My dear reader(s), these past two weeks I'd have liked to go to the cinema and didn't get there, so I threw myself on the mercy of Netflix for a couple new releases.
First on my agenda, the Harder They Fall. An outlaw puts his gang back together to seek revenge on an old enemy. The Harder They Fall is an okay movie with a cast it doesn't quite deserve. Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, and Edi Gathegi are standouts in a group that has no weak links. Outside the exceptional actors, the rest - story to humor to music - works about half the time. Sadly, any time the movie gets good enough to feel invested, it derails itself with hokey or contrived choices, and the overlong run time only exacerbates its problems.
The Harder They Fall clocks in at 139 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and language." The Harder They Fall is worth a look for its incredible cast, but otherwise is nothing special.
Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Harder They Fall gets five. The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix.
Next on the docket, Red Notice. The world's greatest art thief attempts to steal a rare treasure while on the run from the law. Red Notice is the kind of dumb fun I feared Covid had cost me my ability to enjoy. I am well pleased to report that is not the case. The movie's goofy humor is pitch perfect for stars Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, Action sequences are well choreographed and don't run on too long. Plenty of twists keep the story moving at a good clip, and Gal Gadot is simply a delight. Red Notice runs 118 minutes and is rated PG13 for "violence and action, some sexual references, and strong language."
Red Notice is dopey good fun that will keep you smiling and won't overtax your brain. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Red Notice gets seven. Fangirl points: Red Notice earns some BIG fangirl points for something that might be considered a spoiler, so I'll just say keep your eyes open for a "perfect" cameo!
Red Notice is now streaming on Netflix. Until next time...
