The Creator

     

     Mixing elements of "District 9", "Terminator", "Ex Machina", "I Robot" and "Bladerunner", this is science fiction we've all seen before, but it's never been timelier.

     When a nuclear blast destroys Los Angeles in the near future, it sets off a war between humans and artificially intelligent robots. The United States outlaws AI and creates a flying fortress, USS NOMAD" to scour the earth looking for AI strongholds.

      John David Washington stars as Joshua Taylor, a soldier, undercover in the AI network looking for "The Creator" and the weapon it's built to destroy NOMAD. Mr. Washington brings a tremendous amount of humanity to his part and the film in general. Co-starring are Gemma Chan, Allison Janney (playing against type as a villain), Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Ralph Ineson, Michael Esper, and Madeleine Yuna Voyles as Alpha-O (or Alphie for short).

      The film is co-written and directed by Gareth Edwards. Not only does Mr. Edwards borrow heavily from the aforementioned films, but he also relies on the recent ubiquitous trope of a hero protecting a child.  And while it's got the "been there, done that" feel, the film also manages to feel fresh mostly due to Mr. Washington's heartfelt performance and the stunning visual effects.

   A.I. is here to stay and only becoming more advanced. This film, like the others that have come before it, serves as a warning of what the future may really hold for humans and robots.

    

Reptile

 

       This new Netflix drama is a throwback to the slow burn, crime story that may remind you of the atmospheric feel of "True Detective" on HBO.

       What appears to be a simple, yet brutal murder of a real estate agent turns complex and frankly pretty convoluted but still worth your time if you are a fan of the genre.

        Benicio del Toro stars as Detective Tom Nichols and Alicia Silverstone plays his wife, Judy. Justin Timberlake also stars as Will Grady, a successful real estate agent whose girlfriend is the murder victim. The film also co-stars Eric Bogosian, Ato Essandoh, Domenick Lombardozzi, Michael Pitt, Sky Ferreira, Owen Teague, Mike Pniewski, and Francis Fisher. It's a great cast, not lacking for suspects. Mr. del Toro and Ms. Silverstone are both excellent and fun to watch as they bounce ideas and theories off each other to solve the case.

        The film takes it's time with the investigation, accompanied by a moody score. The plot gets tangled up in its own twists and turns, but Mr. del Toro's magnetic presence keeps you engaged.

Flora & Son

 

   

 Written and directed by John Carney (Once, Begin Again, Swing Street), this is another comic/drama that continues his streak of hits that showcase the power of music.

     Flora is a single mom living in Dublin with Max, her rebellious teenage son. Max acts out his anger issues with petty robberies and is always getting in trouble. Flora finds an old guitar, fixes it up and gives it to Max in hopes a new hobby will help. When Max refuses the guitar, Flora decides to take online lessons to learn to play herself. 

     Sounds simple enough but Flora gets more than she bargained for from her online teacher, Jeff and her discovery of Max's true passion. The story blossoms into something more complex, heartfelt and lyrical.

     Eve Hewson plays Flora, and her star keeps rising with each onscreen appearance. Here, she has top billing, and it is well deserved for both her acting and musical talent. (I guess it doesn't hurt that her dad is Bono, of U2). Jeff, her guitar teacher is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Max is played by Oren Kinlan. Both are terrific. Jack Reynor plays Ian, Flora's Ex, and still an important figure in Max's life.

    As with all his films, Mr. Carney fills the story with great music and at least one memorable song. He always brings an honest and natural performance from his actors. The language in the film is a bit rough at times, (especially in one scene that didn't seem necessary) but realistic to the story. Dublin, itself, is a great backdrop,

     The film is in select theaters and also streaming on Apple TV+. 

     

It Lives Inside

    

    

      Another entry in the recent slate of horror movies,  "It Lives Inside" adds a new element to the tired "teens in danger" storyline. The main character is Sam, a teen girl of Indian origin who must face off against an evil Hindu spirit to protect her friends and family. In her suburban town, Sam denies her Indian origins to "blend in" at school and avoid being alienated. When she unwittingly unleashes the evil spirit possessing her friend Tamira, she must embrace her heritage to fight the demon. 

      Sam is played convincingly by Megan Suri and the rest of the cast includes Neeru Bajwa as her mother, Vik Sahay as her father, Gage Marsh as Russ, her love interest, and Betty Gabriel as Joyce Dixon, a teacher and friend.

      The film is written and directed by Bishal Dutta and while there are some genuine creepy moments, the horror tropes are pretty standard and lack any real scares. The editing is choppy at times, scenes jump from one to the next, seemingly unconnected. And while it is a horror movie, there are irrational elements to the plot that take you out of the film's reality.

      If the film does well, the ending, while definitive, does leave the door open for a sequel. Sadly, I'm still waiting for a new horror film that will send the popcorn flying out of my lap.

Dumb Money

 

 

     Based on a true story, this new film recounts the crazy story of how the "little guy" took on Wall Street Hedge Fund billionaires trading Game Stop shares. While the hedge funds were betting the Game Stop stock would fail, a group of small-time individual investors, following the advice of Keith Gill, kept buying up stock using a site called "WallStreetBets" a subredditt site managed by Robinhood.

     While he had a day job, Mr. Gill, in his spare time had his own internet site offering stock advice as "Roaring Kitty". He did a deep analysis of Game Stop and began watching the stock very closely buying up shares himself. As he gained more and more followers, the stock price began to rise and hedge fund investors looking to "short" the stock took huge losses.

     The film simplifies the story making it easy to follow even if you are stock market ignorant. I'm sure the real story is much more involved and complex, but director Criag Gillespie and writers Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo do a great job breaking it down to its core with humor and unexpected suspense.

     Paul Dano stars as Keith Gill, Shailene Woodley as Caroline, his wife, and Pete Davidson as Keith's brother, Kevin. Also starring as the Hedge fund billionaires are Vincent D'Onofrio as Steve Cohen, Nick Offerman as Kenneth Griffin, and Seth Rogan as Gabe Plotkin. Sebastian Stan and Rushi Kota play the owners of the Robinhood site that causes chaos when they shut down the trading. And while the film can't tell the story of every individual investor, America Ferrera, Anthony Ramos, Myha"la Herrold and Talis Ryder represent the "little guys" that at times, invested their life savings on the advice of "Roaring Kitty".

