Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness - 3/5

This movie is conflicted. The first half is standard super hero fare, the second half tends more toward Sam Raimi-brand horror. The pacing is very flat, which robs the ending of some of its impact, but the fight scenes are creatively conceived and excellently executed. The character of America Chavez is mostly fine, but some of her trappings and backstory are downright leftist propaganda. The good parts of this movie are pretty great, but there’s enough that doesn’t work to bring the film movie down to mediocre.

Closest comparison: It’s like Doctor Strange (2016) by way of Evil Dead (2013).

Setting: Super Hero
Plot: Mentorship
Tone: Super Hero, then Horror

Salt (2010) - 3/5

This is a stock action movie that is passably clever, with mostly competent action and a more-or-less workable story. Aspects of the plot don’t make a whole lot of sense, but it’s a fun action ride despite its flaws. It feels like it could have been a reskinned Black Widow script, with appropriately stylized yet almost grounded spy shenanigans. Some of the fight scenes and interrogations are kind of brutal, but the overall tone of the film is not.

Closest comparison: It’s like Black Widow by way of Jason Bourne

Setting: Political Thriller
Plot: Espionage
Tone: Action

Inside Man (2006) - 4/5

This is a smart, well-executed heist movie. It’s constantly letting the audience know that it’s going to pull a fast one at the end, but keeps them guessing who and when and how. The top tier actor list does not disappoint, bringing the rich characters to life with a smooth aggressiveness that makes full use of their considerable talents. The pacing would normally be considered slow-burn, but there’s enough to think about at all times that the pauses instead become room to think and let the plot breathe a little. Ultimately it thinks it’s a bit more clever than it actually is and it takes too long to wrap up in the third act, but those are small criticisms for such a unique and well thought out story.

Closest comparison: It’s like Heist (2001) mixed with Silence of the Lambs, but with drama and intrigue in place of psychological horror.

Setting: Detective
Plot: Heist
Tone: Drama

Children of Men - 4/5

The main draw from this movie is certainly the cintematography, with breathtakingly long takes and jawdropping visual trickery that doesn’t distract from the story but supports and enhances it. The premise is pretty novel and the story plods along interestingly enough, building tension on the brink of despair then shining enough of a light to keep the audience watching and hoping. The violence has a passive realism that focuses on the human impact more than the uncomforatable psychology of it, but both are present to a degree. Sill, if you like dystopian sci-fi and difficult film-making, it’s a must-watch.

Closest comparison: It’s like 1984 by way of Birdman.

Setting: Dystopian Sci-Fi
Plot: On-The-Run
Tone: Bleak Survival