See How They Run (2022) - 4/5

This movie is an outstanding, self-aware cozy comedy that delivers impeccably on its task. It’s funny and clever, never overplaying its hand or underselling the mystery. It’s flush with style like Wes Anderson, but it never meanders aimlessly or forgets about the ending like his films can. Sam Rockwell’s accent goes in and out a bit but all of the characters, including his, are so layered that minor flaws in the performances are easy to overlook.

Closest comparison: It’s like Knives Out by way of The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Setting: Detective
Plot: Mystery
Tone: Comedy

Okja (Netflix) - 1/5

This film is a disgusting propaganda piece with excellent production values. It launches an avalanche of buzzword premises that are arguable at best, and then draws exclusively a priori conclusions. None of the protagonists are particularly likable and the antagonists are over-the-top caricatures of imaginary villains. There’s no substance to this movie beyond its overt political statements and those are thoroughly invalid at every level of analysis. Also the special effects are quite good.

Closest comparison: It’s like Mighty Joe Young by way of Meet Your Meat.

Setting: Jet Set Action
Plot: Rescue Adventure
Tone: Tragedy

Stan & Ollie - 3/5

This movie is a heartwarming tragedy about the life and times of the legendary comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. For those interested in their history and behind-the-scenes interactions, this is a good run-down of the later part of their lives. Instead of focusing on how they meet it goes through their disagreements and struggles to get an audience even after coming to fame. Steve Coogan is very good as Stan Laurel, but John C. Reilly in full costume is the spitting image of Oliver Hardy and their chemistry is palpable on screen.

Closest comparison: It’s a standard biopic, a la Chaplin (1992) or The King’s Speech.

Setting: Drama
Plot: Biopic
Tone: Tragedy