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Marvel v DCEU
Just as an example, both Black Panther and Spider-Man are fairly flawed guys trying to figure out what the best thing is to do. What are Superman and Wonder Woman's flaws? How are they relatable? Even worse, when they do try to make Superman more compelling they turn him into a murder machine. Which is a total betrayal of the character. Superman is not a killer. He's the definition of a Boy Scout but, I guess some film makers don't know how to do that portrayal?
In any case, I suspect audiences simply find a Spider-Man to be more compelling a character to watch than a Wonder Woman.
Reviews
We Live in Time (2024)
Time Could be Spent Cleaning Dish While This Plays
We Live in Time is a film that feels like it exists in the space between forgettable and passably entertaining. It doesn't offer anything groundbreaking, but it's not offensive either. The movie centers around a love story, with the added wrinkle of one partner having cancer, a well-trodden cinematic path. The only "twist" is the film's decision to tell the story out of chronological order-a narrative device that has been done before, and here, it does little to enhance the experience.
These time shifts serve as the film's only notable structural choice, but even they don't add much. If anything, they prevent the film from feeling too predictable, sparing the audience from the monotony of following a romance that hits all the usual beats: meet-cute, initial joy, conflict, breakup, reconciliation, tragedy. In this case, the tragedy comes in the form of illness, as one half of the couple gets cancer-an all-too-familiar scenario that doesn't require much imagination to forecast. The film merely shuffles around these moments, but no matter what order they're presented in, the outcome remains the same, and the emotional impact never quite lands as deeply as it should.
Despite the film's potentially heavy subject matter, there's an almost casual indifference to the emotional weight it tries to carry. It's not that the performances are bad or that the direction is sloppy; it's just that nothing about it sticks. You may feel a twinge of emotion here and there, but an hour after the credits roll, it all fades. A month later, you'll likely struggle to remember even the basic plot.
For all its shortcomings, We Live in Time might find its niche as a background movie-a companion for mundane tasks like cleaning the house or doing laundry. It's the kind of film that doesn't demand much attention, and in return, it doesn't give much back. It simply fills the space with a familiar rhythm and a soft, forgettable story. That's not to say it's without merit, but it's certainly not a film you'll be rushing to rewatch or recommending to friends.
Ultimately, We Live in Time is one of those films that's perfectly fine for what it is: a mildly engaging story that drifts by without making much of an impression. It's a film you won't mind having seen, but just as quickly, you won't mind forgetting.
Saturday Night (2024)
Saturday Night's Alright
Elton John may have sung that "Saturday night's alright for fighting," but it turns out it's even better for comedy-at least that seems to be part of the thinking behind the creation of Saturday Night Live. Though, let's be honest, that was low on the list of reasons.
This film about the very first episode of SNL might not be the most accurate depiction of history, but it sure knows how to entertain. Despite featuring paper-thin characters, ludicrous moments (seriously, no comedy writer gets hired five minutes before a show starts-I'm calling BS on that), and yes, even a cameo involving Milton Berle's penis (Not joking), it somehow manages to pull it all off.
Uh, that is pull the movie off, not Milton.
Speak No Evil (2024)
More Suspense, Than Horror But Good Whatever The Label
What exactly is a horror movie? I thought I knew, but after seeing Speak No Evil, I'm no longer sure. For me, horror should at least incorporate some supernatural elements or depict a relentless evil. While the antagonists in this film are certainly disturbing, they don't rise above the kind of malevolence you'd find in a solid crime drama. If anything, Speak No Evil is more of a suspense film-a label it would surely have earned in the days of classic Hollywood.
Speaking of classic Hollywood, I understand that this was originally a European film with a much darker ending. As is often the case, the filmmakers in LA have reshaped it to cater more to American tastes. I must admit, while I haven't seen the original, I prefer this version's resolution. I guess I'm more of a softy than I realized.
