And I thought the DC Extended Universe had problems… “The Nun” is the fifth installment of the “Conjuring Universe” and a prequel to 2016’s “The Conjuring 2.” It follows a Catholic priest (Demián Bichir) and a young novitiate (Taissa Farmiga) who uncover an unholy secret in a Romanian monastery in 1952. Corin Hardy directs while… Continue reading ‘The Nun’ is Just Another Bland ‘Conjuring’ Spin-Off
Between this being the first Hollywood thriller to feature an Asian in the leading role and “Crazy Rich Asians” blazing its own trails and records, August was a good month for Asian-Americans. Told from the perspective of computers, cameras and smartphones, “Searching” follows a father who searches (eh!) for his missing teenage daughter. John Cho… Continue reading ‘Searching’ is a Tech Thriller with a Few Things to Say
This film is a lot like “Sausage Party” and “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” had a lovechild… “The Happytime Murders” takes place in a world where puppets and people co-exist, and follows a human cop (Melissa McCarthy) and a puppet private investigator (performed and voiced by Bill Barretta) that must solve a recent string of killings.… Continue reading ‘The Happytime Murders’ is Dumb, Vulgar and Only Occasionally Funny, but What Else Did You Expect?
“Slender Man” is based on the internet meme of the same name, in which a tall, skinny figure appears and haunts youth who summon him. It stars Joey King, Julia Goldani Telles, Jaz Sinclair and Annalise Basso, and is directed by Sylvain White. This film is lazy, ugly, derivative, boring, monotonous, dull, dreadful and moronic.… Continue reading If ‘Slender Man’ Does Not End Up Being the Worst Film of 2018 I Will Donate to Charity
Adam Driver is a national treasure and we must protect him at all costs. “BlacKkKlansman” is the true story of a black police officer in 1979 Colorado who leads an infiltration of the Ku Klux Klan. The film stars John David Washington, Adam Driver, Laura Harrier and Topher Grace and is directed by Spike Lee.… Continue reading ‘BlacKkKlansman’ is Crazy True Story that Makes a Pretty Good Movie
I thought Awkwafina was wasted in “Ocean’s 8” but after seeing her steal the show in this I *really* think Awkwafina was wasted in “Ocean’s 8.” “Crazy Rich Asians” is the adaptation of the novel of the same name, and follows an American-born Asian woman (Constance Wu) who travels to Singapore with her boyfriend (Henry… Continue reading Awkwafina is Great, ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ is Just OK
I am dangerously close to giving up on Kate McKinnon, she seems unable to find a quality role in a good movie to save her life. “The Spy Who Dumped Me” stars Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon as two friends who must go on the run from assassins across Europe after one of their ex-boyfriends… Continue reading ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ is High on Kills, Low on Laughs
I think it is often overlooked just how impressive the “Mission: Impossible” film series is. Not just the stunt and action work, but the fact that they have made six films over 22 years without a reboot or recasting and have (mostly) put out consistently good products. “Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is the sixth installment… Continue reading ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ is Equal Parts Exhausting and Impressive
It’s amazing that even in these “throwaway” roles, Denzel Washington still manages to show why he is one of the greatest actors the world has ever known. “The Equalizer 2” is the sequel to the 2014 film, which was in-turn based off the 1980s TV series of the same name. Denzel Washington stars as Robert… Continue reading ‘The Equalizer 2’ is a Surprisingly Solid Denzel Washington Vehicle
I want The Rock to succeed so badly, but dammit does he seem incapable of making a good film… “Skyscraper” stars Dwayne Johnson as a paraplegic father who must save his wife (Neve Campbell) and kids after they get caught in a fire in the recently-constructed tallest building in the world. Chin Han, Roland Møller,… Continue reading ‘Skyscraper’ is Another Generic Rock Romp
The Reel Deal 