      The story is unbelievable but true, and the film version, which I'm sure has its fictional elements, is very entertaining. It would make a great double feature with "The Big Short".

A Haunting in Venice

       Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, this is the third film in the growing series of Hercule Poirot mysteries. Based on the Agatha Christie novel, "Hallowe'en Party", the setting is Venice for this whodunit with supernatural overtones.

      As with his other films in the series, Mr. Branagh surrounds himself with an all-star cast including Camille Cottin, Jamie Doran, Tina Fey, Kelly Reilly, Jude Hill, Riccardo Scamarcio and Michele Yeoh. Only Ms. Fey seems miscast, her performance too modern for a 1947 story.

      Her character sets things in motion when she invites Poirot to witness a seance in an attempt to discover the deception of the medium, played by Michele Yeoh. When a murder occurs during the evening, it is up to Poirot to solve the case.

      Venice itself becomes a character with gorgeous cinematography adding to the natural beauty of the city. Mr. Branagh's direction fills the story with creepy visuals, the camera swirling through dark halls, empty rooms, and hidden cellars while all the characters are locked in for the night as Poirot looks for motives and clues.

       The supernatural element may be suspect, but it's done well and adds to a darker tone than the previous films. If you enjoy the series, you will not be disappointed. If you are new to Ms. Christie's famous detective, you should find yourself, at a medium, mildly entertained.

       

The Nun 2

 

    The sequel to the surprise 2018 hit, "Nun 2" ups the terror by putting a boarding school of young girls in danger.

    Taissa Farmiga returns as Sister Irene, as does Jonas Bloquet as Maurice and of course, Bonnie Aarons as "The Nun". New additions to the cast include Storm Reid as Sister Debra, Anna Popplewell as Kate (the prerequisite young child in danger. I lost count how many times a character askes "where's Kate".) and Katelyn Rose Downey as Sophie, Kate's mom and a teacher at the school.

    A blink and you missed it horror scene from the first film justifies how the demon escaped to appear in the sequel. Director Michael Chaves creates a good sense of fear and tension in almost every scene. And many scenes reward with decent scares.

    If you are a fan, there is a mid-credit scene that ties the story to the rest of "The Conjuring" universe, technically making it the ninth film in the series.

The Equalizer 3

 

    Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua return for a third go round in this action drama. This time the film takes place in a small town outside Naples Italy. Why Mr. Washington's character, Robert McCall is in Italy remains a mystery until very late in the film.

    The plot has a unique structure, starting with McCall having already killed a number of men and apparently captured by some unnamed Italian gangsters. From there it takes a fresh breath in the story until returning to what we've come to expect in these films.

    Mr. Washington spends a great deal of time sipping cappuccino and tea at his favorite cafe, enjoying life in Altamonte, recovering from a serious wound. The action sequences are sparse but when the happen, they are intense and very violent. It's a slow burn as McCall watches the town threatened by gangsters and deciding when and how to "equalize" the situation. Meanwhile, there is a subplot about terrorists and drugs that introduces Dakota Fanning's character Emma Collins, a CIA operative. The film also co-stars David Denman. Eugenio Mastrandrea, Sonia Ben Ammar, and Remo Girone.

     It's always fun to watch Mr. Washington play this character as he methodically goes about his violent business with a cool, calm demeanor.

      

Golda

    

        

     This biographical drama is a tour de force for Helen Mirren in the title role as Golda Meir. As with pretty much any film she is in, Ms. Mirren is remarkable and carries the weight of the film squarely on her shoulders.

     The timeline for the film is an account of Ms. Meir's leadership during the "Yom Kippur War" when Israel was attacked on all sides by Egypt and Syria. Directed by Guy Nattiv, the film is straightforward and fairly dry in its retelling of that terrible time in Israel's history.

     Co-starring are Camille Cotin as Lou Kadar, Ms. Meir's personal assistant, Rami Heuberger as Moshe Dayan, Ohad Knoller as Ariel Sharon, Lior Ashkenazi as David Elazar, and in a two-scene cameo, Liev Schreiber as Henry Kissinger. 

     Ms. Mirrin's makeup is remarkable, even in closeup. And how she survived chain smoking throughout the film is beyond me. There are countless shots of her smoking and filled ashtrays. It's enough to question your own health when you leave the theater.

           There is not much new here to learn if you are familiar with the facts but if you're not, it is certainly an important time in history to watch unfold with another great Helen Mirrin performance.

Gran Turismo

     

      Forget for a moment that this is a two hour and twenty minute commercial for a Sony Playstation video game and Nissan Motors. It's based on a true story and once we get past the video game opening sequences, it becomes a high action, intense and crowd pleasing racing film.

      I've never played the video game and knew nothing about the story but was intrigued by the "true story" aspect and the racing sequences in the trailer. Much to my surprise, not only did it not disappoint but I found myself completely engaged and at times, on the edge of my seat.

      Director Neill Blomkamp seamlessly blends CGI and actual racing to deliver a high octane story about a Gran Turismo video gamer who trains to becomes a real racing car driver. The script does add some drama, time- shifting some of the actual events to heighten the intensity of the story but any film "based on a true story" will always add elements to enhance the plot.

     The cast includes Archie Madekwe, a very engaging young actor as the gamer/driver Jann Mardenborough, David Harbour as Jack Salter, the ex-driver who mentors Jann, and Orlando Bloom as Danny Moore, a marketing executive at Nissan who comes up with the idea to train gamers as real drivers. Jann's parents are played by Geri Halliwell and Djimon Hounsou and Mr. Hounsou has some geniunely emotional moments with his son.

      IMAX was made for a film like this. Try to see it in a theater on the largest screen possible with a good sound system. I saw it in a theater with Dolby sound and it was amazing. And not for nothing, you have to love a film that makes Kenny G's music an important plot point.

The Last Voyage of The Demeter

 

    

      This underappreciated horror film was adapted from a chapter entitled, "The Captain's Log" found in Bram Stoker's original novel, "Dracula". It is a period horror film taking place entirely on the ship that carried Dracula from Romania to England.

      Even though, the title "last Voyage" predestines the film, it is still a scary joyride that takes pleasure in its shocks and gore. Director Andre Ovredal heightens the suspense and tension shooting in a claustrophobic setting, keeping views of Dracula to a minimum.  Bear McCreary's atmospheric score also pairs perfectly to build the permeating sense of dread.

