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Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Say My Name, Say My Name! A return to form for Burton, Keaton & Ryder reuinite their iconic film & roles for a fun mix of comedy/horror & nostalgia
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE (2024) *** Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Catherine O' Hara, Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, Arthur Conti, Nick Kellington, Santiago Cabreara, Danny DeVito. Tim Burton revisits the madcap world of the after-life with the 'ghost with the most' back in top form with Keaton returning as his iconic bio-exorcist still pining for Ryder's Lydia Deetz, nowadays a TV star for a reality show exploring the supernatural whose strained relationship with her insolent daughter Astrid (perfectly cast Ortega) comes to a head in the death of her father Charles. Reuniting its principal cast is beyond nostalgic particularly with MVP O'Hara as Delia, whose performance art world colliding with reality in the aftermath of her husband's death is surprisingly poignant (as well as her being the voice of reason). Danny Elfman returns to form with his signature soundtrack as well as the mix of practical and visual f/x. Newcomers include the ethereally sexy Bellucci as The Juice's soul-sucking succubus' ex and Dafoe as a departed action movie star as a post-mortem law & order enforcer. While it's been 36 years since its incarnation it's been well worth the wait even if it's just to see Keaton get his ya-yas out with some touchstone moments of the past and field day-not-missing-a-beat turn. Make sure to see it in IMAX if only to see the female characters as giantesses one could only hope for ;d.
Alien: Romulus (2024)
Facehuggers! Chestbursters! and Xenomorphs! Oh My! A return to form for the franchise more or less solidly so.
ALIEN: ROMULUS (2024) *** Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaud, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, Ailenn Wu. Genre filmmaker Fede Alvarez - who co-wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues - delivers a graphic and decent valentine to the sci-fi horror franchise with a small group of friends working for the Company who desire new horizons and decide to embark on a defunct space station with more than they bargained for in their dark encounters with the iconic xenomorph. Deadly, taut and thoughtful of its predecessors - chock block of touchstones and Easter eggs for die-hard fans - and shrewdly keeping in line with the necessary evil of practical effects (the intergalactic beasties are slimier and nastier than ever; good!). While Spaeny may not be able to fulfill Sigourney Weaver's promise (well honestly who ever would?) she keeps the storyline chugging with determined grit and resolve. Fantastic visual effects and supreme cinematography by Galo Olivares compliments its hive of vile splendidly. A return to form for the most part.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
See it on the biggest screen with the loudest sound system and thank me later.
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE (2024) ***1/2 Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew Macfadyen, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Jon Favreau, Aaron Stanford, Tyler Mane, Karan Soni, Briana Hildebrad. Marvel's meta-mouth mere and X-Men's ultra bad-ass (re)unite for the first time in this mind-bending, universe paralleling action packed adventure dealing with multi-time lines, kicking ass & general debauchery. Gleefully over-the-top & fourth wall shattering the DynamicDuo of RL besties Reynolds & Jackaman is nothing but pure cinematic bliss with its balls-to-the-wall graphic carnage, side-mouth quips and bone-crunching destruction to the hilt deliver the, well, marvelous goods. Chock block with cameos & an '80s power groove jukebox soundtrack. See it on the biggest screen with the loudest sound system and thank me later. (DIR: Shawn Levy)
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Nyong'o & Quinn make a dynamic duo in this effective prequel to the franchise
A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE (2024) *** Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou. Prequel to the popular doomsday sci-fi monster mash depicts the world at peril when the sensory overloaded aliens invade NYC and cancer patient Nyong'o (giving it her all) is trapped in the aftermath attempting to get home only with her service cat and a terrified Brit (Quinn equally compelling). Director Michael Sarnoski - who co-scripted with John Krasinsky (the original's star and director) & Bryan Woods - makes the best with the visual while almost all sound has been depleted to serve the story overall.
Longlegs (2024)
Cage brings the creepy to 11 in this eerie genre flick
LONGLEGS (2024) *** Maika Monroe, Nicolas Cage, Blair Underwood, Alicia Witt, Michelle Choi-Lee. Director Oz Perkins (who also wrote the screenplay) delves deep into the dark recesses of serial murderers with this odd, and very eerie look at a green FBI agent (a haunted Monroe) who attempts to use her preternatural psychic gift in abetting the search for the titular, Satan worshipping villain (ably played by Cage in arguably his creepiest performance to date) with unforeseen consequences in the long run. Kudos to Andres Arochi's dank cinematography & a make-up team including Felix Fox & Keith Lau (largely for Cage's beyond words uber nasty look).
