The Firm (1993) - 3/5

This movie is a pretty standard white collar Orwellian thriller. For the most part the paranoia and unease works well, but one of the sources of tension actually serves to undercut the stakes significantly which does this film no favors. The chase and entrapment scenes are equally exciting, and the ending wraps up most of what it needs to, although the final resolution leaves something to be desired.

Closest comparison: It’s like Enemy of the State by way of A Few Good Men.

Setting: RomCom
Plot: Thriller
Tone: Thriller

Top Gun: Maverick - 4/5

This movie outshines its predecessor in every way. The plot is solid with outstanding pacing and storytelling. Even the gratuitous shots of jets being jets, which was the main draw of the original, are cleaner shots with smoother tracking in more dynamic locations. It offers a compelling story behind the action façade by doing away with the notion that a sequel needs to be bigger and more bombastic, a lesson the industry sorely needs to learn. If you don’t remember much of the original don’t worry: this film reminds the audience of the important plot points as they become relevant.

Closest comparison: It’s like Top Gun by way of Stealth (2005).

Setting: War
Plot: Spec Ops
Tone: Action

Days of Thunder - 3/5

This is a solid racing movie, complete with all the requisite sports montages, lose-win sequences, and family drama that go along with that. Those who like stock car racing will be much more invested, of course, but general audiences will likely have a fun time, too.

Closest comparison: It’s like Ford v Ferrari by way of Top Gun.

Setting: Racing
Plot: Sports
Tone: Sports

Legend (1985) - 3/5

This movie is campy and covered in glitter, but it’s also kind of great. I mean, with Ridley Scott, Tom Cruise, Tim Curry, and Mia Sara in an ‘80s fantasy how can you go wrong? The location designs and most of the costume designs are outstanding, though the camera work is too cagey and claustrophobic to showcase them in as epic a fashion as, say, the Lord of the Rings. It has a fairy tale story that will seem too childish for adults, and a dark side that may be too scary for younger children. Still, Tim Curry’s performance and the devil horns he wears truly live up to the movie’s name.

Closest comparison: It’s like Indiana Jones by way of The Storyteller (1987).

Setting: 80’s Fantasy
Plot: Fairy Tale
Tone: Adventure

Mission Impossible: Fallout - 5/5

It's really really good. Its 2h27min runtime packed full of chases and missions, with just enough time in between for the audience to catch its breath. There are solid performances all around and impressive cinematography both technically and viscerally. A return to form in many ways, this is almost as good as the 1996 original. A few problems with luckiness, a few poor lines of dialogue, and some overly convoluted backstories are all that kept this from being a 5/5.

Originally I gave this movie a 4/5, but over time all of the issues with it proved to be only nit picks which places it squarely in the 5/5 category.

Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) - 3/5

This is a solid action flick that feels like a '90s action movie, but updated to the 2010's. Sure, there are some situational conveniences that expediate the plot but they're not glaring and make for fun, exciting action sequences. It's about as good as the first one, so if you liked that you'll probably like this.