Proud Mary- Take a successful hitwoman with a guilty conscience. Add an orphaned teen running drugs for the Russian Mob. Sprinkle a twist of gangster family drama. Mix it all together and you get the action crime thriller, Proud Mary. Taraji P. Henson is believable as the assassin with a heart. There are great action sequences even down to the final act where she goes full John Wick to Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" blasting in the background. But, the key dramatic element in the film following the relationship between the hitwoman and teen takes the easy way out in my opinion. That conflict was tied up way too neatly. But, overall, it was an entertaining ride. Danny Glover, Neal McDonough, Xander Berkley, and Billy Brown co-star.
***1/2 stars
The Commuter- Ever have one of those days? You get laid off after 10 long years on the job. You get your phone stolen. And a strange woman plays a game with you on your train ride home. Would you do one itsy bitsy favor for her for a $100,000 payout? All you have to do is find someone who doesn't belong on that train of hundreds of commuters. When you do? Plant a tracking device on that person and her "people" will do the rest. But, finding this person, problematic as that is, will likely lead to that person's death. That's the situation one Michael McCauley finds himself in in this high speed thriller. Yes, it's Liam Neeson again doing death defying stunts he should be way too old for, but, damn if the man doesn't still find a way to entertain you. It's an overly convoluted master plan that Neeson must unravel before the train makes its final stop for the day. You have your prerequisite double crosses and bad guys having eyes and ears everywhere making our hero's life miserable at every turn. But, Neeson and company pull it off. It's junk food for the soul, but, it's pleasing for the most part. Vera Farmiga, Sam Neil, and Patrick Wilson co-star.
***1/4 stars
The Cloverfield Paradox- This third installment of J.J. Abrams' horror franchise is a Netflix original. After sitting through it, I'm so glad it was. This seriously would have made me angry paying theater prices for it. This installment, as it unfolds, serves as a prequel to the entire series. Due to an energy crises on Earth, the nations of the world launch the Cloverfield Station to perfect the Shepard particle accelerator. If successful, the accelerator will provide an unlimited supply of energy to the planet. Some believe it will open dimensional portals providing a gateway between this world and others. When the station's crew finally gets the Shepard fired up, strange phenomena occurs and the dangerous prophecies might just turn out to be true. One thing I will say about the Cloverfield franchise is it dares to be different. Unfortunately, different doesn't necessarily mean good. I had mixed feelings on the first film which was an outright monster movie. 10 Cloverfield Lane was a decent, claustrophobic abduction thriller. This one is a little bit Alien. A little bit The Mist. A little bit of many films in the sci-fi/horror genre. But, as is often the case, dimensional hopping and time displacement storytelling can start to get a little muddy. This film is no different as the narrative began to lose me on several occasions. I do like the way the seemingly disconnected threads of the Cloverfield saga begin to come together in this one (especially in the final scene), but, this prequel is a little too abstract through 140 of its 142 minute runtime for my liking. Daniel Bruhl, Zhang Ziyi, Chris O'Dowd, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and David Oyelowo star.
**1/2 stars
Winchester- Inspired by true events, the Spierig brothers', "Winchester", is an early 2018 ghost story. Widow and matriarch of the famous gunsmith family, Sarah, has inherited a fortune and may have lost her mind in the process. At least that is what Dr. Eric Prince aims to find out as Sarah's strange behavior of having neverending 24-hour per day additions added on to her already vast mansion in 1906 San Jose, California, has begun to unsettle the gun company's board of directors. Is there method to her madness, or, is she a candidate for shock therapy? You get your answer fairly early. Winchester has the look of a master chiller. But, the storyline is fairly standard and not always terribly exciting. You can do better as far as ghost stories go. You can also do far worse than this. Helen Mirren and Jason Clarke star.
*** stars
Hellraiser: Judgement- Pinhead is back! The author of pain and torture returns with his dangerous puzzle box of death and his group of Hellish Cenobites to wreak havoc on Earth. But, it's becoming difficult in this age of technology for a hardworking, enterprising demon to tear souls apart. Enter three detectives on the trail of a serial killer whose investigation will draw them perilously close to the Master of Torment in some unexpected ways. What can I say about this? It dared to be a different type of Hellraiser movie, but, it was a mess. More gross than horrifying. More misogynistic than cringe-inducing. A story that was puzzling to follow. I guess you can say the ultimate fate of Pinhead in this film was a twist. But, he'll be back to ripping human beings apart in the next chapter rest assured. Unless you're a Hellraiser disciple, this is one you can probably skip.
*1/2 stars
Mom and Dad- Well this is certainly a strange one! Mass hysteria grips parents nationwide when a strange signal filters through TVs and radios coercing them into murderous rages against their own children. This darkly comic tale gives full license to Nicholas Cage to chew the scenery as only he can. It's visceral. It's amusing. It's whacked. I'm not going to say this was a completely fun exercise to sit through. But, its sheer absurdity is at least entertaining. And Cage's manic performance is worth a look. Selma Blair and Lance Henrickson co-star.
*** stars
Game Night- Comedy for me has been in a slump recently. I've seen several movies over the past year that were mildly funny. I've seen several that were D.O.A. Game Night is a film that I hope will be the start of a resurgence in a genre I love a great deal. It's been a long time since a movie has made me laugh out loud as many times as this one did. A highly competitive married couple who host a weekly game night amongst their friends are thrown for a loop when the husband's "perfect" brother rolls back into town and decides hold a game night of his own that the group will never forget. When the murder mystery night goes horribly wrong, the lines get blurred as to what is fantasy and what is reality. The problem is, can these suburbanites figure things out in time to survive the night? Excellent performances from practically the entire cast keeps the laugh train rolling. It sort of reminds me of Clue in that sense. Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Lamorne Morris, Kyle Chandler, and Michael C. Hall star. The standout performance, however, comes from Jesse Plemons as the main couple's creepy cop neighbor. You're not quite sure if your heart should go out to him or if you should be repelled by a very prominent streak of creep.
**** stars
Red Sparrow- Within the Russian government, select young people, both men and women, are trained in the ways of seduction. They are trained to do or say anything to make their intended targets open up to them. Deception is their weapon. Duty to the state is their cause. They are called Sparrows. When a young prima ballerina suffers a career ending injury, she is recruited by her uncle in Russian Intelligence. After a harrowing first assignment, she's then tasked with approaching a CIA operative who has connection to a mole within the government. One thing that seems to permeate all spy thrillers are the layers upon layers of hidden meanings and double crosses. Following the narrative in these films can get a bit muddy at times. Red Sparrow makes you do a couple of double takes as well as you're not always sure what the protagonist's true motives are. What the film gives is an intricate plot with captivating performances from the two lead characters. Jennifer Lawrence, Joel Edgerton, and Jeremy Irons star.
***1/2 stars
The Strangers: Prey At Night- This 10-years-in-the-making sequel to the surprise 2008 horror hit continues to chronicle the mayhem of the original trio of home-invading psychos. They move their murderous shenanigans from a secluded cabin in the woods to a practically abandoned trailer park. The new unsuspecting victims, a husband and wife and their two teenage children instead of a troubled not-quite engaged couple. The terror in the first film was palpable and pulsating. The when-will-they-strike cat and mouse game the killers played with the victims kept you on the edge of your seat. The atmosphere was like a living thing unto itself. As much as Prey At Night tries, it can't quite duplicate the dread of the original. It has the feeling of a more standard horror movie. That's not a bad thing. But, like many film ventures, the sequel often doesn't equal its predecessor. Prey At Night is a much better continuation than, say, Sinister 2 was. Hopefully, the studio will just leave this series at two, not just because they've taken this narrative as far as it can go, but, they have written themselves into a corner by film's end. I would prefer to remember The Strangers series as a classic original accompanied by a lesser, but, more than adequate sequel. But, alas, that's not how Hollywood often works. Christina Hendricks stars (but for how long I'm not saying).
***1/2 stars
Scorched Earth- A post-apocalyptic future landscape starring former MMA fighter, Gina Carano, as a kick butt bounty hunter. What more could you want, right? Seriously, Peter Howitt's apocalyptic wild west-inspired adventure isn't half bad for a direct-to-video release. Don't get me wrong, it's not a great film, but, it's adequately watchable. Carano is bounty hunter, Attica Gage. With the chance at the bounty of a lifetime, she infiltrates the gang of ruthless outlaw, Thomas Jackson. But, a monkey wrench is thrown into her plans when she meets a slave girl who reminds her of someone from her past. Standard action movie with decent fight choreography. Nothing more. Nothing less. Nothing more to say. John Hannah co-stars.
*** stars
Ready Player One- Ernest Cline's sci-fi dystopian adventure is brought to life courtesy of Steven Spielberg. In 2045, much of society escapes the drudgery and misery of everyday life through a virtual reality world known as the OASIS. The deceased creator has left Easter Eggs in this lavish multi-billion dollar universe that promises ownership to anyone who can solve the elaborate riddles that have been planted within. That's about all I'll say about the plot for those who haven't seen it. For those who have read the book, you already know what happens. I came into this one a blank slate having never read Cline's novel. I come away admiring the film's visual landscape and pop culture references. Part of the fun as I was sitting through it was pointing out the Spawns, Freddy Kruegers, and Chuckys in the OASIS. And, horror maven I am, I particularly enjoyed the homage to one of the greatest movies in the horror genre of all time, The Shining. But, and there usually is one, there wasn't much for me beyond the pretty pictures and playing "Hey, look who it is!" The trail of clues used to unlock the puzzle of the Easter Eggs are riddles inside of enigmas. Some tremendous leaps of logic are taken that I wasn't quite following. Granted I saw the movie very early in the morning after a late night, so that might have something to do with it. But, you barely have time to contemplate one revelation before processing five more events. The film is overlong and felt stretched well beyond its boundaries of remaining relevant to my attention span. However, it is an intriguing film. It is one I would sit down with again to see if things come together more after a second viewing. And that's more than I can say about many features. Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, and Ben Mendelsohn star.
***1/4 stars
Acrimony- I have been hard on Tyler Perry for years. Most of his work is a haphazard blend of comedy and drama that tends to become a preachy saints vs. sinners narrative. He's created one dynamic character through the years whose antics are now starting run a little thin with me (no more Boo! movies, please). So, I figured his latest venture, Acrimony, would be yet another Perry Special that would almost take you to a place of relevance, but, ultimately disappoint in the end. Hey, credit where it's due. Perry knocked it out of the park here. Or, maybe the old adage of a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes applies. Whatever the case, this was good. Very good. It's almost a full character study of a relationship that was doomed from the start for many different reasons including mental illness, selfishness, family interference, and irresponsibility. It's all unfolds as a slow burning ember cascading to a blazing inferno by film's end. And the greatest thing? Perry doesn't preach to the congregation. He lets the story speak for itself and breathe. Who would have thought he was capable of not only a competent thriller, but, an excellent one? A type of "Fatal Attraction" for a new age. Now, he needs to keep it up. And I'm convinced no actress on Earth can do "psycho-crazy face" quite the way Taraji Henson can.
**** stars
A Quiet Place- John Krasinski wrote the screenplay, directs, and stars in this sci-fi horror film. In the very near future, the world is in lockdown hiding from fierce extraterrestrial creatures with extremely sensitive hearing. Humans appear to be their favorite snacks. The Abbott family lives in almost complete isolation moving night and day in almost complete silence. But, can their careful actions hide them forever? Recent circumstances they encounter will sorely test that theory. A Quiet Place is a tension-filled, claustrophobic living family nightmare for the fictional Abbotts. In a way, it sort of reminded me of one family's night of torment in The Purge a few years ago. With some tense, but, touching family drama mixed in, the film does aspire to more than cheap scares. But, there are some instances here that will make you facepalm, chief of which is why would anyone choose to have a child in the middle of an apocalypse? Especially when you might have to facedown creatures who have better hearing than Daredevil! Don't babies cry? Incessantly, sometimes? Does the mother have the force of will to bite her lip during labor? Decisions are made here that make you wonder if these people are aware of what type of dire straights they are in. And the weakness of these creatures has you pondering why no one figured this out before now. But, overall, it's a satisfying tale of survival. Emily Blunt co-stars.
