MOVIE REVIEW: INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY

 

Daredevil archaeologist Indiana Jones races against time to retrieve a legendary dial that can change the course of history. Accompanied by his goddaughter, he soon finds himself squaring off against Jürgen Voller, a former Nazi who works for NASA.

Director: James Mangold

Cast: Harrison Ford, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, Mads Mikkelsen, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen

Release Date: June 30, 2023 

Genre: Action, Adventure

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, language and smoking

Runtime: 2h 34m

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny is a perfectly capable send off for the legendary character even though it does feel like a band on their farewell tour playing all the greatest hits.  James Mangold does his best Spielberg by delivering the kind of action set pieces you'd expect in an Indy feature, the extended opening is well done but the de aging technology still looks a bit odd in extended use.  The film rarely drags except for a few spots here and there that could have been cut to make it a more efficient experience.  It’s all enjoyable but like the script it’s all incredibly familiar on multiple levels.  There are bits about age and regret interwoven throughout the story but none of it is particularly revelatory.  The addition of his goddaughter, played with appropriate spunk by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, feels like a redo of the much-maligned character from Crystal Skull, Indy's son Mutt Williams.  Helena Shaw's character veers closer to being a mirror image of Indy and their interplay is fun thanks in large part to the actor’s natural chemistry together.  Harrison Ford puts the fedora back on with general ease which shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.  Ford's general gruffness works well with the character at this point in his life so much so that you sort of wonder if he's even acting or just being himself.  He clearly enjoys being back in the saddle one last time even though the film doesn't cover any new territory.  Mads Mikkelsen and Boyd Holbrook villainous character are broadly drawn and don't really make for very interesting adversaries.  Mikkelsen, for his part, does what he can with the character but you really get the feeling he was dying for a beefier role.  The same is true of Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny as a whole, it ultimately serves as comfort food for long time fans of the character who wanted just one more taste before saying goodbye.    

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: ASTEROID CITY

 

World-changing events spectacularly disrupt the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention in an American desert town circa 1955.

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Jason Schwartzman, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Jeffrey Wright, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Edward Norton, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber, Hope Davis, Steve Park, Rupert Friend, Maya Hawke, Steve Carell, Matt Dillon, Hong Chau, Willem Dafoe, Margot Robbie, Tony Revolori, Jake Ryan, Jeff Goldblum

Release Date: June 23, 2023 

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Rated PG-13 on appeal for brief graphic nudity, smoking and some suggestive material

Runtime:1h 45m

By this point in Wes Anderson's career people should know what they are getting into when they step into the theater to watch one of his films.  His esoteric, meticulous style may not be for everybody but you have to appreciate the level of craftmanship on display in every shot.  This latest entry has all of his quirks and style set to max which a multilevel structure that allow him to explore a wide variety of themes and ruminations on life, love and loss.  Anderson has run through these sort of themes in the past but this is his most densely packed film which is ready made for discussion and dissection. The film follows a very specific pace which might be a bit slow for some since its in no hurry to get anywhere.  Like everything in this film, its measured and calculated and it allows the all star cast really shine in each scene.  It's truly an ensemble piece with everyone getting their moment throughout the film with Schwartzman and Johansson getting slightly more screen time.  Those looking for a straightforward comedy might be disappointed since it's a much more varied beast that has more charm than outright belly laughs.  As the film moves into its final act it also gets more experimental in its structure and overall approach.  Asteroid City proves to be something far more interesting and innovative when its all said and done.  Its an impressive feat from Anderson and his cast but I don't believe this is the type of film that will change people who dislike his singular style into fans.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: NO HARD FEELINGS

 

On the brink of losing her childhood home, a desperate woman agrees to date a wealthy couple's introverted and awkward 19-year-old son before he leaves for college.