In any case, this is an extremely well-executed film that maintains a consistently unnerving atmosphere without veering into the territory of the typical slasher flick, complete with the guy with the axe hunting teenage campers. Achieving a sense of menace while keeping the body count low is no minor feat, and I hope more filmmakers take note of this approach.
White Bird (2023)
White Bird Is A White Wash
"White Bird" feels a bit like a glossed-over version of history. If you didn't know much about the real events, you might leave thinking the average German was just as much a victim of the Nazis as the Jews. And let's not even get started on the portrayal of the brave priest.
That said, for the target audience-mostly junior high students-this coming-of-age story about a girl in Nazi-occupied France is decent enough.
At least it's better to have an oversimplified view of Nazism than to ignore or rewrite history, which seems to be what too many people prefer nowadays.
One hopes the graphic novel this film is based on did a better job though.
Look Into My Eyes (2024)
What We Do In The Shadows of Pain
In the film *Look Into My Eyes*, a doctor consults a psychic to help her process the death of a little girl who died in her ER. Is this seemingly intelligent woman deluded? Are any of the clients who seek out those who profess to have otherworldly powers out of their minds for doing so? And what about these so-called magic people? Do they truly believe in their ability to speak with the dead and see into the future? The film doesn't ask.
Instead, this documentary on psychics who work around Manhattan doesn't judge its subjects. Rather, the viewer is simply presented with people (most of whom are frustrated, if not failed, actors) who are as confused and hurting as anyone who feels the need for supernatural guidance.
Personally, I appreciated the lack of judgment throughout the picture. By not putting anyone on the defensive, we are allowed to glimpse this world with the mask off. None of the clairvoyants seem confident in their alleged powers. They all express doubt. One man is devastated when his attempt to read someone fails spectacularly, appearing genuinely hurt when his talent falters.
In fact, the sadness throughout the film is hard to miss. As the movie reaches its conclusion, one thing becomes clear: we all carry a lot of trauma, and some of us are willing to try anything to resolve it. Humans don't want to believe that bad things happen just because they happen. We are desperate to make the incomprehensible make sense. And people don't care if you have to fabricate answers to give them that solace. After all, which would you prefer: a world where a little girl is shot dead and that's the end, or one where her death is the beginning of a brand new adventure?
Of course, death is death. No, you don't go on to other things when you take your last breath. But while that may be the truth, the truth doesn't always set you free.
Between the Temples (2024)
Retro Filmmaking Done Well
The first thing, and really only thing, one should know about this film before they see it is it's a straight up homage to 70s film making. This means there are certain camera choices and character behaviors that won't bother you in the least if you are into that era of movie making. However, if you are not familiar the genre or out right hate it, this is not the film for you.
The last film I saw do this retro style was the 2023 Paul Giamatti movie, The Holdovers. If you enjoyed that movie, you likely will enjoy this. Or least you shouldn't hate it.
Between the Temples tells the story of a Cantor who clearly needs a psychologist but who everyone else seems to think just needs to get laid. One day, he meets his former music teacher who wants to get back to her Jewish roots and get a bat mitzvah. What's a bat mitzvah? Think of it as a coming of age party. But honestly, you do not need to know a thing about Judaism to get what's happening here. Since the films only true religion is cringe. There are scenes right from the top to almost the end that are absolute flinch inducing. All realistic but embarrassing as hell.
This is a small heart felt little movie that should be enjoyed by those in the right mindset.
Blink Twice (2024)
A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste But Worse To Manipulate
A quick look at what folks are saying about this film makes it pretty clear that the ending is the most controversial thing about it. I won't give away how the film ends but I do want to address it here.
Now, obviously, one feels how one feels and there is nothing I can say to change that. However I do want to defend the choice the filmmakers made. From the very beginning a certain character has very little power over her life. She doesn't even have toilet paper when we first see her. The conclusion of her story allows her to have guaranteed access to massive wealth that wasn't going to exist if she pursued legal action. Indeed, the legal route in no way meant she would win it. A point made after the women discover what is happening.
