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.
Netflix’ The Adam Project (***1/2) Superhero Landing
The Adam Project is a good diversion if you are home looking for something to explode on screen just a little and warm your heart a little more.
Netflix Texas Chainsaw Massacre (**) – Once more into the ditch
Oh well. It is what it is: a slaughterfest with barely sketched out characters.
Netflix’ Army of Thieves (***1/2) is a sweet heist
Army of Thieves feels as quaint as a home movie compared to Army of the Dead.
Netflix There’s Someone Inside Your House (*) not worth noticing
For anyone who wondered why there haven’t been any ABC After School Specials featuring murder, I present this film.
Netflix Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass (*****) undersells and over delivers
Flanagan is once more creating life out of illusion.
The Woman in the Window (**1/2) wears its influence out
There is next to no thrill the viewer gets from seeing Adams huff her way through the scenes, wondering if she’s imagining things or if her life is even worth living.
Netflix’ I Care A Lot. (****) a new type of hunt for an old type of animal
This is a solid entry for Netflix. In picking Blakeson, a mildly accomplished director with a good, albeit short track record and allowing him to thrive, its very clear indication that they’ve turned a corner as a studio.
Netflix’ The Midnight Sky (**) is almost hopeless
The 7th directorial effort by George Clooney is a beautiful, boring, and predictable story that skips the exciting parts, instead focusing on dread, misery and fading hope in the light of humanity. It is the type of film designed to be called brave, but is more an exercise of muscles that are best left unflexed.
Netflix’ Mank (****) – The wins of the father
If they had found a way to at least make the case for the opposition seem plausible, there might be less of a Smokey and the Bandit feel to it all.
Netflix’ His House (*****) holds in the pain
Weekes does an excellent job creating a situation that we can empathize with, even if it is not an experience we share.
Netflix’ The Queen’s Gambit (*****) Taylor-Joy spans the distance between excellence and heart
Give this one a try, if you’re desiring to feel an experience, free of routine and common gimmicks. This is my vote for more work for Frank and Taylor-Joy. And someone start digging up more stories by Walter Tevis.
3 Turns of the Screw: The Nightcomers, The Turning and Netflix’ The Haunting of Bly Manor
Of the three James’ inspired works, The Haunting of Bly Manor is the one that is truly inspired, even if it’s not as scary as we’d hope.
Netflix’ Enola Holmes (***) is a humble vanity project
The point to this film, and there is one, is that we get to see a young actress on the way to her prime enjoying herself.
Netflix – The Devil All The Time (****) is Southern Ohio Gothic
If ever there were a modern story that touched on the beautiful losers vibe of William Faulkner in the post WWII era…
Netflix’ The Old Guard (***1/2) is just beginning
“There is one bad guy to put up a fight, and he is saved for the right person. You’ll know it when you see it. And you should see it. If for no other reason than to get ready for part two, which should be pretty good.”
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 