Director: Gene Stupnitsky

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Andrew Barth Feldman, Laura Benanti, Natalie Morales, Matthew Broderick

Release Date: June 23, 2023 

Genre: Comedy

Rated R for sexual content, language, some graphic nudity and brief drug use

Runtime: 1h 43m

No Hard Feelings is a throwback sex comedy that works because of strong turns from Jennifer Lawrence and Andrew Barth Feldman.  Gene Stupnitsky's gives his film a breezy likable tone that makes it easy to like.  Anyone who's seen his previous film, 2018's equally raunchy Good Boys, will have a good idea of what's in store as it delivers the same mixture of raunchiness and sweetness throughout.  The plot uses a deceivingly simple set up to build into something a bit more character focused than you'd expect from this kind of film.  Jennifer Lawrence deserves a lion’s share of the credit as her natural charisma and talent make this film far more enjoyable than it should be.  Lawrence shows off some impressive comedic timing along with a real talent for physical comedy something on full display in one scene that's sure to have plenty of people talking.  Andrew Barth Feldman is more than up to the task as the doe eyed, nerdy introvert who Lawrence is tasked to bring out of his shell.  Together they share some fun, awkward chemistry together which generates the majority of the laughs especially early on as Lawrence sets the sex appeal to ten paired with Feldman's scared turtle.  The May December relationship manages to maintain a certain tenderness and sweetness even as the story takes some fairly predictable turns in its final act where it starts to lose some steam.  The script tries to give the character's a bit more depth but it only partially works since it’s not really fleshed out which makes for a clunker ending that feels a bit too air tight.  That being said No Hard Feelings is an enjoyable romp that brings more than its fair share of adult laughs to the screen.   

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: EXTRACTION 2

 

Back from the brink of death, commando Tyler Rake embarks on a dangerous mission to save a ruthless gangster's imprisoned family.

Director: Sam Hargrave

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Golshifteh Farahani, Adam Bessa, Olga Kurylenko, Daniel Bernhardt, Tinatin Dalakishvili, Idris Elba

Release Date: June 16, 2023

Genre: Action, Thriller

Rated R for strong/bloody violence throughout and language

Runtime: 2h 2m

Sam Hargrave's follow up to his pandemic hit doesn't offer a lot more in terms of story as it plays fairly close to the original's plot simply switching out targets and adversaries.  The film's main draw is its action sequences and they are taken to another level of coordinated madness that nearly makes you forgot about the incredibly barebones story driving the entire thing.  Hargrave spends very little time explaining how Hemsworth's Rake survived a seemingly fatal wound at the end of the original.  Once that's out of way, a rather intriguing appearance from Idris Elba starts the story in earnest.  The set up is fairly basic as we're introduced to an array of Eastern European bad guys straight from central casting.  They're disposable fodder that serves as nothing more than meat for the grinder.  It quickly leads to the 22 unbroken shot that's impressive in terms of the sheer scale due to all the moving parts involved in coordinating the carnage thrown onscreen.  Its audaciously outlandish and insane but it's hard not to enjoy the action spectacle thrown at the audience in steady succession.  The rest of the film still has plenty of set pieces following the prison escape but that moment is definitely the most memorable of the entire film.  Sadly, the story doesn't get nearly the same amount of attention that the action does since it does the bare minimum to make the character more three dimensional.  The cast, for their part, do their best to make the characters more interesting and engaging than what's written on the page.  Chris Hemsworth's leads the film with the same steely dogged determination that he brought in the original.  The film doesn't ask him to do much more than be a believable killing machine as he dispatches enemy with a impressive gusto, people of a certain age might get flashbacks of 1985's Commando which less quips.  Golshifteh Farahani and Adam Bessa are given far more to do in this entry with Farahani taking full advantage of the expanded screen time.  Hemsworth and Farahani share some great chemistry together, the third film would be wise to take as much time with the characters as it does with the action sequences.  

B-

Cindy Prascik's Review of Renfield

My dear reader(s), this weekend I had the opportunity to catch up with the Dracula-adjacent movie Renfield.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

The eternal sidekick embarks on a journey of self-improvement, putting him at odds with his dark master.

Renfield is a solid horror comedy that's heavy on gore and fairly light on lore. Laughs take the lead, with a beautifully over-the-top Nicolas Cage camping it up as the immortal Angel of Death, and Nicholas Hoult as his downtrodden sidekick. Awkwafina nearly steals the show as an incorruptible police officer whose own quest for vengeance intersects with Renfield's mission. The original premise is its own reward here, but the movie also benefits from nice special effects, well placed humor, and an efficient runtime.

Renfield clocks in at 93 minutes and is rated R for "bloody violence, some gore, language throughout, and some drug use."

