Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Spider-Man: Brand New Day; Surprisingly manages to show more inventive ways to experience Spidey on the screen, w/spectacular stunt work & inspired super hero team ups and clever shots & sequences. On top of that, weaves an emotional arc w/impact, even if it meanders off on an odd pace for a bit; A

The Dink

The Dink; A comedy in the manner of a 90s Adam Sandler movie, with a cast that elevates the execution of such a simple premise. Even though the plot points are telegraphed and story beats as old as time, it is fun & enjoyable to watch these tropes in the hands of the actors who are down to clown; C+

Masters of the Universe

Masters of the Universe; Completely leans hard into what it is, a goofy, nostalgic space opera medieval fantasy. The stellar cast play their parts with glee & heart, almost giving more than the story deserves. The jokes land and the dramatic touches play well, making for a satisfying silly movie; B
 

This is the Tom Green Documentary

This is the Tom Green Documentary; Takes a measured look at the comedic career & life of a pioneering creative, noting the ground breaking work that inspired the current landscape, while recognizing influences and challenges that made him who he is. Does a great job for an autobiographical film; A-
 

The Odyssey

The Odyssey; Bold, exceptional filmmaking once again from a renowned master. The storytelling is brutally & somewhat grotesquely brought to life, with some modern sensibility and interpretation. Not a Nolan favourite for me, but a truly accomplished film worthy of the O.G. epic it’s sourced from; A

Moana

Moana; Surprisingly good for a live action remake of a 10yr old film. Seeing the real life Polynesian people is quite impactful & the new Moana is exquisitely cast. Having realistic depictions heightens scenes of peril, while reimagining of fantastical elements still play really well. Enjoyable; A-

Whale Rider

Whale Rider; Fantastic tale of battling patriarchal power & evolving traditions while respecting the Māori people and ways. Castle-Hughes is phenomenal in every way, eliciting tears of joy & heartache, while also hitting comedic moments. Performances are great and beautifully honest and grounded; A+
 

The Lunchbox

The Lunchbox; Cute little romance that’s more about navigating one’s way through life’s transitions than it is about finding a perfect match. The magic of food fuels a great revelation lovingly portrayed by the two sweet leads, who barely share screen time yet have a profound impact on each other; B

Project Hail Mary

Project Hail Mary; Gosling captivates like few others can, hitting the right tones of comedy, sadness, isolation, joy & creative spark. Many contrivances occur, but that’s ok because we’re along for the ride. Inspired storytelling makes the runtime feel short, though it’s got LOTR # of endings; A

Supergirl

Supergirl; Tackles mature themes in a PG package, that would’ve been better served by a R rating to compound the grief, hardship & atrocity that is hinted at. Does more telling than showing, yet succeeds at presenting Supergirl as the foil to her famous cousin. Very good but not very rewatchable; B+