Category: 2.5 Stars
-
Good Boys (**1/2) doesn’t overcome its misgivings
There’s a difference in being prudish about what kids are exposed to and just wishing it were done 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.”
-
The Prodigy (**1/2) occupies safe territory
#theprodigy “There is nothing horrible about this film. In fact, it’s a decent starter film for those who haven’t seen a horror film or don’t want to be really scared. For someone who’s seen just one classic in the genre, it’s not going to stir much.”
-
Hell Fest (**1/2) – Surprise! It doesn’t suck!
#hellfest “…The success of the scenarios with which the characters are dispatched varies. There are some pretty good scares and some surprising misses. Then there’s some dumb stuff to balance it out. Whether this is good or not depends on how you think the good compares to the bad. For this viewer, the last scene…
-
Breaking In (**1/2) is maturing in front of the camera…and behind it
#breakingin is the kind of film you watch to see how cool the house is, and how cool Union can stay even if the script is bad.
-
Blockers (**1/2) tries to be everything
#blockers “This is not a bad film. It’s definitely not a great one. In total, I laughed maybe twice. But I smiled a few more times. If you see it, don’t look at it as any sort of guide to life, because no one should use comedy films as a guide to life. Except for…
-
The Strangers: Prey at Night (**1/2) not too hard
If this film catches the viewer at the right time, it could be effective. The best thing about the first film – the hapless victim stuck in a place where they should feel safe – is absent this time around. Instead we have running, screaming, house to house hiding, scare, then repeat. Not great, but…
-
Silver City (**1/2) is on par with today’s political satire
This is one Sayles film that deserved to wallow in obscurity.
-
Home Again (**1/2) is a fantasy for grown women
It’s a Lifetime film with more accomplished actors, but #HomeAgain is still okay.
-
Insidious: The Last Key (**1/2) #timesup
None of this is bad. It’s mostly bland thrills and chills where women overcome what weak men and demons put them through. It doesn’t further the journey, like the second and best film in the series. It’s just another loose strand that tries to add to the outfit.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 