A Quiet Place Part II (***1/2) Dives a bit
The best thing about that first film, however, is the best thing about the second film: Millicent Simmonds.
Netflix’ Army of the Dead (***1/2) is Snyder’s road back
Notaro especially is worth the price of admission, with her wry comedic observations wafting through the heavy air like a wisdom to which the rest of us are not privy.
Those Who Wish Me Dead (***1/2) could try harder
Those Who Wish Me Dead is an above average thriller (with an awful title) where women are allowed to shine without making the film look too woke for the willing suspension of disbelief.
Spiral: From The Book of Saw (***1/2) finally makes good on the promise
It’s not necessarily a reinvention, but the same story in better hands.
Godzilla vs. Kong (***1/2) is great when people aren’t there
So here we are, the main event. Where does this series go now?
Nobody (***1/2) makes Odenkirk John Wick
Watching Bob Odenkirk live out his John Wick fantasy is a treat for any asshole who pictures himself something of a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Let’s talk about Zack Snyder’s Justice League (***1/2)
We’ve lost many of this cast that could have been good for a few more films at least. Where do we go from here when this film makes us want to go back?
Promising Young Woman (***1/2): Girl, Interrupted
There is a tacit understanding within the bounds of Promising Young Woman that men of college age and above are perverted cowards at best, rapists at worst.
Fatale (***1/2) – Attraction
This film is a good time showing beautiful bad people.
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.
Synchronic (***1/2) is great mid-trip
Viewers won’t find premises as creative as this often in movies. Even if not explored to the extent desired, it’s still entertaining and somewhat intriguing. One just wishes that the peripheral characters held any interest at all.
Another Look: Wes Craven’s New Nightmare wears down through the years
The gifts that Craven had as a storyteller would not be acknowledged here, as this film made the least of the entire series. There is little accounting for taste or reaching beyond the same old stuff.
Criterion: Coma (***1/2) is a compact thriller
Crichton understands well enough how to keep the viewer involved, even if the story is compacted to get the viewer in and out in standard time.
Freaky (***1/2) gets in touch with its other self
If you ever enjoyed Vaughn and wondered where his comic chops have gone in the last decade, look here. His skill at evoking laughter from a mixture of intelligence and physical comedy is near top form.
Criterion: Black Christmas (***1/2) coal for everyone
Bob Clark is best known for directing A Christmas Story. This sorority slaughter fest is his 2nd most famous Christmas film.
