Dune (2021)

 

I thought they did a pretty good job developing the story without confusing the audience. The desert planet was full of creative surprises. Love those dragonfly ships. At two and a half hours, I felt some editing was in order. Plenty of extended shots with dramatic music playing that could have been whittled down. But I’m definitely in for the next installment. 

Rating: C+

The French Dispatch (2021)

 

Likely my least favorite of Wes Anderson’s films. The cinematography, sets, and editing were wonderful, but the story was a convoluted disaster. It felt like a computer program was fed all of Wes’ previous work and vomited out a script. Interesting to watch, but not up to par. 

Rating: C-

The Harder They Fall (2021)

 

A bloody black western with a modern soundtrack. 

Rating: C+

Finch (2021)

 

In this sequel to Castaway, Tom Hanks replaces Wilson with a robot to watch his dog after he dies of radiation in a post-apocalyptic hellscape. 

Rating: C

Army Of Thieves (2021)

 

I didn’t realize Army Of Thieves was a prequel to Army Of The Dead until the end of the film. The idea of uncrackable safes was quickly undone by how easily they were cracked. All filled with money, yet there didn’t seem to be a plan to take more than a small fraction of it. A lot of plot points didn’t make any sense. The heists weren’t all that interesting. A misfire. 

Rating: C-

Copshop (2021)

 

There was some promising buildup, despite a whopping dollop of foreshadowing shots and stories. Ultimately the air squeaked out of this shoot-em up with very little intrigue or fun. 

Rating: C-

Old Henry (2021)

 

It’s the Old West. You’ve stumbled across a wounded man, his gun, and a bag of money. What do you do? This is a pretty good Western about one man’s choice. 

Rating: C+

Skater Girl (2021)

 

Mixed emotions. It’s hard watching the extreme poverty and harmful traditions that exist in India knowing that real life rarely has the happy ending seen in movies. But the story is a good reminder that all of us have the potential to make the world a little better around us if we merely try. 

Rating: C+

Nightshooters (2018)

 

I got tricked into watching this movie from glowing reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. I forget that if a movie is small enough, and nobody sees it, the cast and crew can drive up their ranking with positive reviews. 

It’s typical B-movie fare. Poor acting, script, production, etc. Avoid. 

Rating: F

Don’t Breathe 2 (2021)

 

You don’t see many sequels turn the villain into a hero, of sorts. Thematically, they stayed true to the original and didn’t skimp on the violence. A tense thriller from a script with a few twists. Definitely see the first one before seeing #2. 

Rating: C+

The Protege (2021)

 

There was potential in this Long Kiss Goodnight La Femme Nakita knockoff. The camera angles and crisp sound were top notch. Maggie Q is a genuine badass. Ultimately it was the story itself that became overly convoluted, culminating in a milquetoast finale. Oh well. 

Rating: C-

Free Guy (2021)

 

A background in playing video games will make this movie more fun, but it isn’t necessary. The writing and acting are good enough to make up for some of the references being lost on you. 

Visually and audibly, it’s fun to see on the big screen. Ryan Reynolds and Jodi Comer really elevated the material. Excellent facial expressions in this film. It was surprising how quickly I got pulled into this fake world and what happened there. Not an easy feat within the confines of 90 minutes. 

The script was funny. Bit characters pulled in some huge laughs. A lot of creative nerd/gaming culture Easter eggs are there to be enjoyed. 

Rating: B-

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain (2021)

 

Another documentary I rushed to see for reasons of infatuation with the subject matter, the man, Anthony Bourdain. His show No Reservations had a real impact on my life decisions to travel off the beaten path. To try new things. 

I’m not sure I expected the style of the documentary about his life to be so reminiscent of his show, but it is. I was hoping for something a little different. Radical. Subversive. Like his life. Instead its a straightforward retelling of his life, with interviews of close friends and associates. The tone is lonely. With that said, I’m glad I watched it. 

Rating: C

Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

 

The humor made this Marvel offering palatable, despite the run-of-the-mill fight scenes. 

Rating: C

Spin (2021)

 

My first foray into Disney Channel films, which I chose to do after reading about the female Indian director behind the project. It definitely has the telltale signs of a Disney show, but the cheese is rather mild, thank goodness.

It’s mostly feel-good, with minor problems to overcome. Frankly, the food looks more appetizing than the beats. I love Indian food. House music; not so much. If you’re looking for something safe to watch with tweens that won’t leave you reaching for your phone, give this film a spin. 

Rating: C

CODA (2021)

 

A lighthearted drama about a teen girl finding her singing voice as she struggles to deal with the realities of growing up in a deaf family. I wish her parents hadn't been written as such weirdos. It felt out of place within the context of the film. They come off as semi-retarded in addition to being deaf. Why portray them this way???

Rating: C- 

Val (2021)

 

When I first heard Val Kilmer was coming out with an autobiographical documentary, I anxiously awaited for it to be released. I’ve always been a huge fan of the actor and intrigued by the man. It was lovely to look back on his life's work through his son’s voice and his now throaty rasp; post cancer. 

