‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is a fantastic bore
Movie review: The retro-futurism production design is on point, and so is the acting, but the story is overblown and flat.
Movies
‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is a fantastic bore
‘Conjuring’ saga applies wallpaper as fast as it peels in ‘Last Rites’
Movie review: The saga’s emphasis on the investigators rather than the documented case is starting to become a bit much in the fourth entry.
I’m not scared of clowns. Can I still enjoy ‘It: Chapter Two’ (2019)?
Stephen King flashback (Movie review): Although the sequel has strong enough acting and direction to not be labeled a Loser, something is missing.
‘Collateral’ (2004) injects intimate moral philosophy into a crime thriller
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): Standout turns by Tom Cruise and Jamie Foxx make a relatively small, inconsequentially plotted film into a big deal.
‘House of Wax’ (2005) doesn’t melt under pressure to be a good romp
Frightening Friday (Movie review): Though the events are far from plausible, this remake serves up effective chills in the “weird small town” vein.
For those wonton more: ‘The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again’ (1979)
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This second ride isn’t as smooth, but it knows its strengths are Knotts and Conway.
I like ‘John Candy: I Like Me,’ even if there’s no dirt to dig up
Movie review: While the interview subjects and home-video footage make Colin Hanks’ documentary a love-fest, I don’t detect any dishonesty.
‘The Running Man’ (1987) charges ahead to a dystopian future
Stephen King flashback (Movie review): The Eighties aesthetic is a core appeal of a film that gradually moves from satire to accurate portrayal as time goes by.
‘No Way Out’ (1987) a time capsule of early crime-solving with computers
Throwback Thursday (Movie review): This dated Hackman-and-Costner thriller has come back around as an instructive snapshot.
‘Child’s Play’ (2019) is ChINO: Chucky in name only
‘Child’s Play’ flashback (Movie review): Actually, it’s a good thing that the remake is different, but it didn’t need to take the “Child’s Play” name.