Avatar: Fire And Ash (2025)

 

That was a marathon to get through. I feel less connected to each Avatar film that comes out. The storytelling in this one felt tired. The characters aren’t as engaging. Monkey Boy was kind of annoying. I heard there might be two more coming. Don’t really care either way at this point. 

Rating: C

Terminator Salvation (2009)

 

Just because 3 movies, a TV series, and a theme park ride have paved the path before you, doesn't mean you get to skimp on character development and story. Salvation dives right in, as if the audience has been waiting anxiously for the next installment.

Lots of robots and explosions with little to make the audience care who lives or dies. This is what your get when MCG is directing. His style may suit the Charlie's Angels crowd, but it's not suited for anything with depth.

Rating: D

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

Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

Nothing particularly original in the first half of the film. The second serves as a grim reminder of how ugly, stupid, and pointless war is. Nice to see a person of faith respected in a film for a change, even if it’s at the hands of Mel Gibson.

Rating: C

Everest (2015)

I’ve never understood the lunacy of wanting to climb Mt. Everest. Then again, I run ultramarathons, and people say the same thing about long distance runners. I get the sense of accomplishment that comes from doing something hard, but the risk of life is just too great to be worth it.

The movie itself does a good job of walking the casual viewer through what it’s like to prepare for and hike Mt. Everest. The story is compelling and a bit depressing.

Rating: C+

The Great Raid (2005)

A slow moving war movie that doesn't pick up until the actual raid in the title. The characters fall flat, the storytelling is mostly one-sided, and the tone is very depressing. Skip it.

Rated: D

Texas Killing Fields (2011)

I downloaded this by accident, thinking I was acquiring The Killing Fields, so I didn’t know anything about the film going in. It’s a Texas crime mystery/drama. However, once I saw Chloe Moretz, I knew everything would be ok. I trust her judgment implicitly for the time being.

Nice cinematography work. There is an unnerving tone throughout the movie. It held my attention to the end. Turns out this is a Mann Family project, with Michael Mann producing, his daughter Ami Canaan Mann directing, and her half-sister Aran Reo Mann as the production designer. While the film didn’t blow me away, it’s definitely worth seeing.

Rating: C+

Clash of the Titans (2010)

I have faint memories of seeing the original as a kid. They showed a trailer for it at the beginning of the Blu-Ray. Wow does it look terrible. This new version may look like a CGI wet dream gone awry, but it definitely looks a heck of a lot better than its stop motion for-bearer.

I thought mythology was a bunch of boring nonsense when I was in school, and my opinion hasn't changed as an adult. It's hard to get behind such a ridiculous story. If there's one thing Clash of the Titans does well, it's reminding people what a fantastic feat Peter Jackson did with the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and how easily it could have been a pile of bloated effects and shallow characters. Case in point: This movie.

Rating: D-

Man On A Ledge (2012)

This thing had more loose ends than the attendees of a prune festival. Like a bad episode of an average police drama. Surprised they were able to score so many competent actors for this project. Guess that’s what happens in a down economy. You got to take work where you can get it. Lame.

Rating: D-

Avatar (2009)

Visually, it's unlike anything we've ever seen before. I saw it in 2D, as I'm yet to be convinced 3D makes the viewing experience better. Life in the new world James Cameron creates is fun and interesting. Certainly more exciting than the unplugged world within the film. Acting and story outside of Pandora are bland and wooden. Go see Avatar for what's over the rainbow, not below it.

Rating: B-

The Debt (2010)

Stellar cast and an interesting story. BUT, I felt the film needed some editing and some tweaking in the third act. There was suspense and nice pacing in the first hour, but things lost momentum till the end. Could have been better.

Rating: C