Is it gross that this means she has to spend her days looking into a face of a scumbag? Sure, but women make those choice every day. Just ask Melania Trump. At least our hero gets to be in charge.
Okay, with that out of the way, this is a solid film. Not great. But sold. I don't think the characters are as developed as they should be. I did not fully understand what motivated Geena Davis, who seems to be willingly playing into brother's sick game with no benefit to herself that I could see. And speaking of her brother, Channing Tatum makes comments in the film that, if they lead anywhere, I totally missed it. Like, what was that business of him not having memories until he was ten years old? I didn't get it.
But, none of that ruined my over all feeling for the film. It's good.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Reviewer Proof
If there is any film released this year that movie goers were going to see regardless of what Rotten Tomatoes thought, this would be it. The ghosts of Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel could not stop audiences from seeing this thing. Hell, nothing short of nuclear war or Madame Web type of word of mouth could prevent D & W from being a huge hit.
With that said, I can't imagine anyone enjoying this who isn't already some sort of Marvel super fan. I mean, I like Marvel movies but there were tons of references in this flick that I didn't get and had to look up when I got home. Personally, I didn't like homework when I was in school. I certainly don't want it in my cinema experience. Of course, as I mentioned, this is a huge box office success so I might be in the minority on that. In any case, I did laugh at the jokes I did get. And I'm enough of a Marvel head to wonder why Loki's supporting cast is in this but Loki isn't. Other than that, all I can say is, if picture is fondly remembered (or remembered at all) in a decade I would be very surprised.
Longlegs (2024)
Not a leg to stand on
Did you know, that if you want to avoid evil visited upon your family you just a have to have a boy or a girl who doesn't play with dolls. Or better yet, have no kids at all, you'll be safe as rain.
I don't know what movie other folks are seeing but it wasn't the one on my screen. Yes, the performances are solid and the directing is excellent but the story? Sweet Jesus (can I bring him up?) is predictable and stupid. The picture starts off strong with a surprise death but after that, well. Let me just say if you can't guess what's going to happen the rest of the time, especially to that family we see introduced then you don't see enough movies. The moment our heroine meets those people I knew instantly how this picture was going to end.
And that's not the only thing you can see coming a mile away. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't but I will say this, if this movie sacred you then please for your own safety don't enter the New York City subway system. You'll have a GD heart attack.
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
Ugh. Just Ugh.
The first time I was exposed to this director's work was when I went to see his 2015 picture, The Lobster. That movie was a revelation to me. But only in the sense that it revealed how much I could freaking hate a movie. Truly and deeply did not care for that film. But time passed and the filmmaker, Yorgos Lanthimos continued to work. It seems my bad mouthing of Lobster to anyone within earshot nine years ago did nothing to harm his career.
And so, he got to make The Favourite. Despite reservations on my part at even going near the theater that would show something put together by him, I went and liked this particular motion picture very much. No, all was not forgiven. Not by a long shot. However, I was now less likely to day dream of hitting Yorgos in the face with a pie filled with horse excrement. Which is high praise in my book.
My new found non-hate got me down to the movie house to see his next bit of cinema, Poor Things. I found that experience to be delightful.
Of course, this all means my guard was down when I went to see Kinds of Kindness. Reader, let me state this as clear as I can. I didn't kind of hate Kinds of Kindness, I despised it at The Lobster like levels. This series of short flicks about god knows what was just so much hot garbage. I withdraw my previous goodwill and now will spend the remaining days of Summer of dreaming of equine revenge.
