Daily Wire’s Run Hide Fight (***1/2) bring the weather with you
Every fair minded person will find positives and negatives in this film. The woke will just bring their own weather with them.
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.
Criterion: Don’t Look Now (***1/2) holds our attention
This film is recommended for anyone who wants to feel like they’re on the verge of something – good or bad
Friday the 13th Chronology continued: The expensive trash +2 good fan films
The best thing about the Never Hike… series is the way it takes its time getting to actual kills. It has confidence and is in no hurry.
Walkaway Joe (***1/2) is worth it to see Strathairn work
We don’t see a plethora of shots in their entirety, but the only trick I want to see is how Strathairn can move us with so few words.
The Grudge 2020 (***1/2) – This is a side-quel
A well acted, decently filmed, but unneeded sequel. That’s the best definition of a side-quel I can muster.
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (***1/2) almost taps it
In all it does what you want good comedies to do by giving several re-watchable moments and leaves a pleasant smile on your face. Great comedy risks more, but these guys have friendships with most of the people they are skewering. That’s okay, though. It’s only a Friday stuck at home in Covid 19 season.
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.”
Netflix’ Eurovision Song Contest…(***1/2) is spectacularly regular
Director David DobkinScreenplay Will Ferrell, Andrew Steele based on Eurovision Song Contest by EBUStarring Will Ferrell, Rachel McAdams, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, Melissanthi Mahut The first surprise when watching the […]
Uncut Gems (***1/2) – Even the losers
The Safdie’s are not breaking new ground, but it covers familiar territory like Velma looking for her glasses, in Scooby Doo. We know she’s going to find them, but someone else will get the credit for the win.
Another Look: Can we all admit Saving Private Ryan (***1/2) is good sentimental B.S.?
The soldiers deserve the knowledge that we cannot or will not forget their sacrifice. Then we can work to earn the freedom they gave to us, like Captain Miller wanted Private Ryan to do.
Criterion: Scandal (***1/2) – Shimura steals the show
This is good Kurosawa, brought up by a great Shimura and steadied by Mifune.
