A family inherits a house containing a grimoire: others want the book too. Anaemic cheapskate horror spoof, focusing on classic Universal monsters, but with occasional almost-contemporary reference points like Jaws. There’s a funny running gag about owls, but that’s about it. A sequel somehow followed in 1988.
Here’s the trailer.
An outlaw warrior helps a princess regain her throne from an evil sorcerer. This self-aware sequel is an improvement from its predecessor, going for swashbuckling laughs and camp in equal measure. No classic, but it’s clear that there is a joke and that the cast and crew are all in on it.
Here’s the trailer.
Danny Ocean and crew relocate to Amsterdam, having to steal a Faberge egg to repay a nemesis. Some over-confidence in plotting and approach that might grate, but this is nevertheless a slick, effortless sequel doubling down on the mix of heist comedy and New Wave stylings established in its predecessor.
Here’s the trailer.
A marionette boy, if worthy, can become human. Another of Zemeckis’s CG/mocap/animation hi-tech but low-soul classic adaptations, this time a remake of the 1940 Disney classic. A few wrinkles, characters, and new songs are added, but no improvements, with some aspects toned down.
Here’s the trailer.
A reclusive ex-cop is hired as a PI to help an alcoholic TV star accused of murder. Slightly baggy adaptation of Howard Michael Gould’s fun Hollywood comedy-thriller: casting is spot-on (though Mel Gibson could have done more to lean into his reputation), but flat direction means the zip isn’t there to make this fly.
Here’s the trailer.
A compilation of additional stunts and extra footage not used in the release cut of Jackass Forever. More of the same, with no discernable drop in quality from the material used in its movie progenitor. For some, that’ll be all the recommendation that’s needed.
No trailer online that I could find, but here’s a representative clip.
A decade after Jackass 3D, Johnny Knoxville and friends old and new assemble for more lo-fi stunt stupidity. More of the same, though with the added pleasure of age playing its part. The commitment to slapstick male genital abuse throughout is kinda impressive. Jackass 4.5 soon followed.
Here’s the trailer.
A space ranger tries to rectify the error marooning his vessel and crew. Contrived Toy Story spinoff – purportedly the film spurring merchandise – that starts well and looks great throughout, hampered with a stupid plot reveal. Also, Buzz here isn’t the toy character. Some good gags and shoutouts, but an empty movie nevertheless.
Here’s the trailer.
Multiple gangsters and assassins with varying motives are aboard the same shinkansen. Too-pleased-with-itself slapstick thriller, adapted from the novel Maria Beetle by Kotaro Isaka. Some early stuff works, but there’s little control over the premise, so it falls apart despite committed work from star Brad Pitt and others. A hack approach to Japan doesn’t help.
Here’s the trailer.
Mismatched brothers kidnap a paramedic and her cop patient as part of an LA heist getaway. A superior slice of Bayhem (remaking the 2005 Danish flick of the same name) that’s dumb as rocks, but gleeful and propulsive. An impressive commitment to vehicular destruction, and it looks great throughout. Jake Gyllenhaal clearly has a blast.
Here’s the trailer
![Jackass 4.5 [AKA Jackass FourPointFive] (2022, dir. Jeff Tremaine)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2022/09/jackass-4.5-poster.jpg?w=297)
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