Hundreds of Beavers (2022)
Dumb And Fun
Charlie Day, most famous for the TV show Always Sunny In Philadelphia, once did a movie where his character has no dialogue. From what I recall of the clips I saw, he was trying to go for a silent film era type comedy. According to the critics, he failed spectacularly. Fortunately, his missteps would appear to be absent from this hilarious black and white picture that properly captures the humor of silent films. Every gag here pretty much lands and the filmmaking is truly top notch. The picture is not rated but not all of humor is G rated but, depending upon how sensitive a parent is to their child knowing sex exists, this could be film for the whole family to enjoy.
By the way, I've seen this described as a supernatural epic. You might find it epic but supernatural makes it sound like it's The Blair Witch Project. Of course, it's far from that. It's straight up silly comedy with people running around in the snow wearing beaver suits. It's just pure stupid fun.
Thelma (2024)
A Very Good Film
My mother once got a phone call from a man saying his was her grandson. When she asked why he sounded so different he said he had been in a car accident and that he needed money because he was in jail. My mother told him she had no money and because she was handicapped she was unable to just get out to the bank and bring him cash.
The man hung up. Of course, this person was not my nephew and when our mother told my sister and I what happened we flipped our lids. This was not the first time our mother got calls from strangers trying to get dollars out of her and each time she would mention she was blind and living alone. She could not understand that telling these stranger that information only made her more vulnerable. She had a device on her phone announcing the number of who was calling her. If she didn't recognize it she should not answer it and if any of us call her asking for some bread she should hang up and call us back to check if it was really us.
I'm not sure we ever got through to her. The protagonist in this movie, Thelma, though, understands her situation when she is a victim of one of these scams and she makes sure she doesn't stay a victim. I really liked this movie and hope more people see it. It not only covers a real life issue but it's a top notch movie.
Tuesday (2023)
Tuesday, Who Can Hang Name On You?
Is it weird to think a movie is good but still dislike it? Because that's my stand on Tuesday. The acting is good. The filmmaking is well done. The screenplay is fine. I just could not be less interested. I found this deep meditation on death to be a total bore.
Perhaps I had the wrong expectation going in? I knew the basic plot, a sick girl is visited by death in the form of a bird and the girl's mother, already handling her child's illness poorly, does not react well to the whole situation. Does this sound like a dark comedy? A serious drama? A fantasy film? To me, it sounded interesting, whatever genre it fit in. But in actual viewing I discovered the only label I would come up with is dull. Dull, Dull. Dull.
On a side note, this now is the second film this year I've seen where a woman becomes a giant (The first was Love Lies Bleeding). I'm not sure what to make of this. Is this a trend of some sort? Are directors into giantess porn and it's spilling over into their mainstream work? I'm confused by this.
The Fall Guy (2024)
Deserved Better
I actually watched the tv show on which this show is based. Other than having Lee Majors in it I remember almost nothing about it. Well, no. I do remember one more thing. Every week the show tried to find an excuse to get as many stunts before eyeballs as possible.
This movie very much knows this and takes up the challenge to great effect. That's not to say the film couldn't have done with a few less stunts and bring the movie in at a shorter running time. In fact, the movie's main weakness is that there is entirely too much of it. If ever a picture could benefit from the phrase, "leave them wanting more" its this one.
Having said that, this is a very solid pic and its a shame that it died at the box office. Perhaps history will be kinder to it?
Challengers (2024)
Noir But Not
There is film out there that I liked a lot called Chuck and Buck. The picture had all the markings of a slasher film but with none of the violence or horror. I found that twist, or lack of it, every interesting.
Well, one gets a similar vibe from Challengers. It's not a slasher film with out slashing but I found it to be a film noir without the noir. The picture straight up has a femme fatale. It has horny guys allowing themselves to be used by a crafty woman. I mean, the elements for noir are all there. However, nobody is murdered. Nobody is bumped off. You don't even see a gun. Everyone goes as far as one would in this situation like real people and not like you would find in movie like, I don't know, Double Indemnity.
