Matlock (2025)- Season 1

Grade: A

In this remake of the 80's law show, Madeline "Matty" Matlock (played by Kathy Bates) is a retired lawyer with financial problems. She uses her wits to get employed at law firm Jacobson Moore.

From the general concept, Matlock looked like it could be your basic network procedural show. I'm surprised to say that the show is far more engaging and has more to offer than expected. Now, yeah, the show is comprised of cases of the week, but it's the ongoing storyline and characters' personal stories and interplay with each other that really makes this work. Melodrama is done quite well, but the lighter, diverting moments are also solid.

Cathy Bates makes the show (unsurprisingly). The actress has stated that this will be her last role, and this makes for a fine swan song. Bates does a great job as a woman who uses her smarts and likableness to prove herself in a field she's been out of for a very long time. However, the trailer and commercials won't prepare you for how much dramatic work she's given. Bates excels at performing a complex character with a lot of emotions. Unfortunately, since she's in her 70's, her voice has trouble reaching the full potential she used to have, but the woman is definitely giving 100%. 

The show's other major ingredient is Skye P. Marshall as Matty's superior Olympia Lawrence.  She commands all her scenes as a very no-nonsense type who had to climb way her to the top all the way from the bottom, but there is clearly a heart buried underneath that exterior. (I rather like that her and her estranged husband's pasts and personalities aren't spelled out to you but shown slowly and naturally through small comments here and there).

The whole supporting task is dependable. The recent Nancy Drew show's Leah Lewis is entertaining as first year associate Sarah Franklin. Lewis already proved in ND that she is gifted at playing very determined, sorta acerbic characters, and she continues that here. Sarah is very, very career driven, but it's contrasted with her social awkwardness. Beau Bridges is also in this in a supporting role as Sir, managing partner of Jacob Moore. The guy does a great job of coming across as being laid back and congenial as someone cagey who you wouldn't want to go up against.

Highly recommended. This may be the strongest written new network show this season.

Until Dawn (Motion picture)

Grade: A-

In this film based on the popular horror video game of the same title, Clover (Ella Rubin) and her friends are on a road trip retracing the steps of her missing sister Melanie (The Fosters/Good Trouble’s Maia Mitchell). They come across a welcome center where they become trapped in a time loop where they keep being killed by various supernatural threats.

Director David F. Sandberg (Lights Out/Annabelle: Creation/the Shazam movies) decided to set this in the world of Until Dawn rather than do a straight up adaptation of the story. The reasoning being that the original game was basically an interactive movie of itself, which means live action probably would've been more of the same. Making that choice can always be controversial (look at the Resident Evil movies), but I think it works here. This is one of those throw everything at the wall and just have fun with it type of horror movies (kinda like the third Annabelle movie). The various kinds of monsters and threats keep things varied, though, admittedly, they do put more focus on some than others. Though not a horror comedy, there's a twinge of dark humor to this that give this a bit of kick.

Not to say this movie doesn't have any pure horror to it. There is one scene where you'll go "Wow, they didn't have to go as dark with this." Sandberg does a good job of you being invested in the characters fear and suffering as they try to escape their ordeal.

The movie does suffer from giving Clover a very basic character crisis/backstory they have to overcome. (I don't know why all horror has to do it these days. Unless its psychological horror, I'm just here to see kills and scary stuff.) The dialogue for the group is kinda off in the movie's setup. However, once the time loop starts, it falls together. 

The rules to the groups' prison world is explained, but stuff is left vague, and you're left with a lot of questions. There is one aspect of the movie's attempt to fit in with the story of the game that doesn't really work if you're familiar with the original.

Visually, this can't quite compete with the epic look of the original (I do wish they still set this in the snowy mountains), but it ain't too shabby. Contrary to what the trailer may make you think, this doesn't take place completely in the welcome center; the location design is effective and distinct. Monster and prop design as well are appropriately spooky. 

Recommended. Annabelle: Creation is still Sandberg's scariest film, but this might be the most entertaining. For those who like simple popcorn horror, this is a fine example.

Sinners

Grade: A+

In the Jim Crrow-era south, twins Smoke and Stack (both played by Michael B. Jordan) start up a juke house. During the house's premiere night, everyone inside is threatened by a supernatural menace. 

This is a real tour de force of story, characters, horror, and social messaging. All the cast are set up really well in a film that confidently and competently rolls out the exposition in a natural manner. When the horror part happens, it is also really well-paced, especially when it comes to the action, and has some appropriately eerie and eye-catching parts. I'm rather pleased that this takes a common supernatural threat (I'm not mentioning it if you haven't seen the second trailer yet), and looks at it from more of a "mysticism" lens.

