Kill Shot (2008)

 

Did the Weinstein's really think this was worth producing. It's not terrible, but it's definitely bland. Feels like you're watching a B action movie from the 1990's starring Steven Seagal. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was the stand out in this film.

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+

Let Him Go (2020)

It’s a slow burn with a sense of tension and dread that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore. This takes trouble with the in-laws to another level. 

Rating: C+

Under The Tuscan Sun (2003)

Delightful. Really enjoyed the cinematography and story. I passed through Tuscany on my travels in Europe, but seeing this film makes me want to go back and spend more time. 

Rating: B

Man Of Steel (2013)

This movie should be called Total Destruction, because it destroys nearly everything on screen. Superman cries out in anguish over killing the main bad guy, not giving a thought to the thousands of people he accidentally snuffed out while fighting said bad guy. So yeah, it’s your typical superhero movie. They did a good job on the backstory though.

Rating: C

Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016)

I had no intention of seeing this since the entire concept seemed stupid. Superman is invincible. Batman is some dude in a suit. Pretty obvious how this would play out. However, I wanted to see Suicide Squad and discovered it was the third in a series, so I watched Man Of Steel and now this one.

The opening of BvS addressed one of my chief complaints about Man Of Steel and superhero movies in general—they always seem to destroy more stuff and kill more innocent people than if they’d just let the bad guy do his thing. So I liked that this was Bruce’s motivation for wanting to take out Superman.

My expectations for this film were very low. I gave Man Of Steel a ‘C’ and I predicted this would be worse. It wasn’t. BvS had more flair. The plot was more interesting. Sure, it came down to a big fight between the two costumed men at the end, but I guess that’s a requirement of the genre.

I watched the 3 hour extended version, which still felt like a lot had been edited out. I wasn’t bored and felt entertained most of the time. No small feat.

Rating: C+

Jumper (2008)

Cool premise for a movie, but I had the distinct impression that a good portion of the book was missing from the screen. The movie should have started with him at age 5, when he made his first jump. It should have more thoroughly explained why his mother left, and how she became involved with the jumper hunters, or whatever they call them.

Why are they trying to kill the jumpers anyway? I mean, besides the ridiculous reason they provided in the movie. A lot of potential, but it lacked foundation. Sometimes we want a little more plot with our action. Don't shortchange us.

Rating: C

Inside Out (2015)

A cute Pixar release from the perspective of the inside of a little girl’s brain. Her emotions are represented by different characters on a control deck. It’s a novel idea and fairly well composed. Not quite to the level of early Pixar work, but definitely entertaining.

Rating: C+

Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982)

As a fan of grrl punk, I was drawn to this early 80's film depicting the difficult journey fictional band The Stains take to reach stardom. Courtney Love calls it the best film ever made. That's awfully high praise to be given to any movie, let alone this one, but then again, she's a stupid junkie and terrible mother.

The real treat is seeing a young Diane Lane and Laura Dern at the beginning of their careers, rocking out on stage in shocking outfits with wild hair. I wish they had been given more material to sing, rather than the same two songs over and over again. This isn't "That Thing You Do" after all. I imagine most working musicians will relate to this film on a very personal level. The rest of us will simply be entertained.

Rating: C+

Murder At 1600 (1997)

I'm not a big Wesley Snipes fan, but this was a pretty decent action flick. I'll admit, I could have done without seeing that old mans flabby, white butt at the beginning though.

Rating: C