Venom: Let There Be Carnage - 2/5

This movie is similar to its predecessor, but with a darker, true crime vibe. Half of the runtime is dedicated to tracking down a serial killer’s past, which will be more engaging for some audience members than others. The fight scenes are fine in theory but are destroyed by shaky cam, which is especially bad given that it’s basically all CGI. But the movie really goes off the rails in the final battle, where the plot comes together just to fall apart.

Closest comparison: It’s like Venom (2018) with a dash of Se7en.

Setting: Super Hero
Plot: Super hero
Tone: True Crime

Spider-Man: No Way Home - 4/5

This movie is attempting to be a love-letter to Spider-Man fans and MCU fans alike, and in many ways it succeeds. There’s much better character development here than in the previous two Spider-Man movies, and the main cast rises to the challenge with superb acting. The fight scenes are much better than Far From Home, both in conception and execution. That being said, the first half hour is pretty painful in its attempts at humor and there are a few throw-away lines that are cringey attempts at being ‘woke’. At this point in the MCU every film is carrying a lot of baggage, and how this one hits any given audience member will only vary more and more, this film very much included.

Closest comparison: It’s like Spider-Man: Far From Home by way of Doctor Strange (2016).

Setting: Super Hero
Plot: Sci-Fi
Tone: Comedy

Inception - 5/5

This movie is an instant classic, and rightly so. It is the epitome of a complex plot made simple, its cinematography is jaw-dropping, its special effects seamless. It somehow manages to deliver a strong sci-fi story and a tender romantic tragedy without losing any of the running pace or pure excitement of the adventure it’s all wrapped up in. The high-concept fabric of the film is enough to keep your mind soaring but its immaculate stakes keep the story grounded and powerful. It’s an unparalleled masterpiece and a must-watch.

Closest comparison: It’s like Existenz, but well-made.

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Cerebral Sci-Fi
Tone: Action Adventure

The Revenant (2016) - 4/5

This movie is a cinematic tour-de-force with impressive cinematography and intense performances from the entire cast, Leo DeCaprio in particular. The story is bleak and depressing, and the movie goes to great lengths to demonstrate how realistic the situation is at every step. Its entire premise is about the crystallized intensity of one man’s will to enact vengeance and the brutality of wickedness and of the elements that he’s willing to endure to that end, and it’s equal parts riveting and difficult to watch.

Content warning: brutal, gory violence, sexual assault

Closest comparison: It’s like Last of the Mohicans (1992) by way of The Grey (2012).

Setting: Adventure
Plot: Survival
Tone: Revenge Thriller

Venom - 3/5

It’s not ‘Good’ but there are parts that are really good. Fight scenes are often well done with great special effects, though the final fight in particular is surprisingly bad. Venom is funny with a dark sense of humor, which meshes well with this version of the character as well as with Tom Hardy’s Eddy Brock. It’s a different take on both characters, and the bad editing really muddles what could have been great. They seem to have expanded Venom’s power set somewhat, which is fun to watch but contradicts itself in a few minor places. Venom bites off a few heads, but always off screen so as to maintain the PG-13 rating and the violence is mostly punching and throwing. If you don’t mind waiting 25 minutes to see him get the symbiote, it’s a fun action movie.

Full Video Discussion

Dunkirk - 5/5

This movie is awesome to watch. Not 'fun' like a lot of other war movies try to be, but the experience is intense and I can't think of anything they should have done differently. There are very loud parts in this movie (and rightly so), but if you're sensitive to loud noises wait til it comes out on DVD. The cinematography is beautiful and the storytelling is fascinating. Also don't go if you have a weak heart; this movie is tense for most of its runtime.

Edit: On a second viewing there is a lot more to catch. I didn't realize quite so many of the secenes are played back later from a different perspective, and many of the earlier scenes take on a new meaning when you watch them knowing what's going on elsewhere/elsewhen. Still a great film, and I stand by my 5/5 rating.