Ultimately, this is a light scare of a film, made for young-ish teenage girls who may have heard that Slender Man is likely fake but they're still not sure about that Ouija Board.
Advertisements
The Meg (**) – Internationally Bad
Nothing I say here will likely prevent you from seeing this film. That's fine. It works sort of hard sometimes (very few, really) to entertain. It is definitely a likable venture. If I can save you a few bucks on the Imax price, my job is done. If I had run out of steam on this review a little earlier, I probably could have strengthened the script. I would need my kids to fix the special effects, though.
Along with the Gods: The 49 Days Exceeds Every Expectation (*****)
"The greatness of this series is in its ability to mix action, emotion, mythology and philosophy effortlessly and quite earnestly. Whether one believes in the premise, we understand that the characters believe it. This makes it as important to us as it is to them. "
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (***1/2) completes a cycle
"This is an excellently crafted film. It hits every mark that needs to be hit, often times too squarely for effect. The story worked with Rogue Nation for a two film arc, but it would be a good idea to go back to the original premise of different directors for different films now that we've seen what McQuarrie can do...twice."
Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again (***) but why, exactly?
James does the character a fair tribute. This film succeeds largely due to her great impression of Streep's original interpretation. Like the best retracings of characters, though, she paints enough outside the lines so we get to enjoy some amount of growth, even if we know where her story leads. Lily James deserves better than a sequel like this, even if she helps to elevate it to an above average film.
MoviePass: The noble, crazy experiment.
Pandora's box has been opened, even if the folks who opened it didn't know how to sustain the business model. The beauty of capitalism is they had their chance exposed a demand for a better way to enjoy a night on the town. Now others will compete to fill that need in a way in which everyone will get something better than they had before. I am glad to spend my dollars as smartly as possible, in order to make sure that happens. Theaters will change, or we will start a new paradigm of our life minus movies at the theater.
Equalizer 2 (****) is a sequel worth coming back for
The Equalizer 2 - 2018 Director Antoine Fuqua Screenplay Richard Wenk Starring Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo There is almost nothing in The Equalizer 2 you have not already witnessed many times over. There is McCall (Washington) who is the wounded warrior archetype, trying to live a Cincinnatus existence. The promise made to his wife … Continue reading Equalizer 2 (****) is a sequel worth coming back for
All the Money in the World (***) Waste Seeping Underground
In the end, this will be a film more remembered for the supporting actor that was replaced than for anything else...even possibly the real events on which it is inspired.
Skyscraper (***) lacks nuance, but not acting energy
Skyscraper - 2018 Written and Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber Starring Dwayne Johnson, Neve Campbell, Chin Han, Roland Møller, Noah Taylor, Byron Mann, Pablo Schreiber, Hannah Quinlivan Rawson Marshall Thurber has maybe two half decent films on his resume. Dodgeball is an offbeat star vehicle that works for Vaughan and Stiller. Central Intelligence does the same in a more or less comedy action way … Continue reading Skyscraper (***) lacks nuance, but not acting energy
Ant-Man and the Wasp (*****) builds on success
The one who benefits most from this arrangement is Lilly's Hope, who continually marches through each predicament with the smarts of Hermione and the physical prowess of Wonder Woman. She is the best part of Ant-Man and The Wasp. Nothing she does is done for the sake of being a woman or in spite of it. She's out to accomplish objectives.