      When the film starts, the ship is found wrecked off the coast of England with no survivors. We then flash back four weeks to the start of the voyage. The plot is simple. Once Dracula is loose on the ship, it's only a matter of time for who dies, when and how. It was a nice surprise, though, to discover some conventions are not followed.

      The film stars Cory Hawkins, Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, David Dastmalchian, Woody Norman, and Javier Botet as Dracula. While there is obvious need for some CGI, Mr. Botet probably endured hours of make-up to play a real version of the famous vampire. And this version, Dracula is portrayed more like Nosferatu than Bela Lugosi.

      Unlike many of today's horror films (filled with teens as victims or just plain torture porn), this is a well done, throwback horror thriller that at times, actually had me on the edge of my seat.

      In other words, it doesn't suck.

Talk To Me

    

    

       This new Australian horror film has a new take on an old concept. Contacting the dead and becoming possessed has been the subject of many a horror film but this fresh take is unique and very creepy at times.

       When a group of teens use the severed hand of a medium to contact the dead by gripping the hand and saying, "talk to me" and "let me in", they become possessed.  They time the possession for ninety seconds and then break off contact with the hand. They all consider it a fun party game until something goes horribly wrong.

        Sophie Wilde stars as Mia, a teen with lots of emotional baggage and close ties to her friend, Jade, played by Alexandra Jensen and her younger brother, Riley, played by Joe Bird. Co-starring as Jade and Riley's mother is Miranda Otto. The stars and rest of the cast work hard to sell the possession concept. Ms. Wilde and Mr. Bird in particular are standouts.

        The film opens with a great first scene that promises chills to come. From there it takes its time building the story but there is a continuous creepy atmosphere throughout and a few good scary moments. And I found the ending to be an unexpected surprise.

Haunted Mansion

 

  Turning once again to one of its theme park attractions, Disney hopes to cash in on a film based on a popular ride. Unfortunately, this time, they have missed the mark. Billed as a supernatural comedy, the film is too dark for a family film and too juvenile for an adult audience.

   A strange mix of talent make up the cast. LaKeith Standfield stars as Ben Matthias, in his biggest commercial movie to date and as expected rises well above the material (Which isn't hard to do). Rosario Dawson also stars as Gabbie, a widowed mom who buys the mansion sight unseen for her and her precocious nine-year old, played by Chase W. Dixon (films like this must always have a precocious kid in danger). Rounding out the cast are Owen Wilson as Father Kent, a questionable priest, Tiffany Haddish as Harriet the psychic, Danny DeVito as Bruce, a college professor, Jamie Lee Curtis as Madame Leota, and Jared Leto (or rather his voice) as Alistair Crump, the "Hatbox" ghost.  The writers have put most of their effort in creating Mr. LaKeith's character Ben. Aside from him, the rest of the characters are just poorly written and come off dull and more lifeless than the ghosts. 

   The special effects aren't that special, but they do include characters from the theme park attraction for fan recognition. As with the ride, these ghosts are just not that scary (except possibly for the Hatbox ghost) but rather viewer friendly so there is little suspense until the film's climax. There is also little comedy with any visual humor or jokes falling flat.

   If you can wait and have the streaming service, it shouldn't be very long before it's out of the theaters and on Disney Plus.

The Meg 2: The Trench

 

    If you were a fan of the original "The Meg" and are planning to see this, bring a box of crackers with you as it's pretty cheesy. The story is silly. The stereotype villains are template. The CGI goes from decent to terrible depending on the scene and why must all these types of films have a precocious teenager?

    Jason Statham stars once again as Jonas Taylor and while he is the film's saving grace, even he seems weary fending off giant CGI sharks. The film also stars Wu Jing, Shuya Sophia Cai, Page Kennedy, Serio Paris-Mencheta (so good on TV's "Snowfall"), Skyler Samuels, and Cliff Curtis. It's an intentionally international cast to boost sales in international markets.

   The story ups the ante from the first film. There are now three Megs, a giant octopus and some amphibious, carnivorous creatures that run amok in the last third of the film. When Mr. Statham literally jumps a shark; the film is even making fun at its own expense. I will say however, there are a few intense action sequences that just might keep you engaged.

    Again, fans of the original will want to see it and if you're really bored, after seeing the big three blockbusters, you could do worse than this silly, escapist summer "popcorn" movie. And don't be surprised if a third film doesn't surface in a year or two. You can't keep a good Meg down.

     

    

Oppenheimer

 

     What can you say about Christopher Nolan's masterpiece that hasn't already been said? The film is magnificent in every respect. Written and directed by Mr. Nolan, it's his finest film to date and that says a lot. Even if you are not a history buff, the film has enough drama and energy to appeal to anyone.

     And what star power. Casting is impeccable. Cillian Murphy gives a tour-de-force performance in the title role. Robert Downey Jr. is remarkable as Lewis Strauss. Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Matt Damon, Josh Harnett, Kenneth Branagh Jason Clarke, Benny Safdie, Tom Conti, Casey Affleck, and so many others are all just amazing. 

     The script is brilliant. So much history and science to absorb yet easy to digest within Mr. Nolan's screenplay. Some scenes are not historically accurate but still make for good drama. In his typical fashion, Mr. Nolan does like to play with chronology but switches from color to black & white to help frame the different time periods.

     The visual details are incredible. Nothing is out of place throughout the various time periods. A standout is also the sound production. I almost never pay too much attention to the sound of a film, but here, the sound is so important and precise, it's like its own character.

      Long after the phenomenon of "Barbiheimer"(both highly anticipated films coming out the same day) fades, people will remember "Barbie" for its huge box office and personal triumph for Greta Gerwig, but "Oppenheimer" will be remembered as one of the greatest cinematic achievements of all time.

Theater Camp

 

             This mockumentary about a scrappy Theater Camp in upstate New York is lots of fun. The film stars Ben Platt, Molly Gordon (who stars, and co-wrote and co-directed the film), Noah Galvin, Jimmy Tatro, Caroline Aaron, Ayo Edebiri, Amy Sedaris, Nathan Lee Graham, Patti Harrison, and Owen Thiele. It also has a terrific cast of aspiring young actors who love musical theater and are all very talented in their own right.

