Back in Action

Grade: B- 

In this Netflix movie, former spies Matt (Jamie Foxx) and Emily (Cameron Diaz), having gone underground to raise a family, are found out, and end up on the run.

The lighthearted person-used-to-be-a-spy/criminal/etc.-but-is-now-a-family-person story has been done often, and Back to Action is by-the-numbers and does nothing to reinvigorate the genre. 

To make things worse, the daughter Alice (The Young and the Restless’ McKenna Roberts), who is in a painfully obvious mother/daughter-not-connecting subplot, is way too much of an obnoxious brat. Also, this tries to be a family film (they go out of their way to prevent the leads from murdering anyone), but there are a couple moments certain parents may not want their kids to see.

That having all been said, this is a competently made and watchable film. There are some decent lines, Matt, the parent who has adjusted better to civilian life, provides has the best bits as the voice-of-reason dealing with insanity around him.

Diaz, who returns to film after an 11-year absence, is having fun with her part. Foxx just steals the show with his "dad" delivery and reacting to the chaos around him. Glenn Close, who plays Emily's mother, is also a highlight. I think when she does comedy, she has no restraints about being over-the-top, and her blunt, no-nonsense British mom persona is a good time.

Not particularly recommended or not recommended. There is nothing must-see about this, but it serves its function as a time waster.

Kiff: Lore of the Ring Light

Grade: A

This new special of the Disney Channel/Disney+ cartoon Kiff is a Lord of the Rings parody in which young squirrel Kiff (voiced by Orange Is the New Black’s Kimiko Glenn) and her friends go on a quest to destroy a cursed ring light.

LoTR parodies have been done before, but I’ll give the lack of originality a pass as this is really, really funny. The jokes are clever and all land. What helps make this special work is that it mines some material from aspects of the LOTR trilogy that others haven’t before. (One of the highlights of this is Kiff's best friend Barry's questioning, matter-of-fact commentary on elements from LoTR). 

This utilizes a large portion of the show's wacky characters that the writers have defined. The voice actors are all great and really nail their lines.

Highly recommended. This is just a really funny time.

Flight Risk

Grade: B+

In Flight Risk, U.S. Marshall Madelyn Harris (played by Downton Abbey's Michelle Dockery) and prisoner and witness Winston (That 70's Show's Topher Grace), who is scheduled to testify against his former boss, border a small plane to take them to their destination. Unfortunately, their pilot Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg) turns out during the flight to be a sadistic hitman.

More entertaining than I thought this would be. To be clear, Flight Risk is a popcorn thriller that doesn't take itself too seriously, and the sillier aspects may not appeal to everyone. Parts of the dialogue in particular can feel hokey. However, the twists and turns and the moments of actual danger do work. Whereas the trailers often show too much, I felt they did a disservice by not showing that this has a sense of humor. There's some amusing lines in this.  

Best performance is Grace. Nice to see him get a break, because he's always tried to be a movie actor, but his big roles are few and far between. His character is a bit of a wisecracker, and Grace can both be comedic, but also does a good job depicting fear and anxiety when the s**** hits the fan. I think this might be Wahlberg's first villain job, and he's really giving it his all. Booth is a truly rotten and twisted but clever piece of work. I do think there's a little much of his dialogue focused on his love of torture that's too over the top, but Wahlberg completely rolls with what he's given.

There is one of the worst digital effects I've seen in recent years near the beginning, but as a whole the movie doesn't look too bad. A lot of this takes place inside the plane, but the outside shots get the job done. Wouldn't say this has the best footage of all time of the Alaskan landscape, but its still the Alaskan landscape, and it looks nice.

Recommended. I wouldn't say this needs to be seen in the theaters, but its a fun ride with a villain that works. (This is directed by Mel Gibson. If you don't want to watch this because of that, I get it.)

Creature Commandos- Season 1

Grade: A-

In Max’s animated series Creature Commandos, the first entry in Warners reboot of the DC universe, government agent Amanda Waller (voiced by Viola Davies), assembles a team of monsters to stop the sorceress Circe (The Witcher’s Anya Chalotra) from assassinating Princess Ilana Rostovic (Borat Subsequently Moviefilm’s Maria Bakalova) of Pokolistan.

This was created by Guardians of the Galaxy/Suicide Squad/Peacemaker's James Gunn, who has been given the unenviable task of overseeing the DCU after a lot of mixed reception to its previous films. CC seems to be an indicator that the ship's course may have been corrected. Gunn brings his strengths here, making use of lesser known comics characters and crafting a likable group with strong backstories. Most episodes feature a backstory for each monster, and I'm impressed how COMPELLING he makes every single character and their backgrounds. (GI Robot's episode is one of the best of 2024). These may also be some of the darkest backstories in mainstream superhero shows/movies (this is kinda right up there with The Penguin, though CC is more loose in overall tone). 