The movie does a wonderful job of weaving together messages and story. Since this is in the Jim Crow south, of course racism and the treatment of Afican Americans is a definite component, but it never feels like this is a movie focusing on trauma, but is about the people living their lives and a testament to black culture. When it comes to main messages in this, I'm not going to spoil anything as part of the joy of watching this is being made to think about what the movie is trying to say.

Excellent casting all around in this. No surprise to anyone, but Michael B. Jordan gives a terrific performance. He does a great job of making each of the twins separate characters with separate personalities, storylines and wants for each. Musician and acting newcomer Miles Caton also gives a really solid performance as the Smokstack twins' cousin, musician Sammie Moore, a guy who loves his music and looks up to his more dangerous cousins. Caton gives a very real performance, and is sort of the core of the film.

Jack O'Connell is also a lot of fun as the main villain Remmick. Director/writer Ryan Coogler (Black Panther/Creed/Fruitvale Station) could've gone with a one note monster with him, but he is surprisingly affable and three-dimensional (while also being an uncomfortable threat when the scary stuff happens), and his main goal may surprise you.

Wonderful cinematography (including three REALLY well shot moments that steal the show). The movie is shot in a way I'd describe as "stark" color. Not darkly lit, but it has a harshness to it. Coogler and the cinematographer and editor do a solid job of having Jordan act opposite himself. The threats in this look appropriately off-putting.

Music is a real focal point of the movie, and Sinners makes great use of songs and a stand-out score by Ludwig Goransson. 

The one thing about this film that may not work for some people is that the introduction is very long. It suitably sets up the people and place, but one could get bored.

Highly recommended. This is one of those movies where everything works and really drags you in.  This is one of those rare horror movies like The Menu or The Substance that transcends being merely just horror.

The Pitt- Season 1

Grade: A+

This new show on Max follows the medical staff of “The Pitt,” the emergency section of the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center over the span of fifteen hours in real time (basically it's hospital 24).

The Pitt is a compelling 15 hours. (Nice to see a streaming show that is over ten episodes. I think it may be partially due to this being more network budget without a lot of known faces outside Noah Wylie). The idea of doing one long connected story instead of the traditional medical case of the day stories really pays off. One can feel the burn of working the long shift. You really feel like you’re in the emergency section with things happening naturally with some cases concluding within an episode or two and others stretching out over the show. The chaotic nature makes the The Pitt feel real. (There are the occasional TV moments where things are forced for the sake of the plot, but they feel surprisingly few.)

Excellent casing in this. Wylie is the lead as senior attending Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinovitch. One may feel it repetitive that Wylie is playing another ER doctor (this was supposed to be an ER spinoff, but Michael Creighton’s estate wouldn’t give the okay), but he helps make the show. The guy gives an Emmy worthy performance. Wylie plays a good man who is very competent and the right sort to lead an ER but is also three-dimensional and you can see stress and regret getting at him. 

The show does a remarkable job of balancing a ton of characters, but there are a couple recurring ones who feel like they sorta disappear unceremoniously. There is a bit of conflict between doctors Trinity Santos (Picard/ Goosebumps’ Isa Briones) and Victoria Javadi (Shabana AzeAzeez) at the beginning, but then it suddenly disappears.

The squeamish should know that the show really tries to be accurate in regards to medical injuries and conditions and that this is the most uncensored medical show I’ve ever seen. The gore can get gnarly at moments. There are also the occasional boobs and penises in this. However, none of the violence or nudity is sensationalized.

Highly recommended. This is just peak TV and so very watchable.

A Minecraft Movie

Grade: A

In A Minecraft Movie, a small group of townsfolk become trapped in the fantastical world of Minecraft. Now they have to find a way out.

Fans of the popular video game will be pleased to know that they managed to adapt the game pretty well. They managed to take a world made out of block shapes and made it presentable in movie form. Lots of items and rules from the game are in this, while making things clear enough for newcomers to get. (Although, I think some of the enemy types with less screen time could’ve gotten a little more explanation.)

Given that this is based on a game where people build things, the movie provides a decent message about creativity. (Message isn’t as strongly delivered as say The Lego Movie or Barbie, but it ain’t half bad.)

The movie decided to go for the humorous route, and is pretty funny and silly. There are a fair amount of jokes adults may like that are a little cynical without being too cynical for a kids’ film.

What really makes this work is the comedy duo of Jack Black as Steve, a human who’s been living in Minecraft for a while and serves as the others’ guide, and Jason Momoa as Garrett “The Garbage Man” Garrison, a former arcade champ fallen on bad times. Both being funny guys, they work great together and are on the same wave length. Black is surprisingly the straight man, but for him that means doing competent stuff in an enthusiastic manner. Momoa might be doing an expected “has-been fallen on hard times who has to learn a lesson” journey, but his performance and dialogue make this not an issue. (Honestly, Momoa  has great chemistry with everyone.)