***1/2 stars
Insidious: The Last Key- Show of hands. Who thinks the Insidious franchise has long outlived its relevance in the horror genre? I say it happened after the first installment which, by the way, was the only good one. How do you keep mustering excitement for a series whose focus is on a character who died at the end of Chapter 1? Chapters 2-4 have only been prequels leading up to the far superior first film. In Chapter 4, parapsychologist extraordinaire, Dr. Elise Rainier, attempts to solve the mystery of the ghosts living in her once family home, one that now has a new occupant. Much of this is told in flashback chronicling Elise's very troubled childhood with her abusive father. Convoluted, and, most of all, boring as all get out, Insidious is a franchise that is hopefully now D.O.A. Lin Shaye returns once again as Elise Rainier.
* star
Blockers- Three teen BFF girls make a pact to lose their virginity on prom night. Three of their overprotective parents learn of the agreement and will do anything in their power to keep it from happening. It's a silly plot that can easily devolve into raging stupidity. And, it does. But, Blockers is the good kind of stupidity. This is a raunchy comedy whose raunch actually made me laugh quite hard. It's not that I don't like these kinds of films, but, it's a fine line where ribald becomes inanely dumb and joyless. Blockers toed the line, but, never crossed it. And, besides, wrestling fan that I am, how could I not enjoy John Cena butt-chugging beers? Leslie Mann co-stars.
***1/2 stars
Truth or Dare- The drunken teenage game is given a murderous twist in this latest macabre thriller from the horror vaults of Blumhouse. Seven American college students party in Mexico during Spring Break and get much more than they bargained for when a mysterious young man tricks them into playing the risqué game. But, this game has the highest stakes imaginable. Tell the truth. Tell a lie. Take the dare. Refuse to play. There's no easy out here as any option could lead to your gruesome demise. Truth or Dare is getting a rough ride critically for being an unimaginative, scareless bore. While it's true that it breaks little to no new ground in the horror genre, I found it creepily entertaining. The rules of the game aren't overly complex. There's a twist here and there. The film does present an intriguing moral dilemma in the finale. And, I think I'll be seeing those grotesque Joker-like smiles for the next week. Lucy Hale heads the cast.
***1/2 stars
Rampage- Like Ready Player One, I came into Rampage with no preconceived notions having never played the video game it's loosely based on. Reading the description of the game, it's probably best that this was the case as the film bears little resemblance to the game. An experimental pathogen mutates three animals within the U.S. (an albino gorilla, a crocodile, and a wolf). All three proceed to wreak havoc across the country converging in Chicago on the corporate headquarters that spawned the pathogen crushing all military efforts to even slow their progress. It's up to a disgraced scientist, a federal agent, and an ex-special forces soldier-turned-primatologist to stop the madness and expose the corrupt corporation that spawned the abominations. Rampage is loud, dumb, and kind of fun. It embraces some of the best qualities of the first couple Transformers movies. It's a brainless Summer popcorn movie. But, it's an entertaining one. The best thing is the interaction between the gorilla and primatologist who have their special type of communication that's amusing on a couple different levels. Dwayne Johnson, Naomie Harris, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan star.
*** stars
Hostiles- A U.S. Army Captain, a dying Cheyenne War Chief, and a recently widowed woman brave the frontier from New Mexico to Montana facing down a Comanche war party, a disgraced Army sergeant, and Native American-hating landowners in the late 1800s. The film is less about how these three very different people came together and more about the pathos buried deep within themselves and members of their traveling party. There are cases of extreme PTSD and deep regret as few in this movie don't have some type of blood on their hands. The violence is brutal. But there is the offer of hope and redemption at the end. It's a slow burn that bursts with intensity a time or three. It's a good movie. A little slow in stretches. But, a lot of this sadness is not something you want to endure on multiple occasions. Christian Bale, Rosamund Pike, and Wes Studi star.
***1/4 stars
Den of Thieves- This crime thriller features a unit of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department locking horns with a highly proficient bank heist crew. As the film moves along, the lines begin to blur as to how good the so-called "good guys" really are. If you were a fan of the series, think The Shield's Strike Team as a B-level equivalent. Den of Thieves is a twisty heist thriller that tries to have something in common with movies like The Usual Suspects, but, doesn't quite have the smarts or cleverness. It's still entertaining. And I hate to say that Gerard Butler should only be cast as tough guys. He just doesn't work any other way. Pablo Schrieber, O'Shea Jackson Jr, and 50 Cent co-star.
***1/4 stars
Maze Runner: The Death Cure- The finale to this YA novel adaptation is anything but epic. Thankfully, this might be a mercy killing. Thomas and his group of free Gladers invade "The Last City", the evil corporation WCKD's base of operations, in an attempt to rescue their captured friends and other immune children the corporation conducting torturous experiments on. This is really a paint-by-the-numbers action movie. I have no frame of reference for how well the films followed the book series as I've never read it. The plus that I can give this series is it that it was three and done. There was no extending the final chapter into two movies to milk it for every cent it's worth. The minus? It's been a pretty boring series outside of the first movie. There's just been no life to it. I haven't cared why the Gladers were in that maze since the end of part one. The finale couldn't have been any more bland if it had tried. Dylan O'Brien reprises his role as Thomas for the final time.
**1/2 stars
Paddington 2- A sequel to 2014's surprise family hit, Paddington, Paddington 2 continues the adventures of the marmalade-loving bear. Firmly entwined with the Brown family, the little raincoated bear has become well established in his London community. Until he's framed for a crime he didn't commit. Wackiness ensues as Paddington meets an array of colorful characters in prison while trying to clear his name. It's cute. It's harmless. It's totally unnecessary. That was my prevailing thought from beginning to end. But, I guess this sequel was to be expected since its predecessor made more than a dollar. Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, and Brendan Gleeson star.
***1/4 stars
12 Strong- Based on the true events of the "Horse Soldiers", 12 Strong chronicles the exploits of the first U.S. Special Forces team sent to Afghanistan following the events of 9/11. Although this is a theatrical depiction of these events, you can't avoid having the utmost respect for people who are willing and even volunteer to put themselves in harm's way for the greater good. That said, 12 Strong hits the usually "feels" of a movie of this kind. Camaraderie. Loyalty. Sacrifice. Tragedy. In other words, it's a dependable movie that gives you the military feel good. You'll love it if you like that sort of thing. As someone who isn't the hugest fan of war movies, I thought it was adequate for what it was trying to do. But, it's not something I will readily watch again. Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Pena star.
***1/4 stars
Peter Rabbit- Based on the character created by Beatrix Potter, this live-action/computer-animated comedy stars the mischievous hare as he and his woodland family and friends enter into a slapstick war with landowner, Joe McGregor, and later, his nephew, Thomas over the dominion of the McGregor vegetable garden. In addition, when Thomas enters the fray, the ante gets higher when human and rabbit duke it out for the affections of next door neighbor, Bea. Peter Rabbit is a competent enough children's movie. I thought the attempts at comedy were a bit forced at times. There's only so many times you can see the Tom and Jerry step-on-a-rake gag before you roll your eyes. It's a cute movie that hits all the notes it needs to get a passing grade. Featuring the voices of James Corden, Daisy Ridley, and Margot Robbie. Domhnall Gleeson and Rose Byrne star as the main live action cast.
*** stars
Fifty Shades Freed- Can we all rejoice? It's finally over! We have the last film adaptation of E.L. James' erotic thriller best-seller. What are our two crazy kinky lovers up to now? Well, for starters, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele become husband and wife. She gives him a haircut. They have sex. They have an argument. They have sex. They're involved in a high speed car chase. They stop in a parking lot to have sex. Pretty much every scenario possible is an excuse to indulge their carnal pleasures, very often with accessories. It's softcore porn. And not really good softcore porn. Or, so I've been told. And there is an attempt made at introducing a thriller element involving Ana's former boss stalking the kinkmeisters. It's a tepid attempt at best. As you can plainly see, I've never understood the appeal of these characters or this story. And, Fifty Shades Freed is probably the most bland and banal of the entire trilogy. Even the selling point, the sex between the two leads, will bore you to tears. This is an empty shell of a movie. I'd imagine the hardcore fans of the series will find something of worth here. Many more of us will not. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan reprise their roles as the kinky Greys.
*1/2 stars
Breaking In- Director James McTeigue's action thriller is just fine if you don't think too hard about what's going on. A murdered well-to-do man's estranged daughter travels to his home with her two children to settle his estate. What they'll encounter is a night the trio would rather forget as four thieves arrive later that night to rob the house's safe of its $4M contents. What ensues is kidnapping, fights for survival, and general angsty mayhem. There's some excitement to be had in a "You go, girl" kind of way as the protagonist weaves her way through the baddies. It doesn't answer a lot of questions about the father and daughter's rocky relationship or how the daughter is so proficient at taking care of herself. Seriously, you see her in action, she's more than just lucky. That's both refreshing and eye rolling at the same time. I'm assuming this film is meant to only be taken at face value. In other words, don't ask a lot of questions. If you take it as that, it's a simple little thriller with a few tense action sequences. Gabrielle Union and Billy Burke star.
*** stars
Annihilation- If you ever wanted to know what an "artsy" sci-fi horror movie looked like, you've found your Holy Grail. Based off a novel of the same name, a team of scientists investigates an anomaly called "the Shimmer" that has emerged on the southern coast of the U.S. What is it? No one knows. But, teams have been sent to investigate prior to the current team and have never returned. All save one, the Army husband of the biologist of this expedition. But, he's just a little bit different now. Once our intrepid team enters the Shimmer, they encounter mutated life that's strange, beautiful, or horrific. But, can they live long enough to solve the mystery? This was a frustrating movie for me because there are several instances where I think Annihilation is on the cusp of being a good (not great) sci-fi horror film. But, there are subplots explored that ultimately have no bearing on where this all ends. It's not even sure what type of sci-fi movie it wants to be. Is it Alien? Is it Arrival? What I do know is it wasted my time. Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Tessa Thompson, and Jennifer Jason Leigh star.
**1/2 stars
Early Man- Aardman Animation, that crazy studio that's given us Flushed Away, Chicken Run, and maybe, their most famous creation, Wallace and Gromit, are at again. This time the focus is on prehistoric man and their creation of football (or, as we know it in the U.S., soccer). A group of dim cavemen challenge the polished team of a Bronze Age conqueror to a game for control of a lush valley that originally belonged to the cave dwellers. It's cute. It's silly. It has a few laughs. It's also not very memorable about three minutes after it's over. Featuring the voices of Eddie Redmayne, Maisie Williams, and Tom Hiddleston.
*** stars
Death Wish- A reboot/reimagining of the classic vigilante franchise made famous by the late Charles Bronson, shock director extraordinaire, Eli Roth, attempts to bring the pain with Bruce Willis in Bronson's iconic role of Paul Kersey. Instead of a New York architect, Kersey is now a trauma surgeon in a Chicago hospital. The stressor that turns him into a vigilante remains the same. When thugs invade his home bringing tragic consequences to his family, Kersey's heart hardens and evildoers beware. Roth's version of Death Wish is more than fine if you're looking to satisfy your wild west frontier justice ya ya. But, it lacks, for lack of a better term, heart. It paints all the numbers for vigilante drama, but, it feels hollow. There's no conviction here. I didn't feel anything for any of these characters especially the lead. Watching the transformation of Bronson's Kersey in the 1974 version was meaningful. You felt he earned the anger and need for vengeance he acquired. Willis and the rest of the cast are going through the motions. Is it a little unfair to compare this version with a film that is considered a classic? Maybe. But, you remake a film that resonates like the original did, it's going to happen. I will give Roth's version a couple of props for a few spectacularly brutal death scenes as is the director's calling card. But, a few gnarly checkouts does not a great movie make. A watchable one, but, not a great one. Dean Norris, Kimberly Elise, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Elisabeth Shue co-star.