If you can stomach a lot (a LOT) of blood and you're in the mood for a new take on an old tale, Renfield is the flick for you. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Renfield gets eight.

Renfield is now streaming on Peacock.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: ELEMENTAL

In a city where fire, water, land, and air residents live together, a fiery young woman and a go-with-the-flow guy discover something elemental: how much they actually have in common.

Director: Peter Sohn

Cast: Leah Lewis, Mamoudou Athie, Ronnie del Carmen, Shila Ommi, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Catherine O'Hara, Mason Wertheimer, Joe Pera, Matt Yang King

Release Date: June 16, 2023

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for some peril, thematic elements and brief language

Runtime: 1h 42m

Elemental is a charming romantic comedy disguised as a children's movie which shows that Pixar can still deliver the kind of emotional resonance that makes their films special.  Peter Sohn delivers a beautifully animated journey into a fully realized world of anthropized elemental that's simply dazzling to look at.  The animation packs a mindboggling amount of detail into each frame that's its almost impossible to catch every bit of it in one showing.  The character designs themselves are wonderfully crafted with each elemental given a distinctive look and feel.  Story wise it does feel like it might lean a bit older since the central plot is a rather sweet romance pair with a not so subtle immigrant subplot which will likely go over younger kids heads.  Its a straightforward story done with believable and personal stakes that makes you invested in the story.  A major reason the story resonates is the voice work turned in by film's leads Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie.  Lewis and Athie make a believable and likable onscreen pair with both turning in strong vocal performances that really shine throughout.  Lewis, in particular, provides a nuanced level of emotional range that makes Ember all the more memorable.  Together they share a special kind of chemistry which works in the film's favor.  The subplot involving Ember's immigrant father and his wish to have her run his story is the film's secret weapon and sure to elicit a tear or two by the time the film ends thanks in large part to a heartfelt turn from Ronnie del Carmen.  Elemental may surprise people who haven't been impressed with some of Pixar's more recent offering because it delivers the kind of emotional heft that makes you forget your watching a kids movie.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FLASH

 

Worlds collide when the Flash uses his superpowers to travel back in time to change the events of the past. However, when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, he becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation. With no other superheroes to turn to, the Flash looks to coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian -- albeit not the one he's looking for.

Director: Andrés Muschietti

Cast: Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue, Michael Keaton

Release Date: June 16, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language and partial nudity

Runtime: 2h 24m

Andrés Muschietti's The Flash is cornucopia of superhero wackiness powered by a manic energy that makes the whole thing incredibly watchable.  Muschietti takes a kitchen sink approach by staging some inventive action set pieces which ranges from charmingly goofy early on like a "baby shower" rescue or a bit of mayhem that plays more like a circus parade before we move to the requisite superhero action.  The variety in these sequences keeps the entire thing from feeling stale since each sequence offers up it's own sort of energy.  These set pieces, as fun as they are, wouldn't work as well as it does if Ezra Miller didn't deliver a strong performance.  Miller's, legal issues aside, is a talented performer and this role allows him to really flex his acting muscles as he plays two different versions of the titular character at different stages in his life.  He balances the more mature, damaged central character with the more carefree and naïve iteration of himself with impressive ease.  In both cases, he brings a grounded, authentic emotional center to the characters even amongst the increasingly insane situations splashed on screen.  The character's arch through the multiverse differentiates itself from other film using the trope by centering it around the character's personal growth and acceptance, Star Trek: The Next Generation fans might get echoes of the episode Tapestry which used a similar approach.  Its a smart approach which centers the film even as a bevy of cameos and Easter eggs are thrown onscreen.  The most substantial of these is Michael Keaton donning the cape and cowl once again, something he does with his general ease as he brings back the same Burtonesque energy that's sure to thrill children of the 80's.  Once Keaton shows up on screen the film does lean heavily into fan service which will make a portion of the fandom very happy and will likely be lost on people under a certain age.  Sasha Calle joins the film roughly around the same time as she brings a quiet ferocity to her character that the film would have benefited from exploring.  Instead her character feels rushed and underserved which is a shame.  Michael Shannon returns as General Zod in what amounts to a thankless role since its little more than an extended cameo that there simply to set up Barry's internal conflict.  While it makes sense in terms of the story being told you can't help but think there had to be a better way to use both Calle and Shannon.  Its a minor quibble especially when you step back and look at the amount of juggling Muschietti is doing to make The Flash work as a fun and engaging superhero story centered around a personal journey about growth.  