MaXXXine (2024)
Goth & West go full tilt for stardom.
MAXXXINE (2024) *** Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Bobby Cannavale, Michelle Monaghan, Lily Collins, Larry Fessenden, Simo Prest. Ti West concludes his Maxine trilogy with his titular heroine (Goth continuing to excel in sociopathic tendencies) seeking movie stardom in Hollywood circa 1985 being cast in a slasher flick while the Night Stalker homicides are in full swing. Facing her demons of her past no thanks to a grimy gumshoe (Bacon having a field day with his inner Jake Gittes turn) the violent tendencies are in full bloom. While not the strongest of the trifecta it has its moments of pulpy glee.
Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024)
Nostalgia never felt so good with Murphy in fine form as his iconic character
Beverly Hills COP: AXEL F (2024) *** Eddie Murphy, Taylor Paige, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Judge Reinhold, John Ashton, Paul Reiser, Bronson Pinchot, Kevin Bacon, Nasim Pedrad. Murphy returns full tilt as his iconic policeman out of water returning to LA when his estranged lawyer daughter (Paige) is up to her neck in defending her client from a corrupt cop (Bacon in villain mode) involving his old buds Rosewood & Taggart (Reinhold and Ashton, welcome back!) Director Mark Molloy employs smart set pieces with enough action and retro joy to fulfill the most jaded audience member returning to the fold; the slapping jukebox soundtrack of the franchise's previous hits helps too :D.
Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 (2024)
Disappointing 'first chapter'
HORIZON: AN AMERICAN SAGA - CHAPTER 1 (2024) **1/2 Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Sam Worthington, Jean Malone, Danny Huston, Abbey Lee, Scott Haze, Tom Payne, Owen Crow Shoe, Tatanka Means, Michael Rocker, Will Patton, Luke Wilson, Scott Haze, Jeff Fahey, James Russo, Dale Dickey, Joe Burns, Jon Beavers, Charles Halford, Jamie Campbell Bower. Costner's epic take on the West circa Civil War era is sprawling and meandering from one state to another with its pioneers looking for the promised land of the titular town that proves more fable than fact. While it is handsomely shot by J. Michael Munro, frankly Costner's direction is rather disappointing (or perhaps its editing since this is the first of a 2 part film) with its plotting (many of the characters intermingling are hard to buy or don't make much sense let alone what's up with his own character overall). While I admire his sinking of his own fortune into this passion project he has the Herculean job to make the next (and supposedly final) chapter more compelling.
Tuesday (2023)
Unique. Dreyfuss delivers a well-acted performance.
TUESDAY (2024) *** Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Lola Petticrew, Leah Harvey, (Voice of Arinze Kene). Dreyfus stars as a single mother whose terminally ill only child. (Petticrew) is visited by the harbinger death, in the form of a shape-shifting Macaw parrot, who informs them it is there to take the girl to the other side. Written and directed by movie filmmaker Daina Oniunas-Pusic, the film's echoes of ALICE IN WONDERLAND and other fantastical fables are enlivened by its creature as well as a well-acted performance by Dreyfus. While I was a bit disappointed in what I was anticipating the film has something that its fantastical bird opines: it's unique.
In a Violent Nature (2024)
Makes Jason Voorhees look like a piker
IN A VIOLENT NATURE (2024) *** Ry Barrett, Andrea Pavlovic, Cameron Love, Reece Presley, Liam Leone, Charlotte Chreaghan, Lea Rose Sebastianis, Sam Roulston, Alexander Oliver, Timothy Paul McCarthy, Lauren-Marie Taylor. Novice filmmaker Chris Nash makes a startlingly effective directorial debut with his interesting take on the slasher genre - i.e. The killer in the woods trope - in which an unearthed hulking mute brute (Barrett) seeks vengeance on a group of young friends who unwittingly take a locket at the monster's gravesite unleashing a blood-soaked murder spree which makes Jason Voorhees look like a piker in comparison with some truly heinous kills (one for the record books - which I will not spoil - but 100% have NEVER seen depicted onscreen, defying physics to boot!). Without a music soundtrack and relying on ambient sound design the film's silence provides enough tension and dread thru out as its monster literally takes its sweet old time in getting from one point to another. PS: I can't think of another film where you immediately want every victim-to-be to be all killed off instantly.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
One of the best films of the year - see it in IMAX (now)!
