Sinners (2025)

 

I enjoyed the first half, discovering the character layers of the twin brothers. Music was used to great effect in the film as well. The vampire part felt disconnected from the first half. This would have been a much better film if it were simply the Klan versus the twin brothers and their crew. No vampires. 

Rating: C

Begin Again (2013)

 

I love John Carney films because they make you feel like you’re a part of the music creating process. You get to be entertained by the story and hear some great tracks. Reminded me in some ways of his recent Flora & Son. 

Rating: C+

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-

Bumblebee (2018)

The reviews on this were quite complementary, which tricked me into seeing it. Maybe this Transformers offshoot had a bit more storytelling than the rest of the franchise, but that didn’t make it any more watchable. The acting wasn’t great. The plot was Zzzzz. Dialogue was cheeseball. Action was ridiculous and trite. Best thing going for it was the soundtrack.

Rating: D-

Pitch Perfect 2 (2015)

Epic failure. The movie was so desperate to be funny, but of course wasn’t. While the first was based on a book with fleshed out characters and a solid storyline, the sequel hoped that propping up those same characters would make magic strike twice. It didn’t. The only thing that made the movie somewhat bearable was Keegan-Michael Key.

Rating: D-

3 Days To Kill (2014)

Some Luc Besson flourishes helped make things interesting, but McG direction couldn’t elevate the material to a higher level.

Rating: C

Ender’s Game (2013)

I read this series when I was a kid, but forgot almost everything. Consequently, I was able to enjoy the movie on its own merits, rather than comparing it to the book. These children-in-charge movies are all the rage lately, what with the Harry Potter, Twilight, and Hunger Games franchises leading the way. Ender’s Game follows a similar path, however I think it will appeal to adults a bit more than the others.

The actor playing Ender did a great job. Perfect casting. I could do without Han Solo, but whatever. Some good scenes about how to deal with bullies and be a leader in difficult situations. The action sequences are mostly simulated, so this is something you could take the entire family to. I was engaged the whole film and enjoyed it.

Rating: C+

True Grit (2010)

Chalk this one up as a win for the Coen Brothers. A classic western tale retold through a dark, funny, gritty lens. The acting is brilliant across the board. Terrific job casting. I loved the quick witted dialogue of the young heroine. Bridges is a wonder to behold. Equal to, if not better than his washed up country singer role last Oscar season. I wasn't overwhelmed by the slow ending, but everything leading up to that was excellent.

Rating: B+