Category: CPE
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Annihilation (***) almost overcomes its disadvantages
For Garland, this is on par with Ex-Machina. For many, this will be seen as success. I was only mildly impressed with that movie too. So I will just wait for the next Jeff Nichols film and hope enough people notice he’s been outpacing everyone for years.
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The 15:17 To Paris (***): 3 Hearts in the Happy Ending Machine
The 15:17 to Paris – 2018 Director Clint Eastwood Screenplay Dorothy Blyskal Starring Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone, Judy Greer, Jenna Fischer, Ray Corasani This is where the breakdown happens in Clint Eastwood, post Obama. His political leanings have guided his cinematic choices over the last decade. He’s making films based on real events and people, letting his beliefs out through…
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Black Panther (*****) – All the Stars
The onslaught of press behind this film is warranted, but not only for the intersectional reasons the media wants to throw in your face. This is an ageless story about a world we all would love to visit. Who it represents is important, but it shouldn’t be a victory limited to race. To leave it…
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Cloverfield Paradox (**) Good cast, wasted
The Cloverfield Paradox – 2018 Director Julius Onah Screenplay Oren Uziel Starring Daniel Brühl, Elizabeth Debicki, Aksel Hennie, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Chris O’Dowd, John Ortiz, David Oyelowo, Zhang Ziyi As a surprise drop on Netflix a few hours after the Superbowl, The Cloverfield Paradox is packed full of references to the first two films of the series. The film goes a long way to…
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Darkest Hour (****) is the other side of Dunkirk
Wright has made a film that plays a good contrast to Christopher Nolan’s superior Dunkirk. We see the threat that looms at home before it strikes abroad. So much is at stake, the tension is unbearable, yet Churchill finds a way. Good Lord does he ever.
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Happy Death Day (**) If Disney made slasher films…
See it if you must, knowing most of the film and deaths are covered in the trailer. It’s always kind of a bummer when a film gets hamstrung by its advertising, but never having seen the trailer probably wouldn’t have made the film any more enjoyable.
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Home Again (**1/2) is a fantasy for grown women
It’s a Lifetime film with more accomplished actors, but #HomeAgain is still okay.
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Adams and Jefferson on The Phantom Thread
Two old friends dissect the last Daniel Day-Lewis film (for now) and discuss that while it was likable, they’d rather re-watch the old stuff.
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Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (****1/2) opens a new world
Along with the Gods is deceptively good. Not being an expert on Buddhism or the afterlife, I can only relate that what is presented it consistently intriguing. It pulls the viewer along into an emotional crescendo that belies the simple concept of “do good, get rewarded.”
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Insidious: The Last Key (**1/2) #timesup
None of this is bad. It’s mostly bland thrills and chills where women overcome what weak men and demons put them through. It doesn’t further the journey, like the second and best film in the series. It’s just another loose strand that tries to add to the outfit.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 