I didn’t think I’d ever look forward to a BARBIE movie, but…
“Nobody’s going to beach anyone off.” I didn’t think I’d ever look forward to a BARBIE movie, but… AIR ★★★☆☆
Director: Ben Affleck (LIVE BY NIGHT, THE TOWN). Starring: Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker. Entertaining in an Aaron Sorkin kinda way, which is both a good and bad thing. The more you think about AIR the more shallow it feels (apart from the profit sharing idea). There’s an underdog, against the ropes vibe, but with a billion dollar corporation, er… THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE ★☆☆☆☆
Directors: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic. Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Khary Payton, Seth Rogen. What an empty experience. Who is this aimed at? I doubt my 4-year old self world have been satisfied. Believe it or not, the Bob Hoskins 1993 movie is better, and that’s saying something. This isn’t in the same league as THE LEGO MOVIE. KILL BOKSOON ★★★★☆
Director: Sung-hyun Byun (THE MERCILESS). Starring: Jeon Do-yeon, Esom, Hwang Jung-min, Koo Kyo-hwan, Sol Kyung-gu. Observations on corporate monopolies and raising a family are wrapped in a compelling assassin action-thriller from South Korea. The fisticuffs remind of the recent SHERLOCK HOLMES blockbusters, where the lead plays out brawls until she succeeds. The office politics of contract killers is portrayed with a piquant menace. DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES ★★★★☆
Directors: John Francis Daley, Jonathan Goldstein (GAME NIGHT, VACATION). Starring: Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Justice Smith, Sophia Lilis, Regé-Jean Paige, Hugh Grant. Fun and funny fantasy action epic. Rattles along at pace, without wasting time and patience on the rules of the realm. A real blast of a blockbuster, from a pudgy homicidal dragon to winsome leads continually failing yet persevering nonetheless. THE LAST OF US [season one] ★★★★☆
The pilot episode underwhelmed. Then the show delivered thrills after thrills, married to deft character work in spades. Upping the subgenre, fungus zombies are more dangerous than their normal counterparts. You know a series is delivering when you crave the next episode after each one ends. The two leads are superb, and are surrounded by an excellent cast. 65 ★☆☆☆☆
Directors: Scott Beck, Bryan Woods. Starring: Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, Chloe Coleman, Nika King. Adam Driver’s lead crash-lands on Earth 65 million years ago. He has to reach a lifeboat while avoiding dinosaurs. Not even cheesy B-movie thrills. So many underwhelming creative choices. Murky cinematography, crummy action, random sci-fi tech. Re-watch PITCH BLACK instead. SCREAM VI ★★☆☆☆
Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, Tyler Gillett (SCREAM, READY OR NOT). Starring: Melissa, Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Dermot Mulroney, Skeet Ulrich, Josh Segarra, Liana Liberato, Devyn Nekoda, Samara Weaving, Tony Revolori, Hayden Panettiere, Courteney Cox. A tired, violent soap opera desperate for twists and connections. Even more annoying call-backs than TOP GUN: MAVERICK. SCREAM 3-6 are lacklustre. (Here, commendable on the cast diversity.) The directors' READY OR NOT is in another league. CREED III ★★★★☆
Director: Michael B. Jordan. Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Joanthan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Wood Harris, Mila Davis-Kent, Jose Benavidez, Florian Munteanu, Phylicia Rashad. What boxing choreography! CREED I-III are better than ROCKY I-VI. This spin-off franchise really goes for the guts emotionally. Forgiveness, drive, redemption, the important stuff. JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 ★★★★★
Director: Chad Stahelski (the JOHN WICK trilogy). Starring: Keanu Reeves, Donnie Yen, Ian McShane, Lance Reddick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Scott Adkins, Natalie Tena, Clancy Brown, Bill Skarsgård, Laurence Fishburne. Surely a contender for the greatest action movie of all time? See this at the best screen you can. The battle orchestration is mind-blowing, the sound design is brain-rattling, the LAWRENCE OF ARABIA matchstick gag is hilarious. My review: http://www.filmaluation.com/john-wick-chapter-4.html |
This website is written by Hemanth Kissoon.
Filmaluation is dedicated to arts culture, with a particular focus on film. I care about intelligence, quality and entertainment. Need some movie and TV show recommendations? See the drop down to the right of the Home tab. Enjoy. The vital ambitions of art and entertainment: - Perceptiveness - Illumination - The unexpected - Innovation Brains and soul are key; but adrenaline junkies do not fret, there is also much love for an experience that delivers a sucker-punch to the guts via stunningly delivered thrills. Noun, “filmaluation”: The evaluation of a film Verb, "to filmaluate”: To evaluate a film I am well aware how difficult it is to make a film, put on a stage play, create a television show, write a novel, let alone make something of note. (That appreciation doesn’t stop me from having high standards though.) This online magazine is edited by Hemanth Kissoon. Filmaluation is owned by Filmaluation Limited (Company number 8549302. Registered in England and Wales) Archives
May 2024
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