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA (2024) **** Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Burke, Alyla Browne, George Shevtsov, Lachy Hulme, Charlee Fraser. George Miller's ongoing dystopian future saga incorporates the prequel origin story of its titular heroine (first Browne as a child and then Taylor-Joy as a young woman) who endures the kdinapping of deranged 'leader' Dementus (Hemsworth getting in touch with his inner Josh Brolin having a field day) while tangling with the equally demented Immortal Joe (Hulme, imposing as ever) over the barren wasteland's precious resources with nothing but vengeance and redemption in her sights. Taylor-Joy, boasting the most expressive beautiful eyes today in cinema, digs deep and dirty with a gritty and stoic turn holding her own with the action at hand, while she doesn't exactly resemble Charlize Theron, she does have her laser focused gaze and stance down pact. Bold, aggressive and abundant in scope, execution and some truly amazing set pieces guaranteed to leave your jaw-dropping, pulse racing and heart exploding. Must see in IMAX or the next best thing onscreen.
Sting (2024)
Nifty sci-fi horror film with eerie f/x.
STING (2024) *** Ayla Browen, Ryan Corr, Penelope Mitchell, Jermaine Gowler, Noni Hazlehurst, Robyn Nevin, Danny Kim, Siliva Colloca. Spooky horror film about an alien spider that is befriended by a young girl (an excellent Browen) upon its crash-landing in a snowy Brooklyn that eventually grows into a voracious monster stalking her apartment building with dreadful results. Filmmaker Kiah Roache-Turner creates a truly dark and eerie film with a storyline involving a loving family facing their own limitations as well as some inventive camerawork by Brad Shield and gnarly make-up by John Logue. Fun and scary.
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
"The Larry Sanders Show" meets THE EXORCIST
LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL (2024) *** David Dastmalchian, Lauren Gordon, Ian Bliss, Faysal Bazzi, Ingrid Torelli, Rhys Auteri, Josh Quong Tart, Georgina Haig (Narrator : Michael Ironside). Found footage horror flick about a fading '70s late night talk show host (Dastmalchian in his finest hour) who attempts a ratings gag on Halloween with a live-on-tv-broadcast of an exorcism that leads to deadly consequences. Written and directed by Colin and Cameron Cairnes the production values of the era is spot on as well as the behind-the-scenes squabbling mixed with the unerring feel of dread through out comes across as "The Larry Sanders Show" meets THE EXORCIST.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Lacking in laughs and scares but nice to see the old gang again.
GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (2024) ** Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Patton Oswalt, Celeste O' Connor, Logan Kim, Emily Alyn Lind, James Acaster, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, William Atherton. NYC is in deep freeze when an ancient orb harboring a malevolent demon is hellbent on destroying the world - so who ya gonna call? Right. The new and old regime reunite to fight the good fight but fail to find much mirth or laughter in a lackluster CGI lightshow that also fails to spark any scares but it's nice to see the OGs back in uniform despite the misgivings by Gil Kenan's listless direction and his collaborated script with Jason Reitman attempting to breathe new life for the franchise.
Knox Goes Away (2023)
Keaton has a field day behind and in front of the camera.
KNOX GOES AWAY (2024) ***1/2 Michael Keaton, James Marsden, Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden, Ray McKinnon, Joanna Kulig, Dennis Dugan, Suzy Nakamura. Keaton, who also skillfully directed, stars as an aging contract killer whose diagnosis of a rapidly degenerative form of dementia sets a time clock involving a botched hit, a dogged police detective, and his adult estranged son, while attempting to keep his wits about him as his downward spiral drastically takes affect. Well written with a scalpel's precision by Gregory Poirier and the use of its sound design and blurring cinematography documents its protagonist's dilemma with alacrity. Keaton gives one of his best, low-key turns in ages.
Remembering Gene Wilder (2023)
Vivid valentine to the beloved comedic icon with bittersweet joy.
