Benny Loves You (**1/2) and bad jokes
This is likely to be a late night film with friends and Taco Bell and whatever else one decides to ingest. It’s not the time one makes the best decisions anyway.
Venom: Let there be Carnage (**1/2) is just waiting…
…the feeling is that of waiting for the inevitable moment when this universe gobbles up Spider-Man. If it does, there is a real fear that they may just bring that good series down to the depths they reach here.
Beckett (**1/2) an unlikely alliance of coincidence and tragedy
The story is nothing new, and not interestingly told as much as acted. If you are not a fan of John David Washington, you can skip it.
Force of Nature (**1/2) rust never sleeps
The film is enjoyable for the most part. It loses steam anytime Gibson is not onscreen. If you don’t like Gibson, you can skip it.
Another (Ironic) look: Blind Fury (**) is a missed opportunity
I used to think I wanted to own this film. Now I feel bad just taking the time watching it on Prime Video. I feel worse for Hauer than anything. He’s got the talent to put more into this film than he does. Given the goofball history of the Zatoichi films of the 50’s through the 70’s, some amount of the silliness is expected. They could have done better by the character though, for sure.
Amazon’s The Tomorrow War (**1/2) stuck in reverse
If you make it through the agonizing first hour, you’ll have something on between The Thing and Starship Troopers.
Voyagers (**1/2) Lord of the skies
If you ever wanted to see Lord of the Flies in space, then Voyagers is for you.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (**1/2) diminishing returns
It’s doubtful anyone will dislike this entry, beyond the afore-mentioned lack of lighting, but it’s also no sure bet that it will be nearly revisited as the first two films. Subtract half of a point for sadly wasting John Noble.
Phoning it Long Distance: Bruce Willis’ VOD / Redbox Era
The older he gets, the more it feels like he gave up trying long ago. If this slate of films is considered art of any kind, then I don’t know crap about film. I only know these films qualify as crap.
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.
Willy’s Wonderland (**1/2) – One night at Nic’s
Will you enjoy this film? Probably as much as one enjoys the aforementioned Banana Splits, maybe more if you like Nic Cage as a brooding mute who likes kicking ass and playing pinball.
Criminal (**1/2) Good, but sometimes horrible
It’s not often one goes to a Gary Oldman film and ends up preferring anyone else’s performance.
Charley Varrick (**1/2) A simpler, more horrible time
Matthau’s line about this is better than any line in the film “I have seen it three times, and am of slightly better than average intelligence but I still don’t quite understand what’s going on. Is there a device we can use to explain to people what they’re seeing?”
3 Questionable Choices: Velocipastor, Porno and Jiu Jitsu
Two films that you might watch if you have nothing else to do and expect to live long enough to even out the waste of time. And Jiu Jitsu.
Criterion: Theatre of Blood (**1/2) Burning down the house
This film is one of the better Price performances. If you want to see him for what made him famous enough to be on Thriller, start with this.
Criterion: Sisters (**1/2) doing it for themselves
What it lacks is a compelling 2nd or even 3rd act to tie the buildup together with a satisfying conclusion.
