Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (****1/2) – Finds a home inside
The Guardians of the Galaxy series is a gift that keeps on giving to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
John Wick: Chapter 4 (*****) Take me home
There is never going to be another Keanu Reeves.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (*1/2) is a last gasp
If there’s nothing else – and here there really isn’t – the film is worth viewing just for Levi alone.
Creed III (****) The edge of a dream
How and where this series goes, is hard to tell. This feels like a complete cycle to me. Jordan has earned the right to keep going, as this series and the name Creed is completely his by now.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania – What the hell? (***)
Ant-Man is fun, but it’s definitely the lesser of the series by a longshot.
Another Look at The Laughing Policeman (***) and serial killer “procedurals” in the early 1970’s
Police “procedurals” then and now spend much of their time ignoring rules, then thanking those who advised them on police work.
Avatar: The Way of Water (****1/2) 3D shows us why so blue
Cameron has improved some of the shortcomings of the first film by giving this new effort more questions than obvious answers.
Violent Night (****) is done right
In the list of movies with Santa Claus being an ass-kicker, this has to be near the top.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (****) means family
a worthy, if occasionally slight tale that serves as a solid springboard for a Marvel franchise that right now is happy to have one.
Black Adam (***) is just enough for The Rock
What this or the mid-credits scene does for the DCEU started by Zack Snyder is unclear. For now, you have a decent, entertaining DC film which is not terribly different than the rest of them.
Samaritan (**) Yo, Rock
Seeing Stallone battle his inner demons…makes this almost worth the watch.
Prey (*****) – Is Predator in its purest form
Prey is the Predator film that threatens to put all of the others to shame.
Bullet Train (****) Shatterpoint
Bullet Train is perhaps the most fun you will have dodging blood splatter this summer.
The Gray Man (***1/2) Goes as far as Gosling can take it
If you take this film as a Gosling vehicle, and you won’t be disappointed. If you think of it as the Russo’s and Evans’ followup to their magnificent MCU films, you may be left wanting.
Thor: Love and Thunder (*****) – Not everybody gets a hammer
Natalie Portman was the least appealing aspect of the first two Thor films. When she was not in on the third film, the series completely hit its stride for the first time. Now she’s back. Will it kill the vibe in the room that Taika Waititi brought with him for Ragnorok?
Jurassic World Dominion (**1/2) Wilting under the shoulders of giants
The film is at its best when the original Jurassic Park crew are onscreen.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 