1917 - 5/5

This movie is impeccably acted, with a compelling story and empathetic characters, but the main draw comes from the fact that the entire thing is a oner. Of course there are several cleverly hidden cuts and one plot-based one, but the effect is more than just window dressing; it brings the audience with the characters on their urgent journey. The main characters have a few lucky escapes from bad marksmen, but that’s a minor quibble at best in a film like this. The period costuming and set design is jaw-dropping, and everything comes together in an impressive and epic package.

Content warning: war violence

Closest comparison: Where Dunkirk (2017) shuffled its timeline, 1917’s is seamless.

Setting: War
Plot: Adventure
Tone: Thriller

John Carter - 2/5

This movie is mostly passable, but is needlessly convoluted for what amounts to a simple plot. It relies heavily on its special effects and for the most part they’re passable, but they lack enough polish to carry the movie. The main characters aren’t particularly likable, which could make for an interesting, morally ambiguous movie, but doesn’t work in a family film. There’s a good amount of extravagant action, but if you’re looking for anything more you’ll be disappointed.

Closest comparison: It’s like Cowboys and Aliens (2011) by way of Jupiter Ascending, as a family movie.

Setting: Western Sci-Fi
Plot: Adventure
Tone: Family Action

Sunshine - 5/5

Not only is this movie gorgeous right out of the gate, it also has a top notch slow burn thriller pacing. The musical score is definitely pulling its weight here, bringing both the weight of grandeur and a beautiful framework for the story, all the while digging its spurs into the tension. This movie is solidly character-driven and never loses sight of the mission, but keeps practicality always in the forefront of the story. For solidly tense sci-fi that’s also fun to watch you can’t do much better than this.

Closest comparison: It’s like a cross between U-571, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and parts of The Fountain..

Setting: Sci-fi
Plot: Disaster
Tone: Thriller

Shazam! - 2/5

This movie is infectiously funny, but humor alone does not a movie make. This is DC’s equivalent to Ant-Man, but it’s not as good. There are missed opportunities at every turn, as a character asks what makes someone a hero while standing among statues of the seven deadly sins and another character who is bullied finally has the strength to face his aggressors, but none of them pay off. The concepts are clumsily handled and fold in on themselves, actually creating logical inconsistencies and character motivation problems. Excellent effects and acting and all that, but there’s nothing else to it. And it shows.

Closest comparison: It’s like Big (1988), but instead of going the Bruce Almighty route it opts for the Venom route.

Setting: Fantasy
Plot: Super hero
Tone: Comedy

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