*** stars
Hereditary- Woof. What do I say about this one? How do I even describe it? If you think I hated this movie, I didn't. I'm just not sure how to feel about it. Written and directed by newcomer Ari Aster, Hereditary is definitely a horror movie. You're just not quite sure if it's supernatural or psychological in nature. In that sense, the film is a deftly woven mystery. Hereditary kind of reminds you of The Sixth Sense in that the clues to it are laid out early in the film and you don't realize you are seeing clues until the end. That's where the movie shines. But, I warn you, this is a very slow burn. It ho-hums along until one rather eye-opening event occurs about a third of the way in. Then the film becomes a rather macabre sequence of acts the viewer must determine to be either the work of other worldly spirits or the raving images of deeply disturbed minds. The last act of the movie is a dizzying, if somewhat confused, array of events that should satisfy most horror enthusiasts. This is a film that lulls you in and doesn't rely on many jump scares until the last 15 minutes or so. The plot follows an artist who has a "colorful" family history to say the least. As the story unfolds, it's revealed the artist's recently deceased mother may have had more secrets than even she was aware of. This is a film you will likely need to see more than once to fit the puzzle pieces together. Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne star.
*** stars
Thoroughbreds- This is the type of film I find truly annoying. And, it's proof that you can cut up a trailer to make said film appear to be noteworthy. Billed as a dark comedy thriller, Thoroughbreds is neither funny nor thrilling. Lily and Amanda are teenagers who rekindle their friendship after an unspecified hiatus. The former is an overachiever who feels everything, the latter, a sociopathic loner who feels nothing emotionally. Both girls concoct a brutal plan to eliminate Lily's abusive stepfather enlisting the aid of a hapless drug dealer to carry out the deed. You may think you know how this plays out. I assure you don't. The two leads do what they can with the script. Both are good actresses who have done fine work in the past, but, there just isn't much for them to salvage here. This film doesn't resonate, it's not hard hitting, it doesn't stimulate you mentally, it's just a big nothing. The greatest reveal is when it all ends and you're left wondering who the true psychopath was. But, I also assure you, the journey to that revelation isn't the least bit fun. Olivia Cooke, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Anton Yelchin star.
*3/4 stars
Gringo- With an all star cast, you might think this dark action comedy might be reasonably competent. You would be wrong. Don't misunderstand, Gringo isn't horrible. But, with the acting chops in this film, I want more than "not horrible." A mild-mannered businessman's life spirals out of control when he is sent to Mexico by his company, and, through mistaken identity, he's hunted by a Mexican drug cartel. Add that his wife who's bankrupting him is also having an affair with his sleazy boss, our "hero" isn't having the time of his life. This could have been a great comic set up. However, there isn't one remotely interesting character to be found. The plot is, for lack of a better word, messy. It's not sure what it wants to be. Is it a madcap comedy or a hardhitting action film? The transitions between the two are clunky. It's really a shame. I thought this one had some potential. David Oyelowo, Joel Edgerton, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Sharlto Copley, and Thandie Newton star.
**3/4 stars
A Wrinkle In Time- Sitting through this film, one thought ran repeatedly through my mind. Disney is very fortunate that they have Black Panther and Infinity War to hang their hat on in 2018. Directed by Ava DuVernay, this feature is based on a 1962 novel of the same name. The story of a young girl on a quest to find her missing father while aided by three astral travelers for, you know, reasons, it's a movie marked by some beautiful eye-popping visuals. But, what display of absolute mediocrity. Oh, the mundanity! I can only hope the novel brought more fire and feeling than this banal snoozer. It's a film that attempts to resonate with you emotionally, but, feels smarmy and unctuous. It screams "Look how amazing I am", but, falls far short of the bar its attempting to leap. Bad pacing and choppy storytelling doom this one to the bargain bin. Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Chris Pine, Zach Galifinakis, and Michael Pena star.
*3/4 stars
Hotel Artemis- Set in a dystopian future, Hotel Artemis is the directorial debut of Drew Pearce. It's the story of a members-only hospital for criminals run by a disgraced alcoholic doctor and her large intimidating orderly. On first impression, the movie gives you a sense of a disciplined criminal world that operates parallel to the real world a la the John Wick series. If only it were as good as the Wick series. I'd even take close to it. My problem is I wanted to learn more about this criminal world, its rules, its nuances. And, the movie touched on these matters, but, only in the most rudimentary of ways. It just didn't pull me in the way I would have liked. Aside from a few colorful characters at the hotel, the film doesn't get your blood pumping in any significant way. There's a side focus of rioting occurring outside the hotel due to a water shortage. There's a subplot of the doctor assisting a police officer in need that could jeopardize her entire operation, but, this story I believe would have been better served exploring how the criminals inside the building would have reacted to that presence. The cop does have a purpose for moving the story along, I just wished it was a different story that was pushed. Hotel Artemis is just on the cusp of being a fun, action-packed film. The performances are fine. The storytelling needs a little work. Jodie Foster, Dave Bautista, Sterling K. Brown, Charlie Day, Sophia Boutella, Zachary Quinto, and Jeff Goldblum star.
**3/4 stars
Tomb Raider- In this reboot and third franchise installment of the video game-adaptation, young bike courier, Lara Croft, goes on the adventure of a lifetime after accepting her inheritance along with her missing father's secrets. With key allies, she races to thwart an expedition funded by a shadow organization determined to find a tomb holding immense power. It's very Indiana Jones-like as Lara deftly avoids booby traps and certain death at least five times. Maybe more. It's decently acted. The action scenes are fairly well choreographed. It's just not terribly original. It's a paint-by-the-numbers actioner that doesn't bore you, but, doesn't give you much to chew on. I've honestly never played any of the Tomb Raider games, so, I can't say how close Alicia Vikander came to nailing the character.
In my limited knowledge of Lara Croft, she was believable. I wouldn't be opposed to another go around with her as the lead. Although with the disappointing box office take, another installment might be in jeopardy. Walton Goggins, Dominic West, and Daniel Wu co-star.
***1/4 stars
Incredibles 2- A sequel 14 years in the making, Brad Bird and Pixar return for the further adventures of the super-powered Parr family (and family friend, Frozone). Picking up exactly where the first film ended, the Parrs face a threat they might not be able to defeat. Public opinion. After several mishaps attempting to stop a new super villain, the supers are officially sidelined by the government until a new wealthy benefactor gives them a second chance at heroics (well, matriarch Elastigirl, at least). What follows is an amusing role reversal that sees Mr. Incredible become Mr. Mom and Elastigirl busting evildoers as a solo act. That is until the behind-the-scenes master plan is revealed. So many sequels are just weak shells of their predecessors. Most of them are in my opinion. There are a few notable exceptions like The Empire Strikes Back, Aliens, Godfather part II, and Terminator 2. Incredibles 2 might not reach those lofty heights, but, it's far from an empty shell. The unique visuals of the series of modern animation meeting 50s-style settings is even better here than it was in the original, if possible. As far as story is concerned, I can't say it's any better than what was seen in the first movie. I would have preferred to see more of the Parrs in action together, but, it isn't without heart (and much hilarity) watching Mr. Incredible trying to connect with his children and being utterly clueless doing it in the beginning. Fans of the first should be fans of the second. While I can't tell you that you'll see much that's new, Incredibles 2 is clearly not a waste of your time. And if you don't giggle uncontrollably at Edna Mode and little Jack Jack (especially his little "disagreement" with the raccoon), I would suggest you have a professional check your funny bone. Okay, lame joke aside, those two really do steal every scene they're in. Featuring the returning voices of Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Holly Hunter.
***3/4 stars
Unsane- A troubled young woman is deceived into becoming a "temporary guest" at a mental institution. During her stay, she discovers her crazed stalker might actually work there. Some people have all the luck, don't they? Director Steven Soderbergh takes a departure from his normal fare to wade into the realm of psychological horror. I think he was partly successful. The film was supposedly shot entirely on an iPhone 7. I'm not sure what the reason for that was except to prove it can be done. It didn't really add or detract from the overall quality of the film. The plot itself is a fiendishly crafted tale. It's the pacing that made the story lag for me. I really do think Soderbergh could have been onto a terrifyingly, fascinating narrative had he not bored you with needless character interactions and sleepy conversation. It's another film that could have been something really noteworthy, but, didn't quite get there. At least not for me. Claire Foy, Amy Irving, and Juno Temple star.
**3/4 stars
Pacific Rim: Uprising- Suppose the Transformers team up with the Power Rangers. Now take that amalgam and face them up with Godzilla and friends. That's a thumbnail sketch of the machine vs. monster smackdown, Pacific Rim: Uprising. This sequel to the 2013 Guillermo del Toro film finds humanity once again threatened by the otherworldly giant beasts, the Kaiju. Standing in their way are the huge, human-piloted and highly destructive machines, the Jaegers. The reluctant leader of the resistance? The son of deceased war hero Stacker Pentecost, Jake. And blah, blah, blah, blah. Oh, this one was tedious. At least the first one had a heart even if it was a corny one at times (remember "We are canceling the apocalypse!" line). This one was a total cash grab. What's worse is the five year gap. Was anyone even interested in a Pacific Rim follow up at this point? And remember Charlie Hunnam? The star of the first film? I don't believe his character is even mentioned in this one, and, as memory recalls, he did survive. Myopic, banal, and just downright dumb, this is one to duck, miss, dodge, whatever you have to do despite a couple of decent action sequences. John Boyega, Charlie Day, and Scott Eastwood star.
**1/4 stars
Tag- Based on a true story published by The Wall Street Journal, Tag is the story of five childhood friends who play the game for one month (May) annually as adults. Judging from the clips at the end the movie of the real people involved, Tag embellishes the actual game quite a bit. Seriously, if what the movie depicted were 100% accurate, these guys would have been arrested many times over for trespassing and property damage. The film is just one of the most boneheaded, silliest farces I've seen in quite some time. And I loved almost every minute of it. Credit to first time director, Jeff Tomsic, for making the decision to take this tale completely over the top. I don't know if this was true with the real group, but, the decision to make one of the friends in the film a ninja-like grandmaster who has never been tagged was genius. The hijinks that arise as the others set traps to reach their Holy Grail is comic gold. The madness only pauses a bit near the end as Tag takes a bit of a dour turn. But, it rebounds quickly to the lunacy that has permeated the film throughout. It's a story of enduring camaraderie and the arrested adolescence that exists in us all to some degree. Ed Helms, Jon Hamm, Hannibal Burress, Isla Fisher, Jake Johnson, Leslie Bibb, Rashida Jones, Annabelle Wallis, and Jeremy Renner star.
***3/4 stars
I Feel Pretty- Amy Schumer's latest romp finds the comedienne as a young woman with major self esteem issues. An accident in a spinning class "rewires' her with a newfound confidence in both her professional and personal life. But, she eventually learns her latest successes come with a cost to everything that was once important to her. In other words, it's the story of the ugly duckling who becomes one of the "cool kids", transforms into a grade A jerk, alienates all her previous friends, and learns what's important in life. It's the same essential plot as movies like Can't Buy Me Love and countless others. You'll call out every plot point before it happens. But, it's not without its charm. Schumer is an acquired taste for many, and, she's somewhat restrained here rather than unplugged. If you have any preconceived notions about her, this film likely won't change them. It's a cute comedy about learning to accept yourself and not the world's version of what you should be. The ground it covers is just mindnumbingly familiar. Busy Phillips, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Aidy Bryant, and Lauren Hutton co-star.
*** stars
Disobedience- A female photographer returns to the Orthodox Jewish community that shunned her several years earlier for her estranged father's funeral in Sebastian Lelio's novel adaptation. As the story unfolds, the audience learns exactly why the community turned its back on her. Her reappearance is not welcomed by all, particularly by the young rabbi who was mentored by her father. His personal life is indirectly intertwined with hers in a way that could alter several lives. Disobedience is an interesting case study of the battle many have of choosing between heart and duty. It's not an easy choice and the film gives no easy answers. Disobedience is also a film where the premise was much better than the execution for me. A laugh riot this is not. It's a very slow and plodding journey for the almost two hour runtime. In a sense it reminds me of 2015's Carol. I'll give it a recommendation simply due to the fact that I find films depicting community forcing one to act against one's nature fascinating. But, I warn you. Have a pot of coffee at your side. Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams star.