The documentary itself could have taken on many different styles and narratives. Val lived a very interesting life. I didn’t love the direction they took, but I did like its honesty. There was a sadness hanging over the production that may or may not have been intentional. I’m just glad he got to tell his story in his own words before passing through the final curtain call. 

Rating: C

The Suicide Squad (2021)

 

Every now and then I check out another DC/Marvel movie to confirm that they are still frivolous eye candy filled with empty calories. Yep, they are. I’d watch an entire film about the weasel though. 

Rating: D

Baby Money (2021)

 

Things go from bad to worse in a botched robbery. Poor decisions lead to dire consequences. A tense thriller. 

Rating: C

No Sudden Move (2021)

 

Crime drama from Soderbergh set in 1950s Detroit. Pretty average despite a lot of big names.

Rating: C

Woodstock 99: Peace, Love & Rage (2021)

 

I’ve been to my fair share of music festivals, so I’ve experienced what transpired at Woodstock 99 to a certain degree. But the sheer scale of disastrous events that occurred there is tough to beat. Glad I was watching how the trainwreck unfolded from the safety of my sofa.

Interesting to see the differing recollections from the viewpoint of fans, organizers, security, and musicians. A lot of blame shifting. There are some good lessons to be gleaned from this film for those considering attending an event with thousands of people; artistic, political, or otherwise. 

Rating: C

The Forever Purge (2021)

 

The Purge takes on racism in the next chapter of the franchise. Violence continues after the designated day, with Americans fleeing to Mexico and Canada for safety. Most don’t make it. 

Rating: C

The Exchange (2021)

 

I had no idea this movie would hit so close to home. My high school foreign exchange student was Jes from The Netherlands. I had hopes of receiving a new best friend that would help me up my social game. Jes turned out to be way cooler than me and was liked by everyone at school. He made the soccer team, got invited to fun parties, and had lots of teenage sex. It’s like they based the film’s character Stefan on him. Enjoyed the 80’s setting and music. Moderately funny. 

Rating: C

The Tomorrow War (2021)

 

It looks and sounds great, but for a film centered around scientists, nothing makes a whole lot of sense. You’ll have to leave your brain on the other side of the wormhole. 

Rating: D+

Werewolves Within (2021)

 

Not funny or scary enough to sustain the weak plot. 

Rating: D+

The Sparks Brothers (2021)

 

Right up front, we are shown a lot of famous people praising this duo we’ve never heard of. I’m deeply invested in the music world, and this is the first time I’m hearing of this band that’s supposedly influenced the musical landscape to the degree they are telling me. 

There is a lot of background narrative, but not being emotionally invested in the Sparks at this point, it’s mostly wasted on me. The editing style of intersplicing old clips to tell the story might have been novel had it been used sparingly, but they chose to back the truck up for this documentary. 

Meanwhile, bits and pieces of their music are being played between the lavish praises of industry insiders. They are creaming their bellbottoms over how incredible and life changing it all is. I’m like “meh”. Am I missing the joke? Did they make a documentary about a fictional mediocre band to see if people would pretend to like Sparks music because so-called experts are telling them it’s good? 

Let’s be honest. If their music was actually as good as all these musicians and the documentary say it was, they would have been more popular and people would play their albums. They don’t. The music isn’t that great. They are the answer to the question: “What if Queen wasn’t very good?”

To be fair, I did recognize the song “Cool Places” about 90 minutes in. I’d completely forgotten about that song until now. And any collaboration with Franz Ferdinand is going to be good. It’s a shame Sparks spent so much of their career seemingly trying to displease their fans. 

Rating: C-

Gunpowder MIlkshake (2021)

 

With a title like that, my expectations were already low, which turned out to be prophetic on my part. There are no genuine interactions in the film--just highly dramatized scenes straight from your least favorite movie clichés. 

Part of the problem is that the city appears to be solely populated by The Firm and other individuals tied to organized crime. Artificial characters inside an artificial city spewing artificial lines that will have you groaning repeatedly. 

Rating: F

Cruella (2021)

 

Shockingly good. Emma Stone will knock your designer socks off. She’s a lock for Best Actress and the film should definitely win for makeup and costume design. But what I enjoyed the most was the killer soundtrack. A lot of bold choices. I simply didn’t expect to love a Disney film this much. 

Rating: B+

A Quiet Place Part II (2021)

 

Whereas the first movie mostly teased the monsters, the sequel gives you a face full up front, and it’s startling. Many of the scares come from the excellent sound editing. The sound system in the theater we went to was LOUD. I jolted in my seat at least a dozen times. 

Rating: C+

Fear Street Part 1: 1994

 

A wannabe Scream. Nearly every plot turn was either lazy, dumb, or both. I’m hitting the eject button on this trilogy. 

Rating: D-

Till Death (2021)

 

There was an interesting premise there to play with, but absurdity levels rose too high, especially in the second half. 

Rating: C-

The Mitchells Vs The Machines (2021)

 

Started off promising with some funny bits, but quickly detoured into heavy-handed schmaltz and pixelated poppycock. 

