Sisu (2022)

 

Finnish Rambo kills Nazi scum.

Rating: C+

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

A bit of fantasy fun that never allows the viewer to become fully invested. The peril didn’t feel very real, and so evading it didn’t feel that satisfying. 

Rating: C

Luther: The Fallen Sun (2023)

 

Feels like a bonus season of Luther edited down to film length, which if you are a fan of the show, is a welcome treat. Always compelling despite being somewhat implausible. 

Rating: C+

John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

 

Every installment that comes out in this series I’m told the same thing–that *this* one is special; the best one yet. And each time I’m greatly disappointed. It's all set design and staged fights. Very little substance or character development exists in the World of Wick, even after a nearly 3 hour runtime. 

The biggest annoyance is the apparent indestructibility of John Wick. Only he can land headshots, yet after millions of bullets shot at him, none can hit his. He never sleeps or gets tired during prolonged battles. He hits and gets hit by numerous vehicles, yet suffers no consequence from it. 

He falls through and out of buildings without so much as a sprained ankle. He doesn’t eat, use the restroom, or attend to any other human necessities. This might as well be another crapped out turd from the Marvel Universe. 

I wish they’d make a 5th film with John Wick in retirement, homesteading in Colorado, tending to his garden, fruit trees, and chickens for 90 minutes. Nobody dies. There’s one fight, but it’s between Wick and a sticky canning jar lid, and he loses. 

Rating: F

The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die (2023)

I watched and enjoyed the entire series, but this film felt like a couple bonus episodes that nobody asked for. 

Rating: C

Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)

 

I rewatched the extended version of the first film just before watching this one. I highly recommend it, because Way Of The Water is a true sequel, with interwoven storylines from the first. 

The return to Nu’vi is another creative adventure. Are there ‘save the planet’ messages in spades? Yes, and I think that’s a good thing. Looking forward to the next film. 

Rating: B

Plane (2023)

Out of the kettle and into the fire. Tight action flick that is better than expected. Filipino militia make for a credible group of bad guys. Bodies hit the island floor. 

Rating: C+

Champions (2023)

An underdog basketball story that keeps to the basic formula. Some cute moments with mixed acting abilities. Very low budget. 

Rating: C