Cargo (2017)

An Australian zombie movie with an epidemic source. More about the remaining survivors than the actual infected. A little depressing, but with a hopeful ending.

Rating: C+

Plus One (2019)

Two friends team up to be one another’s plus one at a series of weddings, end up boning, and eventually fall in love. It’s not the plot that will draw you in, but the witty banter. The film does a good job of portraying just how sucky it is when all your friends get married leaving you behind.

Rating: C+

Villains (2019)

It was something to watch on a return trip from Colombia. A few bits of humor and suspense, but you’ll find better ways to kill 90 minutes.

Rating: C

Booksmart (2019)

Movie high schools never resemble anything like the high school I attended. It's almost as if they are trying to replicate the pretend high schools of cinema past.

Despite a completely unrealistic portrayal of teen education, the writing is quick, crude, and smart, so I still laughed.

Rating: C+

Peppermint (2018)

A below average female revenge flick with a weak ending. 

Rating: C-

Between Two Ferns: The Movie (2019)

About what you expect from a film based on a skit. Mildly entertaining. The bloopers at the end were the funniest part.

Rating: C-

Long Shot (2019)

I laughed for much of the film. Smartly written and funny. Will have you rooting for the underdog and wishing that the Democrats could field a candidate with a real personality. 

Rating: C+

Baywatch (2017)

Like a drunk girlfriend. Hot and fun at the beginning, but then quickly becomes obnoxious and embarrassing.

Rating: D

Anna (2019)

Better than Red Sparrow with more sexy twists and turns. 

Rating: C

Hotel Mumbai (2018)

Like other films based on horrific tragedies, it’s difficult to watch innocent people get butchered by ignorant and cruel murderers. Gripping and tense to watch. Not lighthearted entertainment by any means. There’s no Bruce Willis busting through the door to mow down bad guys. Definitely makes you contemplate what you would do in a similar situation.

Rating: C+

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

This sequel to the reboot was not as fun as the reboot. Rehashes the same ideas with less creativity--like most sequels.

Rating: C-

The Lion King (2019)

Looks impressive. Fairly fun and captivating as long as you skip through most of the songs, which were a little over-the-top at times.

Rating: C

Uncut Gems (2019)

Not what I was expecting. The direction style and soundtrack were a train-wreck. The script itself was one giant ball of anxiety. The viewer gets no reprieve. Expect to be yelled at, cursed at, and assaulted with poor choices for a full two hours. A bullet to the head will be your only escape from this film.

Rating: D-

A Vigilante (2018)

A rather morose vigilante story with Olivia Wilde playing the role of The Equalizer.

Rating: C

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Only rabid fanboys can keep these myriad stories and timelines straight. As a casual fan of Star Wars, I couldn’t help wondering about characters’s motives and decision-making. The actions of everyone on screen either didn’t add up or walked a very clichéd line. Any single episode of The Mandalorian is more entertaining than this film.

Rating: C-

Ready Or Not (2019)

Your typical adult game of hide and seek to the death. Semi-ridiculous, but not unwatchable. Mid-level gore.

Rating: C-

Little Monsters (2019)

A dark, funny, twisted New Zealand zombie flick with a heart. Sweet, yet with a ton of language, violence, and sexual themes. So not for the kiddos. This adult enjoyed it a lot though. Great ending that even made me tear up.

Rating: B

Accident Man (2018)

A sliver above a B action movie. Enough plot to barely justify a series of ass kickings. I became numb to the violence after a few kills.

Rating: D+

Toy Story 4 (2019)

Cute and fun. Watched with my nieces and nephews. I wasn’t bored.

Rating: C

Hotel Artemis (2018)

The cast and acting are better than the film deserves. Works in a pinch if you're craving an action movie.

Rating: C

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019)

A must see for fans of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Everyone else will be completely confused. A fun glimpse into the future aftermath of the series finale. I won’t complain if they make additional spin-offs.

Rating: C+

The Gentlemen (2020)

I won’t be the first person to write that this is a return to form for Guy Ritchie, so I won’t write that. Instead I’ll say that The Gentlemen is right up there with his first two films--Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels & Snatch. If that doesn’t get you wet in the panties, you should stop reading my reviews.

Within 5 minutes you will lean over to your mates and quickly whisper about how brilliant Hugh Grant is in his role. And what a role it is! Many actors would kill to get their teeth into a character like this, and most of them would squander the opportunity. Not Hugh Grant. He nails the cadence, accent, colloquialisms, gestures, and expressions masterfully. It’s an Oscar worthy performance that will sadly be forgotten come next award season.

But enough about Hugh. Guy Ritchie deserves a lot of credit too. It's his film through and through, which means I’d be crapping all over him right now if it sucked. Instead I’m piling on a hefty portion of praise. The screenplay shines and the editing elevates the material. I laughed a ton. Soundtrack is fun. Cast is solid. There are a lot of moving parts that were expertly balanced.

A word of advice. Pay attention. Don’t watch while trying to do other things. Put down your phone. Don’t watch with parents who constantly ask questions. And don’t turn on the subtitles! You won’t be able to keep up and ultimately they will be a distraction. Instead, drink some caffeine and give it your full attention. The accents are diverse and thick with slang, but the wordplay is a cocaine roller coaster.

Rating: B+

Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018)

This psychedelic animated spin-off took preposterous into another dimension. If you like watching a dozen lava lamps have an orgy with a ridiculous plot to match, it seems you’ve bought into the hype and are pretending to love this movie. I feel sorry for you.

Rating: D-

Ford v Ferrari (2019)

You don’t have to be a fan of car racing to enjoy this film. I’m certainly not. The challenge will be not driving like a mad man on the way home from the theater.

Rating: B-

Joker (2019)

This is the style of “superhero” movie I like; dark and based mostly in reality. This one was really dark. Phoenix is superb. I predict he’ll win the Oscar. Funny that Robert DeNiro was in this, as I noticed a lot of similarities to Taxi Driver. Gritty stuff. Don’t bring the kids.

Rating: B

Arctic (2018)

Cold and dreary. As far as survival stories go, this is a slog. Almost no dialogue, adventure, or break from the monotony. 

Rating: C-

Jojo Rabbit (2019)

A novel take on Nazi Germany and Hitler. There are some good messages buried in this dark comedy. Sometimes cute and touching.

Rating: C+

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)

I didn’t realize how many memories this documentary would bring back. I grew up watch Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Quite enjoyed seeing all the behind-the-scenes production and insight into characters that went on. In a day where we have a garbage president spewing out hatred, it’s a nice reminder that we can do better.

Rating: B

Parasite (Gisaengchung) (2019)

Checked this out because I’ve seen other work from Bong Joon Ho. His films always look amazing. I liked almost everything about this film except the last quarter. I didn’t care for the direction they went.

Rating: C

Summer Of 84 (2018)

Horny teen boys spend their summer trying to prove their neighbor is a serial killer. Scares come courtesy of jump cuts. 

Rating: C

Zombieland: Double Tap (2019)

While the first was fresh, fun, and original, the sequel went back to the well too many times. Thank goodness for the new character named Madison adding some much needed laughs. 

Rating: C

Free Solo (2018)

I’ve never been so sweaty watching a film in my life. Doesn’t help that I have an extreme fear of heights. This was like a horror movie. Let it be noted that his girlfriend is truly one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever seen, both inside and out. I’m not willing to risk my life on a mountain face for someone like that, but close. A must-watch documentary that will leave you tense, yet relieved that you are watching from afar in a comfortable seat on the ground.

Rating: B+