         The film follows a particular summer at the camp when there are financial troubles looming and the staff has to prepare the kids for multiple shows where everyone is looking for the lead roles. Since there is footage of Mr. Platt and others as children at a real theater camp, it is clear that the film is loosely based on their own experiences.

          From the auditions to the teaching process, and finally to the completed shows, the film is very funny and has some terrific song and dance numbers. If you are a fan of theater and musicals in particular, this is a must see but even if you are not and yet looking for something different and very enjoyable, you can't go wrong with "Theater Camp".

Barbie

 

       

       Bizarre, surreal, and yet brilliant in its execution, Barbie is both fun and funny but definitely not for young kids. Make no mistake about it, after about the first 30 minutes in Barbieland, Barbie becomes self-aware and the film takes a very real adult turn.

       Themes of self-awareness, existentialism, hierarchical power, patriarchal vs matriarchal society as well as what defines femininity as well as masculinity flow throughout the film. Director and co-writer (along with Noah Baumbach) Greta Gerwig has found an amazing way to bring the famous doll to life in both an entertaining and yet thought provoking way.

       Margot Robbie could not be better as "stereotypical" Barbie. She not only has the perfect Barbie shape but the intelligence and emotional depth to bring the doll to life. Ryan Gosling, as "stereotypical" Ken is also perfectly cast. Not only does he have the look Ken requires but he is very funny and gets a chance to show off his singing and dancing chops.

       Co-starring as other Barbies are Issa Rae, Kate McKinnon, Dua Lipa, Alexandra Shipp, among others. Besides Mr. Gosling,  some of the other Kens are played by Kingsley Ben-Adir, Simu Liu, Scott Evans and John Cena. Michael Cera plays Allen, Ken’s best friend. And in the real world, America Ferrera, Arianna Greenblatt and Will Ferrell play key roles. Rhea Perlman has an important cameo and Dame Helene Mirren is the film's narrator.

       Much of the humor is self-effacing, and many of the jokes come at Mattel's expense. There are many funny lines and visual humor as well. But throughout, the film does manage to sneak in its serious themes. The set design of Barbieland is incredible and the transition technique to bring Barbie and Ken into the real world is very clever. All the visuals are eyepopping and accompanied by a terrific score and songs.

         Kudos to Ms. Gerwig for finding a perfect balance of entertainment and enlightenment.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

  

      

      Inevitably a plot point involving time travel makes perfect sense for this new Indiana Jones adventure as it it seeks to recapture the thrills and excitement of the original franchise. While it certainly doesn't disappoint in the action sequences, it's joy for an audience comes from the nostalgic feeling we get when we hear the familiar theme music and crack of that weathered bullwhip.

      Harrison Ford returns once again as Indiana Jones and the CGI department works their magic to "de-age" Mr. Ford for the 25 minute prequel. The effect is almost flawless and the opening sequence is quite exciting (and in an odd way mirroring a similar scene in the new Mission Impossible film). For the rest of the film, Mr. Ford acts his age and still manages to succeed in the action scenes helped by a very capable Phoebe Waller-Bridge, playing his goddaughter.

      The plot involves the hunt for two pieces of a clock like apparatus created by Archimedes that can affect time. Mr. Ford's nemesis, a Nazi scientist trying to change history, is well played by Mads Mikkelsen. The film also co-stars Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore and in cameos, John Rhys-Davies and Antonio Banderas.

      Director and cowriter James Mangold keeps the story and the action well paced, making great use of exotic locations and set pieces. There are even a few nods to the previous films in the franchise. As the fifth film in the series, it makes for a much better Indiana Jones sendoff than it's predecessor, "The Crystal Skull". And while the last third of the film could be considered "jumping the shark", it redeems itself with an excellent surprise ending.

MIssion Impossible- Dead Reckoning Part One

 

         

         Tom Cruise returns in the summer blockbuster franchise filled with more incredible stunts and action sequences. By now, fans of the franchise know what to expect in terms of action and plot and the film doesn't disappoint.

        Much has been made by now of the freefall cliff jump by motorcycle but for my money there are even more incredible moments, especially in the last sequence in the film. While the action is very satisfying, the plot is less so. Rather than face one villain or shadow organization, Mr. Cruise's nemesis this time is an sentient artificial intelligence know as 'The Entity".

         The plot revolves around finding a key that will shut off the AI. It's rather convoluted and a weakness of the film that characters have to stop and explain  plot points multiple times. It appears the filmmakers don't trust the audience enough to understand the story but the reality is, it doesn't matter since this built in audience is here for Mr. Cruise and all the action, not the story.

         Returning co-stars include Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, and Henry Czerney. New to the cast are Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, and Pom Klementieff. Ms. Atwell is a terrific addition to the cast as a thief accidently drawn into the mission and Ms. Klementieff (so good as Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy) is having a ball as an assassin protecting The Entity.

        The story jumps practically all over the world with beautiful scenery and the blend of live action and CGI is almost flawless. Directed and co-written by Christopher McQuarrie, the film delivers on it's anticipated promises but does leave the audience wanting more since it is only part one of a two part story. We will all have to wait until June 28th, 2024 to see how it all plays out.

No Hard Feelings

   

    Selling itself as a raunchy "sex comedy", "No Hard Feelings" does have its moments but for the most part plays it safe and ends up a sweet, sentimental comedy about two insecure characters finding a connection. 

     Jennifer Lawrence stars as Maddie, an Uber driver without a car who needs to make some quick money to save her Montauk home. While a ridiculous set up as a plot, she does answer an ad to "date" a 19-year-old in exchange for a car.

    Ms. Lawrence is a gifted dramatic actress who is quite adept at comedy as well.  While the premise to kick start the film is ridiculous, she makes it work and is quite funny in the role of Maddie. Her co-star as the awkward 19-year-old, Percy, is Andrew Barth Feldman, who has the difficult job of playing things straight and warding off Ms. Lawrence's sexual advances. The two develop great chemistry and the film ends on an expected and sweet note.

    The film co-stars Laura Benanti and Matthew Broderick as Percy's overprotective parents and Natalie Morales and Scott MacArthur as Maddie's best friends. Also, in minor roles are Kyle Mooney and Ebon Moss-Bachrach.

