King Arthur

King Arthur (Antoine Fuqua, 2004)

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Rating: Q=4, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=2, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

Dark Ages, Fantasy, Action, Adventure, Based on Books

This take on the Arthur legend is interesting, but it falls short on many levels, for me. As a college student I was fortunate to have an entire seminar class devoted to Arthurian legend, so perhaps I have higher expectations. The acting and action was all good, but the story itself didn't grip me. I wasn't convinced that Arthur (and all his knights) wouldn't have spoken about freedom quite so assertively (and often) but I did appreciate his strong morals. Clive Owen doesn't exactly exude passion, though. Guinevere's character seemed forced. I didn't really like her as a political warrior. The knights all had such small roles, and that was disappointing. I wanted more depth, but this is really just a film with lots of fighting.

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The Incredible Hulk

The Incredible Hulk (Louis Leterrier, 2008)

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Rating: Q=5, P=3 / Thanks But No Thanks

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=1

Marvel, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction

I like Dr. Bruce Banner and the Incredible Hulk as an idea. I enjoy Mark Ruffalo's portrayals in all the MCU films and think he deserves a stand-alone film, for sure. So, I went back and watched the 2008 film starring Edward Norton as the big green guy...it's not a good film. It's OK and there are definitely moments that are fun to watch, but the story is boring and the acting is more than lacking. All the more reason to get a new film made with Mark Ruffalo! And let's have more of the science, please?

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Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Sam Raimi, 2022)

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Rating: Q=6, P=6 / Average OJ

Scale 1=4, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=3

Marvel, Superhero, Action, Adventure, Thriller, Horror, Science Fiction

I absolutely love Dr. Strange--the first Dr. Strange film is still my favorite of all MCU films. I love his character and Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of him. So, I was very excited about this latest installment. It's a very fun film full of action, horror, and thrills with amazing special effects...but it has two major issues for me: 1) this film does not stand on its own very well. If you haven't seen WandaVision or at least know Wanda's stories from the comics, you'll probably be a bit confused. And then 2) I really don't like Wanda in this film. I didn't like her in any of her other appearances plus her role in this film is center stage and is darker and more evil that doesn't feel right. Her evil feels more like a selfish, out-of-control tantrum to me. A tantrum that could destroy universes? Well, Dr. Strange and the new America character makes up for it, to some degree. I still enjoyed it and might watch it again.

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WandaVision

WandaVision (Jac Schaeffer, 2021)

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Rating: DSQ=7, SP=4 / Average Snack

Scale A=3, Scale B=2, Scale C=2, Scale D=2, Scale E=2

I didn't jump right in with WandaVision when it was originally released because nothing about it seemed particularly intriguing, to me. Wanda is one of my least favorite Marvel characters and one that I think the MCU messed up. But WandaVision is an interesting show and has some good moments. From a film student's perspective it is novel and experimentational. I appreciate the different decades of television and how everything from Wanda's psyche is played out within those genres/themes. But...I just don't like Wanda. I can't sympathize with her, even though I know her background and often feel like I should, I dislike her mannerisms and voice, and her back storyline is filled with problems and feels convoluted. Vision is far more enjoyable to watch. I wish I liked this more, but I just didn't.

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Belfast

Belfast (Kenneth Brannagh, 2021)

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Rating: Q=6, P=5 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=3, Scale 3=3, Scale 4=2

1960's, Northern Ireland, Politics, Coming of Age, Memoir

What a beautiful memoir from Kenneth Brannagh. This is a film about childhood, about family, about the importance of place impacting your identity. It is also a film about violence and trauma and grappling with the hardest decision: stay in the place you know and love or be safe. I also loved how Brannagh showed the escape of the movie theater and how much those themes and stories of westerns stayed in the young Buddy's mind. Wonderful performances by Judi Dench and newcomer Jude Hill.

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Nightmare Alley

Nightmare Alley (Guillermo del Toro, 2022)

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Rating: Q=5, P=4 / Average OJ

Scale 1=3, Scale 2=2, Scale 3=2, Scale 4=2

1930's-40's, Thriller, Psychological, Carnival

Guillermo del Toro has made an interesting adaptation of  Nightmare Alley, perhaps staying closer to the story of the novel, but somehow the film just didn't grab me like the classic film noir version from 1947. Perhaps it was because the slow burn was less convincing and the horror aspects pulled me away from the psychological madness. I wasn't as captivated by the setting nor by the acting. Nightmare Alley of 1947 felt succinct and complete--fully formed from start to finish, with subtle moments throughout signaling the mentalist's downfall. This version just feels bumpy (the story felt a little rushed and disjointed) and, at times, overdoing it. But the artistry was superb! And I did like the ending just a little better--so fitting. 

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