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.
Top Gun: Maverick (****) reaches new highs
Smart enough to leave room to grow.
Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (****) is fantastically warped
One thing is for sure, Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is rewatchable.
The Northman (***1/2) The Thread of Time
Written and Directed by Robert EggersBased on The legend of Amieth by Saxo GrammaticusStarring Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Björk, Willem Dafoe There is a […]
Moonfall (**) rises just enough
Moonfall is the same movie Emmerich has been making since his days with Dean Devlin.
Morbius (**1/2): Save vitriol for the short running time
If you don’t see this film, that’s fine. The hints in the trailer are probably enough. If one does see the Morbius, they likely won’t love it, but they also will not hate it. It’s there to give you a rundown of what this living vampire can do, and for not much more.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 