[Originally posted on 12/31/18] August 2
"Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw" (https://www.hobbsandshaw.com) - Lawman Luke Hobbs and outcast Deckard Shaw form an unlikely alliance when a cyber-genetically enhanced villain threatens the future of humanity.
"Luce" - A married couple is forced to reckon with their idealized image of their son, adopted from war-torn Eritrea, after an alarming discovery by a devoted high school teacher threatens his status as an all-star student.
August 9
"Dora and the Lost City of Gold" - Dora, a teenage explorer, leads her friends on an adventure to save her parents and solve the mystery behind a lost city of gold.
"After the Wedding" - A manager of an orphanage in Kolkata travels to New York to meet a benefactor.
August 16
"The Informer" - An ex-convict working undercover intentionally gets himself incarcerated again in order to infiltrate the mob at a maximum security prison.
"47 Meters Down: Uncaged" - Four teen girls diving in a ruined underwater city quickly learn they've entered the territory of the deadliest shark species in the claustrophobic labyrinth of submerged caves.
August 23
"Angel Has Fallen" - Secret Service Agent Mike Banning is framed for the attempted assassination of the President and must evade his own agency and the FBI as he tries to uncover the real threat.
"Ready or Not" (http://www.foxsearchlight.com/readyornot/) - A bride's wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to take part in a terrifying game.
[Originally posted on 06/30/19] July 5
"Spider-Man: Far from Home" (https://www.spidermanfarfromhome.movie) - Following the events of "Avengers: Endgame," Spider-Man must step up to take on new threats in a world that has changed forever.
"Midsommar" - A couple travels to Sweden to visit a rural hometown's fabled mid-summer festival. What begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult.
July 12
"Stuber" - A detective recruits his Uber driver into an unexpected night of adventure.
"Crawl" - A young woman, while attempting to save her father during a Category 5 hurricane, finds herself trapped in a flooding house and must fight for her life against alligators.
July 19
"Lion King" (https://movies.disney.com/the-lion-king-2019) - After the murder of his father, a young lion prince flees his kingdom only to learn the true meaning of responsibility and bravery.
"Into the Ashes" ( ) - With an honest job and a loving wife, a man believes he has safely escaped his criminal history. But his old crew hasn't forgotten about him or the money he stole, and when they take what he now values the most, he has nothing left to lose.
July 26
"Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" (https://www.onceuponatimeinhollywood.movie) - A faded television actor and his stunt double strive to achieve fame and success in the film industry during the final years of Hollywood's Golden Age in Los Angeles.
"Brahms: The Boy II" - After a family moves into a mansion, their young son soon makes friends with a life-like doll.
"Mary Poppins Returns" begins with the now grown-up Banks siblings in the Great Depression era, Michael (Ben Wishaw; "The Danish Girl," "Skyfall," "Cloud Atlas") and Jane (Emily Mortimer). Ben is a widower with three small children; John (Nathanael Saleh), Georgie (Joel Dawson) and Annabel (Pixie Davies).
A painter at heart, Ben has another job as a bank teller to make ends meet. Jane is a labor organizer. Ben has fallen into hard times, having to take care for his kids and their family home is going to be foreclosed. The only way to save his home is to find his father's share certificate of the bank that he works at. Meanwhile, the ruthless bank's chairman Wilkins (Colin Firth, "Kingsman" series, "The King's Speech") is doing everything he can to repossess the house.
Blunt brings blunt attitude and polish patina into the role. She gracefully ascends, glides or descends using a kite, umbrella or balloon and sing and dance with nary a hair out of place. Another standout is Lin-Manuel Miranda as Jack, the energetic lamplighter and partner-in-adventure.
None of the tunes is memorable except the closing song 'Nowhere To Go But Up.' A couple of musical sequences are overextended to the level of tedium. At times it feels like a musical number is just there for the sake of it, which prolongs the pacing and doesn't move the story along as it should be. These lessen the time that could have been used to build more warmth into the characters' connections. And of course, there's always an inherent hole with magic; the racing-against-the clock dilemma towards the end could have been easily solved by Mary Poppins.