*** stars
The Equalizer 2- Denzel Washington and director, Antoine Fuqua return for their fourth collaboration in the sequel to 2014's surprise action thriller which is itself an adaptation of the 80s crime series of the same name. Former black ops agent, Robert McCall, is back as the idiosyncratic assassin with a heart. Living modestly as a Lyft driver, he keeps his eyes and ears open continuing to assist those he encounters in need of his special talents. When tragedy finds one of his closest (and only) friends, the game becomes personal for McCall as he relentlessly tracks down the perpetrators to make them pay. What I really like about both Equalizer films is the brutal, yet, beautiful way the fight sequences are shot. Washington is an older actor now and it would be unrealistic to see him flipping across rooftops or outrunning gunfire. Instead, these scenes are a kind of "now I'm here, now I'm not" style of close quarters combat. It's the kind of fighting I would imagine a special ops soldier would engage in. And Washington executes it with controlled, almost dignified, grace despite the brutality. One thing I do think got in the way of this film are the multiple subplots. I know the movie was attempting to inject a bit of heart with the action, but, they were unnecessary to the main plot. Assisting the older gentleman in finding his long lost sister and trying to steer a young high school student down a righteous path are feel good moments, but, they felt awkward. Even the scene where McCall takes out a group of privileged young men who assaulted a woman felt thrown in like the final Darth Vader scene in Rogue One. Don't misunderstand, I enjoyed both scenes immensely, but, it was still gratuitous fan service that really didn't add anything to the primary story. This is a worthy sequel overall. I think the story of the first film was a little tighter. The action sequences in this one are harder and dirtier. Either way. It wouldn't be a bad double feature to sit through. Melissa Leo and Bill Pullman co-star.
***3/4 stars
Overboard- This reimagining of the 1987 Goldie Hawn/Kurt Russell comedy is almost a blow-for-blow remake. If you've never seen the original, obnoxious and mean-spirited rich person cheats a poor laborer out of pay that is owed. Rich person falls overboard from yacht and develops amnesia upon rescue. Laborer hears about the accident and comes up with a revenge plot. Laborer poses as rich person's spouse convincing rich person he/she lives in poverty with "their" three children. Despite the rich person having no clue on how to do...anything, and the laborer taking horrible comedic advantage of the new "spouse", they somehow bond and fall for each other. Until the inevitable moment when rich person remembers everything. Since the primary difference between the two films is merely gender reversal, your feelings about this film may primarily be dependent upon how much you may have liked the original. Although I will say the Hawn/Russell collaboration had a more classic feel than the newer one. Same story. Same set-up. Almost the same laughs. This film is the definition of harmless comedy. This is a "watch-if-you're-bored" type of film. I will give it a slight recommendation because the leads are likable. Anna Faris, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, and John Hannah star.
*** stars
Revenge- A young woman on a romantic getaway with her boyfriend is plunged headlong into her worst nightmare when her boyfriend's buddies show up for a surprise visit. She eventually finds herself in a life or death game of survival. But does she possibly have a few tricks up her sleeve? As I was watching this, and, having read a few reviews prior to viewing, I couldn't help but think "Wow, this is getting almost universal praise while the remake of 'I Spit on Your Grave' was raked over the coals." Both films are bloody exercises in revenge porn, but, I Spit on Your Grave did it SO much better. Revenge made little sense to me. My suspension of disbelief can only go so far. You'll know what I mean if you watch this. It's a slow moving affair that should have ended at least 15 minutes before it did. The kills are blood drenched, but, not particularly creative. The scumbags are comic stereotypes rather than full blown scary. The main character does something so mindnumbingly stupid that you know it will come back to haunt her when the fecal matter hits the fan. This was a miss for me. I wanted to like it. I do like my blood spattered, vomit inducing revenge porn. But, Revenge didn't resonate with me in the least.
** stars
Beirut- This spy thriller is set against the backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War and follows an ex- U.S. diplomat tasked with negotiating the release of a former CIA friend and colleague. The film looks good, set primarily in the city of Beirut. The film is well acted. I have no complaints about anyone in the cast. So, why won't I recommend this film? The story just didn't draw me in. The actors were technically fine. I just couldn't care about any of their characters. There was absolutely nothing director Brad Anderson gives the audience to hold on to. So, what you're left with is a nicely wrapped package only to find a pair of socks inside. It's a shame. I should have liked it, but, just couldn't. Jon Hamm, Dean Norris, and Rosamund Pike star.
**3/4 stars
Life of the Party- Melissa McCarthy's latest comedic romp was co-written by herself and husband, Ben Falcone (also directed by Falcone). The comedienne plays a middle-aged mother who decides to go back to college after her husband leaves her for a more professionally successful woman, much to the chagrin of the couple's college bound daughter. Queue the frat parties, sorority initiations, and co-ed sex you would expect to find in a film like this. The parent-joining-child-at-college schtick was much funnier in the Rodney Dangerfield 80s classic, Back to School. Not saying this is bad. It has some chuckles. But, like so many comedies I've seen in 2018, it's just kind of "okay." I know I sound like a broken record, but, Life of the Party is another harmless comedy like I Feel Pretty or Overboard. If you're not predisposed to dislike it prior to seeing it (you don't think McCarthy is funny, you despise Schumer, this is a cheap remake, etc.), then you'll crack a smile a few times. I do happen to like McCarthy and her good-natured goofiness, although I will give you this is not her best work. Maya Rudolph, Stephen Root, and Julie Bowen co-star.
*** stars
Dark Crimes- Jim Carrey wanders into the realm of dark thrillers in this detective drama based on an article by David Grann. Carrey is Tadek, a Russian (?) detective who notices similarities between a cold case murder and a murder described in a best-selling novel. I appreciate Carrey trying to branch out. He's played dramatic roles before, but, they've still had some comedic elements in them. Tadek is a humorless, stoic detective. He does his best with the role I suppose, but, he mostly stands around looking like a dour old cuss whose dog was just shot. Oh, and if you ever wanted to know what Ace Ventura looks like at the moment of climax, Dark Crimes is here for you. Yeah, it looks like what you imagine it would look like. It's a plodding drama for its entire 90+ minute run. It has its "dah, dah, dah" twist at the end, but, you really can't bring yourself to care because you're so dang bored. Marton Csokas co-stars.
**1/2 stars
Isle of Dogs- Wes Anderson's stop motion animated feature takes place in a dystopian near-future Japan where a canine flu virus prompts the authoritarian mayor of Megasaki City to banish all dogs to Trash Island. The mayor's young ward travels to the island to find his banished dog and is aided by a dog pack that decides to assist him. It's not a concept you see everyday that's for sure. This had all the setup and makings of an animated feature that could be truly special. Yet...it wasn't. Isle of Dogs isn't fun. It isn't fun-ny. It isn't cute. It's drab and kind of sits there like digesting meat in your colon. The voice actors do their best, but, they have mediocre material to work with. And the animation is just weird. I suppose Anderson was attempting to add a little quirkiness by having all the canines speak English and the humans speaking Japanese with subtitles and English interpreters. I found that exercise distracting and annoying. I couldn't care less about the human characters in this film and the canines were only marginally entertaining at times. All in all, I expected so much more than what I got from this film, particularly with the talent aligned with it. Featuring the voice talents of Bryan Cranston, Scarlett Johannson, Edward Norton, Bill Murray, and Jeff Goldblum.
**1/2 stars
Traffik- Based on true events, Traffik is a crime thriller that didn't get much mainstream love and I'm not sure why. It's the story of a group of four friends who unintentionally uncover a sex trafficking ring while vacationing at a remote countryside home. There's murder, terror, bikers, corrupt law enforcement, everything you might want from a movie such as this. No, the film isn't particularly nuanced, but, it's decently acted. You feel the peril the protagonists are placed in. And people make the same bad decisions they always make in thrillers. Why would anyone think they can talk down a group a thugs that you just saw murder a woman in cold blood? Who would try to do that? But, back to the matter at hand, the film itself is not a masterwork of storytelling by any means. Solid? I'll give it that much. Paula Patton, Omar Epps, Missi Pyle, and Rosalyn Sanchez star.
***1/4 stars
Slender Man- What would horror be without teenagers doing moronic things? Four friends decide to play around with the supernatural by summoning the Slender Man, an entity that preys on victims by traumatizing, stalking, and abducting. Yes, as you probably guessed, that plan doesn't go well. And neither does this movie's plot. The first half was hard for me to stay conscious through. The images that are supposed to be creepy look amateurish at times. And, most of all, Slender Man violates my number one rule of horror. It isn't scary. It's not even remotely cringey. It's trying to send a message about our current society regarding how rumor takes on a life of its own the more it's pursued. Noble message I guess. Horribly executed. The director just takes a myriad collage of disturbing images and haphazardly strings them together with very little thought. The team that put this together has no concept of the horror genre. I want my money back.
*3/4 stars
You Were Never Really Here- This is the kind of movie that will probably get some award consideration. First, it stars an actor that is known for choosing odd roles in Joaquin Phoenix. Second, it's a surreal crime thriller. Because, you know. Conventional ones just won't do. But, therein lies the issue with this film. It's a little too surreal. This story of an ex-veteran who becomes a gun-for-hire tasked with reacquiring kidnapped girls is just plain weird. He's suicidal and very often finds himself have some pretty strange dreams and flashbacks to an unhappy childhood. And that's most of director, Lynne Ramsay's, film. Odd dreams and images that transition rather abruptly back to real life. The action in the film is brutal, but, not particularly interesting. And, I don't know if Phoenix spoke more than 30 words in the whole endeavor. I'm not exactly sure what was accomplished here. It's only about 90 minutes or so. Sitting through it felt like double the runtime.
**stars
Book Club- You know I've been saying that many of this year's comedies are harmless little ventures that are watchable on a lazy weekend afternoon. Book Club, unfortunately, is not one of them. If watching 60+ year olds rediscover their sexuality sounds like a party for you, then this is gold. Actually, let me rephrase. It's not the age of the cast that was an issue with me. It's that it is a completely UNFUNNY movie. Even bad comedies give me one or two little chortles most of the time. I don't think I've ever sat through one completely uninterested and stonefaced throughout. Four successful female friends try to reawaken their sexuality when they read the Fifty Shades trilogy in their book club. One, a hotel magnate, gets charged when her one true love comes back into her life, but, she keeps him at arm's length due to a fear of losing independence. Another, a federal judge, joins an online dating service after a decade plus long absence from intimacy after her divorce. Another, attempts to rekindle the spark in her 35 year marriage after her husband's recent retirement when he appears to have lost interest in intimacy altogether. And last, a recent widow is badgered by her adult daughters to move to Arizona to be closer to them because they feel it's "dangerous" for their mother to be alone. Events take place for each character that are supposed to display growth in each as time rolls on. And time rolls on so slowly in this. The film has a talented cast of Oscar and Emmy winners to be sure. I just wish the script was as talented. Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen, Candice Bergen, Andy Garcia, Don Johnson, and Craig T. Nelson star.
*1/2 stars
Upgrade- Now this is a wacky one. In a near-future world, Grey Trace and his wife, Asha, are assaulted by four men after they have a car accident near a homeless camp. Grey is left a quadriplegic who has little will to go on with life until he's convinced by a tech innovator to have a state of the art AI chip implanted. The procedure is successful and Grey can walk again. But, at what cost? Who's really running the show? Grey himself or the chip? And is there more than meets the eye as far as what has happened in Grey's life recently? This film has some hardhitting, gory violence. It's a sci-fi film and a revenge film. It's another movie that tackles the question of where are we headed as technology advances, and, are we really better off as it does. The fight scenes are a bit on the humorous side the way they are shot, but, it makes sense considering the events of the film. And, most of all, it has a twisted ending. It's directed by horror writer/director, Leigh Whannell. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Logan Marshall-Green stars.
