Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (****1/2) – Finds a home inside
The Guardians of the Galaxy series is a gift that keeps on giving to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Avatar: The Way of Water (****1/2) 3D shows us why so blue
Cameron has improved some of the shortcomings of the first film by giving this new effort more questions than obvious answers.
Nope (****1/2) – Yep
Peele has the whole world in his hands, and it is up to him and his precisely articulate and interesting vision how we are allowed to view it.
Men (****1/2) Eve bit the Apple
The effectiveness of a film like this is it even has this viewer questioning the nature of his relationship with his own wife. Is there a partnership there, or is it a threat?
Pixar’s Turning Red (****1/2) is adorably coming of age
Shi definitely has a gift for portraying the difficulty of navigating from one generation to another with love being the ballast for the family.
Antlers (****) earns our fears
The atmosphere is such that it gave me tangential nightmares the night I saw them. Not many films do this anymore.
Universal Pictures: Frankenstein stories
Walk through the past, when Frankenstien scared kids like my dad at age 5.
Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (****1/2) – Future Past
The brilliance of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is it literally encompasses everything one can imagine. If it hasn’t been covered up to now, Shang-Chi… is evidence that it will all come in good time.
Free Guy (****1/2) is solid
This is truly a film that is worth waiting through a pandemic to see on the big screen. It will also be something worth watching at home for years to come.
Black Widow (****1/2) – The heart that binds
This is the right story for someone of Johansson’s ability, stature and sense of self.
Minari (****1/2) shows where life really begins
Minari is the type of film that feels more like a moment in time that can forever change the life of the person who experiences it.
Criterion: The In-Laws (****1/2) life in serpentine
There are plenty of comedies of any era that don’t age well. Try one that work at such a human level, one would be hard pressed to avoid relating to it during any era.
Another Look: Knocked Up Unrated and Unprotected (****) is loaded
It’s not the landmark that The 40 Year-Old Virgin is, but it’s definitely a few rungs above the normal comedy film.
James vs. His Future Self (****1/2) Stern gets better with age
James vs His Future Self has a depth of feeling unlike most films, yet it is also scientifically interesting without relying on special effects. It resists being something we’ve seen before, and never stops entertaining.
Mulan (****1/2) almost escapes the Disney sheen
This is not a perfect film, but it’s a damn entertaining one. Mulan gives as forceful a message for equality as one can give without pandering whatsoever.
Tenet (****1/2) Explores time in a bottle
There is a lot of sequel potential here, but only if Nolan continues himself. It’s the kind of plot device that could go straight to hell if not handled right.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 