The production is a lavish affair as scenes after scenes are filled with elaborate musical numbers, gorgeous compositions and colors, including a blend of live action and hand-drawn animation. Bubble bath-plunging, bowl-spinning, lamp-lighting, bike-riding, tower clock-climbing and time-turning, balloon-floating. Seasonal change from the cold cloudy winter into sunny spring blooms caps the story on a joyous hope for a better future.
There is something merry about watching musicals around the holidays ("The Greatest Showman," "La La Land," "Into the Woods," "Les Miserables"). "The Greatest Showman" was so successful that it leads to live show tours around the world next year. "La La Land" won the Golden Globes. "Mary Poppins Returns" is this year's end-of-year mirth that will put a bright smile on your face.
[Originally posted on 06/02/19] June 7
"Dark Phoenix" (https://www.foxmovies.com/movies/dark-phoenix) - Jean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. Now the X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all the people living in the world.
"The Secret Life of Pets" (https://www.thesecretlifeofpets.com) - Continuing the story of Max and his pet friends, following their secret lives after their owners leave them for work or school each day.
June 14
"Men in Black" (https://www.meninblack.com) - The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. Now they tackle their biggest threat to date: a mole in the MIB organization.
"Shaft" (https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/shaft-2019/) - John Shaft Jr., a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, enlists his family's help to uncover the truth behind his best friend's untimely death.
June 21
"Toy Story 4" (https://movies.disney.com/toy-story-4 ) - When a new toy named Forky joins Woody and the gang, a road trip alongside old and new friends reveals how big the world can be for a toy.
"Child's Play" - A mother gives her son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature.
June 28
"Anabelle Comes Home" (https://www.annabellemovie.com) - The demonologists bring the possessed doll to the locked artifacts room, placing her behind sacred glass and enlisting a priest's holy blessing. But a night of horror awaits as Annabelle awakens the evil spirits, who set their sights on a new target, their young daughter and her friends.
"Yesterday" - A struggling musician realizes he's the only person on Earth who can remember The Beatles after waking up in an alternate timeline where they never existed.
After the critical acclaim and popularity of "Wonder Woman," a lot was riding on "Aquaman." Aquaman (Jason Momoa) was first seen in "Justice League." DC, playing catch-up with Marvel, has had its rushed shared universe misfired or resulted in mixed reviews. It needed another strong, standalone superhero movie.
One stormy night a lighthouse keeper (Tom Curry, Temeura Morrison) spotted a wounded woman ashore, which turns out to be Atlanna (Nicole Kidman), an ocean queen who fled an arranged marriage. A cute, fish-out-of-water scene follows. They soon fell in love and had a son, Arthur (Jason Momoa). An incursion into their peaceful life made Atlanna realize that she would have to return to Atlantis in order to keep her family safe.
Arthur is raised among humans but secretly trained on land by Vulko (Willem Dafoe), a royal adviser. As a boy, Arthur learns that he can breathe underwater and communicate with fish. A grown-up Arthur uses his abilities to do impressive rescue at sea. The beer-chugging chap prefers to work alone, although fame finds him after his submarine-saving act makes news. Momoa has the imposing physicality and laidback dude persona that makes the lighthearted character work.
Beneath the sea, battles are brewing. King Orm (Patrick Wilson), Arthur's ambitious half-brother seeks power over the other realms and intends to wage war against humans, in return for their polluting the ocean. If he succeeds with his alliances, war would rage on and mankind would be in peril.
Mera (Amber Heard), a hydrokinetic-powered princess betrothed to Orm, seeks out Arthur and asks him to return to Atlantis to take his rightful place on the throne. He's the firstborn son of Queen Atlanna and the only one who could unite the seven seas and prevent the war between the ocean denizens and surface dwellers. Orm doesn't take kindly to Arthur's intention and challenge him into a duel. When it appears clear that Arthur is out of his element, Mera takes matters into her own hand and shows that she's every bit a heroine.
An averse hero, Arthur doubts that he would be able to do what's required. For one, his identity as a half-breed would not allow Atlanteans to accept him as their king. Moreover, he admits that he doesn't typically lead or work well with others. Mera believes otherwise; he's precisely the connection between land and ocean.
A key for Arthur to show Atlanteans that he's the rightful ruler is to obtain the hidden Trident of Neptune, thought to be held by the first king of Atlantis and lost when the society submerged ages ago. Arthur and Mera team up to find the mythical weapon and save both worlds.
