QLA1992

I was greatly discouraged with the first 1/3 of this installment because it was overloaded with clunky dialogue, relentless exposition and even some retconning of previous M:I films that induced some eye-rolls from me. However, the action does eventually finds its stride to a sufficient enough degree that I deem Final Reckoning as a solid finale to a great franchise.

This film is a degrading piece of trash. The themes are rubbish, the plot utterly incoherent and the performances rendered by this cast amounts to uninspired muck. It's a shame that too many people find existential dread affirming and powerful. It's utter nonsense.

Leave the World Behind is a thoroughly dumb movie trying to gaslight you into thinking it is profound. With the exception of Mahershala Ali, all the actors come off as one-dimensional caricatures. This is a shame because Ethan Hawke and Julia Roberts are capable of great work.

The convuluted nature of the plot bogs the first 30 minutes in exposition, but the exhilarating set pieces soon sends the film soaring into the electrifying and adrenaline-inducing orbit we cherish and expect of a Mission Impossible adventure. Everyone in the ensemble delivers strong character work. A special shoutout for newcomer Hayley Atwell. She steals a few scenes.

Watching this deeply personal and meditative film will go down as one of the very best moviegoing experiences I have enjoyed in recent years. Director/writer Celine Song and her triumvirate of actors Greta Lee, John Magaro and Teo Yoo are worthy of serious awards consideration.

Exquisitely perceptive writing and pitch-perfect performances produce a highly entertaining and thought-provoking movie-going experience.

Unflinching character study that comes to life due to Andrea Risebrough's strong work.

A stellarly creepy supporting turn can't overcome amateurish technical production, lacklustre lead acting and glacial pacing.

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

McDonagh’s script is transporting and transfixing. I was astonished by the well-executed twists and turns. Every cast member shone brightly.

Black Adam is fueled by an earnest spirit and boasts a few effective action sequences, but so many of the half-baked story threads and silly plot twists were eye-roll and groan-inducing.

Sublime acting, especially from a career-best Cate Blanchett, and a thoroughly engrossing and intellectually-rewarding script from Todd Field are the two ingredients powering the best film of 2022 - so far.

Plaza is electrically tenacious in the lead role. There are some very gripping scenes, but some of the quieter moments don’t quite land.

Thor: Love and Thunder perhaps offer the most compelling evidence that Marvel films have reached their expiration date. Another two hours chockful of ill-placed humour, rampant wokeism, uninspired action and poor character building.

This movie is overwrought in its emotional manipulativeness and social preaching

I am noticing a disturbing pattern on Metacritic over the past couple of days: Angry Star Wars fans who hated The Last Jedi are lashing out against the critics for giving the film acclaim by giving rotten ratings to some of the most critically-acclaimed movies of 2017. Quite an immature thing to do in my book.