***3/4 stars
Ocean's 8- While not creating as much controversy as 2016's Ghostbusters, this latest installment of the Ocean franchise came with its fair share of hiccups amongst the pop culture fanbase. I won't get into the ins and outs of those arguments because, quite frankly, I'm tired of hearing them no matter what end of the spectrum you might be on. So, this review is based solely on the film's merits within its run time. Danny Ocean's (George Clooney from the previous Ocean movies if you didn't know) younger sister, Debbie, is released from a sizable stint in prison with the aim of pulling off the heist of the century at a posh gala. Together with her longtime partner-in-crime, Lou, they recruit a number of individuals skilled in certain activities (usually questionable or downright illegal). But, Debbie is as good of a master planner as her brother. This heist may not be all she has up her sleeve. I've used a ton of analogies in my reviews, and, I'll use one more here. Watching this is like eating a salami sandwich. Sure, it's palatable, it satisfies a need at the moment, but, unless you're really craving a salami sandwich, it's not terribly special. Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rhianna, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mindy Kaling, and Sarah Paulson star.
*** stars
Beast- Michael Pearce's psychological thriller follows a troubled young woman who is torn between her controlling, oppressive family and the charismatic, secretive outsider she is romantically drawn to. But, her new beau just might be the serial killer the authorities have been looking for for some time. This film is perplexing. It was on the cusp of being a very good movie. There was an intriguing story to follow. There were strong performances from the two leads. The pacing was off. I wasn't drawn in the way I wanted to be. In fact, I had to watch the last 15-20 minutes over to fully understand what was happening because my attention waned. This was so frustrating. It was so close to being something worthwhile if it didn't drag so badly. Jessie Buckley and Johnny Flynn star.
**3/4 stars
The Nun- The Nun is the next subchapter from the acclaimed Conjuring franchise. And, I can say this film from director, Corin Hardy, is better than either of the previously released subchapters featuring the possessed doll, Annabelle. But, that doesn't mean The Nun is perfect. In 1952, a priest and soon-to-be nun investigate a Romanian monastery where the dead body of a nun living there was found hanging. The pair encounter of number of strange happenings when they arrive which is all courtesy of the habit-wearing demon, Valek, who audiences first encountered in The Conjuring 2. The film deftly weaves into the main Conjuring series at the end. The Nun gets high marks for atmosphere and cinematography. This is how a horror SHOULD look. It has that air of foreboding creepiness about it. But, that's about all it has. The story itself is very basic and not terribly compelling, so, while the creep factor is definitely there, you get the sense this isn't has epic as it could be. The Nun is a movie that relies heavily on jump scares. It's a one trick pony of a movie, but, it does its one trick extremely well. For that, it deserves some recognition. It gives you a few cold shivers. Demian Bichir and Taissa Farmiga star.
***1/2 stars
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom- The fifth installment of the dinosaur series returns to the island of Isla Nublar (for a short time at least). A volcano on the island will soon erupt threatening all life there. While the U.S. Senate debates the merits of saving these genetically engineered creatures, other factions have interest in the creatures as well. Some benevolent, some not. And all of it is more ho-hum than ever. Seriously, I don't how many more times I can see a T-Rex make a last minute incidental save followed by a dramatic roar. Admittedly, I've never been a huge fan of this series. Fallen Kingdom does nothing to change my mind. And, the decision made at the end is so idiotic that you'll pray not to have another go around with the mighty reptiles. It's not a horrible movie. The series just has no where left to go unless you're the staunchest of fans. Like Transformers and Pirates of the Caribbean before it, we need a long hiatus from Jurassic Park/World. At least, I do. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard reprise their roles from 2015's Jurassic World.
**3/4 stars
Love, Simon- Greg Berlanti, producer of the Arrowverse and other teen-driven CW dramas, directs this romantic teen dramedy about a young man (Simon) who lives a very normal, almost mundane life, with the exception of one secret he's hidden from friends and family. He is gay. Starting an online correspondence with another closeted gay teen, Simon, tries to navigate the difficult waters of falling in love with his mystery pen pal while keeping his secret to some comical and some hurtful ends. Love, Simon is very much a love story for the social media era as the medium plays a pivotal role on how people interact with each other in this age and how quickly information can spread as a result. But, what I liked most about the film is the characterization of young people. In many teen dramas these days, the teen characters are so angsty and downright unlikable. Take last year's Ladybird. How about 2016's The Edge of Seventeen? Both featured young characters who are so dysfunctional and ill-tempered that the overall message of the films were lost to me. I wondered, "Why are the adults taking this b.s. of them?" Simon is not a miserably angsty teen. He has problems, but, he doesn't instantly lash out at the universe. He has a very loving and supportive family and very good friends. Again, that doesn't mean he doesn't experience problems. It's still difficult for him to come out to his loved ones. But, he doesn't act like a horse's ass when things go south for him either. It's refreshing. Love, Simon isn't a great movie, but, it does have a few strong performances. It's humor is more quirky than laugh-out-loud funny. The resolution is a bit eye-rolling, but, sweet. It's a solid rental. Nick Robinson, Jennifer Garner, and Josh Duhamel star.
*** stars
Superfly- The 1972 version of this movie was an exercise in Blaxploitation at its finest. It was one of the more popular and memorable movies of that genre. Unfortunately, I don't believe the 2018 remake will be remembered that way. And that's sad because it's not a bad movie in the least. It's the story of Priest, an Atlanta cocaine kingpin, who wants out of the business to live the good life in peace with his two mistresses. With several forces conspiring against him including rival gangs, drug cartels, and the police, Priest must use his wits and every trick he can muster just to stay alive. Violence, sex, and corruption tied up in a nice, brutal bow. It's not the gangster movie to end all gangster movies, but, you can do worse.
***1/4 stars
Hell Fest- Short and sweet, this is a horror film with a very simple premise. A serial killer who makes his killing field a traveling horror amusement park, stalks random victims within the park while wearing a mask to blend in to the surroundings. It's a stupid, clichéd movie that contains every horror trope you can think of complete with an improbable half-baked ending. But, you know what? I won't lie. The film is entertaining on a very basic level. Aside from the gory deaths, this amusement park has some badass props. Why aren't real haunted houses like this?
**3/4 stars
A Star is Born- A famous and talented, but, substance-addicted and emotionally unbalanced music star, Jackson Maine, discovers the find of a lifetime in Ally, a singer/songwriter waitress he hears at a drag bar where she moonlights. Following their mutual attraction, they begin collaborating and Ally breaks out as a new upcoming star after she is invited to sing with her established peer on stage. Despite their deep affection for each other, problems ensue as Ally continues her meteoric rise and Jackson falls deeper into the bottle. I thoroughly enjoyed this film and give the credit to the incredible chemistry between the two main stars. This would have been a very mundane romantic drama if not for the energy of these two. The musical numbers are on point (who knew Bradley Cooper could sing). And, at the risk of sounding silly, I'll say I got a few goosebumps when Gaga hit the chorus for "Shallow." Cooper directs and stars along with Lady Gaga as Jackson and Ally. Sam Elliot, Dave Chappelle, and Andrew Dice Clay co-star.
**** stars
Skyscraper- Are you ready for Die Hard 2018? Sure, why not? Unfortunately, Skyscraper resembles that surprise 1988 hit on only the most rudimentary level. It's the story of an underdog who overcomes overwhelming odds against a well-prepared, well-organized terrorist group in a high rise in Hong Kong. But, how is the character of Will Sawyer different from that of John McClain? Well, he's a former FBI tactical agent who was a former Marine, and, now, a current security consultant who lost his leg on a mission gone wrong. You just know there's going to be some action around that prosthetic, don't you? As preposterous as Die Hard was, the writers were at least able to make it somewhat plausible. McClain wasn't some super cop. He was a good cop who was just extremely lucky throughout the film. Where Sawyer is concerned, no one is THAT damn lucky. Overcoming terrorists, dodging gunfire, and making improbable leaps on a false limb just stretches the imagination a bit far. Dwayne Johnson's charisma as Sawyer keeps the story chugging along. Skyscraper is a watchable enough movie on a very simple level, but, it's not very good. Neve Campbell co-stars.
**1/2 stars
Halloween- This is one I've been anticipating since I first heard of its existence. John Carpenter, the director of the original 1978 horror classic, was back in the fold as producer. Backed by powerhouse horror giant, Blumhouse, this film had all the makings of being a modern day classic, particularly since this film was wiping out all of the Halloween sequels and reboots and was a direct sequel to Carpenter's magnum opus. And, it received seriously good advance buzz on top of it. Was this 2018 sequel destined for mindblowing status? Not quite. Now, let me say now that I did enjoy myself. Michael Myers has always been my favorite movie slasher. And, now that the series has gone back to the basics of Michael being a human vessel of pure evil and ditched the banal supernatural bent the series took in the 90s, this seemed a natural for me. But, storywise, stuff just kind of happens because it's supposed to. Outside of survivor, Laurie Strode, becoming the reincarnation of Sarah Conner from Terminator 2, there isn't necessarily a lot of juice behind Michael's 40-years-in-the-making return to Haddonfield, IL. Don't get me wrong. Michael has several brutal kills in this one and he is still a menacing and frightening figure now supposedly in his mid-60s. But, outside of Laurie becoming an obsessed survivalist recluse who's alienated her family, there isn't much progress in this story. Seriously, Michael waited 40 years before he made his move? And, after such time, he and Laurie just happen to square off in the same town of their original confrontation? I get that Laurie really hasn't moved on from that night, but, it all felt a little contrived. I'll be honest. I think the stories from Halloween 2 and Halloween 4 progress the Michael Myers legend better than this one. The series definitely misses the presence of Donald Pleasance as Dr. Loomis. And Michael's new doctor in this one does something so off the wall, it leaves you wondering what the Hell that action is all about. Well, you know what it's about, but, it still comes a little out of left field. But, again, I did enjoy myself and took it for the back-to-basics return of a horror king that it was. And, maybe because of that, I'm overrating this a bit. But, I make no apologies for loving the stoic brutal silence of Michael "Freakin'" Myers. Doesn't the Halloween theme music just embody the spirit of the holiday? Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode. Judy Greer and Will Patton co-star.
***1/4 stars
Bohemian Rhapsody- Director Bryan Singer of X-Men fame brings us the story of legendary rock band, Queen, in this latest Hollywood biopic. Or, should I say, the Freddie Mercury show as the film primarily follows his life. That's both the strength and weakness of the film in my eyes. Yes, Mercury is by far the most interesting member of the group and led quite an eccentric life before he passed away in 1991. Singer and company do a magnificent job bringing his creative genius and his self-destructive tendencies to life. But, putting the focus on Mercury also gouged the stories of Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon. It felt very much like these three were playing second banana through most of the film. And the audience comes to realize, as well as Mercury himself in the film, that Queen was not just the Freddie Mercury show. All four members contributed something unique that made the band the icon it is. The movie is over two hours long and I rarely call for films to have longer runtimes, but, I feel Bohemian Rhapsody could have benefitted from this if we could have seen more of the other band members lives as a counterbalance to Mercury's wild and (at times) sad craziness. That said, the four actors cast as the band are all brilliant in their roles. Their looks are spot on to the people they are portraying. But, more than that, they had the stage performances down. At a glance, you really feel like that is the real band in some moments. And, let's not leave out the music. When you're talking Queen, you're talking a treasure trove of memorable hits. And I dare you not to sing along as you're watching this movie and marvel at how some of these iconic tunes came to be. My only issue with the music is you don't get an entire song played through until the end credits. I'm not giving away what it is. But, it's a good one. Gwilym Lee, Ben Hardy, and Joseph Mazzello star as May, Taylor, and Deacon respectively. Rami Malek delivers an award worthy performance as Freddie Mercury.
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald- Director David Yates returns to direct the sequel to 2016's prequel to the Harry Potter-verse, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. But, unlike that first installment, Yates and company are off to the races with The Crimes of Grindelwald from film's opening sequence. Don't misunderstand, I liked the first Fantastic Beasts, but, it was a bit of a slog at times that I had to watch a second time to fully appreciate. By necessity, much of the first film's runtime was set up and introduction of new characters. And, admittedly, if you were still suffering for a Harry Potter hangover, it initially might not do anything for you. The Grindelwald "full steam ahead" approach allows the story to breathe and fly a bit as the mysteries begin to unfold a little more. Dark wizard, Grindelwald, continues his quest of recruitment of followers for his eventual takeover of the magical world, and, eventually, the non-magical world through an intricate plan involving a big player in the HP saga. Standing in his way is reluctant hero, Newt Scamander, wizard and "beast master", and his returning allies from the first film. Expect a few new beasties under Newt's care and some whimsical adventure. But, also, never fear. If you believe this is only a rollicking kids fantasy, it's not. Like the HP series, this series is going very dark the farther the story moves along. TCoG pulled me in from the opening frame and left me wishing 2020 was already here for the next installment. Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Jude Law, Ezra Miller, and Johnny Depp star.
