“Delia’s Gone” is drama about a developmentally disabled man who is accused of a murder, and then later finds out the truth of his sister’s death. He was framed and wants to get back at the people who were culpable. It is a bit like “Rain Man” or “Forrest Gump” conducting a criminal investigation to clear their name. He might be a little slow, but he is able to uncover the truth.
“Beast” has a dangerous creature as the star, a beast so large and muscular, one that stalks and moves with a ferocious manner that has eyes that smolder and burn… Oh, yeah – there is also a wild lion. Really, the star is Idris Elba in the lead role. But just as intriguing is the African lion who in his own habitat, while everyone else can be uninvited dinner guests. Or maybe just dinner… Read more
“Bodies Bodies Bodies” is a wonderfully stylized movie that is like Agatha Christie on Tik-Tok using an Instagram filter. In other words, it is a classic ‘murder house mystery’ but done with the hip and up-to-date attitudes of today’s Generation Z age group. It combines some sharp social commentary and a mistaken who-dun-it mystery. Basically it a fascinating melding of “Get Out” meets “Knives Out”. But with much more alcohol, drugs and glow sticks…
“Bullet Train” is a fast-moving, action-packed, darkly cynical romp along the rails with assassins, trouble-makers, and one mean conductor. The Japanese high-speed rail is the place for an all-out brawl, and a comedy of errors. It is superbly absurd, as suitcases get swapped, hit-men get hurt (and worse) and the general chaos extends past the end of the line. All Aboard! Read more
Amazon Prime Video streaming as of August 5, 2022
“Thirteen Lives” retells the story of the Thailand boy’s soccer team who went into a local cave and required a rescue. But it was not only the local townspeople who were watching the rescue events unfold. The entire world was watching. Everyone who saw what was happening was hoping for the best, yet fearing for the worst. The dozen boys, and the adult coach, are trapped beyond any normal means of retrieval. So, in a last-ditch effort to save thirteen lives, the impossible was made to happen…
“Vengeance” is a cleverly designed and intriguing look at certain divisions in the country. But it is completely wrapped up in a ‘fish-out-of-water’ tale in which an elite guy from New York City spends a considerable amount of time with a West Texas family. At first his reaction is disbelief, amazement, and some ridicule. But after a while, he begins to see the ‘Blue State’ principles that he has learned might be softened by the ‘Red State’ values that he finds can also ring true. Read more
“Nope” is a movie that will take some common science-fiction and horror concepts and stands them on their head. It peels back the layers of complexity into simple and familiar scenes. There are questions that are suggested, and the movie plans to answer only a few of them. The rest of them are puzzles to be worked out and studied, like some jigsaw pieces that have been painted Black. Read more
Opens July 22 — in Phoenix area — exclusively at Harkins Camelview at Fashion Square
“My Donkey, My Lover and I” is a French-language movie about… well — about a lady who has to travel with a donkey in order to see her lover. The problem is, her lover is married, and she does not know anything about traveling with a donkey.
“Where the Crawdads Sing” is based off a very popular novel read in many local book clubs. In fact, one of the early promoters of the book was Reese Witherspoon, who is now one of this movie’s producers. The story seems perfect for a friendly book-club environment, with the strong yet troubled young female character.
“Thor: Love and Thunder” is a Marvel movie with the continuing saga of everyone’s favorite beefcake – the “Mighty Thor”. Wait, well actually, “Mighty Thor” is the person who is worthy to wield the powerful hammer (Mjolnir). The hammer was in little pieces, due to an unfortunate encounter in a prior movie, and now Thor holds the “Stormbreaker”. But his super-charged axe is no match to Thor’s super-charged ‘Ex’. Ex-girlfriend that is, and she holds the hammer and is worthy to be “Mighty Thor”. The powerful hammer is able to break mountains, but Thor’s Ex can continue to break his heart.