Show's got solid, bloody action that can be as crazy as it wants because its animated. CC also has a more humorous side. (Whereas the original DCU wanted to be SERIOUS and more grounded, I appreciate how Gunn is interested in the more fantastical aspects of the DC and having fun, while not being Marvel and having more mature elements with good storytelling.)

This all having been said, one can't blame another for getting a little tired of Gunn's formula: A ragtag group of misfits with pasts who rise to the occasion in a crazy, colorful manner. This is his most R-rated (DC lets him off the leash even more than they did with Suicide Squad and Peacemaker), so, at least there is that difference. 

Gunn also continues his tendency of going with very different takes with the lesser known characters. (The creator of Mantis is none too fond of Gunn’s movie version.) Fans of the original comics will  probably not love that Frankenstein (Stranger Things' David Harbor), who was portrayed as more of a good guy (to the best of my knowledge, I'm not a CC expert), is portrayed here as an amoral man-child. Also, Gunn seems to love Frankenstein's delusional rambling schtick. It's like the comedy team of Drax and Mantis in the GotG movies; too much of it, and it gets old real fast.

Fans of the comics may also be disappointed that they changed the look of the Bride (Indira Varma). She originally had four arms, but because Gunn is now having  all the DC shows be in the same universe as the movies (the Matt Reeves Batman/Penguin-verse and the Harley Quinn/Kiteman-verse are grandfathered in), he gave her only two arms since she might pop up in live action, and an extra pair of arms will be a pain to pull off. (I wouldn't mind, but the most recent CC comic ditched the extra arms in order to follow the show, and I hate it when comics change to match the shows/movies).

The show tries to include a lot of characters and plot points in only 8 episodes, and some parts felt rushed. Ilana and Circe could've been fleshed out more. (Though in case of the latter, I'm glad a Wonder Woman villain was picked and got some exposure; they always get the short end of the stick). The Arrowverse on the CW mined a TON of DC villains, but only used one WW baddie the entire time. Circe's a good fighter but is a little basic in the personality department. 

There is one character background element Gunn uses twice for two different characters. It works the first time, but the second time feels a little cheap. Also, the show is very vague about whatever rights the monsters do or do not have in the world.

Standout voices in this are Gilmore Girls' Sean Gunn as GI Robot and Resident Alien's Alan Tudyk as Dr. Phosphorous. You may scream nepotism for James Gun casting his brother, but Sean delivers a unique vocal tone that is mostly stuck on gung-ho, but is able to do so much with limited inflection. This isn't the first time Tudyk has been in the DC (he was Mr. Nobody in Doom Patrol and voiced Clayface/Joker in Harley Quinn), but I think this might be his best job yet. Surprisingly, Tudyk doesn't play up his voice like he usually does. Rather, he goes with a more grounded route that manages to work with the character's combination of sarcasm and sociopathy. (Also, nice to see Dr. Phosphorous chosen for this. He's that  one mid-level Batman villain who's been around for a while that you're surprised that their stock hasn't risen yet). Harbor on the other hand; I just don't think he's working out. His delivery is missing something.

This also being a Gunn project, you've got a lot of songs in this. Though, it's become a little old hat by now, I liked the music he went with. Instead of going with 70's or 80's hits, Gunn goes with an Eastern European punk feel that fits the fictional country of Pokolistan.

Wasn’t originally sold on the line work and character design in this based on the commercials, but I grew to like it. Made for solid action scenes.

Highly recommend. I mean, if you’re not big on MA heavy violence and darker tones, this won’t be for you, but for everyone else this is some really compelling storytelling, valid criticisms withstanding. 

One of them Days

Grade: B+

In One of Them Days, roommates Dreux (played by Nope's Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (singer SZA) have their rent money stolen by Alyssa's boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua David Neal). Now, the two of them have to get the money before 6:00 PM or face eviction by their landlord Uche (Rizi Timane).

The very beginning starts out a little weak. The introduction to the characters and their surrounding apartment complex felt a bit obvious and not 100% natural. Keshawn and Alyssa's making lousy excuses for his behavior ingratiates. To be clear, my issue isn't with these plot points, but that they aren't done well. Keshawn is the typical movie loser boyfriend but he doesn't meet the basic bar for this type as none of his lines are really humorous or tolerable and Neal's performance just doesn't land. I know Alyssa is supposed to be a flaky free-spirit, but her dialogue for her defending her choices felt a little too vague. 

Once the crisis hits, however, things pick up and Alyssa becomes likable once the boyfriend isn't a major focus for her. Honestly, the movie continues to get stronger and stronger until the very end. The series of misadventures the two friends end up in are creative and diverting. I wouldn't say this is the most laugh-out-loud movie there is, but you still enjoy yourself due to the plot and overall vibe.

This is a very typical story about two friends who are opposites to each other with their personal needs for growth that go on a comic adventure. Their plot beats will not surprise anyone, but they are done competently. I also appreciate that this has social commentary, but it feels natural and not like with some works, like the National Treasure show, that its messing with the narrative flow and the scriptwriters are directly talking to the audience. When Dreux and Alyssa go to a loan bank, that's just peak satire.

