Knives Out

          Yes, the knives are out but the blades are pretty dull. Even an all star cast can't save this progressively tedious "who dunit". Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the film tries hard to create an Agatha Christie atmosphere but Mr. Johnson tips his hand early and then weaves a convoluted final reveal. How can we take the mystery seriously when a major plot point involves a character who throws up when they lie?

           Films that load their cast with multiple stars usually don't really succeed and this one is no different. Chris Evans, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Craig, Toni Colette, Christopher Plummer, Ana de Armas, Lakeith Stanfield, Jaeden Martell, K Callan, and Frank Oz are all suspect, whether they are family or police. It's definitely a case of "too many cooks, spoiling the broth". Mr. Johnson has to juggle so many characters, he can't possibly give everyone their due. Daniel Craig, as a Private Investigator with a terrible southern accent, has much of the screen time and has the honor (or dishonor) of trying to explain the final plot twist.

                No one in the cast even seems to be enjoying themselves, except for Mr. Evans who is happy to shed his "Captain America" persona. Ana de Armas as the private nurse, Marta, is the least known of the cast and actually ends up with the most to do.

                If you must, wait for cable and watch it as a double feature with the most recent, "Murder on the Orient Express". It will kill YOUR evening.