REMEMBERING GENE WILDER (2024) **** Gene Wilder, Gilda Radner, Mel Brooks, Richard Pryor, Alan Alda, Harry Connick, Jr., Carol Kane, Eric McCormack, Alan Zweibel, Burton Gilliam, Ben Mankiewicz, Peter Ostrum, Rain Pryor. Ron Frank's valentine of a documentary on the beloved comedic actor focuses on Wilder's theatrical and cinematic career with fond recollections by friends, family and collaborators with voice over narration provided by the late icon's audiobook biography audio mixed with clips and vintage photos of the past. The film's success is in capturing Wilder's Mona Lisa smile, mischievous glint in his eyes and utter charm and warmth by being both meek and, well, wild.
Stopmotion (2023)
Creepy and disturbing with a fine turn by Fraciosi.
STOPMOTION (2024) *** Aisling Fraciosi, Stella Gonet, Tom York, Caoilinn Springall, James Swanton. Creepy psychological horror film centering on a troubled stop motion animation artist (Fraciosi, who resembles Jessica Harper circa SUSPIRIA, balances vulnerability with determination) attempting to struggle with her finding her own voice in the wake of her mother's declining health with the help of an odd little girl (Springall) whose idea of a new story to tell opens her up to new possibilities, as well as dire consequences. Director Robert Morgan - who co-wrote with Robin King - manages to keep unnerving visuals and distorted sounds with pin-pricking moments of genuine dread largely due to the eerie puppets created for the project.
Silent Night (2023)
Mute. Pause. Hit. Repeat.
SILENT NIGHT (2023) ** Joel Kinnaman, Catalina Sandino Moreno, Kid Cudi. John Woo's disappointing action revenge flick with Kinnaman seeking vengeance on gangbangers who accidentally killed his son on Christmas has so much potential but is squandered in its hole-laden script by Robert Archer Lynn (i.e. Namely the sadly misused talent of Sandino Moreno as the spouse who basically just passively cries while her husband for months on end is holed up in their basement preparing for war). While Kinnaman's character is literally silenced due to his being shot in the throat renders him mute and his impressive implosive performance can't make up for the pedestrian trope-laden story (i.e. The police not doing their job). A few decent set pieces sadly cannot make up for a half-baked update on DEATH WISH and its ilk.
Gojira -1.0 (2023)
One of the year's best films - a must see for franchise fans of the iconic sci-fi monster that entertains on every level. Utterly fantastic!
GODZILLA MINUS ONE (2023) **** Ryunosuke Kamiki, Minami Hamabe, Sakura Ando, Yuki Yamada, Kuranosuke Sasake, Hidetaka Yaoshioka, Yuya Endo, Saki Nakatani. Director Takashi Yamazaki's Herculean efforts of reviving the Kaiju franchise is effortlessly awesome and absolutely top-tier filmmaking with the origin story of the gigantic monster showing up off the shores of post WWII Japan as it engages a full-tilt invasion of Tokyo and its environs with atypical destruction and death. Key to the film's strength is the plot involving ex-kamikaze pilot Kamiki (suffering arguably cinema's most poignant PTSD) and love interest Hamabe as a make-shift family attempting to survive with the thread of a palpable redemption narrative laced with surprisingly heartfelt emotion. The clean visual f/x propel the radioactive creature is jaw-droppingly astounding with some neat extras (his spiny back igniting as it re-charges its nuclear energies is eye-poppingly epic). One of the year's best films.
Napoleon (2023)
Ridley Scott's impressive biopic of the famous historical figure is buoyed by excellent production resoursces and superb performances by DynamicDuo Phoenix & Kirby.
NAPOLEON (2023) *** Ridley Scott's epic biopic of the historical conqueror of France with a low-key yet inner turmoil infused turn by Joaquin Phoenix as the titular career soldier whose thirst for power and acceptance is only buoyed by his deeply love affair with his betrothed, Josephine (a truly captivating, still-waters-run-deep performance by the incandescent Vanessa Kirby). Deep bruised and defused palette by cinematographer Dariusz Wolski consistently underscores the utter decay and violence as well as Arthur Max' impressive production design, fantastic costumes by David Crossman and Janty Yates, with a comprehensive and dense screenplay by David Scarpa keeps the story consistently intriguing in spite of the rise-to-acclaim-downward-spiral of its protagonists.
