REVIEW: JEREMY RENNER - MY NEXT BREATH

4/5

Breathing New Life

Hawkeye used to be The Avenger that some fans made fun of. Captain America was the leader, flying the flag. Iron Man, the Batman like billionaire with suits and tech for days. Thor had the strength of a hammer only he(?) could lift. Hulk was green with envy for anyone who didn't have anger management issues. And as for the Black Widow...daaamn! It seemed like Clint Barton had merely a bow and arrow. That was until the hypnotized star of 'The Hurt Locker' stole the show and had his own sharpshooting one with the 'Hawkeye' Christmas special, fresh off his darker 'Endgame' turn as Ronin. Jeremy Renner has always been a great actor. From 'Arrival' to 'Wind River'. Or his reinvigoration of the 'Mission: Impossible' and 'Bourne' franchises. Even if future friends that feel like family swear he wasn't in some said movies, stabbing with sunglasses. He has even been shooting straight on the small screen as the 'Mayor Of Kingstown' and with his vehicular 'Rennervations' on Disney Plus. Making music between all this with his sweet solos sets, most recently last year's aptly title, 'Love and Titanium'.

None of that mattered on New Year's Day 2023. All that mattered...was his next breath. Jeremy Renner was crushed by a snowcat after saving his nephew from being hit by a snowplow. Renner suffered blunt chest trauma and 38 broken bones. He could even see his eye on the snow as his nephew, neighbours and EMT miles away from this ice tried to save him. Flown by helicopter to the region's only trauma centre, Renner went under the knife and remained in a critical condition in intensive care. Only sixteen days later, he left hospital. Months later, he was on the cover of Men's Health magazine after doctors said he wouldn't run again. And mere months ago, the cheers were deafening and tear inducing as Netflix's 'Tudum' showcase introduced him as a character on Rian Johnson's next 'Knives Out' mystery, 'Wake Up Dead Man', coming to the streaming service, this fall. Nobody would ever doubt who the strongest Avenger was now, like co-star and friend Robert Downey Jr. reading his amazing autobiography, 'My Next Breath', whilst filming his villainous turn in next summer's 'Doomsday'.

Yet, Renner's real recovery was far from as easy as the paragraph I just wrote. Words can't do it justice, only Jeremy's can paint the picture. And in this moving memoir, that Renner didn't want to originally write, he does exactly that. What starts as a fall favourite, beautiful story of a family getting together for the holidays, regardless of any drama or difference, hits you like the full force of the 14,330 pound snowcat rolling over Renner. It's brutal and hard to take, read, or hear, but just imagine what Jeremy went through as he takes you right through it. "Hear" being apt, as the autobiography audiobook version really makes you feel it. From 911 emergency calls from the day, to a special recording that will warm your heart amongst all the ice. Audiobooks from the horse's mouth are always great to hear from, but Jeremy's really strikes a chord. What starts as a rushed read through, this is a busy man, who values family time more than ever now, chokes you up as the man himself does the same. Look what he almost lost as he briefly died on that ice. How could he have a bad day now? He's truly living life every day with every breath he takes. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Reading: Al Pacino - 'Sonny Boy', Matthew Perry - 'Greenlights', Matthew Perry - 'Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing'.

REVIEW: AL PACINO - SONNY BOY

4/5 

Once Upon A Time In Hollywood

Between all the music and sports biographies, there weren't many books by movie stars, once upon a time. Save some fiction from the likes of Academy director Quentin Tarantino and Oscar nominated actor Ethan Hawke. Perhaps movie stars were too busy reading scripts (and maybe penning them) to be bothered writing books about their own lives. Too focused on capturing character. And to think, many call this profession narcissistic (which Pacino makes a point against here). Since COVID, when everyone was forced to sit down and take stock, we've had autobiographies from the likes of Will Smith, Viola Davis, Jamie Foxx and Matthew McConaughey and Perry (rest peacefully). And now, we get one from the horse's mouth, that is the legendary Alfredo James Pacino. AKA 'Sonny Boy'...and not just for his role in 'The Godfather' trilogy. HOO-HA!

Find out why, and how he came up with that iconic 'Scent Of A Woman' call in the perfume of these pages (nothing like breaking open a new book, fresh off the shelf). And just like Meryl Streep said about Viola Davis' 'Finding Me', whilst presenting the no room for 'Doubt' actress a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes, last weekend...you should really hear the audiobook read to you in Al's narrated voice. The personal touch and timbre. Which is what I prefer to do with autobiographies of famous folk (hellooo, Audible yearly free trial). Although my parents also have the beautiful hardback book, and it's perfect pictures inside for the coffee table, back home. Streep and her love and devotion for the late, great John Cazale of 'The Godfather' ("I know it was you, Fredo") and 'Dog Day Afternoon' (my personal favourite movie) fame, are also paid tribute to here. Amongst countless others, from Marlon Brando to Francis Ford (and Sofia) Coppola. Robert De Niro to Martin Scorsese. And Diane Keaton to Beverly D'Angelo. Not to mention the mother who gave this Sonny his name, and the four beautiful children Al Pacino has raised.

Classic, compelling and all over the place...in a good way (told you had to hear it for "himself"), this is a life well lived, presented on the page like an awesomely annotated script. Animated and amazing, Al talks about how his Broadway days and Shakespearean roots helped him turn Richard III into a passion project, as the man with the Triple Crown Of Acting was more than just a 'Serpico' and 'Scarface' star. He also muses about finally saying hello to his little golden friend that he met at the Oscars after salad day years of the likes of 'The Panic In Needle Park' and 'Glengarry Glen Ross'. Some at The Academy may have thought he was acting like a "GREAT A##!" Yet his head wasn't...all the way up it. The ferocious talent of Michael Mann's 'Heat', recounting the time he and 'The Irishman' co-star Bobby De Niro, meet for the first time in a diner after their separate lives on 'The Godfather Part II', was just that passionate. And yes, his cop character on said film was originally meant to be addicted to coke. And how?! Yet, his real life addiction problems are profoundly put here with something that will make you put whatever substance that is holding you back, down.

'Once Upon A Time...In Hollywood' with Leo and Brad. Going Gaga in 'House Of Gucci'. 'Carlito's Way' and 'Donnie Brasco'. Inventing the superhero movie with Warren Beatty and 'Dick Tracy'. Literally playing 'The Devil's Advocate'. Coaching 'Any Given Sunday' (and Jamie Foxx...what an impression, like Bill Hader), and becoming 'The Insider' on cop characters who looked like they suffered from 'Insomnia' (how have I STILL not seen those last two movies? I'm in for a treat!). Pacino has done it all. The gangster rat pack member has even appeared in Clooney's new one for Sinatra in 'Ocean's Thirteen'. All of this, and more, is put on display like the Hollywood sign in this La La Land of hopes and Tinseltown dreams. He even gives us the low down on starring in Japanese commercials like the BOSS Tommy Lee Jones (bad investments?). Sure, this Sonny boy may have been made famous for a viral moment at the BBC where Pacino revealed that he has a Shrek phone case (get him in the next film), but the legacy of his life and legend is much more than that. And you can't phone that in. As iconic as his voice. Read, or hear, all about it, Sonny. TIM DAVID HARVEY.