‘Kick-Ass 2’ (2013) finds its groove
Superhero Saturday (Movie review): This superhero-comedy sequel finds its groove with better jokes and action.
‘Kick-Ass 2’ (2013) finds its groove
‘Knight Before Christmas’ is more empty calories from the Netflix holiday machine (Movie review)
“The Knight Before Christmas” (November, Netflix), like most of TV’s recent holiday movie catalog, is so uninspired that I wonder if the sets, locations, casting and costumes come first. Then an exec assigns a writer — Cara J. Russell in this case – to churn out a screenplay with the boardroom-approved punny title and then […]
‘Let It Snow’ is a light but watchable Gen Z X-mas gathering (Movie review)
“Let It Snow” (November, Netflix) comes from a 2008 novel co-written by coming-of-age chronicler John Green. It’s adapted by Kay Cannon (“Pitch Perfect”) and two other writers for this who’s-who of Gen Z actors. Although I only recognized Kiernan Shipka (“Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”) and Jacob Batalon (the best bud in the MCU’s “Spider-Mans”), the […]
‘Lethal Weapon’ (1987) shouldn’t be overshadowed by ‘Die Hard’
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This franchise launcher is likewise a great Christmas actioner.
‘Rambo: Last Blood’ shrinks the scope for a brutally efficient rescue/revenge tale (Movie review)
“Rambo: Last Blood” is an efficient, brutal, gritty and appropriate capper (if it is indeed the capper) to Sylvester Stallone’s five-film series. It poetically marks the final point on a bell curve: “First Blood” is contained and personal. “Rambo: First Blood Part II” widens the scope and allows closure (as much as that’s possible) on […]
‘Alita: Battle Angel’ a final blast of cyborg sci-fi for the decade
Movie review: This James Cameron-written film is a striking final blast of cyborg sci-fi for the 2010s.
‘Zap Gun’ (1967) among PKD’s most prophetic 21st century previews
PKD flashback (Book review): This is a prophetic but not easily accessible novel.
‘Good Boys’ is somehow both the raunchiest and cutest comedy of the year (Movie review)
There were many ways “Good Boys” could go wrong, from over-reliance on the shock value of tweens dropping F-bombs, to kids who can’t act, to recycled “American Pie” gags. But this latest entry from writers Gene Stupnitsky (who also directs) and Lee Eisenberg – the writers of the underrated “Bad Teacher” (2011) – turns out […]
‘Roswell’ flashback: ‘Dreamwalk’ (2003) (Book review)
In “Dreamwalk” (January 2003), the sixth book of the “Roswell” tie-in series, Paul Ruditis bridges Kyle’s trauma over the death of Alex at the end of Season 2 with his deepening friendship with Isabel, as seen in Season 3. I think this could’ve made for a striking episode, as it chronicles Isabel’s adventures inside Kyle’s […]
Hit-Girl steals the show in ‘Kick-Ass’ (2010)
Superhero Saturday (Movie review): Despite the awesome Hit-Girl, this comic adaptation is more ass than kickin’.