Scream (***1/2) is still Scream 5
The sins of this film are outweighed by a brisk pace and some pretty gruesome kills.
Morgan (**1/2) feels like a prelude
The film doesn’t hold up, but with perhaps a bit more story, it’s premise could be really something.
The 355 (***) We’re spies, asshole
It’s not easy to love this film. It’s relatively easy to like, just for the women’s talent alone.
The Matrix: Resurrections (***1/2) Old Code, Something New?
It wouldn’t hurt to show a single blade of grass growing in some dirt. All in good time, I suppose. Maybe part 5?
The Card Counter (****) is solid Schrader
Schrader is not everyone’s cup of tea. Some of us like our tea as dark as the blackest coffee on a cold, bleak morning.
Spider-man: No Way Home (*****) is the magic number
It does the almost impossible task of bringing together everything we’ve seen and opens the door to everything else we might see in the future.
Nightmare Alley (***1/2) Life is a Carnival
There are no surprises. Just misery in waiting.
Christmas Terror Two: Fatman (***) and Krampus (***)
Two films for those who need horrid stories for Christmas.
Encounter (***1/2) family past the breaking point
If you’re a fan of Ahmed, give this a spin. It’s not unusual to see him play a significantly challenged individual. We’ve never seen him play a father. He does both well until the story runs out of steam and decides it’s going to go the route of Smokey and the Bandit II.
Belfast (****) Move myself and my family aside…
This is a brief tale that lacks any amount of pretension that might be present in a longer film.
Ghostbusters Series Ranking – There’s still life left…
From the classic original to the classic 2021 sequel, there’s some good stuff and bad in between.
King Richard (***1/2) is a story we need
The most complex parent gets the title of the film, if only because we know, eventually the daughters will get all of the glory. Talk about inspiration. Talk about greatness. Talk about The Williams Sisters.
Ghostbusters Afterlife (*****) never leaves
Great is still great, no matter the age.
Wrath of Man (**) is not clever
Unlike Bronson, Statham has skills beyond the action realm. The Bank Job, is proof of that concept. This is not beyond that realm.
Respect (***1/2) tells the story it wants us to know
This is fine, for an inexact start.
The Harder They Fall (*****) Welcome to the Majors
This is Majors’ film, through and through. It’s his arrival on the big stage, and he does not waste the opportunity.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 