Category: Ratings
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The Death of Stalin (****): A demo of socialists
The Death of Stalin – 2017 Director Armando Iannucci Screenplay Armando Iannucci, David Schneider, Ian Martin, Peter Fellows based on the book by Fabien Nury and Thierry Robin Starring Steve Buscemi, Simon Russell Beale, Paddy Considine, Rupert Friend, Jason Isaacs, Olga Kurylenko, Michael Palin, Andrea Riseborough, Paul Chahidi, Dermot Crowley, Adrian McLoughlin, Paul Whitehouse, Jeffrey Tambor I have little desire to learn the inner workings of failed experiments. Soviet Russia and Kurt…
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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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Sicario: Day of the Soldado (****) clears the debris of politics
Anyone who is used to Taylor Sheridan knows how this will turn out…and that fact doesn’t make watching it any easier. His eternal message: in a world filled with brutality, expect more of the same.
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The Incredibles 2 (****1/2) shows us the other side
“…If you’re going for an original story. You’re not going to get it this time. The plot is literally the inverse of the first film…Is there any grand message to this film? Any overarching truth to be learned? Not a chance. Still it beats out even most Marvel films for enjoyment, if for no other…
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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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Hotel Artimis (***1/2) well-crafted and stays within its range
Hotel Artemis – 2018 Written and Directed by Drew Pearce Starring Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Jeff Goldblum, Brian Tyree Henry, Jenny Slate, Zachary Quinto, Charlie Day, Dave Bautista, Kenneth Choi There is something to be said about doing something well, even if you’re not shooting for the stars. Drew Pearce has turned in…
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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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Solo: A Star Wars Story (*1/2) is a bad bet
The trick about #Solo is that there are no tricks. There are no moments where you say “Wow, how’d they think of that?” because you know the writers and director never really thought of it, they just incorporated the thoughts of Lucas and company 41 years ago.
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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.
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 