    While some may find the premise cringe worthy (it's supposed to be), Ms. Lawrence is constantly reminded of the age difference between Percy and herself, as well as continuing to question her motives. It's all played for laughs with a few genuinely funny moments.

Asteroid City

 

      Highly stylized and rather self-indulgent, this new Wes Anderson film is strictly for his fans. The casual film goer may be lured in by the extensive big name cast but will most likely find the film very weird.

     When a film has such an extensive cast, many of whom are Anderson regulars, it will, unfortunately find many of them lacking in character development. This will result in many brief cameos, and such is the case here.

     The lead actors with the most fully realized characters are Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Brayan Cranston, Jeffrey Wright, and Edward Norton. There are lest least 14 other recognizable stars in the minor roles.

     An audience may find themselves either put off or very intrigued by the structure of the film. What starts as a TV documentary about a play, then turns into a filmed version of the play but often cuts back and forth between versions. Anderson uses a bright palate of color to represent the film and black and white to represent the play. Actors play characters who play characters.

     The story, on the surface, is about a group of Junior Stargazers who come together at Asteroid City, a very, very small town in the desert to celebrate their scientific achievements, 

     Mr. Anderson, who wrote and directed the film, incorporates humor and drama in equal parts with a fine eye for detail. Nevertheless, there are puzzling elements that seem to have no rhyme or reason. It's a fun, whimsical, yet strange journey.

The Flash

 

 All of the recent DC superhero movies, this is by far, the most fun, thanks to a clever script and duo acting by star Ezra Miller.

 Mr. Miller stars as Barry Allen aka The Flash, fastest man on earth. Without revealing too much, his super speed puts him in an alternative timeline where he exists with a younger version of himself. The two must work together, with surprising help, to repair the time line and get Barry back to his own time.

 The interaction between the two is very funny at times and makes for much of the film's humor. Besides the humor, there is plenty of action and while the CGI can be excellent at times, it can also be sloppy as well (especially in the third act).

 There are some sequences that make great use of Barry's speed, slowing down everything else around him. But at other times, the CGI, especially in the battle scenes look just like a poorly done videogame. It seems director Andy Muschietti had his team save the best for the most significant CGI scenes and skimped on the less important ones.

 The film co-stars Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingstone as Henry Allen (Barry's father), Maribel Verdu as Nora Allen (Barry's mother), Keirsey Clemons as Iris West, and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/Batman (in Barry's normal timeline). Michael Keaton plays a significant role and there other a few other surprise stars as well.

It's always a problem when you play with timelines in superhero movies. Paradoxes and contradictions abound and I'm sure there will be debate over how things turn out in the end. The fun here though is in the journey, not the destination and there is plenty to enjoy.

There is a post credits scene and while fun, it doesn't add anything significant to the story (present or future). And I would also recommend seeing the film in IMAX as it looks (for the most part) and sounds great.

    

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

 

   The animated sequel to "Into the Spider-Verse" finds Miles Morales, drawn (no pun intended) once again into the Spider-Verse by Gwen Stacy aka Spider-Girl.

    This is a wild ride strictly for fans. You will be as lost as Miles becomes if you are not familiar with this world or mythology. If you are a fan, you have been anxiously awaiting this sequel and will not be disappointed.

    The animation is terrific, mixing many different styles to create a psychedelic ride through this multi-verse of Spider-characters. There are inside jokes and references to the comics throughout the film. The vocal work of it's cast is excellent matching their characters perfectly.

    Shameik Moore is Miles Morales, Hailee Steinfeld is Gwen Stacy, Brian Tyree Henry is Miles's dad, Luna Lauren Velez is his mom, Kae Johnson is Peter Parker, Jason Schwartzman is "The Spot", Issa Rae is Jessica Drew aka Spider-Woman, Daniel Kaluuya is Hobie (a British punk version of Spider-Man), and Oscar Isaac is Miguel O'Hara, Spider-Man 2099.  

     Fair warning, this is the middle film in a planned trilogy and ends "to be continued". This seems to be the new Hollywood trend as we've already seen "Fast X" to be continued and the upcoming "Mission Impossible" has Part One right in it's title.

     

  

The Boogeyman

  

  Based on a short story by Stephen King, it took three people to write the screenplay and while they try their best, they fail to bring the horror.

  When an evil spirit is released in their home, it's up to a family to battle the creature before it can claim more victims. The film stars Chris Messina as the widowed therapist with two daughters. Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair play his daughters. The film also co-stars LisaGay Hamilton, Marin Ireland, and David Dastmalchian.

  Director Rob Savage does an admirable job creating the spooky atmosphere, creepy score and  has a committed cast but ultimately produces a generic horror film filled with stereotypical elements that lack true horror.

About My Father

  

    This new comedy co-written and starring Sebastian Maniscalco is a 90 minute therapy session that ends with Mr. Maniscalco's better understanding of his father. His stand-up routines about his father are very funny but unfortunately they don't translate well in this loosely based but fictionalized version of his life.

   Mr. Maniscalco plays a version of himself and for the most part is the straight man in the film or the recipient of a joke. Robert De Niro plays his father and he gets the best lines and comic reactions. If you've seen the trailer, then you have already seen the best bits and what's left is a sappy, sentimental, not very funny, comedy about family.

   The film also co-stars Leslie Bibb, Anders Holm, David Rasche, and Kim Cattrall. Their characters are all stereotypes and almost everything in the film rings of a false note.

   A major disappointment, Mr. Maniscalco should stick to stand-up or acting in someone else's films. I also can't understand why the studio didn't release the film on Father's Day weekend which may have helped the marketing.

Fast X

     

       Family. Remember that word. This latest installment in the "Fast & Furious" franchise is so packed with action sequences that it becomes mind-numbing and you forget there is a story buried in there somewhere. But every fifteen minutes or so, the screenwriters will remind you. Family. It's all about family.

      By this chapter, I think fans have come to realize it's about family but for anybody new to the series and drawn in by the trailer, the filmmakers want to make sure you understand that. It's about family. Did I mention that?

      As the 10th installment, writer Justin Lin and his co-writers Dan Mazeau and Zach Dean pull their plot together from every other film in the franchise. They overstuff the story with even more impossible stunts and appearances (in one way or another) of every actor who has ever appeared in the franchise.

