The Life Of Chuck (2024)

I’m not sure what I just watched. An extended episode of The Twilight Zone? I'm confused by the timeline, because it seems the characters around Chuck didn't age. Those teachers were basically the same age as when he was a kid as when he was an adult--others too. 

And they didn't remember Chuck as a person when they crossed paths with him later. I'm assuming Act 3 all takes place in his mind while he's in a coma or some shit. It was frustratingly vague, even while the film itself was interesting. I’d hoped the third act would pull everything together. Instead the whole thing was an enigma dancing around smoke and mirrors. 

Rating: C

The Wild Robot (2024)

 

Creative and funny enough for adults to enjoy. They worked in some good messages for the kids. 

Rating: C+

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Only rabid fanboys can keep these myriad stories and timelines straight. As a casual fan of Star Wars, I couldn’t help wondering about characters’s motives and decision-making. The actions of everyone on screen either didn’t add up or walked a very clichéd line. Any single episode of The Mandalorian is more entertaining than this film.

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-

Brigsby Bear (2017)

Loved the premise. Brilliant idea. Mooney’s bizarre humor is so much better suited to the big screen than the handcuffs of SNL. Experiencing the world for the first time through his eyes was a blast. The fact that it was filmed in my home state of Utah made it even more fun. Trust me, this thing is a joy to watch.

Rating: A-

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Like most other Star Wars films, it was packed with coincidence, improbability, and lasers. Cheap thrills over content. The new droid was cute. Light speed was attained. One Storm Trooper was redeemed. The rest got massacred. Sabers were crossed.

Rating: C

Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014)

Perhaps a glimpse of what the James Bond franchise could be with some new blood behind the camera? This is a sneaky film. It presents itself as an old codger spy throwback, but in reality it’s a balls out, over-the-top, head popping splatterfest. Which is to say, I enjoyed it. Belief has to be suspended, as the plot is borderline Austin Powers crazy, but it’s a fun crazy, with Samuel J going for broke.

Rating: B-

Sushi Girl (2012)

Pointless torture with only a shallow plotline to unsuccessfully justify it.

Rating: D