I should mention, while we get little violence here there is even less sex. Characters have sex but you see little of it on screen. Now, don't think the movie is at all chaste. You see plenty of skin. Even some full frontal shots. They just aren't female. So, if you don't want to see a movie with a lot of naked guys, you should avoid this at all costs. I mean, you'd be missing out. It's a good movie. It's just not a film your gonna find on Mr. Skin.
Love Lies Bleeding (2024)
Story Lies Bleeding
I liked this film okay but once the ending happens I laughed so hard. And I don't think the filmmakers had that response in mind. I won't give away why I laughed but if you see it, you'll know exactly when I did. For those who haven't seen it let me put it this way, think Attack of the 50 Foot Woman.
Honestly, if there is an award for movie most unsure how to end, this flick is a shoo in to win. I can't imagine what the director was thinking.
But beyond that really dumb conclusion , its a fine picture. Not great. Certainly not awesome but fine. If you can sit through a movie adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel, then you can sit through this.
Monkey Man (2024)
This is Batman but with no money
Let me state right up front that this is a very enjoyable film and as a directorial debut it's fantastic but there is nothing new here. Our main character is basically Batman with no money and India is presented as Gotham City but with more homeless.
I am taking nothing away from the picture when I say this. It's well acted and I already said the direction is top shelf. I just found it somewhat familiar. As usual, I won't get into too much detail because some folks are very touchy about spoilers. Though, I'm not sure how one can spoil this movie. It's a revenge flick. You really would have to be entertainment illiterate to not know how that is gonna end.
Problemista (2023)
Funny Movie About An Unfunny Topic
Have you ever had to deal with the red tape involved in immigrating to another country? Was that other country the US? It clearly was for writer/director Julio Torres who details in fantastical fashion the bonkers policies we have in place for immigrants who, quote, follow the rules, unquote and try and make it in America.
But as a I say, this is a fantastical depiction so the narrative is not a straight forward story and really, why would you want that? Let's leave the hard hitting news piece with jokes stuff to John Oliver.
Problemista is the most creative and funny movie I've seen so far this year and I hope folks check it out. It's really good.
Origin (2023)
A Good Flick But A Tight Fit
A fantastic miniseries stuffed into a 2 hour and 15 minute movie, Origin is the quintessential Spark A Discussion movie. Which is what is most wrong with it. The film's ideas simply don't have enough breathing room. For sure, things are well directed and laid out and the acting is very good but its hard to walk out of watching this and not feel undernourished. It's a plate of appetizers. It's not a meal.
This should not be taken as a pan. This a movie that should be seen, it's just unfortunate that the box this flick comes in is entirely too small. It would have made for a better streamer or perhaps an HBO documentary? One hopes in the future this can be revisited and given a proper platform.
Silent Night (2023)
Silent But Deadly. Deadly Boring.
John Woo is a great director of action and he proves that with Silent Night. Fists and bullets fly all over the place in this picture. On top of that the film cleverly operates almost like a silent movie. The only voices heard are on radios or TV, there is no dialogue. This conceit is pulled off effortlessly.
But with that all said, I still found this movie to be tedious. Maybe it's my old age speaking but the days when I can watch a film where one man can shoot dozen upon dozen of people while they some how manage to miss him are over. Every first shot this man makes hits his target but almost every bit of returned fire manages to go nowhere near him. Add to this our hero knowing where to put up surveillance for LA' s Most Wanted but for some reason the cops don't is too stupid by half.
Speaking of the bad guys, while I admit I'm no expert on street gangs I'm going to guess that when they doing their illegal business in their HQ it's not with the windows wide open where anybody can look in.
This is a stupid movie. But hey, sometimes, a stupid movie can be fun. But for me, Silent Night was not fun.
Anatomie d'une chute (2023)
Realistic and Entertaining Court Room Drama
Overall, a very good movie but could be leaner. There are a few scenes here that seem unnecessary to the plot. Plus, the film went on for another 15 or so minutes after the character on trial has gotten their verdict read. Things really should have wrapped up quickly after that. Instead the picture keeps going to the point that I thought for sure we were about to get a twist ending. But there is no twist, the drama just ends with someone falling asleep while hugging the family dog. Which is okay, I guess. But it seems like we could have gotten there faster.