      Vin Diesel returns as Dom Toretto along with all the other characters fans know so well. Jason Momoa is the villain seeking revenge against Dom and his family. Oh yeah, it's about family. While Mr. Diesel seems to never age, the same can be said for the rest of his team but their "schtick" is getting old. Mr. Momoa, on the other hand, breathes fresh life in his role as a gleefully psychotic villain.

       The action is pretty much non-stop and the story takes us around the globe with stops in Rome, Portugal, Rio, Los Angeles, and even a surprise location. There is a cameo by a comic that many will enjoy. Personally, I don't get the appeal.

       Most fans are aware but I must warn others that this is the first of a two or even three part finale to the series, so don't expect a tidy resolution at the end.

        

SISU

 

 Destined to be a cult classic, this violent, action adventure is mind-blowing entertainment if you love watching a high body count of Nazi soldiers getting slaughtered.

  It's 1944 in the middle of rural Finland. An ex-Finnish soldier is prospecting for gold. When he strikes it rich, he must travel hundreds of miles by horseback to reach Helsinki. The only thing standing in his way is a retreating company of Nazis with a tank and a truck full of female prisoners.

  When the Nazis steal his gold, our Finnish hero spends the rest of the movie trying to get it back. It's a simple plot with minimal dialog but this is no ordinary ex-soldier. Soldiers are killed in very inventive ways. The film gets more and more gonzo as it goes along. The finale is off the charts crazy.

   The film is written and directed by Jalmari Helander and stars Jorma Tommila, Aksel Hennie, Jack Doolan and Mimosa Willamo. The minimal dialog is actually in English except for a few lines in Finnish.

    If you enjoy the genre films like "John Wick", you will love "Sisu".

   

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3

 

 

     Writer/director James Gunn sends the Guardians on their way with an epic final volume. If you are a fan of the series, you won't be disappointed.

     All the stars are back for one grand adventure to save the life of Rocket Raccoon, who, in this volume, gets a lengthy back story that figures predominantly into the plot. Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel (as the voice of Groot) and Bradley Cooper (as the voice of Rocket) and all back and still at the top of their game. Ms. Saldana as Gamora is a standout. Also returning are Sean Gunn, Elizabeth Debicki, Will Poulter (as Adam Warlock), Maria Bakalova (the voice of Cosmo the dog) and unnecessarily Sylvester Stallone (as a Ravenger captain who just seems to be out of place). The new villain is the High Evolutionary, a well-known Marvel universe villain, played here by Chukwudi Iwuji.

    The sets and visuals are amazing as usual as is all the CGI work. In Rocket's flashbacks, we find him as a young raccoon being experimented on, along with other animals, by the High Evolutionary. It's to Mr. Gunn's credit that we find ourselves getting emotional over tortured CGI animals. Some of these scenes are actually hard to watch.

    As with the previous Guardian films, the soundtrack is terrific, all the songs coming from Peter's iPad playlist. The film runs a bit long, but Mr. Gunn seems determined to throw everything into this finale. Something tells me though we haven't seen the last of most of these characters as they all still exist within the Marvel universe.

    The film looks great on the big screen and is a lot of escapist fun. It is certainly the best of the recent Marvel film releases.

     

    

Evil Dead Rise

     Nothing like a blood soaked, gore filled horror film to wake the senses. This is the fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise. It's written and directed by Lee Cronin and he infuses the series with fresh blood. (Pun intended).

      After a short prequel with a clever title shot, the story moves to an urban landscape and features a family in danger from the evil supernatural force released from the Book of the Dead. Mr. Cronin has a assembled a cast willing to be put through all sorts of indignities for the sake of "art". 

      The film stars Lilly Sullivan as Beth, Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie, Morgan Davies as Danny, Gabrielle Echols as Bridget and Nell Fisher as Kassie. Ms. Sutherland, in particular, does a terrifyingly good job as the possessed mother.

       Besides breathing new life into the "dead" series with his plot, Mr. Cronin does a fine job directing the mayhem. He uses multiple camera angles in disorienting ways to keep the audience unsettled. While the film obviously misses the iconic character Ash, there is a clever nod to him late in the film and Bruce Campbell (who played Ash) makes an audio cameo in an unusual way.

        If you're a fan of the series, you won't be disappointed. And if you like horror and are new to the series, it's a good place to start without needing any background.

Guy Ritchie's The Covenant

    

      Can't say the man doesn't have an ego putting his name above the title. Obviously it's a Guy Ritchie film. He co-wrote it, produced it and directed it. However, in this case I'll forgive the egotism as it's his best film to date.

      Forgoing his usual bombastic directing style, Mr. Ritchie shows great restraint to tell this harrowing tale of survival and the bond that grows between an American soldier and a native interpreter during the Afghanistan war.

      Jake Gyllenhaal, intense as ever, plays Sgt. John Kinley, who is seriously injured during a battle with the Taliban. Miles from his base and in Taliban controlled territory, his interpreter, Ahmed (played by Dar Salim) honors his promise to try to get Kinley back to his base. And that's not even the whole story.

       The film co-stars Antony Starr, Jonny Lee Miller and Emily Beecham.

       The battle scenes are intense and Christopher Benstead's score is a surprising and emotional choice during those moments. Mr. Ritchie handles the dramatic moments beautifully, ratcheting up the tension without overdoing it. What transpires later in the film is remarkable, in both it's suspense and heart.

       The coda at the end is heartbreaking. It will also leave you angered, which was obviously Mr. Ritchie's intent.

       

Renfield

  

     With a story by Robert Kirkman (of Walking Dead fame), you know to expect a lot of  violence and gore. This new horror comedy certainly has plenty of both but at it's core is a clever story that offers plenty of laughs and action as well.

      Nicholas Hoult stars as Renfield. Those familiar with the mythology will know that Renfield is the crazed bug eating servant of Count Dracula. In this updated version of the story, Renfield is tired of his co-dependency and tries to break free of Dracula's hold on him. At the same time he befriends a New Orleans cop, played by Awkwafina, trying to take down a local criminal organization.

       Nicolas Cage plays Count Dracula and he is clearly having a blast in the role. There is even a black & white homage to the 1931 original Bela Lugosi version of Dracula that is spot on. Mr. Cage does put his own spin on the character though and is a great deal of fun to watch.