**** stars
Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet- Disney releases yet another long-awaited sequel to a popular animated feature. And like the earlier 2018 release of Incredibles 2, this follow up to 2012's surprising smash gives a noble try to recreate that film's magic, but, ultimately falls a little short. That doesn't mean Ralph Breaks the Internet is a bad movie. It just doesn't feel special in any way. Ralph and his best friend, Vanellope von Schweetz, spend their days in their respective games and nights hanging out together frolicking from game console to game console at Litwak's Family Fun Center and Arcade when it closes at night. When Mr. Litwak introduces Wifi to the arcade, Ralph and Vanellope discover a brand new world with endless possibilities which is a little overwhelming to Ralph's simplistic sensibilities, but, right up the restless Vanellope's alley. When he sees his friend drifting away, Ralph tries to "rescue" her in typical Ralph fashion. Which is to say, he screws everything up royally. I give massive points to Ralph 2's clever and innovative depiction of the inner workings of the web. The story itself is engaging enough, but, doesn't bring the same level of funny as the 2012 film. The first was hilarious. This one is merely cute. In fact, the two funniest parts of the movie come from the mid and end credits scenes. Yes, Ralph 2 has a mid and end credits scene. So, make sure you stay. Ralph 2 is a worthy sequel if not a spectacular one. Featuring the voice talents of John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Alan Tudyk, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alfred Molina, and Ed O'Neill.
***1/2 stars
The Possession of Hannah Grace- Let's run it down. Eerie story? Check. Creepy stop-motion photography? Check. Jump scares? Check. Has the basics for a decent horror movie. So, why can't I recommend it? It's boring, that's why. Even at less than 90 minutes, this one felt like a two-hour plus movie at times. The film starts to jump a little bit about three quarters of the way through, but, by then, I just didn't really care any longer what happened to anyone. Following the premise of a young girl perishing as a result of an exorcism gone wrong, the demon possessing the girl just isn't willing to let go of this mortal world or its host. Enter the new graveyard shift intake assistant at a Boston hospital who accepts the badly damaged cadaver one fateful evening. The assistant, with some demons of her own, begins experiencing strange phenomena that she'll need to decipher if she plans to make it through her first week on the job. This one isn't worth the price of admission folks. And, at the risk of giving something away, there's something off when a horror movie has a happy ending.
**1/4 stars
Venom- I'll lay all my cards on the table. I wasn't looking forward to this movie at all for many reasons. First and foremost, this is a Venom movie. How can you make a Venom movie with no trace of Spider-Man? As a staunch fan of the Wallcrawler, this made no sense to me. Second, how is this Sony Spiderverse going to blend with the greater MCU? Since Spider-Man is on loan to the MCU, it's a fair question I think. Third, the previews didn't thrill me. Fourth, I had no faith in Sony doing the character justice after his previous mishandling in Spider-Man 3. So, all of that said, I'll admit Venom is an entertaining movie. The visuals are excellent. Venom looks truly frightening at times. And he's actually funny in a menacing Freddy Krueger type of way. But, with the good, there's also some bad. And, I hate to say part of the bad is Tom Hardy who I ordinarily think is a very good actor. His itchy, twitchy rendition of Venom's alter ego, Eddie Brock, was unusual and the performance wasn't up to his usual standards in my opinion. He didn't seem comfortable with the role. Then there's the story itself. Now, I know that Venom started out as a devout enemy of Spider-Man on the comic side and slowly, but, surely became an anti-hero. Here, the symbiotic half of the character starts out as a vicious brain eating monster whose connection with Eddie "humanizes' it. But, the transition is so abrupt, it leaves you wondering "How did that happen?" Especially after seeing the symbiote eat someone's head not more than 10 minutes prior. The villain is your typical mustache-twirling megalomaniacal corporate narcissist. He's really no one special until he...well that would be telling. I have to grade the film on two levels. As a superhero/action movie, it has its moments of fun. It has its value as a piece of pure escapist entertainment. But, the Webhead fan in me just can't let it go. The hackneyed alien specimen(s) brought to Earth from outer space that humans think they can control has been done better. And considering that I know the character's comic origin which is 100 times better (and actually better handled in the woeful aforementioned Spider-Man 3), I just can't completely get behind what was done here. But, I will leave you with one thing. The mid-credits scene does offer nerdy little tidbit as to what may come in the sequel (if there is one). It might make you "cheer." Michelle Williams co-stars.
*** stars
Peppermint- For this revenge-driven action thriller, just think Death Wish with a female protagonist. A suburban wife and mother goes on a retribution-fueled rampage five years after her family is gunned down and the thugs who committed the crimes escape criminal punishment. Jennifer Garner is a bit more effective here finding her inner badass than she was in say, Elektra. In the latter, when she did something vicious, she looked like she wanted to apologize for it. So, other than the description I already gave, there's not much more to Peppermint than this. Crooked cops. Judges and lawyers on the take. And Jennifer cutting a swath through all of them. No explanation on how she gets the training she has. She just becomes an angel of destruction spewing hellfire from whatever firearm she happens to be using. No more or less believable than similar rage-filled mayhem when the protagonist is male. Entertaining, but, fairly standard for the genre.
*** stars
The House With a Clock In Its Walls- Gore director extraordinaire, Eli Roth, makes a departure from his usual flair for blood to helm this family fantasy based on John Bellairs' 1973 novel. A young orphaned boy travels to Michigan to live with his eccentric uncle. Soon after arriving he notices his new home is not what it seems, as well as, his uncle and his guardian's prim, proper, but, snarky neighbor. All have secrets. And the boy might be the catalyst that sets something truly frightening in motion. Despite a few dark themes, this is actually a clever and amusing film. One of the highlights is the cutting banter between the uncle and his neighbor. It reminds me of how old friends truly act around each other. But, at it's core, the film is about family and yearning to belong. Underneath the dark heart of this on the surface is something sweet. Jack Black and Cate Blanchett star.
***1/2 stars
The Happytime Murders- The movie can only be described as Muppets in Bizarro world. Puppets and humans live side by side. Two estranged police partners, one puppet and one human, team up once again to solve a rash of "grizzly" murders against former stars of "The Happytime Gang" TV show. If watching puppets swear, orgasm, and be general degenerates is your cup of tea, then you've struck gold with this one. While it does offer some laughs and has plenty of visual sight gags, it's often more ridiculous than funny. But, I still think there's enough here to warrant a look. The film is directed by Brian Henson. He's the son of Jim. Wonder if dad is flipping in his grave right now. Melissa McCarthy, Joel McHale, Elizabeth Banks, and Maya Rudolph star.
*** stars
A Simple Favor- Directed by Paul Feig, A Simple Favor follows a mom vlogger attempts to solve the mystery of her best friend's disappearance from their small town. Twists, turns, and betrayals rear their heads at every turn has the story becomes stranger and stranger. But, it's strange in a good way. Darkly comic, this thriller has an intricate plot brought to vivid life by its stars. Both actresses should be noticed for their performances. It was a little overlong for my taste, but, it's still a notable film worth spending your time on. Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively play dangerous cat and mouse game.
***1/2 stars
The First Purge- Enough already! I may be in the minority as someone who thinks the first film in this horror/thriller series is the best, but, now, four movies in, we've truly run the gamut as far as what we need to see. The first film depicted one family's grueling night during this government-sanctioned eve of murder and mayhem. The second covered many of the political and social issues surrounding the event. The third featured the events leading to the end of the annual "celebration." So, now, the first purge. Who cares? The story of how it began is neither fascinating or insightful. It's just more of the same social injustice and political wrangling we've seen before. It was also done better in the previous films. The characters aren't compelling. The reasons behind the event are a rehash. This was strictly a cash grab trying to squeeze the last dollar out of a franchise that had essentially ended after the third movie. It's not terrible, but, it's a definite skip. Marisa Tomei stars.
**3/4 stars
Christopher Robin- What if Christopher Robin (yes, that Christopher Robin) grew up? That's the question this live action Winnie the Pooh movie tries to answer. Maybe he'd have a family. Maybe he would have fought in World War II. Maybe he would be a mid-level executive at a luggage company. And, maybe, just maybe, he might have lost sight of what is truly important in his life. Well, that's what his friends Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl need to help him rediscover as they reunite with him in the Hundred Acre Wood and in real world London. The film has a puzzling tone at times. It changes from dark and slightly melancholy melodrama to whimsical comedy on more than one occasion. And, since this is Winnie the Pooh we're talking about, I think the latter tone would have been more appropriate. But, there had to be more conflicts than fighting Huffalumps and Woozles, I suppose. Stories of beloved children's characters grown up have been done before. Hook most notably comes to mind. Where this falls on the scale for that particular genre? It's fun family film that attempts to teach a lesson. I was just hoping for a little more. Most of the CGI is good as the Hundred Acre Wood characters remind of real life weathered stuffed animals (although Pooh looks a little weird at times). You'll have a good time if you grew up as a fan of these characters. Eeyore is actually the standout here. Much love to Brad Garrett for his voice characterization. He's hilarious as the mopey blue donkey. Ewan McGregor and Hayley Atwell star. Jim Cummings also lends his voice talents as Pooh and Tigger.
***1/4 stars
Sicario: Day of the Soldado- This sequel (somewhat) to 2015's Sicario follows the further adventures of CIA agent, Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) and his (sometimes) paid operative, Mexican hitman, or Sicario, Alejandro Gillick (Benicio Del Toro). This time, with the clandestine approval of the U.S. government, the two, along of their teams, attempt to incite a gang war among the Mexican drug cartels who have found a new stream of revenue. Smuggling terrorists across the southern border. But, when betrayal forces the mission to go sideways, the seedy underbelly of black ops is exposed as alliances are broken and friends become foes. There are some absolutely cool and brutal scenes in this film. The story itself I found a little thin at times, and, I'm not exactly sure why we needed a sequel to Sicario. Maybe the powers that be are trying to create another more grounded in reality John Wick-type of character with Gillick. If so, this series could have a little more steam behind it in the future. If you like intense, hardhitting action, this one will be for you. Jeffrey Donovan co-stars.
***1/2 stars
Mission Impossible: Fallout- I don't know if I've said this on this page before, but, I never get overly excited when I hear about the next Mission Impossible film release. Don't misunderstand. I think it's a very good franchise (with the exception of part 2). After I watch one, I usually come away with good feelings. But, for some reason the series just doesn't get me jacked up until I sit down and watch one. And the last two were extremely well made in my opinion. Unfortunately, I have to say I didn't enjoy Fallout as much as other chapters in the franchise. I don't think it's MI fatigue per se. But, I think a series like this only has a limited shelf life. The TV series, 24, is another example. You can only have so many different world crises before you start to repeat yourself over and over again. And, it's not that you don't still enjoy the series, but, you get that nagging feeling of "I've seen this before." Once again, IM agent, Ethan Hunt, globetrots the Earth in search of three plutonium cores that can be used to make bombs that would make the warheads dropped in World War II look like backyard bonfires. There are double crosses galore at the film's climax which made the story a little muddy for me at times. Familiar faces and former loves return. New and old enemies bring the mischief and mayhem. Fallout is a fine movie, but, it's no Ghost Protocol or Rogue Nation. And it's yet another film where maybe a little less would have been more. Where you think the film might logically begin its conclusion only leads to about 20-30 minutes more that I believe could have been left on the chopping block. But, again, it's got your usual MI shenanigans you've come to expect, so it is fun. Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Rebecca Ferguson, Alec Baldwin, Angela Bassett, and Henry Cavill star. Oh, and on a last note, this is apparently the film you can blame for Cavill's awful CGI mustache removal in Justice League.
