Category: 3 Stars
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The Ocean’s Films: Then, Then and Now
Hopefully, once they get past the #metoo stain, they can include Damon and the rest of the cast in a future film.
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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom doesn’t need to make sense
The story is basically a rehash of the worst film in the series: The Lost World. Bad people take the dinos off of the island with the intent on selling them later. This, of course, is going to be catastrophic.
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TAG (***) Gets everyone eventually
Playing right up to his level of talent is Ed Helms. He’s Mr. Average Comedy of our time, if one considers the comedy of our time to be slightly below average. I do like and appreciate that someone has to play the straight guy. He is definitely filling that niche.
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Upgrade (***) Brings energy to an interesting premise
This film made me realize how likable Marshall-Green actually can be as an action hero. One hopes to see him extend the series at least to see him get something better.
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Den of Thieves (***) is a long slog with a decent payoff
The end result with the viewer depends on if you can accept the twists as entertaining enough to get through the slower parts of the film. It’s not Sicario in any capacity. So I am not sure I look forward to a second film, since it feels like they played their best card already.
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Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (***) is late on purpose
Even if I never watch it again, this wasn’t a waste of my time. It’s not enough to make me see the next one in theaters, but it’s definitely not the overwrought mess we saw the first time.
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Blumhouse’s Truth or Dare: It Follows rules, blandly (***)
“Truth or Dare is an example of what having a good producer can do for an average film. ”
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A Wrinkle in Time (***) is best when it avoids fawning
#wrinkleintime “This is not an indictment of the talent of Ava as a director. It’s not that she faded this time round. There was probably enough pressure on her shoulders covering this well liked children’s book. To make her have to maneuver around the albatross is obviously a bridge too far, even if she’ll never…
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Death Wish (***) is down the middle
If this were a great film, there might be something to say about the rights to bear arms to protect oneself from the criminals. The filmmakers are not interested in waging a war in politics. They really just wanted a vehicle for Eli Roth to be just a little more mainstream and for Bruce Willis…
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Annihilation (***) almost overcomes its disadvantages
For Garland, this is on par with Ex-Machina. For many, this will be seen as success. I was only mildly impressed with that movie too. So I will just wait for the next Jeff Nichols film and hope enough people notice he’s been outpacing everyone for years.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 