       Mr. Hoult is just as committed to his role as Mr. Cage and shows great range as a co-dependent weakling turned action hero (with the help of eating copious amounts of bugs). The film also co-stars Ben Schwartz (perfectly cast) as the criminal son of Bellafrancesca Lobo, the crime lord, played by Shohreh Aghdashloo.

         It's definitely a crazy mix of horror, comedy and action but if you're looking for something really different, take a bite. Just don't mind all the blood.

Air

 

  

      Loosely fact-based drama detailing how Nike signed Michael Jordan to a contract that changed the company and the sports world forever.

    Directed by Ben Affleck, this fast-paced story puts a full court press on Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro and his pursuit of Mr. Jordan to sign an exclusive contract with Nike. Matt Damon is perfection as Sonny and Mr. Affleck, while directing, doubles down, playing the role of Phil Knight, the CEO of Nike and Sonny's boss.

     The film also stars Jason Bateman, Marlon Wayans, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker and as Mr. Jordan's mother, Viola Davis. While Michael Jordan is portrayed by Damian Delano Young, we only see him from the back in one particular scene. Mr. Affleck makes the choice to not focus on Mr. Jordan as a character as the film is really not about him and his image is really only shown on magazine covers and basketball video clips.

     Chris Messina plays David Falk; Mr. Jordan's agent and he has some of the juiciest scenes in the film. Of course, being the agent, he is portrayed as the "villain" of the piece, which was far from the truth, but it makes for good drama.

      The film takes other liberties with how the story actually occurred but the fictious parts all make for a better film. Backed by a strong script and a great '80's soundtrack, the film never misses a beat creating excitement and tension for the viewer, which in reality, was probably not all that exciting outside of the corporate world.

       It's fun to watch Mr. Affleck and Mr. Damon together again on screen and Ms. Davis hits a three pointer with another strong performance. Mr. Affleck keeps everything lively and thoroughly entertaining. You don't have to love basketball or even know a lot about Michael Jordan to enjoy the film. 

Spinning Gold

     

   

   This is a new docudrama based on the life and times of Neil Bogart, founder of Casablanca Records. It was written and directed by his son, Timothy Scott Bogart.

     Neil Bogart was a music industry legend, quickly rising through the business finding success first at Buddha Records with Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Isley Brothers. He later started Casablanca Records where he discovered Kiss, Donna Summer, the Village People and George Clinton's Parliament/Funkadelic.

      Rather than use archival footage, Mr. Bogart makes a bold choice reimaging those stars with many of today's artists. Wiz Khalifa plays as George Clinton, Jason Derulo plays as Ron Isley, Ledisi plays Gladys Knight, Pink Sweats plays Bill Withers, and Tayla Parx plays Donna Summers.

      Jeremy Jordan stars as Neil Bogart and he is terrific, truly inhabiting the spirit of the man. The film also stars Jason Issacs as Neil's father, Michelle Monaghan as his wife Beth, Jay Pharoah as Cecil Holmes, Dan Fogler as Buck Reingold, Peyton List as Nancy Weiss, Lyndsy Fonseca as Joyce Biawitz, Sebastian Maniscalco as Giorgio Moroder (terrible accent), Michael Ian Black as Bill lAucoin, Vincent Pastore as Big Joey, Casey Likes as Gene Simmons and Chris Redd as D.J. Frankie Crocker.

       According to Mr. Bogart, "the story is true, even the parts that aren't".  The music and insanity behind the "sex, drugs, and rock & roll" of the music business is well represented. The story itself, as directed by Mr. Bogart, is written with love for his father, faults and all. However, his personal subjectivity of his father works against him, bloating the film and creating tedious moments that an objective director would have handled better. The film runs two hours and seventeen minutes. A tighter two hour film would have definitely cut through the clutter.

        It's still a fascinating film that takes you behind the scenes of the stories of some of music's biggest stars and the man behind them. And the songs, ah the songs, faithfully recreated, are just wonderful.

        

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

 

   

    I confess, I've never played Dungeons & Dragons but the trailer for this film intrigued me. I was pleasantly surprised that the trailer lived up to the expectations. This is a fun fantasy adventure that requires no prior knowledge of D&D to enjoy. 

    The film stars Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Rege-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, and Hugh Grant. Mr. Pine makes a dashing rascal of a hero even if he is a thief. Ms. Rodriguez is his partner in crime who gets to do most of the heavy lifting in the fight scenes. Mr. Smith and Ms. Lillis  are their colleagues, a self doubting magician and a shape shifter who makes the most of her CGI abilities. Mr. Grant is the villainous con man who has betrayed his friends and fallen in with the all powerful evil Red Wizards.

    The story is actually well written for a fantasy adventure. It's heartfelt, funny, exciting and suspenseful. It's also filled with great special effects that really pop, especially in IMAX. While there are plenty of fight scenes, the violence is rather cartoonish with little blood. It's a film that the whole family can enjoy together, although there are a few scenes that may be scary or too intense for small children.

    This is a fantasy film done right and I hope the inevitable sequels hold up just as well.

John Wick: Chapter Four

     

Since this is the fourth film in the series, if you're not a fan by now, don't even bother reading any further. If trailers or reviews of this film have peaked your interest, go back and start with the initial film, "John Wick".

      As for fans, "Chapter Four" will not disappoint. The action sequences have set a new bar for violence and maximum carnage. The plot is simple enough, the High Table wants John Wick dead and all Wick wants to do is leave his past behind and be free of his obligations to "The Table".

      Keanu Reeves once again stars as John Wick and the film co-stars Donnie Yen as Caine, the blind assassin, Bill Skarsgard as the villainous Marquis de Gramont, Ian McShane as Winston, Laurence Fishburne as Bowery King, as well as Hiroyuki Sanada, Shamier Anderson, Rina Sawayama, Clancy Brown and Lance Reddick.

      Director Chad Staheiski, having directed previous installments knows what a John Wick audience expects and here he ups the ante with incredible scenes of chaos and destruction filmed in breathtaking locations including Toyoko, Berlin, and Paris. Credit Mr. Staheiski for his directorial style. While super violent, there is a certain operatic and balletic quality to the mayhem, much of it done without CGI.  His only fault lies in the length of some of the set pieces. Some of the fight sequences go on a bit too long, growing repetitive and borderline tedious. Cut 20 minutes of the two hour and forty nine minute running time and you would have a perfect "kill" shot.