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BLACKENING

 

Seven friends go away for the weekend, only to find themselves trapped in a cabin with a killer who has a vendetta. They must pit their street smarts and knowledge of horror movies against the murderer to stay alive.

Director: Tim Story

Cast: Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, X Mayo, Dewayne Perkins, Antoinette Robertson, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, Yvonne Orji

Release Date: June 16, 2023

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for pervasive language, violence and drug use

Runtime: 1h 36m

The Blackening is a funny and a surprisingly effective skewering of racial stereotypes and clichés from the horror genre.  Tim Story gives his film a playful tone that never goes into full parody even if it does lean dangerously close to it.  He uses beats from Scary Movie, Clue and Saw for the overall structure of the film which gives it a familiar feel especially for horror fans.  The script and director are clearly fans of the genre but they don't rely on self referential Easter eggs to carry the film.  The script is sharply written, providing plenty of solid laughs as most of the jokes land thanks in large part to an excellent cast. The ensemble cast has a natural chemistry together which makes the whole thing work.  Their characters are mostly written as types but the cast is clearly having such a great time playing them that their comedic energy shines  through the screen.  Each member is given plenty of screen time to show off their impressive comedic timing, X Mayo's Shanika is a real screen stealer, especially as they bounce off each other as the situations get more dire and silly at the same time.  The set ups and comedy is all well done even though looking for some surprises or actual scares might be a little disappointed.  The film loses a little steam in its final act with a predictable reveal that leaves you wishing they'd gone for something a bit more surprising.  Even though it stumbles a bit as it heads towards the finish line, The Blackening is the kind of horror comedy that's sure to be a cult classic in the coming years.

B+

MOVIE REVIEW: FLAMIN' HOT

 

Richard Montanez, the son of a Mexican immigrant, was a janitor at Frito Lay when he came up with the idea for Flamin' Hot Cheetos. His creation, inspired by the flavours of his community, revitalises Frito-Lay and disrupts the food industry.

Director: Eva Longoria

Cast: Jesse Garcia, Annie Gonzalez, Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Emilio Rivera, Matt Walsh

Release Date: June 9, 2023

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Rated PG-13 for some strong language and brief drug material

Runtime: 1h 39m

Eva Longoria's directorial debut, Flamin' Hot, is engaging even as the story hits a lot of familiar beats from the underdog genre.  There's a hazy area as to how much is real and embellished but the film and story works onscreen due to some fun direction and likable performances from its central cast.  It works best as a fact based fable, similar to 1993's Rudy, where the true story isn't nearly as fun as the legend that's grown out of the myth.  Longoria manages to avoid some of more the clichéd pitfalls by delivering an efficient film that's easy to like because it manages to maintain an air of authenticity that grounds the entire thing.  Jesse Garcia does the lion's share of the heavy lifting with a performance that’s fun but surprisingly layered especially when the story explores his difficult upbringing and relationship with his wife played well by Annie Gonzalez.  Garcia and Gonzalez share a believable chemistry together which makes it easy to root for both of their characters.  The supporting cast is made up of strong character actors such as Dennis Haysbert, Tony Shalhoub, Matt Walsh and Emilio Rivera who each give their characters more depth than the script provides. It does feel like a missed opportunity not to give Shalhoub and Haysbert meatier roles but it’s a testament to their talent that they're able to leave their mark on the film.  Their characters function more as archetypes that fully formed characters and the film follows a predictable path but the cast and crew make Flamin' Hot far more enjoyable than it would have been in lesser hands.

B

Cindy Prascik's Marvel (Streaming) Double-Feature

My dear reader(s), last week I indulged in a rare Saturday in front of my television, allowing me to catch up on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) and Ant-Man: Quantumania (2023).

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

First on my home-viewing docket: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

The people of Wakanda must face new threats even as they mourn the loss of their king.

Chadwick Boseman was a singular talent, and movie fans joined the fictional residents of Wakanda in mourning the man and his alter-ego. The funeral for King T'Challa is as devastating as if it were real, and this sequel suffers greatly for having lost an irreplaceable screen presence. The franchise still has its share of engaging talent in Winston Duke (M'Baku), Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia), and Danai Gurira (Okoye), but it chooses to shift focus to Letitia Wright (Shuri), whose tepid magnetism wilts under the weight of this tentpole.

