The Torettos and friends search for a codebreaking device. More of the increasingly-interchangeable series: 150 minutes of soapy sentimentality, decent stuntwork, and terrible physics-worrying spectacle. Director Lin does what he can with the material tho, and there’s some fun moments from seasoned character actors like Shea Whigham.
Here’s the trailer. And here’s another view.
A kinkajou quests from Cuba to Miami with a statement of long-held love. Bland animated musical comedy adventure. The songs are the movie’s weakest point: the movie looks great (Roger Deakins is listed as a consultant) and there’s some OK comic moments, but this is forgettable underwritten stuff.
Here’s the trailer.
A young man journeys across giant creature-infested territory to reunite with his former girlfriend. Derivative but fun post-apocalyptic survival flick with a little heart. It borrows from everything from A Boy and his Dog to Mad Max 2 via Tremors, but still works. Michael Rooker offers serio-comic grizzle in support.
Here’s the trailer.
Five people arrive at an island resort where they are each promised their fantasy can come true. Horror-tinged revisiting of the 70s TV show, that plays initially like an Amicus/EC anthology. It doesn’t all work, but there’s plenty going on, and the cast of game character actors is a smart approach.
An adopted boy finds out that he is an alien when his superpowers are triggered by puberty. Its neat inversion of the Superman origin story notwithstanding, Brightburn doesn’t quite know what to do with its premise, or with the horror route it takes. Nevertheless, an interesting minor film, with an eye for small-town detail.
Fancy another point of view? Here you go. Oh, and here.
Employees of a mysterious company are compelled to murder each other. Would-be black comedy better at delivering gloopy kills than in having much to say. Neither funny or subversive enough; it gets tiresome before 90 minutes are up.
Another perspective? Here’s Xussia’s view.
Peter Quill meets his father. Somewhat underpowered sequel, relying on soap operatics and the banter between crewmates plus audience goodwill to mask a weak narrative. Some fun while it’s on, but this is no great shakes; a disappointment, really.
![F9 [AKA F9: The Fast Saga; Fast & Furious 9] (2021, dir. Justin Lin)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2022/01/f9-fast-saga-poster.jpg?w=650)
![Blumhouse’s Fantasy Island [AKA Fantasy Island] (2020, dir. Jeff Wadlow)](https://255review.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/fi-2020-poster.jpg?w=1080)
255 Review 