One Battle After Another (2025)

 

This movie felt like it took place in an alternate American timeline. Yes, a lot of stuff rang true, but the characters, groups, and actions didn’t feel authentic. I’m a big PTA fan from back in the day, so I had higher expectations. I liked the premise, but the script needed work. 

Rating: C+

The Wolfman (2010)

 

Dark, moody, hairy, and violent. Citizens are systematically maimed, shredded, and beheaded. Not for the squeamish. Story? Meh. It's Spooky Monster Writing 101 here, but with better special effects. 

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-

No Sudden Move (2021)

 

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

Rating: C

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

A really long space chase filled with lasers and droids. I appreciated the few bits of humor they sprinkled in to give me a reprieve from all the “Who’s that again?”, “How do they know each other?”, and “How come Leia didn’t freeze in space and explode into a bazillion pieces?” It was a typical Star Wars flick, and at 2 ½ hours long, it was challenging to get through.

Rating: C-

Sicario: Day Of The Soldado (2018)

A sequel that doesn’t have much to do with the original except for some key returning characters. It’s not bad for what it is. Pace is steady and violence is pervasive.

Rating: C

The Hunted (2003)

Went in with low expectations. Turned out to be pretty good. Plenty violent, average plot, and some good suspense. 

Rating: C

Che (2008)

4 ½ hours is a lot of time to devote to watching a movie, but Che is well worth the time investment. Soderbergh and Del Toro do Che's story justice, creating a very unHollywood film, just the way Fidel and Che would have wanted it.

As you'll learn from the making-of doc, nothing was filmed that wasn't sourced from a true account. This film was 10 years in the making and is more a labor of love than a studio investment. I wonder if they were able to make their money back.

Performances are gritty and real. The life of a revolutionary isn't easy, and it shows on screen. Definitely an educational, as well as entertaining, piece of cinema.

Rating: B

Inherent Vice (2014)

A confusing fruit salad of characters who meander and mumble their way through a plot that never quite delivers coherency. And believe me, it pains me to say that, because I’m a huge Paul Thomas Anderson fan. But this effort is a stark turn in the wrong direction.

Rating: D

Sicario (2015)

The audience is kept in the dark for much of the film, just like our main character. Cinematography and authentic location shoots were high points. However, none of the characters are all that likeable. We are along for the ride on an intense operation, but I never felt fully invested. Not so much a movie as a very well staged reenactment of a covert op.

Rating: C

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

A bit silly and loosely put together, but entertaining enough to warrant a single viewing.

Rating: C

Savages (2012)

An Oliver Stone film along the lines his U-Turn, with as much violence as his Natural Born Killers. It’s a drug cartel story told from the perspective of some indie pot growers. There was much more to the story than I anticipated going in. I don’t know how accurate the portrayals were, but it’s an entertaining piece of cinema nonetheless.

Rating: B-

21 Grams (2003)

Acting was very good, but the story was fairly depressing. I liked the non-sequential style used, regardless of how many times it's been  done before. It was a very well made movie, but it still left me feeling
unsatisfied.

Rating: C+

Excess Baggage (1997)

I saw this a long time ago and wanted to check it out again. Benicio Del Toro is just starting to get noticed after The Usual Suspects, but you can see his potential instantly. Alicia Silverstone was perfect for this role. Christopher Walken is great as the tough uncle and Harry Connick Jr. is terrific. Far better actor than singer in my book.

This overlooked runaway romance is much better than people might think. Go on, give it a try.

Rating: B-

Sin City (2005)

Don't make the mistake of confusing this Robert Rodriguez film with his Spy Kids series. Your children will be in therapy for many years as a result. Sin City is an ultra-violent work of art. It's beautiful on the big screen. The tag team of Rodriguez, Frank Miller, and Tarantino did a magnificent job translating the graphic novel into a film. The characters are rich and colorful within a matter of minutes... whereas other movies can't seem to develop a character by the time the credits roll.

The violence was as creative as it was excessive. I saw things in this film that will be with me for a lifetime, and I'm ok with that. Like Kill Bill, much of the violence is so violent, that you can't help but laugh at the pure brutality of it--at least I couldn't help it. Mickey Rourke deserved at least an Oscar nomination for his role.

If you get a chance, check out the "Recut" version on Blu-Ray. It is reordered, extended, and packed with exceptional special features.I can't wait for Sin City 2 coming out in 2013. I'm nervously optimistic at the very idea, yet terrified it will somehow tarnish the original, like the two Matrix sequels did to their originator.

Rating: A+

Snatch (2000)

Guy Ritchie at the top of his game following his brilliant "Stock, Lock, and Two Smoking Barrels". Complex characters and story are effortlessly blended for our amusement. It's a very funny, very violent film.

A second viewing of Brad Pitt's gypsy slugger reveals my initial instincts were right: He should have been nominated for an academy award for this role. Too bad it's the kind of performance that NEVER gets recognized by Hollywood. He's quite brilliant.

Rating: A-

Traffic (2000)

This was an interesting portrayal of drug culture in today's world. The film had a real gritty, realistic mood to it, and the various characters slowly blend together into a complete story. The best thing about the picture was the solid cast of actors.

Rating: B