Palmer and SZA have excellent chemistry, feeling like real friends. This is SZA's first acting major acting job and she is a natural, performing effortlessly. However, Palmer remains the star player. I'm surprised that it took so long for her to be in another movie after killing it in Nope. (Perhaps it's because Palmer has her hands in a lot of projects, or that I kinda get the feeling based on what I've heard is that she doesn't play Hollywood's games). She has this rare energy that few possess.

Other cast highlights include Freeridge's Keyla Monterros Meija, delivering a standout performance as a give no f***s loan agent, and Katt Williams as a homeless man desperately trying to act as the duo's common sense. 

Love the lighting and cinematography in this. Everything looks colorful.

Recommended. One of Them Days (great title by the way) is just a fun ride. 

Star Wars: Skeleton Crew- Season 1

Grade: A

In this new Star Wars show on Disney+, one day Wim (played by Encanto/BlackAF's Ravi Cabot-Conyer) finds a long dormant spaceship in the woods. Him and three of his classmates investigate. The ship is accidentally activated and they are shot far into space, unable to determine how to get back to their planet.

Of the Disney+ SW shows, SC is the most aimed at a family/younger crowd, which I'm pleased with. Don't get me wrong, the dark and mature Andor was superb, but I feel it a bit somber if the entire SW universe was done that way to capitalize on Andor's success. (SW trying too hard to create drama can backfire. The Acolyte misfired, and they blew up so many planets during the new film trilogy. Hey J.J. Abrams! Stop blowing up planets! There ain't going to be any galaxy left!) What made many of us love the original films was the sense of adventure, and I don't think I've seen any of the Disney live action Star Wars programs truly recapture that sense of childhood wonder before this. The show has adventure, exotic places, interesting characters, and an intriguing mystery about the ship and Wim's planet. SC manages to be fun, but it doesn't pull its punches. There is violence and stakes. Sure, the kids have some plot armor because they're the stars and kids, but the danger they face or are surrounded by feels legit.

Visually, this is also the best looking of all the shows. I mean, all the Disney SW shows have quite the budget, but this feels the most film-like. So much effort goes into this, and I kind of wish we could visit these planets.

The characters in this are pretty engaging. The best of the kids is the one alien, the elephant-like Neel (Dear Santa's Robert Timothy Smith). He's a generally nice kid. Jude Law gives a tremendous performance as pirate Jod Na Nawood who ends up teaming up with the children. After his so-so performance in Captain Marvel, the actor got redemption in the world of large franchise performances. Nawood is a truly morally grey and nuanced fellow as well as very charismatic.

The only weak point of this is the main lead. Wim does have his affable moments (his comic bits in particular work), however he is kinda bratty and selfish. And yeah, you could make the argument that that's how kids can be, but if you are raising kids, do you really want to sit through even more of them being snotty?

Highly recommended. Old school SW fans should really enjoy themselves with this.

Cunk on Life

Grade: A+

Journalist Philomena Cunk (played by Diane Morgan) returns in this Netflix mockumentary special to look at life itself.

Honestly, this was funnier than Cunk’s previous outing, the miniseries Cunk on Earth. They just killed it with the jokes, including some pretty bold, unexpected choices. 

Morgan’s performance is what keeps her character coming back again and again over the years (for those unfamiliar with the character, most of Cunk’s specials and miniseries were never released in America unfortunately).  She provides uneducated nonsense delivery in a manner that is both deadpan and undeservedly confident.

There was also something about the sketches sandwiched between Cunk’s narration and interviews that stood out more and felt funnier than Cunk on Earth.

Highly recommended. This is one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a while.

The Damned

Grade: B+

The members of a small 19th century coastal outpost decide not to rescue the crew of a nearby crashed ship due to the risk. However, soon bad events and visions begin to follow them.

The Damned is a very competently made historical horror movie with a decent script, including a few really standout scenes, and some decent startling moments. This is one of those films that are "is it real or in their heads" and is handled in the right manner where a lot of the fear is derived from uncertainty.

The strongest part of this is the cinematography. The stretch of coast they chose is both beautiful but also bleak in its barrenness and excellently shot. The movie also makes good usage of fog and background and foreground focusing.

The Damned, in a world in which it seems that all movies these days have to be 2 hours or more, runs at an old-fashioned hour and 29 minutes. The quick pace is refreshing, as a lot of these psychological horror moves like to drag things out. Or at least refreshing for some of us. I can also see the fast plotting annoying certain people. Early on I was like "Oh, we're getting to this stage of the plot already? That's soon." When the movie ends, it immediately ends.

Recommended. This is one of those international English language horror movies you know nothing about, and come across by chance but end up enjoying yourself. The Damned works as both a scary movie and a drama.