Wakanda Forever retains many of the things that made the original Black Panther so special: a fantastic score, glorious costumes, and majestic sets/locations. Action sequences are well done, if overlong, and there's enough humor to keep the undercurrent of sadness from overwhelming the movie's mood. Some wonky CGI provides unintentional laughs. In the mix with Gurira, Nyong'o, and Duke, the reliably entertaining Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the magnificent Angela Bassett (chewing it up like mid-90s Gary Oldman) keep the movie mostly watchable, but ultimately it can't surmount a weak lead and an entirely insufferable run time.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever clocks in at a bloated 161 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of strong violence, action, and some language."

Overcoming the loss of Chadwick Boseman probably would be impossible for even a great movie, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is not a great movie. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gets four.

Next on last weekend's agenda: Ant Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. 

Scott Lang and company are dragged into the Quantum Realm, where they face a new super-villain.

Quantumania is the movie equivalent of when it's two days before payday and you have to try making a meal out of whatever's left in the 'fridge. It throws everything at the screen in hopes of making something worth consuming, but you really just wish you had something fresh. 

If Wakanda Forever suffers for the loss of Chadwick Boseman, Quantumania survives almost exclusively because it's impossible to dislike Paul Rudd. I never could imagine that many people were clamoring to bring Ant-Man to the big screen, but Rudd's charisma makes it easy to excuse the low-rent hero. Having Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer along for the ride doesn't hurt, either. Quantumania's story is a jumble, struggling with the same issue as all multi-verse/timeline stories: Why should anyone care what happens, when it's just going to UN-happen the minute it becomes inconvenient to the cinematic universe or detrimental to the studio's bottom line? Much like the Thor movies, the Ant-Man franchise is more like a comedy that's heavy on action than a super hero movie that's funny sometimes, and its humor is its salvation. Like all Marvel product, it fails to earn its runtime, but after Wakanda Forever it seems pretty doggone short. Given that the story's such a mess and the Quantum Realm looks like a high-school production of Star Wars, it's very little on which to hang one's super-hero helmet, but it'll have to do. 

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania runs 124 minutes and is rated PG13 for "violence/action and language."

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is a car crash, watchable only thanks to a terrific lead who keeps things light and entertaining. Credit where credit is due, it also features the most inspirational line I've ever heard in a film: "It's never too late to stop being a dick." Of a possible nine Weasleys, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania gets five.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS

 

Optimus Prime and the Autobots take on their biggest challenge yet. When a new threat capable of destroying the entire planet emerges, they must team up with a powerful faction of Transformers known as the Maximals to save Earth.

Director: Steven Caple Jr.

Cast:  Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Liza Koshy, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Pete Davidson, Peter Cullen, John DiMaggio, David Sobolov

Release Date: June 9, 2023

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, and language

Runtime: 2h 7m

Transformers: Rise of the Beast, the seventh installment in the franchise, is an admirable attempt to bring the original cartoon to life.  Its story is significantly larger in scope than 2018's Bumblebee which delivered a much-needed reset from Michael Bay's orgy of metallic explosions, undercooked characters and plots which rarely focused on the titular robots.  This film expands on the groundwork Bumblebee in just about every way and it gives some of the Transformers, Prime and Mirage in particular, real character arches to work with. Those story arches aren't incredibly nuanced, but they do give the characters even footing with their human counterparts something that Bay only gave passing consideration.  As a result, this is the first film that allows Peter Cullen's Optimus Prime to come to the screen with some noticeable depth.  Pete Davidson is surprisingly good as the voice of Mirage, who plays more like a hybrid of Jazz and Cliffjumper from the original series than his namesake aside from his ability to project holograms.  Davidson's performance is fun but also heartfelt in parts which makes the character more likable than if he was solely used for comic relief.  Michelle Yeoh manages to add some gravitas to her character even if it is a bit funny to hear her voice coming out of a giant robot hawk.  Sadly, the rest of voice cast isn't given much to do outside of deliver exposition.  

