Netflix Texas Chainsaw Massacre (**) – Once more into the ditch
Oh well. It is what it is: a slaughterfest with barely sketched out characters.
Netflix’ Army of Thieves (***1/2) is a sweet heist
Army of Thieves feels as quaint as a home movie compared to Army of the Dead.
Netflix There’s Someone Inside Your House (*) not worth noticing
For anyone who wondered why there haven’t been any ABC After School Specials featuring murder, I present this film.
Netflix Mike Flanagan’s Midnight Mass (*****) undersells and over delivers
Flanagan is once more creating life out of illusion.
Netflix’ Kate (****) treads familiar ground expertly
This film is one we’ve seen before, but somehow it’s still worth remembering on its own merits.
Netflix’ Gunpowder Milkshake (***) is on the Wick spectrum
…this is mostly an excuse to show some very capable killer ladies strut their stuff on screen for in just under two hours. This is more than enough for me.
Netflix’ The Ice Road (***) is good as Neeson fans can expect
While I would not call this film a classic by any means, it certainly does entertain more than most films that premiere on Netflix.
The Woman in the Window (**1/2) wears its influence out
There is next to no thrill the viewer gets from seeing Adams huff her way through the scenes, wondering if she’s imagining things or if her life is even worth living.
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.
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 The Wrong Missy (**1/2) isn’t horrible
This movie should suck, but it doesn’t.
Netflix’ Before I Wake (***1/2) – Living the rest of the dream
“The track record for Flanagan is astounding. His output is prolific and is always appealing. Every one of his films, even those he has adapted, feel like a part of a patchwork.”
Netflix Circle (***) is sped up sociology
We deal with many societal aspects: racism, sexism, orientation, ageism. Points are made in a rush, because they only have a minute to vote. Then boom. Gone. On to the next angle of persuasion.
Netflix and Scorsese’s The Irishman (***1/2) – Charge with a gun; with a knife you run away
The biggest challenge for this viewer is when it comes to true crime sagas, Scorese peaked with Goodfellas and he’s never really come close since.
The Wandering Earth (***) is not far from Armageddon
“The producers consulted the Chinese Academy of Sciences, though what questions they asked is not immediately clear. I’d like to think I know at least as much as the average college graduate about the physical sciences, but they lost me when the Earth stopped rotating. “
Always Be My Maybe (***1/2) more comedy than romance
“Romantic comedies too often forget the second part of that description. Wong and Park put the emphasis on the comedy and leave the romance to fend for itself.”
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 