***1/2 stars
Bumblebee- This...THIS is the Transformers movie we should have gotten years ago! It has heart. It has soul. It has a sense of humor. And the humans (for the most part) don't annoy you to the point tearing your eyeballs out of your head. But, most of all, we get Transformers that look like the Transformers of our youth. That is, if you grew up in the 80s. From Soundwave "ejecting" Ravage to big red, mouthless Optimus Prime blasting away at and bodyslamming Decepticons, this had everything a fan of the 80s cartoon could want. Oh, and it has a specific homage to the animated Transformers: The Movie. You'll know it when you get there. On planet Cybertron, the resistance to the ruling Decepticons, the Autobots are forced into retreat from their home. Determined to reunite and regroup, they spread out through the cosmos to cover their trails. A scrappy and resourceful Autobot fighter, BL-127, lands on Earth hotly pursued by two particularly ruthless Decepticons. He's discovered first by the U.S. military which he barely escapes thanks to some unintentional well-timed assistance from his two adversaries and then comes to hideout with a young teenage girl (who nicknames him "Bumblebee") avoiding both military and Decepticon alike until his resistance allies arrive. There are moments the film gets hokey, but, you'll admire the attempt to at least tell a coherent story instead of the "pew, pew", shoot 'em up, crash-and-burn-everything-in-site formula that you've grown accustomed to previously in this franchise. There is no doubt, this is a reboot of this universe. And there's plenty of room for it to grow beyond this film as we haven't even seen...nope, my lips are sealed on that one. Hailee Steinfeld and John Cena star.
**** stars
Searching- This one is very much a mystery for the modern age. A frantic widowed father desperately tries to track his missing daughter after she mysteriously disappears. He tirelessly attempts to reconstruct her last hours before disappearance through her online footprint and discovers he may not have known his daughter as well as he thought he did. The film methodically pieces the mystery together so you have to be a little patient with it in the beginning. But, the climax is an intricate web of deceit and misdirection that will keep you guessing as to what actually happened. You see and hear clues that you don't know are clues until it's too late. That's the sign of a good thriller which this one is. John Cho and Debra Messing star.
***1/2 stars
The Predator- This film is a perfect example of why fixing a mythology that isn't broken is a terrible idea. Where do I start? How about trying to add alien world domination into the franchise when that hasn't been part of its DNA previously. That was part of the beauty of the Predators. The whole reason for their being was primal and brutally simple. They were a race of intergalactic big game hunters. They were the deadliest "sportsmen." They ripped your spine out because they were collecting trophies, not, because they needed genetic material for...you'll have to watch it if you dare. And, let's not forget how tonally scattershot this movie is. Credit is due for some gnarly kills, but, if you wanted to label this one an action comedy, you wouldn't be far off the mark. And maybe that wouldn't have been so bad had the comedy not been so cringeworthy awful. Aside from one character's Tourette Syndrome, this was one the lamest attempts at comedy I've ever seen. Even the often hilarious Keegan-Michael Key couldn't get me to crack a smile on this one. As far as story, a rogue Predator crash lands on Earth. But, hunting isn't what's on this alien's mind. It's up to an American sniper, his autistic son, a scientist, and a gang of military misfits to unravel the mystery. Complete with super Predators and dreadlocked Predator dogs, I blame director, Shane Black for much of this mess (along with the writers of the script of course). They tried to give us a new and improved mythos, but, obviously had no idea how to do it. Our only hope to avoid more of this drivel is for this movie to have flopped so badly, the powers that be wouldn't dare try to continue this storyline. Here's to hope. Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, and Keegan Michael Key star.
*3/4 stars
The Spy Who Dumped Me- Two best friends in Los Angeles become embroiled in international intrigue when the ex-boyfriend of one returns with a multitude of deadly assassins on his tail. The ex is a spy and he's in possession of an item many want and are willing to kill for. The bumbling pals trek to Europe with object of everyone's desire not knowing where to turn or who to trust. As far as comedies go, this isn't bad, but, I wish the envelope had been pushed more toward the absurd. I thought the film still tried to take itself a little too seriously at times. It's a cute and conventional movie many ways instead of raucously funny one. And the usually hilarious Kate McKinnon does her best to try and bring the wacky, but, the rest of the film isn't quite up to the task. As spy comedies go, you would be better off viewing Melissa McCarthy's "Spy" from a few years ago, but, this one won't make you close your eyes in agony. Mila Kunis co-stars.
*** stars
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse- Sony continues its expansion on the Spidey universe in this animated feature introducing the characters of Miles Morales, Spider-Gwen, and Spider Ham among others. Teenager Miles gains spiderlike abilities after a bite from a radioactive spider (sound familiar?) just in time to be on hand for tragedy befalling the original webbed wonder at the hands of the Kingpin. The Kingpin's latest scheme involves a particle accelerator used to access parallel universes. So make way for several different Spider-Men (and women) to make their way into Miles' life while he figures out how to make his own reality less topsy turvy. This was different type of animation to say the least. It's use of "word effects" reminded me of the old '60s Batman TV series. Miles Morales is a likable enough character, but, I do think he needs to stay in the realm of the animated mythos for now. Tom Holland just became the MCU Spidey not too long ago. Let's not confuse the issue. The film has humor and plenty of spidery action. My one real complaint about it is the Kingpin. For me, everything about him was wrong from his blocky no-neck appearance to his thuggish voice. His whole diabolical scheme seemed to be out of character as well. Villains are half the battle in superhero films, and this antagonist wasn't up to the job in my opinion. But, the further adventures of Miles Morales I wouldn't mind exploring a little further. Featuring the voice talents of Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Liev Schrieber, Kathryn Hahn, Nicholas Cage, Zoe Kravitz, Lily Tomlin, Mahershala Ali, Shameik Moore, and Chris Pine.
***1/4 stars
Bad Times at the El Royale- I was expecting something a little different than what I got watching this film. The previews led me to believe that Drew Goddard's thriller was a Tarantino-esqe black comedy. While quirky at some points, it's far from the demented mayhem you usually get from a Tarantino movie. In fact, it plods along and doesn't really explain all aspects of why some events happen in the first place. At over 140 minutes, pacing was an issue. There were mediocre plots that were focused on for far too long during the runtime. But, on a positive note there were just enough peculiar characters to save this movie from being a complete bore. In 1969, four strangers arrive at the El Royale Hotel. Each has a different reason for being there unknown to the others. What follows is a night of revealed secrets and murder as no one is quite what they seem including the hotel's one employee. The backstory of the hotel patrons is told in flashbacks. This is where much of the interest in this tale is found. It's not a bad film, but, I think an opportunity was missed here to make it a dynamic one if a little more crazy was involved. Jon Hamm, Jeff Bridges, Dakota Johnson, and Chris Hemsworth star.
*** stars
Teen Titans Go! to the Movies- I don't ever think I've seen a movie try so hard to be funny and not be funny. Honestly, I wanted to like this film. I wanted to laugh. I was on the verge of it a couple of times. But, the humor was just so sophomoric I couldn't bring myself to do it. Granted I have never watched the Teen Titans Go! cartoon so I'm assuming what I saw in the movie is what passes for comedy in that particular medium. But, oof, this painful to sit through. The five members of the teenage superhero team, The Teen Titans (Robin, Starfire, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven) are tired of not being taken seriously by their peers in the superhero community or by people in general. What they need is their very own movie. The five young heroes embark upon an adventure to convince a famous director of superhero films to choose them as her next project. And it may work if they could just stop clowning around long enough to take anything seriously. And Deathstroke actively trying to thwart their plans doesn't help matters either. I think the film was attempting to make some greater point on the genre, but, I'll be damned if I know what it is. Like I said, I wanted to like it, but, I just couldn't. Featuring the voices of Will Arnett, Khary Payton, Hynden Walch, Tara Strong, Scott Menville, and Greg Cipes.
**1/2 stars
The Death of Superman- There's no explanation needed here, right? Everyone's on the same page that an unstoppable alien of pure rage dubbed "Doomsday" snuffs the Man of Steel. Now how well was this iconic story adapted by Warner Brothers animation? Say what you will about their struggles with the DCEU, but, WB has this locked down on the animation side of things (usually). And they're particularly good with their Justice League adaptations which this basically was despite Superman being the featured player. And credit to the studio for not shying away from Doomsday's brutality, but, also not being gratuitous with the slaughter and destruction. The Big D kills a lot of humans and Atlanteans in this one. Some of it's implied, some you get the big spray of red. But, you know what I liked most about this? It's the fact that he had to plow through the JL's A-list in this movie. In the comic version of the story, he went through the League's C-list at best. It makes a difference when you see him smash Wonder Woman, Batman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Flash, and Cyborg rather than Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, and Guy Gardner. Excellence in all aspects of this production. One of the best of the year. Featuring the voices of Jerry O'Connell, Nathan Fillion, and Rosario Dawson.
****1/4 stars
Crazy Rich Asians- In director Jon Chu's romantic dramedy, New York economics professor, Rachel Chu, agrees to accompany her boyfriend, Nick Young, to Singapore to attend a friend's wedding and meet his family who he has been mysteriously mum about since the start of their relationship. It so happens that Nick belongs to one of the wealthiest families in the country. Rachel will unfortunately have to spend her next few days being endlessly scrutinized by both Nick's family and friends navigating deep-rooted prejudices regarding one's station in life and loyalty toward familial duty. So, this film provides spectacular cinematography. The sets are beautiful. Some of the scenery is breathtaking. The movie has received widespread critical praise. However, it's still your standard rom-com narrative. Two people who are meant for each other try to overcome obstacles to and interference in their relationship. Then comes the misunderstanding that breaks them up. That's followed by one of these crazy star-crossed kids making a grand gesture to the other that melts the heart of their partner and everyone in the immediate vicinity so we all get a nice collective "Awwwww." Maybe the only difference between this and most rom-coms is the lovers not being adversarial at the start. It's not a bad film. It's just in no way, shape, or form special by any stretch of the imagination. It's one of dozens of films in the genre that are indistinguishable from each other. Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Ken Jeong, and Michelle Yeoh star.
*** stars
Bird Box- I think I've mentioned before that horror movies walk a fine line between revealing too much and not revealing enough. Sometimes, the case of Michael Myers for instance, all you ever really need to know is that he is the personification of evil. No other explanation is necessary. In other movies, like Cloverfield, you want to know where the Hell that thing came from. I'm still trying to decide where I fall in this Netflix made thriller. It's a tense film that's for sure. And the mystery of the troublesome beasties (if that's what they are) remaining hidden does add a certain ambience. But, I also can't help feeling that I missed something in not seeing a grotesque, Xenomorph-type murder machine. I'm torn. A desperate woman attempts to travel downriver with two young children blindfolded. Why you may ask? It's because there's something...out there. Something that compels you to take your own life if you lay eyes on it. The film moves from present day to past events five years prior leading to the present frequently. But, it's never done in a manner that is difficult to follow. It also covers the paranoia that can develop when people are confined to small spaces for long periods of time. Like I said, it's tense. It's fairly well acted. But, I feel it didn't quite push the envelope far enough in creating a vibe of sheer terror. That would have moved the needle from being a decent thriller to a horror classic. Sandra Bullock and John Malkovich star.
***1/4 stars
Mandy- I'm not saying you have to trip on acid to enjoy Panos Cosmatos' psychedelic action horror revenge film. But, it might help. Or, at least have copious amounts of alcohol on hand. And bless Nicholas Cage, the star of this carnage. He's not exactly an A list actor any longer and takes just about any script he gets his hands on nowadays, but, boy if he doesn't embrace the manic crazy that he's come to be known for. A reclusive couple is kidnapped and brutalized by a drug-addled hippee cult. Left for dead, one miraculously survives. He gathers a crossbow he left in the care of a friend (convenient) and forges a battle ax (of course he does). He then proceeds to exact bloody vengeance on the cult and the demon-worshipping bikers (what?) who assisted them. And, for good measure, our vengeance-driven hero takes some of those fantastic hallucinatory drugs himself (just because) and trips ba---, you know. Mandy is not a good movie by any stretch. But, I will give it a favorable rating because it's a film that has to be experienced.