       

RRR

 

    

     After winning the Academy Award for Best Song, I was curious enough to finally watch this film on Netflix. And I'm so glad I did.

     This is one of the greatest action films I've ever seen. The CGI and stunt work meld beautifully to create unbelievable fight sequences both on a large scale as well as intimate battles. The two male leads (N.T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan) are remarkable for both their physical prowess as well as their incredible dance moves.

     The film is written and directed by S.S. Rajamouli and he has done a remarkable job creating a terrific story built around India's independence from Great Britain and filming the impossible. There are scenes in this film that will actually make your jaw drop.

      It is criminal that the Academy Awards only recognized the film for Best Song. Not only should the film have been included in multiple categories, but had it been, it probably would have won them all.

        The story, while filled with generous amounts of incredible and at many times violent action sequences, also has heart and depth. It's themes include friendship, family, loyalty and betrayal, politics and of course love. It's such a well blended plot that there is something for everyone. And I can't forget to mention the amazing dance sequences. 

         Available on Netflix, you can watch the English dubbed version (well done by the way) or the original Hindi with English subtitles. Don't let the three hour running time scare you, the film takes off like a rocket and never lets up. "RRR" will blow you away.

65

   

    Adam Driver and Ariana Greenblatt star in this cross between "The Last of Us" and "Jurassic Park". 

    It's a fun concept. After an asteroid collides with their spacecraft, killing almost everyone, two survivors crash land on our earth 65 million years ago. They have to deal with dinosaurs and other threats as they try to find a way back home. 

    Mr. Driver is a fine actor who can carry off drama, blockbuster action/adventure or in this case, a silly Sci-fi romp. This is Ms. Greenblatt's biggest role to date and she carries it off in great fashion. The two actors have great chemistry which helps bring gravitas to the CGI dangers surrounding them.

    Co-starring as Mr. Driver's wife and daughter back on their home world are Nika King and Chloe Coleman.

    If you don't read much into it and just settle down with your popcorn, it's an exciting 93 minutes.

Barbarian

  

This is not a brand new film but one I missed in theaters last year and I'm so glad it's available now on HBOMAX. While I usually reserve my reviews for new films, this one deserves honorable mention.

   While I love the horror genre, I am usually disappointed in what passes these days for really scary movies. I'm writing about this one as it's the best horror film I've seen since "Hereditary" and "The Babadook".

     The film is written and directed by Zack Cregger. The less known about the plot the better. I will just say, it's creepy, truly scary, quite disturbing and infused with some clever surprises. Mr. Cregger really knows how to throw a curve ball and his cast is up to the challenge of scaring the crap out of you. While aspects of the script aren't perfect, you are pulled right into the story from the start and won't really care.

      Georgina Campbell is the terrific female lead and co-starring are Bill Skarsgard, Justin Long, Richard Brake and Matthew Patrick Davis.

      Be prepared for nightmares...

Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre

    

     Co-written and directed by Guy Ritchie, this "by the numbers" spy caper should have been a "direct to video" release skipping theaters altogether. It's a formulaic plot with lazy direction by Mr. Ritchie.

     The film, which if successful, will probably start a franchise, stars Jason Statham as Orson Fortune, master spy. He is recruited by Cary Elwes to lead a team in search of a stolen "something". The film co-stars Aubrey Plaza as a snarky (what else) computer genius, who is one of the best things about the film. Also on board is Bugzy Malone as the team's sniper, Josh Hartnett as a movie star used as bait, and Hugh Grant as an arms dealer/middleman. Mr. Grant does his best Ricky Gervais impression and is fun to watch. Eddie Marsden also has a small part as the head of the department employing Mr. Fortune and his team.

      There are plenty of explosions, much shooting (and of course, the good guys can't miss) and the occasional hand to hand fighting, Mr. Statham's specialty. But by the end of the film, it's instantly forgettable. This is such a typical February release and not one of Mr. Ritchie's best.

Argentina 1985

 

  Based on real events, the story follows the events surrounding the 1985 "Trial of the Juntas", which prosecuted the ringleaders of Argentina's last civil-military dictatorship(1976–1983).

    It is a fascinating legal drama that centers on the lead prosecutor, Julio Strassera, his co-prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo and their team as they gather evidence and build their case against Jorge Vedela and his generals. The second half of the film focuses on the actual trial, sometimes incorporating actual footage from the period.

      Ricardo Darin stars as Mr. Strassera and as usual gives a wonderful, commanding performance. His co-star, Peter Lanzani, as Mr. Ocampo is also excellent, as is the rest of the cast.

      The late seventies to early eighties was a terrible time in Argentina's history. The testimony of the surviving witnesses is heartbreaking but necessary to the case. The film serves as a tribute to those lost and as a reminder that it can never happen again.

       The film is nominated for this year's Oscar in the International Film category and can be seen on Netflix.

Creed III

 

     Don't be sucker punched by this money grab. The third outing in the series is far from a charm despite Michael B. Jordan's best efforts to direct and star.

     Mr. Jordan definitely has star power and co-star Jonathan Majors is a growing force in film, especially this year (he's the best thing about "Quantumania"). The two certainly deliver in the boxing sequences. What lets them down is the sorry excuse for a credible plot. Thin to begin with, the story rushes through the past to establish the present and it's consequences and then rushes through the present just to have a reason for both men to box each other in the climax. It's just not credible.

     Co-stars Tessa Thompson, Mila Davis-Kent and Phylicia Rashad are there to add gravitas to the story. Ms. Davis-Kent is an adorable, deaf pre-teen actress who plays Creed's daughter. You can see the set up gestating here for Creed IV a mile away. The film also co-stars Florian Munteanu who has been cast to be a human punching bag and Wood Harris as Duke, Creed's trainer, who is actually very good here (although at times, he's channeling Mickey from the "Rocky" films).

     The fight sequences lack any real excitement as the outcome is obvious and the score doesn't help. The music should be accompanying the visuals, not overpowering them to force an audience's emotional response.

     Michael B. Jordan is a very talented actor and budding director. He can have his pick of any multitude of projects. Beloved "Rocky" overstayed his welcome with six films. Hopefully Mr. Jordan's "Creed" won't make the same mistake.