A science teacher is recruited to fight a war that won’t happen for thirty years. Overlong, derivative (everything from Saving Private Ryan to The Thing gets pillaged) and at-times clunky SF/horror/war flick. The action is terrific throughout (and worth watching once for that alone), but the movie doesn’t know when to stop.
Here’s the trailer.
A man is resigned to being stuck in a temporal loop at a wedding. Solid SF/fantasy comedy with sharp edges. Smart playing, a fine soundtrack, and enough diversion from the Groundhog Day template all helps, as does a pleasingly amoral streak. JK Simmons and Dale Dickey are along for the ride.
Here’s the trailer.
A food additive factory owner’s life spirals out of control. Low-key comedy with thriller elements – Coen lite in some ways – that really works if you let its ambient approach take you. A great cast on decent form helps. Not Judge’s best work, but enjoyable nevertheless.
Here’s the trailer.
The wastrel son of a postmaster is given a challenging remote office to run as a final opportunity. Oddball but charming Santa Claus origin variant story, with some fine gags and great animation and design throughout. A welcome spin on the lets-save-Christmas storyline.
Here’s the trailer.
A detective shuts down Manhattan to find two cop-killers who’ve stumbled across a cocaine stash. Superior action thriller that – while having no real surprises – manages to work both in dramatic and in gunplay terms. A neat sense of scale, a fine cast, plus good direction all support a solid lead performance.
A presidential hopeful’s nomination campaign is derailed by his philandering. Smart observational true-life political drama clearly in love with the likes of All The President’s Men. While it doesn’t quite grapple with its protagonist’s weaknesses, the film is nevertheless professional, skilful and well-crafted throughout. Recommended.
Time-travelling freedom fighters attempt to prevent a digital apocalypse in near-future (2017) San Francisco. Muddled series reboot saddled with awkward plotting, key unanswered questions, and too many borrowings. Only JK Simmons brings some fun in support.
After the events of Dawn of Justice, Bruce Wayne assembles a team to combat the new threat of Steppenwolf. Okay series continuation, with a lighter tone; a straightforward plot and a stagey look are distractions from an at-times impressive cast.
Want another perspective? Here’s Lemonsquirtle’s view.
A forensic accountant with social skills issues is also an assassin, specialising in killing international criminals. Oddball action drama with a weird premise and a lead character with the kind of autism found only in movies. Not terrible, but feels like three different spec scripts combined into one.
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