Sebastian Hansen also does a good job as Henry, who is an additional team member alongside Black and Momoa. He’s kinda the main lead with backstory that works well enough for the film. It is unfortunate that the attention is given a lot more to the guys than the gals. Wednesday’s Emma Myers as Henry’s older sister Natalie and Orange is the New Back/Peacemaker’s Danielle Brooks as real estate agent Dawn do a decent job, but just aren’t given enough screen time to let them shine.

The intro is one of those like the beginning of The Sorcerer’s Apprentice in that they rush through a lot of exposition, and it’s a bit much. 

Jennifer Coolidge has a subplot as Henry’s vice-principal. Fans of the actress will be pleased to know that she gives peak Coolidge, but her story is a one-note joke that is really drawn out. 

Natalie is 23, but it’s hard to see her as an adult with a job in this, because she is just so young looking. 

Highly recommended. Not saying A Minecraft Movie is the most original film, but it’s having a good time.

Hell of a Summer

Grade: C+

In the new horror comedy, a group of  camp counselors, including Jason Hochberg (played by Gladiator 2/Kraven the Hunter’s Fred Hechinger), a 24-year old counselor who doesn’t want to let go of the camp experience, are being murdered by an unknown killer. 

I’m not saying this is the funniest movie ever, but the jokes are consistent and silly. Characters are distinctive enough, and the cast are having a good time. 

For a movie that’s high on comedy, the masked killer moments are taken rather seriously. They are shot in a rather creepy and disconcerting manner. The reveal of the killer is rather satisfactory. 

Weirdly, the movie is rated R, but there is a lot of cutaways when violence happens (this is clearly a low budget movie, and this might be to cut down on effects and makeup.)

However, the movie’s biggest flaw is its emphasis on Jason, who may’ve faired better as a supporting player than the lead. His awkward socially stunted bit is stretched way too long. (Not to besmirch Hechinger’s performance. The guy is clearly an actor on the rise, and he has fully developed Jason’s mannerisms.) Doesn’t help that the “man who learns to grow up” story has been done a lot and this doesn’t do anything to break the mold. Oddly, the movie never gives any backstory for him and why he is this way other than he’s always had fond memories camp. 

There is one person at camp who likes Jason: counselor Claire (Knock at the Cabin’s Abby Quinn). Thing is that they make the mistake of not saying her age. Given that Jason’s the oldest one there, and that Abby looks young and more around the other counselors’ age, it feels sorta uncomfortable. Now, one can assume that there aren’t too many years between the two and that she is over 18, because it’s shown that the two of them attended camp together as kids. Just wished they clarified it.

This is something you might want to catch if it’s already on your streaming subscription. Thing is that the humor in this will save it for a lot of people. However, Jason will be a dealbreaker for a lot of people as well.

A Working Man

Grade: B+

In this new movie based on the novel Levon's Trade by Chuck Dixon (who is also a co-writer on this), Levon Cade (played by Jason Statham) is a former soldier and a construction foreman. His boss' daughter Jenny Garcia (Ariana Rivas), is kidnapped, and he uses his skills to try to track her.

This reunites Jason Statham and director David Ayer from the Beekeeper. One's surprised they just didn't do a sequel given its success and considering how similar Statham's character and the basic plot of a man avenging a wrong against a good person is, but apparently Sylvester Stallone (who also co-wrote) brought the script to Statham, and he brought the script to Ayer. Though I'd say Beekeeper was the superior film as it was more willing to go over-the-top, this film is a pretty solid follow-up.

The action gets violent and crazy; the final fight is delightfully insane and memorable. Like Beekeeper, you've got a ton of distinctive baddies (played by a pretty solid bunch of actors, including League of Extraordinary Gentlemen/Pennyworth's Jason Flemying, who I'm surprised isn't better known. He's good in whatever he's done.) 

There are also some unique outfits and hideout designs in here. It can be a little weird seeing Cade walk amongst regular people and architecture only to walk into someone wearing brightly colored outfit in an eccentric looking-chari, but I wouldn't call that a deal breaker. 

The setup is a little wooden (though not slow, the movie speeds right through). The exposition about Cade's life doesn't feel natural. Plus, he's got a custody battle subplot that is supposed to help endear the character, but it feels forced and the daughter (The Outlaw's Isla Gie) and the former father-in-law (sorry, couldn't figure which actor was him) he's having the custody fight with don't sound like real people. However, once the movie gets to the action, that's when everything comes into place and things get going.

Statham is again great as the tough guy who is determined and mows down everyone in his way, though he can't sell some of the poorly written dialogue moments. Michael Pena is good in his limited screen time as the emotionally distressed father of Jenny.

Recommended. If you loved the Beekeeper, like I said, it won't be exactly it, but it'll probably wet your whistle. (Just walk into this knowing that A Working Man takes itself slightly more serious than the Beekeeper.)