MOVIE REVIEW: THE RUNNING MAN

 

In the near future, "The Running Man" is the top-rated show on television, a deadly competition where contestants must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins. Desperate for money to save his sick daughter, Ben Richards is convinced by the show's ruthless producer to enter the game as a last resort. Ratings soon skyrocket as Ben's defiance, instincts and grit turn him into an unexpected fan favorite, as well as a threat to the entire system.

Director: Edgar Wright

Cast: Glen Powell, William H. Macy, Lee Pace, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, Daniel Ezra, Jayme Lawson, Colman Domingo, Josh Brolin, Katy M. O'Brian

Release Date: November 14, 2025

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated R for strong violence, some gore, and language

Runtime: 2h 13m

Review:

Edgar Wright’s take on The Running Man sticks much closer to the Stephen King novel than the 1987 Schwarzenegger film, but it struggles to find its own identity with it never able to decide if it wants to go full camp like that film or lean into the darker dystopian side of the King novel.  Wright’s energetic style meshes well with the over-the-top action sequences and he’s clearly most comfortable in those moments.  There’s a bit of Paul Verhoeven 80’s style world building, think Robocop, that leans into the satirical side that’s fun but never explored enough to make a meaningful impact.  It’s an unsteady balance of energetic action with occasionally gruesome deaths paired with slower moments dealing with dying kids and ruminations about revolution.  It’s a weird mix that makes for a herky jerky flow to the film especially since the performances across the board are generally over the top.  Glen Powell leads the film capably, but he feels miscast from the start since his character is supposed to be a beaten down, desperate man something his chiseled features and physique don’t really communicate.  It’s not Powell’s fault of course and he delivers a solid, likable performance from start to finish but his character lacks the kind of depth you’d expect.  He’s got some basic character traits, and they don’t really expand beyond being good-hearted with a serious anti-authority streak but there’s little else to him when it’s all said and done even after becoming a sort of folk hero.  Josh Brolin is much better suited for the role of the show's swarmy producer, Dan Killian, and he clearly relishes hamming it up in the role.  Brolin is loads of fun every time he pops up but the film doesn’t take full advantage of his rather inspired turn.  The same can be said for Colman Domingo turn as Bobby T, the host of The Running Man show, who is having a blast playing the charismatic, over the top character.  They both are so over the top and energetic, you’re left wondering why Wright didn’t just go all in and deliver something more outright satirical that likely would have been more meaningful than slavishly serving King’s original story.

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS

 

In search of a fresh start, two women embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, Fla. However, things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.

Director:  Ethan Coen

Cast: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Pedro Pascal, Bill Camp, Matt Damon.

Release Date: February 23, 2024 

Genre: Action, Comedy, Thriller

Rated R for crude sexual content, full nudity, language and some violent content.

Runtime: 1h 24m

Review:

Ethan Coen's solo directorial debut, Drive-Away Dolls, is a silly crime caper of a road movie that can't quite maintain its manic energy in spite of energetic performances from its two leads.  It’s hard to avoid comparisons to Coen's work with his brother since this film carries plenty of hallmarks of some of their sillier crime comedies like Raising Arizona and Burn After Reading.  This film never reaches those levels of joyful insanity although it comes close on multiple occasions.  The film's pacing runs at a frenetic pace which makes it a breezy watch, but it also keeps some of the stronger sequences from landing the way they should since they aren't given time to breathe.  It’s a shame since the film central duo of Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan turn in inspired performances.  Their oil and water chemistry make the film run with Qualley outsized performance working in perfect contrast to Viswanathan straight laced understated turn.  Qualley gives the character a lively, energetic spirit that feels authentic even with the cartoonish southern accent she sports.  Viswanathan works more subtly, using her deadpan delivery and expressive eyes to great effect.  They're chaotic fun together especially as the situations get more over the top and outrageous.  Their supporting cast is peppered with well known faces who are clearly having a ball even in their limited screen time.  Drive-Away Dolls makes you wish you got to spend more time with all these characters but it's in a strange rush to get in and out as quickly as possible.  

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: THE COLOR PURPLE

Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in life, including an abusive husband. With support from a sultry singer named Shug Avery, as well as her stand-her-ground stepdaughter, Celie ultimately finds extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.

Director: Blitz Bazawule

Cast: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Louis Gossett Jr., Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, Jon Batiste, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

Release Date: December 25, 2023

Genre: Drama, Musical

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic content, sexual content, violence and language.

Runtime: 2h 21m

The Color Purple is a lavishly constructed, vibrant musical which does a wonderful job of capturing the spirit of the original film for a new audience.  Blitz Bazawule confidentially directs the film with a decisive hand, staging a series of wonderfully choreographed musical numbers that each bring a distinctive kind of energy.  These sequences serve as the film's beating heart and in those moments the energy pops off the screen with impressive verve.  There are moments that echo other film musicals like Chicago or more fanciful moments similar to Julie Taymor's Across the Universe.  It’s a fascinating blend of styles and approaches that works in the film's favor for the most part even though some of dramatic weight of the story gets lost in spots.  There's a lighter tone throughout even as Celie experiences some of the uglier bits of abuse from Mister which makes for an abrupt turn after lively musical moments.  The ensemble cast manages to balance those moments thanks to strong performances across the board.  Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey leave a lasting impression in their limited screen time during the film's open act before Fantasia Barrino takes center stage.  Barrino's turn is understated, meek, earnest and ultimately hopeful.  Her performance isn't as big as other more outsized characters, but she manages to be the backbone of the film before being allowed to display her immense vocal talent in a series of revelatory songs.  Barrino share excellent onscreen chemistry with the cast with it really shining through when paired with Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks.  Henson and Brooks are perfectly suited to play their outsized and more garish characters with the latter stealing nearly every scene she's in.  Colman Domingo's baritone voice is perfectly suited for his turn as Mister, even though he's never quite as menacing as Danny Glover in the original film, mainly due to an inherent kindness that comes through all his performances in general.  Corey Hawkins possesses a similar energy which is much better suited for his character, Harpo, more so than Domingo's Mister.  It makes some slightly strange dynamics which the film can't quite balance perfectly in the non musical moments.  Minor issues like that can be forgiven thanks to the quality of the performances and direction which is sure to leave an impression regardless if people are experiencing the story for the first time or are already familiar with it.  

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

In early 1970s Harlem, daughter and wife-to-be Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny. Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together, but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit.

Director: Barry Jenkins

Cast: KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Michael Beach, Dave Franco, Diego Luna, Pedro Pascal, Ed Skrein, Brian Tyree Henry, Regina King

Release Date: December 25, 2018

Genres: Crime, Drama, Romance

Rated R for language and some sexual content 

Runtime: 1h 59 min

Review:

If Beale Street Could Talk is a fascinatingly dense film that tackles a bevy of themes while maintaining an incredible style and intimacy.  Barry Jenkins, adapting the book of the same name, delivers a ponderous film that asks for the audience’s patience while the cast unfurls the story.  KiKi Layne leads the film with an impressive performance that starts off full of innocence but slowly transforms over the course of the film.  She’s a capable and likeable lead, her and Stephen James shares believable chemistry together as the lovers whose story is beautifully tragic and real.  Its cinematography creates a sort of cinematic poetry that’s feels authentic even when it’s stylized.  Some might take issue with its methodical pace but ultimately it adds so much to the overall experience and it’s ruminations on race, love, gender politics and a handful of other topics.  

A-