Monster Hunter (**) New Old Video Game Movie
One does not simply rent a movie titled Monster Hunter and expect Bill Shakespeare.
Army of Darkness (****) – Now that’s Groovy
There is nothing here that qualifies as perfect in the film. In truth, this is what makes it better.
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (**1/2) is a fluffy delight
“If you ever liked the creatures or know someone who really would, give it a shot. For me it’s a level above the TNMNT movie from 1990. It’s better looking, of course. And it doesn’t have Corey Feldman.”
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (***1/2) Diminishing Returns
“If I could, I would edit out most of the dialogue spoken by anyone but Hiccup, Astrid, Valka, Stoick and Abraham’s Grimmel the Grisly. It would not change the comprehension of the story one bit and it would definitely allow us to enjoy Toothless and his White Fury more. Anyone who owns cats will like this film for their interactions alone.”
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (***1/2) Everything is Amazing but the Leads
It’s the rare film that can keep the attention of both me and my wife. Neither of us moved during the whole running time.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure (**) blows up with a fizzle
O’Brien gives it the old college try this time out. There are no other performances that approach anything more than competence. It feels more like Battle for the Planet of the Apes than Shakespeare.
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.”
The Shape of Water (****1/2) holds you completely
If you like Del Toro, this is the best work he’s created since Pan’s Labyrinth. It’s regrettable that he’s not received more resources to create with, but seeing what he’s done here with such seemingly limited funds, I really don’t know if it matters. He just needs to bring more of his universe to ours.
The Dark Tower (***) deserves more…
If nothing else, think of it as an addition to everything you know about the other adaptations, with a hope that they make more to flesh it all out a little. What I saw so far worked for me as a mild form of entertainment. It would be much better if it is followed up with more. And much sadder if they don’t.
The Mummy (**1/2) guesses wrong…a lot
This film is messy, but it’s not a complete disaster. It guesses a lot and most of those guesses land awkwardly… The film is passable, but in no way can we consider it the solid basis for the Dark Universe franchise. The sense of adventure exhibited in this film could lead to something better. It’s a long shot, though.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (*****): More please
o Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 – 2017 Written and Directed by James Gunn Starring Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell […]
The Great Wall (*) can’t keep out the smell
This is a movie that should be forgotten, for the benefit of everyone involved.
Beauty and the Beast: Old and new it stands out of time…
Celebrate these films. They are gifts to humanity. There have always been beauties who were drawn to beasts that they had to learn to understand. There have always been beasts who are society’s winners that smart girls know to avoid, too. This film has brought hope to many a bookworm girl and boy that they will someday meet and learn to accept one another. And grow. Everyone wants to feel like they can do that.
Moana (****1/2) continues to change the game for Princesses
There is a recipe out there somewhere to make a valiant woman’s story without sacrificing her male counterpart. They almost made it here, but the “let me clean up your mess” feeling of the story doesn’t quite make it. Still, it’s message is good enough to accompany it’s remarkable visuals. I am going to assume no one will need to say “she persisted” someday. They will just say the protagonist persisted.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them opens the Potter world (****1/2)
Before we go any further, I have to say this: I love this movie.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (****)
Burton’s instincts are tempered here. He’s allowed the weirdness we normally get from him, but without any of the routine “no one understands how weird I want to be” normally pushed to the forefront. Having Green in the role normally reserved for Helena Bonham Carter infests certainly helps. Ultimately we get all of the benefits of the imagination of the creators with very few of the indulgences of a director who hasn’t heard “no” when it comes to a budget since Superman Lives.