Ron Perlman and Peter Dinklage in particular get the short end of the stick with paper thin characters that could have been much more memorable.  Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback make up the human side of the cast with mixed results.  Ramos seems perfectly at ease working with the greenscreen madness as he's clearly having a ball throughout which makes him a likable lead.  Fishback on the other hand comes off a bit more lost and plays her character a bit too broad in spots.  That being said, they are fun together especially in a Peru set action set piece as they chase the movie's McGuffin which leads to the final act.  Steven Caple Jr. energetic direction keeps everything moving at a steady pace and delivers some well choregraphed and coherent action sequences even if they still rely on a bit too much slow motion for my taste. He smartly uses the 90's setting to his advantage with a fun soundtrack that sure to make people of a certain age smile.  The overall plot does set up a major villain and possible crossover which gives you the impression that this film is setting up an even larger follow up.  Transformers: Rise of the Beast does plenty right especially for people who grew up with the cartoon and it works well as a big budget blockbuster that the whole family can enjoy.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: THE BOOGEYMAN

 

High school student Sadie Harper and her younger sister, Sawyer, are still reeling from the recent death of their mother. They're not getting much support from their father, Will, a therapist who's dealing with his own intense pain. When a desperate patient unexpectedly shows up at their house seeking help, he leaves behind a terrifying supernatural entity that preys on families and feeds on the suffering of its victims.

Director: Rob Savage

Cast:  Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair, David Dastmalchian, LisaGay Hamilton, Marin Ireland, Madison Hu

Release Date: June 2, 2023

Genre: Horror, Mystery,Thriller

Rated PG-13 for terror, violent content, teen drug use and some strong language

Runtime: 1h 38m

The Boogeyman is a solidly crafted, well acted horror film which never takes full advantage of either by leaning too much on old school tropes.  Rob Savage's direction is more than capable of establishing mood and setting up scares throughout.  Those looking for a direct adaptation of King's original short story will likely be disappointed since the film only uses a small bit of it as a jumping off point before turning into a fairly predictable monster film that's been done plenty of times beforehand.  It's a shame since the original story was effectively unnerving and delivered a memorable ending that would have made this film something special.  Instead, the script uses increasingly predictable tropes and beats ultimately wasting a pair of strong performances from Sophie Thatcher and Vivien Lyra Blair.  Thatcher's turn in particular is deeply committed that you just wish she had better material to work with.  The Boogeyman isn't a terrible film by any stretch of the imagination but its definitely a forgettable experience that never lives up to its potential.  

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: SPIDER-MAN ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE

 

After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. However, when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders. He must soon redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.

Director: Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson

Cast: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Brian Tyree Henry, Luna Lauren Vélez, Jake Johnson, Jason Schwartzman, Issa Rae, Karan Soni, Daniel Kaluuya, Oscar Isaac

Release Date: June 2, 2023

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for sequences of animated action violence, some language and thematic elements

Runtime: 2h 20m

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is the kind of sequel that ups the ante on pretty much everything that made the original so special.  The fact that it manages to do so with incredible ease while never losing touch with its emotional center is an impressive feat.  Visually, it’s an aggressive hodgepodge of animations styles thrown at the screen with reckless abandon.  It’s an optic assault on the senses which makes every shot and sequence impossible to fully appreciate on a single viewing due the level of detail and depth contained in every frame.  The action is kinetic and frenzied in its own way with each new set piece and character offering a very specific sort of visual style and approach.  Directors Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson could have leaned on the visuals and delivered a middling story, but they manage to keep the story grounded with its character and their relationships.  Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld make up the film's emotional core with both delivering stellar voicework throughout.  Moore's voice gives Miles a believable and relatable tenor to his interactions something that really shines in the quieter moments with Lauren Vélez and Brian Tyree Henry who play his parents.  Steinfeld's character is given a bit more depth this go around with the added pathos making her far more interesting.  The supporting spiders are all given their moments to shine but Karan Soni as Spider-Man India and Daniel Kaluuya as Spider Punk leave the biggest impression.  Oscar Isaac as Spider-Man 2099 and Issa Rae Spider-Woman both have important roles, but you get the sense that both characters will get a bigger focus in the third entry which this film sets up with a tantalizing cliffhanger that'll give people of certain age flashbacks of Empire Strikes Back or Star Trek The Next Generation's The Best of Both Worlds so be forewarned.  

A