*** stars
Blackkklansman- Truth? I've never been the biggest fan of Spike Lee's work. While always topical, his point of view is usually very skewed in one direction. Many situations aren't as black and white as he would paint them. However, I will give Lee credit for this one. Based on the memoir of retired police officer, Ron Stallworth, the film recounts Stallworth's hiring as the first African-American police officer in Colorado Springs in the 1970s. Answering an ad he saw in the local newspaper by phone, Stallworth makes contact with members of the local branch of the Ku Klux Klan looking to establish looking to establish a foothold in the community. Together with other somewhat reluctant Caucasian officers at his branch, he's able to successfully infiltrate the group. But, now that his partner is inside, can the subterfuge be maintained? It's a deceit that could cost several lives if discovered. I've said in the past that films of this nature often defy my ratings system. Usually they're well made, but, the subject matter is so intense and anger-inducing, they're difficult to recommend. But, there are a few genuine stabs at comedy that hit. And, that somewhat lightens the dark subject matter. The film is beautifully driven by the John David Washington (Denzel's son) and Adam Driver as the two main detectives on the case. Topher Grace and Laura Harrier co-star.
***1/2 stars
Braven- Here's a simple little action film that makes no pretenses as to what it is or what it wants to achieve. Simple plot. Blue collar logger and his father run afoul of a criminal drug dealer whose minions, through an unfortunate circumstance, stashed a huge supply of product in the family's cabin. And they aim to get it back by any means possible. Unfortunately, for them, the Braven family is resourceful, and, to a man (and woman when the missus shows up), hard to kill. Braven has all the usual tropes of your casual action thriller. Big guys jumping through windows without getting cut to ribbons. Check. Ineffective law enforcement. Check. The hero trying to get out of a jam through an unusually complicated plan. Check. But, given all of that, the film strangely works. The actors involved perform with conviction. And there are some scenes that are truly, for lack of a better word, badass. And, hey, who doesn't enjoy seeing Jason Momoa going all "Khal Drogo" with hatchet in hand? Jill Wagner, Stephen Lang, and Garrett Dillahunt co-star.
***1/4 stars
Widows- This crime thriller from director Steve McQueen finds three recently widowed women who, for various reasons, need to unite to pull a dangerous and sophisticated robbery after their husbands leave this world indebted to an unsavory criminal element. The plot is wrought with double crosses, lies, and political intrigue as a complicated web begins to unravel. With an intriguing storyline and all-star cast, I should have liked this film a little more than I did. Granted it wasn't horrible by any stretch of the imagination, but, it didn't have the type of pizazz or slickness to really have you buy in completely. It's a bit slow moving with more than a few stretches that make you long for something important to happen. Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Colin Farrell, Jon Berenthal, Daniel Kaluuya, Liam Neeson, and Elizabeth Debicki star.
***1/2 stars
Overlord- I'm one who's always up for a crazy mashup of genres that shouldn't naturally mix. Some are done well. Some, well, make you scratch your head frankly. This World War II horror piece produced by J.J. Abrams is one of the good ones. On the eve before D-Day, American paratroopers are tasked with the destruction of a German radio tower in France in order for the Allies to successfully provide air cover for the upcoming ground assault in Normandy. The soldiers will discover the Germans are housing more than arms and air detection equipment in the tower as their mission becomes one of which nightmares are made. Overlord is a hardboiled war epic for its first 30 minutes of war carefully crafting the fear and trials soldiers face in the middle of a war zone. Then, it "wigs out" into something completely wonky a la, From Dusk Till Dawn with a little slice of Alien Resurrection. So, it goes completely off the rails, but, in a fun, interesting way. I didn't have quite as much fun with this as I did From Dusk Till Dawn. There are no memorable Cheech Marin-style speeches in Overlord, but, if you're looking for something a little bit on the stranger side of life, you can do worse. Jovan Adepo, Wyatt Russell, and Bokeem Woodbine star.
***1/2 stars
The Grinch- If not for that old holiday favorite "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" that most of us grew up absolutely loving, this kid-friendly piece from Universal's Illumination Entertainment studio might have had more legs with audiences. But, sadly, as much as all involved tried, this one just doesn't hold up to the classic. I get it. Illumination was attempting to put their own spin on a classic while still keeping the elements we all know and love intact. However, the film just couldn't move beyond one glaring weakness. It tried to stretch a 30 minute cartoon into a 90-minute feature length movie. That means there was a lot of filler and subplots shoehorned in that, frankly, took time away from the story's main star, the Grinch. Seriously, that's who we all came to see, right? And, the bastardization of Grinch theme was just a bridge too far. But, on a positive note, Benedict Cumberbatch's voice rendition of the holiday hating curmudgeon was probably the only standout here. Through that in with a couple of humorous scenes between the Grinch and his dog, Max, and you have a film that's suitable for a one time viewing. And, at least this Grinch doesn't frighten you like Jim Carrey's did.
*** stars
The Favourite- Director Yorgos Lanthimos has become a critical darling since 2015 with his surreal filmmaking style. I haven't been on the bandwagon. The Lobster and Killing of a Sacred Deer were both a little TOO out there my tastes, and, I'm a fan of the strange and unusual. Lanthimos's latest period piece, The Favourite, is by far the best of his last three outings. But, that's faint praise at best. In 18th century England, the country is at war with France. In Queen Anne's court, two ambitious and highly manipulative cousins work to curry favor with the sickly mentally unstable monarch. The machinations border on the absurd and take some deadly serious turns. This is court intrigue at its most profound where even a slight misstep can have serious ramifications. This is a story you have to have some patience with as you sit through it. A fast-paced dynamo it's not. And the ending is a little muddy, but, poignant if you ponder it long enough. It's a film that is very much carried by its three leading actresses whose performances are excellent. Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weisz, Emma Stone, and Nicholas Hoult star.
*** stars
Creed II- Rocky VIII, er, Creed II follows the continuing adventures of Adonis Creed, the son of deceased boxer, Apollo Creed. Mentored by Apollo's frenemy, Rocky Balboa, Adonis must face down the impossible challenge from Viktor Drago, the son of Rocky enemy/Apollo killer, Ivan Drago. If that opening sounded a bit facetious, you would be correct. Creed II very much has that "been there, done that" feel to it. As I was watching, I found myself pointing and saying "Oh, a Rocky III moment." "There's a Rocky IV scene." "That was just a touch of Rocky II." Creed II is an entertaining enough movie, but, this franchise has nothing new to say. The exception of a few forced nuances, the movies are just repeating themselves now. And that's not the fault of the actors involved. Although Viktor Drago is little more than a grunting prop. The franchise has just run its race at this point. When the inevitable Creed III comes our way, I think I'll skip Adonis having an affair with Clubber Lang's daughter while he fights Tommy Gunn's grandson outside on a bridge with news cameras rolling. Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, and Dolph Lundgren star.
***1/4 stars
Mary Poppins Returns- This one's difficult for me. I fully admit that I might be suffering from the malady of being beyond the whimsy of Mary Poppins. There's nothing inherently wrong with this film. But, its constant musical numbers and forced cuteness just caused me to lose my grasp of the plot more than once. Granted it's been a good long time since I've watched the original Mary Poppins, but, I don't remember it being as annoyingly cloying in its child-friendly demeanor. The current film is a cuteness overload in the worst possible sense. Mary Poppins Returns is a continuation of the original story. The magical nanny returns to assist the now adult Michael and Jane Banks and Michael's three young children after a family tragedy twenty plus years after the events of the original film. There's song and dance aplenty. There's 2D animation reminiscent of the first film. The performances are fine. Again, there's nothing inherently wrong with the film itself. But, it just didn't interest me in the least as I watched it. Emily Blunt stars as titular nanny. Meryl Streep, Dick Van Dyke, and Angela Lansbury make cameo appearances.
**1/2 stars
Destination Wedding- Can two insanely cynical and miserable people find love? Frank and Lindsay are two perfect strangers who meet at the airport unknowingly headed to the same location, his half-brother's and her ex-lover's, wedding. They can't open their mouths without annoying Hell out of each other. And, for this one fateful weekend, they will be thrown together constantly. But, as you've probably guessed, something begins to develop between them. Unlike most romantic comedies, Destination Wedding is a bit unique in the sense that neither character is a particularly likable person, and, with the exception of a few fleeting moments, they never break their essential personality traits. He is arrogantly aloof. She is judging and a bit needy. Have you ever seen the TV show, "You're the Worst?" Think of that show translated to film, but, slightly less over the top. The movie is carried heavily by its two leads as few other characters even have lines. While insightful at moments, the dialogue between the leads can become a bit long and unnecessary. But, the film is kind of sweet in its own pathos. Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder star.
***1/4 stars
Stan & Ollie- Legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy are the subjects of Jon Baird's biopic. Chronicling the comedians' 1950s tour of the United Kingdom, you're taken through the ups and downs of their careers and personal relationship. As with any team, there are resentments and hard feelings. Stan Laurel was the driven half always writing new material and trying desperately to broker better deals for the pair often to their detriment. Oliver Hardy was "Babe", the jovial half who tried not to make waves and always tried to get along with all, often to their detriment. But, at the same time, there was an underlying love and respect between them that transcended any differences they may have had. It's wonderfully acted by the two leads. Seriously, this was award worthy stuff. Its a crime there weren't Oscar nominations. Steve Coogan and John C. Reilly star.
**** stars
Instant Family- Based on a true story, a married couple becomes foster parents to three siblings. Through the ensuing rollercoaster ride, the audience is taken through the usual doubts, tribulations, and anxieties of both the children and parents. If you've seen one fostering situation in film, you've pretty much seen them all. Instant Family is no different. I give the movie credit for providing a few truly hilarious moments. But, I've also never been a fan of watching petulant children onscreen no matter how much some may think their actions are justified. The movie has heart and its fair share of sappiness to boot. It's not a disappointing watch. It's not an overly exciting one either. Mark Wahlberg and Rose Byrne star.
*** stars
Green Book- Based on the real life story of musician, Donald Shirley and, bouncer, Frank Vallelonga, the Peter Farrelly-directed film chronicles the budding friendship of two men who couldn't be more different. Shirley, a renowned pianist in 1960, hires Vallelonga to be his driver/assistant as he tours the Deep South. Overcoming prejudices they encounter from town to town, they learn truths about each other and themselves. Sometimes it's heart wrenching. Sometimes its comical. It's usually quite entertaining. Of course depicting life in the unenlightened 1960s South can be a little difficult to stomach, but, the lead actors' chemistry gives you hope that humanity can look beyond the differences we have with each other. At least momentarily. Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, and Linda Cardellini star.
***1/2 stars
Vice- The strange and unusual story of former Vice President, Dick Cheney, as presented by director, Adam McKay. Love him or hate him (many have done the latter), Cheney definitely wasn't boring. Quiet, calculating, deceitful, and more than willing to get his hands dirty to further his own goals, he secretly amassed power on a scale never seen before by his office. If you believe the plot of this film, he was the power in the White House, not George W. Bush. Whether you liked him or not would likely depend on your political affiliation. The film itself was at times a confusing montage of flashbacks. It changes tone a number of occasions switching from deadly serious intrigue to dark comedy. The performances are wonderful, but, again, depending on your political allegiances, you might find it a little difficult to find these characters enjoyable. Maybe that was the point. Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, and Sam Rockwell star.
***1/4 stars
If Beale Street Could Talk- Director Barry Jenkins adaptation of this James Baldwin novel may technically be a perfect representation of the story. I can't say because I've never read the book. But, oh my word, was the movie painfully boring to sit through! In yet another example of racism at its finest, a young African-American couple trying to make their way in 1970s New York are derailed when one is falsely accused and imprisoned for rape. His pregnant girlfriend and her family attempt desperately for years to prove his innocence. It's a harrowing tale of corruption and how unfairly the system can target certain people when it is run by the unscrupulous. Intriguing story. Tedious execution. As much as I tried, I just couldn't get into it. Regina Bell won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her role as the main protagonist's mother. Colman Domingo, KiKi Layne, and Stephan James co-star.
**1/2 stars
Ratings Legend
Zero *= Don't waste your time. Pure dreck! Dreck is too good for this! Blind me please!
1 *= Fuggedaboutit!
2 *= Average, Mediocre, Nothing Special
3 *= Worth a look. Better than a poke in the eye.
4 *= Great. I'm doing my happy dance!
5 *= Pure eye candy. I have seen the top of the mountain, and it is good