All that aside though, I can't imagine anyone watching this flick and not finding it compelling entertainment.
The Marvels (2023)
This Is Not A Terrible Film. Its Just Not Very Good One.
The hate directed toward this film is absurd. An honest viewer can't possibly believe this is the worst film ever made or even a terrible comic book movie. Or the worst Marvel movie ever made. Folks need to get grip.
To be clear, I didn't think this was a good film. The vi8llain is a bore and the plot, at least in regards to the reason our heroes need to come to the rescue, is just not that compelling. It also doesn't make a heck of a lot of sense.
However, you don't go to films like this for coherence you go for the fun and this picture just isn't fun enough. The three leads are all fine and some of the jokes are bangers but that just isn't enough to raise this above a simple okay.
I believe there is a very funny off the hook picture in here and I wish Marvel had been able to find it.
The Holdovers (2023)
Throwback filmmaking.
Do you miss how they used to make films in the 1970s? Plenty of filmmakers do, except they take that nostalgia and just do watered down versions of better movies. As an example see Taxi Driver and King of Comedy then watch Joker and you'll get what I mean.
Thankfully, Alexander Payne has managed to take his sentimentality and make an original film out of it. Or if The Holdovers is a pale imitation of a superior picture then the filmmaker has managed to trick me because I don't feel as if I've seen this movie before but done better.
Now to be clear, there aren't things you've never seen before in the movie. I mean, you know the characters are going to bond at some point. And people will grow to care about each other. That's a given. How we get there, however, is what makes the film seem fresh and entertaining and ever bit as good as any flick made back in the day.
I hope more people see it.
Dicks: The Musical (2023)
A Would Be Rocky Horror Picture Show For A New Generation
Whether you'll enjoy this movie depends on how much you enjoy way, way over the top musicals with very adult themes. Pretty clearly the creators behind this story of 'identical twins' who are complete dicks that seek to get their estranged parents together are not aiming for mainstream success. This film is very much meant to be a cult classic along the lines of Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Personally, I found this film to be a lot funnier than RHPS. Its music though, is not near as good. Megan The Stallion's contribution not withstanding there is no number here that is as memorable as Time Warp.
Also, how funny you find the picture truly depends on how seriously you take it. I was not especially shocked by the situation the films heroes find themselves in at the pictures end but then I never bought they were ever brothers so wasn't troubled by their behavior. Others might not be able to let that plot twist off the hook.
In any case, I laughed more than I did not laugh which makes this flick enough of a success in my book.
A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Good Murderous Fun
I have not seen the recent spate of movies starring ace detective Hercule Poirot nor was I a viewer of his adventures when they aired on ITV and were rebroadcast here in America on public television. I did happen upon the 2018 TV movie The ABC Murders, however. Technically, A Haunting in Venice takes place 14 years after the events in that movie but this film, of course is not a sequel to that one. Which is too bad since they both have somewhat similar plot devices of a retired Poirot being dragged back into detective work against his will. I wonder if this common in his stories?
Whatever. I mention all of this to say, I did not go into this as a fan. The only reason I saw the film at all is that I had nothing else to do and everything else playing in the theaters right now is of even less interest to me than this picture was. So, with no high expectations going in I have to say I had a wonderful time. This is excellent Murder In A Haunted House stuff. Helped along not just by top notch acting but also by the fact that I had no idea who the murderer (or murderers) were.
That's right, Even though I never read Poirot and seen few of the filmed adaptations, I still managed to know the ending to a lot his stories. Thankfully, not the case here. I've never heard of the short story this picture takes its inspiration from and I'm all the better for it. It truly added to my enjoyment. I can only hope the same is true for everyone else who decides to give this flick a try.