Rating: D-

Don’t Breathe (2016)

 

It’s the genre where tables get turned by the would-be burglars. However, the grizzled army vet is not a hero protecting his home. Everyone’s morals are suspect in this film. It’s a tight little thriller that will have you holding your breath, just as the title tells you to. 

Rating: C+

Luca (2021)

 

An Italian fish out of water tale from Pixar. The animation is very pretty. Fun viewing for the family. 

Rating: C+

Kid 90 (2021)

 

A documentary of Jennifer Soliel’s life comprised of archive footage and diary excerpts she herself recorded. I grew up watching Punky Brewster, so it was fun getting a glimpse behind the camera of child stars in the 90s. I could see a lot of similarities to Miley Cyrus and other kids who grew up in front of the camera that came after her. An interesting, and sometimes dark, walk down memory lane. 

Rating: C+

Palmer (2021)

Fisher Stevens hits the perfect sweet spot between heartwarming and tragic. A meaty role for Timberlake. One of my favorites so far for 2021. 

Rating: B

Derek DelGaudio's In & Of Itself (2020)

 

The theatrical version of Derek’s stage show, which wowed audiences with illusions, storytelling, and, let’s be honest, a lot of emotional manipulation. The editing and the pace felt odd. Long pauses, clicks, and other bits that seemed out of place. 

Where the show excels is with the non-illusionary pieces; genuine reactions from audience members who are feeling seen and heard. And even you, the viewer, will share those same feelings as you watch the movie. It will leave you puzzling out how everything was pulled off. 

Rating: C+

Army Of The Dead (2021)

 

Reanimated leftovers from a genre that doesn’t have much left to give. A team was assembled one by one, then later eaten one by one. No one to really root for or miss after they died. Empty calories. 

Rating: C-

Riders Of Justice (Retfærdighedens Ryttere) (2021)

 

I’ll watch anything Mads Mikkelsen is in. But even if you aren’t as fanatical of a fan as I am, you should still go out of your way to see this quirky Danish revenge flick. There are a lot of layers that go beyond the killing, and that’s what makes it special. 

Rating: B+

The Paper Tigers (2020)

 

Taking a page from the success of Cobra Kai, Paper Tigers delivers a bland Kung Fu version. It’s watery tofu from Costco. 

Rating: C-

Wrath Of Man (2021)

 

Guy Ritchie’s latest shoot 'em up. More than your usual money truck heist flick. There are a lot of moving parts, but eventually all is explained. Quite violent. 

Rating: C+

Raya And The Last Dragon (2021)

 

Goofy dragons with special powers spend their lives helping the citizens of a Disney fantasy world be kind to one another. It’s not as bad as it sounds. 

Rating: C

Guns Akimbo (2019)

 

The setup to this film is completely nuts. I’ve seen my share of death-video-games-come-to-life movies; maybe all of them. But none where the unwitting victim (hero?) has a set of machine pistols brutally attached to his wrist and hands. 

My first thought was “How is this kid going to pee?” Well, it didn’t take long for them to answer that question. How does he get pants on? Check! Eat? Check! I like when movies address the little things. 

The name of the game is kill or be killed. As you might imagine, a lot of bodies hit the floor. It’s aggressively violent to the point where it becomes a little cartoonish. Hits the spot after a long day at the office. 

Rating: C

Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021)

There was a lot of smoke, but no fire. Never felt the heat from this mostly watered down thriller. An unsatisfying end didn’t help. 

Rating: C-

Chaos Walking (2020)

The Noise is rather annoying, but you get used to it. Feels like everyone on that planet has autism from the thoughts they are projecting. It's a shame the hero kid didn’t get his big smooch at the end. Lost opportunity there. 

Rating: C

Nobody (2021)

Moral of the story. Best to avoid picking fights with nobodys just in case they turn out to be somebodys. Ultra violent beat em up/shoot em up mayhem. May teeter on being unrealistic at times, but still bloody fun. 

Rating: C+

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Even at four hours long, it still feels like massive amounts of backstory and plot development went missing. The film jumps from one scene to the next, glossing over plot holes and reason. It seems every devoted fanboy and girl has shut their collective brains off in fealty to Marvel, which continues to reward their devotion with one nonsensical film after the another. 

Rating: D+

Finding 'Ohana (2021)

Aimed directly at the Disney tween crowd. Instead of a few winks to Goonies, they should have included some nods as well; adding more of the fun and humor of the original masterpiece. Finding 'Ohana stretched the bounds of reality a little too far, moving the genre from adventure into brainless fantasy. 

Rating: C-

Land (2021)

A story of grief, loss, isolation, and eventually; healing. Robin Wright put herself completely into this project. It’s quite heavy, but not overly bleak. 

Rating: C+

Soul (2020)

A little of everything, like jazz. Some Freaky Friday, Heaven Can Wait, and What Dreams May Come blended together with unique animation. Surprised they didn’t tie everything together with his purpose being to inspire others by helping them find their spark, like with 22 and his music students. 

Rating: C+