Seriously behind, but better late than never, I guess.
“Maiden” is a first rate documentary about a British ex-patriate barmaid who, over the course of ten years, organized and skippered an all female crew in what was then the Whitbread Round the World sailing race. It’s an absolutely amazing story and very well presented.
“Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw” is a spin off of a series that has been half soap opera and half testosterone-drenched action. This one eliminates the soap opera and doubles the action, which leaves it pretty mindless, but still amusing.
“The Kitchen” is a gangster movie with a female twist. If you like gangster movies, you will like this, I think. I certainly did.
“Dora the Explorer and the Lost City” is targeted at nine-years-olds to the point that I ALMOST gave up on it after the first fifteen minutes. I didn’t, but I am still not sure I made the right choice.
“Brian Banks” is a mostly triumph from tragedy story that is both compelling and kind of toxic. Banks was a young foolball star whose life was destroyed when he plead guilty to a rape charge in spite of being innocent. The story ends happily, but a story that hinges on a false rape charge is not what the world needs at the moment.
“Ready or Not” is an over the top horror story that is a great deal of fun if you don’t mind the gore.
“Blinded by the Light” is wonderful. Given that it hinges on the music of a singer/song-writer that I have ZERO use for, the fact that the movie works says a great deal for it.
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” is a pointless story that has so much Cate Blanchett being interesting that it ALMOST plays the freight. I’m not sure.
“Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is a horror anthology with an oversized framing story that integrates the other stories so well that it stops being an anthology. It has NO sparkle whatsoever, but as a by the numbers horror story, it’s nearly perfect.
“Angel Has Fallen” is the third entry in this franchise, and it delivers exactly what it promises. We have liked all three.
“The Farewell” is a story based on the peculiar Chinese custom of not informing the guest of honor when a death watch is in progress. It’s a fascinating look at the culture, but not really a very good movie.
“Hustlers” is a pointless, ugly story that has a great cast and good character work. I don’t quite regret seeing it. That isn’t a recommendation.
Uncle Hyena