Thanksgiving (2023)
If you put SCREAM, HALLOWEEN and even, FINAL DESTINATION into a CuisinArt and hit puree you'd get this by-the-numbers, all-the-tropes genre flick served on a silver platter
THANKSGIVING (2023) **1/2 Patrick Dempsey, Neli Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, Milo Manheim, Addison Rae, Karen Cliche, Shailyn Griffin, Jenna Warren, Mika Amonsen, Gabriel Davenport, Joe Delfin, Gina Gershon. Patient horror fans have waited 16 yrs from its GRINDHOUSE teaser 'trailer' and Eli Roth FINALLY delivers its holiday centered slasher flick with dank élan and plenty of second helpings of gore with the vengeance seeking John Carver masked killer a year after a Black Friday melee resulted with deadly results. While the characters are cookie cutter ass-hats, douchebags and cowards the stalking and menacing echoes Craven, Carpenter and yes, even DePalma in each dispatching. If you put SCREAM, HALLOWEEN and even, FINAL DESTINATION into a CuisinArt and hit puree you'd get this by-the-numbers, all-the-tropes genre flick served on a silver platter (and if they do the inevitable sequel I suggest the tagline of "And This Time We DIDN'T Forget the Gravy!")
The Killer (2023)
David Fincher's stark yet underwhelming adaptation of Alexis Nolent's novel
THE KILLER (2023) **1/2 Michael Fassbender, Tilda Swinton, Chris Parnell, Arliss Howard, Kerry O'Malley, Sophie Charlotte. David Fincher's stark yet underwhelming adaptation of Alexis Nolent's novel - screenplay by his SE7EN compatriot Andrew Kevin Walker - focuses on a hit man (seemingly miscast Fassbender) who seeks vengeance for the brutal beating of his girlfriend with a certain code of ethics and a predilection for pop culture (a Smiths' fueled playlist and sitcom character aliases). Bathed in the blue/green and blacks of cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt make for effective filmmaking with a post neo-noir vibe.
The Holdovers (2023)
Excellent reunion of Payne & Giamatti in this hilarious and poignant holiday dramedy - one of the year's best films.
THE HOLDOVERS (2023) **** Paul Giamatti, Dominic Sessa, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Carrie Preston. Filmmaker Alexander Payne and Giamatti reunite in this funny and surprisingly poignant Christmas holiday themed dramedy about a curmudgeonly history professor at a prep school circa 1970, who is tasked in taking care of a student (newcomer Sessa) who is suddenly without family for the duration on campus resulting in a mix of troubles and revelations in the process. Fine support by Randolph as the school's chief of the kitchen who is grieving the recent loss of her only son to Vietnam and a vintage jukebox of period tunes keep things grounded in its core realities. Giamatti and Sessa give good thrust and parry with the former at the top of his game and the latter a talent to watch for years to come. One of the year's best films.
The Exorcist: Believer (2023)
Yet another unnecessary chapter to the iconic horror film.
THE EXORCIST: BELIEVER (2023) ** Leslie Odom, Jr., Lidya Jewett, Olivia O'Neill, Jennifer Nettles, Norbert Leo Butz, Ann Dowd, Raphael Sbarge,
(Cameo: Linda Blair) Unnecessary chapter in the fledgling franchise this time with a double tap possession of two young girls (Jewett and O'Neill getting in touch with their inner Linda Blairs) and their parents' attempts to cast the demons out while enlisting legacy character Chris MacNeil (Burstyn, in little more than a glorified cameo shot, still brings the brittle and steadfast spirit of her iconic character at the age of 90!)to help their dire circumstances. While the affectionate salute to the late, great make-up wizard Dick Smith the practical f/x/prosthetics do mirror eerily his scary good creations, the film checks off all the boxes of a run-of-the-mill sequel. Filmmaker David Gordon Green once again plunders a beloved horror classic and essentially grave robs it of its spirit in spite of a wink and a nod to 'Tubular Bells' and Spoiler Alert: Blair's anticipated one shot.
A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Third time's the charm for Branagh
A HAUNTING IN VENICE (2023) **1/2 Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Emma Laird, Ali Khan, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill. Third time's the charm with Branagh reprising his franchise role of Agatha Christie's sleuth Hercule Peroit (as well as helmsman) this time in a reclusive self-retirement to be coerced by his friend, author Fey, to a Halloween party to solve the possible murder of a young girl only to find yet another death in her wake that evening. While Michael Green's competent screenplay keeps things lively with a supernatural tinge undercurrent the proceedings are a bit stiff with an underwhelming supporting cast largely bland and forgettable. Gorgeous and haunting cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos and John Paul Kelly's atmospheric production design are the true stand-outs for the film itself.