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

WandaVision (Disney+) - 3/5

Most of the draw of this show was its mystique and intrigue. The premise was so outlandish that it kept the audience in a state of wild speculation during the two months it was coming out. But by the end it neither crashed nor stuck the landing, sticking it in the bottom half of Marvel productions. There’s a lot of content here from a lot of angles so mileage may vary on your enjoyment, but if you like a curiosity definitely check it out.

Closest comparison: It’s like The Twilight Zone by way of Too Many Cooks.

Setting: Sitcom through the decades
Plot: Aftermath
Tone: Sitcom / Super hero