), the child-like brother he left behind now works for a drug gang. The gang’s ruthless leader (Vincent  has twisted his simple mind and manipulated him into a killer… a surrogate son who blindly does as he is told. He is unable to convince Buddy to leave his new fraternity. Drowned in guilt for having abandoned him, Jacob quickly realizes the only way to save Buddy is from the inside out.

BROKEN HORSES comes to theaters in limited release Friday, April 10th