Atlantis' ancient architecture, futuristic tech, and ocean occupants such as armored shark, warrior sea horses and war drum-playing octopus are richly rendered and luminously lit. Its citizens are regally dressed befitting the colorful underwater environment and movements are fluid as liquid.
The nearly 2.5 hours of running time does feel long and the all-CGI epic battle scenes could be cut back a bit. Also, for those who don't read the comics, a second villain feels unnecessary, although it seems that this subplot would carry on in a sequel.
All in all, director James Wan has created an over-the-top world-building that is distinctly different from other superhero movies. "Aquaman" is a superhero origin story with an aquatic Avatar, Star Wars war and Indiana Jones treasure-hunt adventure rolled into one. It's got a surprisingly touching love story, family-bonding and kingdom unity.
"Aquaman" makes a seaworthy splash amidst all the superhero fares. It's a swimmingly rollicking, action-packed fantasy adventure.
[Originally posted on 04/28/19] May 3
"The Intruder" - A young married couple buy a beautiful house on several acres of land only to find out that the man they bought it from refuses to let go of the property.
"Clara" - An obsessive astronomer and a curious artist form an unlikely bond which leads them to a profound, scientific discovery.
May 10
"Pokemon Detective Pikachu" (https://www.detectivepikachumovie.com) - In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.
"The Hustle" - Female scam artists, one low rent and the other high class, team up to take down the rotten men who have wronged them.
May 17
"John Wick 3" (https://www.johnwick.movie) - Super-assassin John Wick is on the run after killing a member of the international assassin's guild, and with a $14 million price tag on his head.
"The Souvenir" - A young film student becomes romantically involved with a complicated and untrustworthy man.
May 24
"Aladdin" (https://movies.disney.com/aladdin-2019) - A kindhearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
"Ad Astra" - An astronaut travels to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father and unravel a mystery that threatens the survival of our planet.
May 31
"Godzilla: King of Monsters" (https://www.godzillamovie.com) - A crypto-zoological agency faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.
"Ma" - A lonely woman befriends a group of teenagers and decides to let them party at her house. Just when the kids think their luck couldn't get any better, things start happening that make them question the intention of their host.
[Originally posted on 03/31/19] April 5
"Shazam" (https://www.shazammovie.com) - By shouting out one word - SHAZAM!, a streetwise 14-year old foster kid can turn into the adult superhero Shazam.
"High Life" - A father and his daughter struggle to survive in deep space where they live in isolation.
April 12
"Hellboy" (https://www.hellboy.movie) - Hellboy is caught between the worlds of the supernatural and human, battling an ancient sorceress bent on revenge.
"Missing Link" (https://www.missinglink.movie) - Mr. Link recruits an explorer to help find his long-lost relatives in a fabled valley. Along with an adventurer, the trio of explorers travel the world to help their new friend.
April 19
"Under the Silver Lake" (https://a24films.com/films/under-the-silver-lake) - An intelligent man without purpose finds a mysterious woman swimming in his apartment's pool one night. The next morning, she disappears. He sets off across town to find her, and along the way, he uncovers a conspiracy far more bizarre.
"Fast Color" - A woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home.
April 26
"Avengers: Endgame" (https://movies.disney.com/avengers-endgame) - After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins. With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers assemble once more in order to undo Thanos' actions and restore order to the universe.
[Originally posted on 02/24/19] March 1
"Styx" - Depicts the transformation of a strong woman torn from her contented world during a sailing trip. She becomes the only person to come to the aid of a group of refugees shipwrecked on the high seas. She is left slipping impotently from one nightmare to the next.
"Saint Judy" - The true story of immigration attorney Judy Wood, and how she single-handedly changed the U.S. law of asylum to save women's lives.
March 8
"Captain Marvel" (https://www.marvel.com/movies/captain-marvel) - Carol Danvers becomes one of the universe's most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races.
"The Sex Trip" - After a shallow womanizer refuses a mysterious homeless woman's request for a kiss, he wakes up the next morning to discover he's been changed into a woman.
March 15
"Wonder Park" (http://www.paramount.com/movies/wonder-park) - A story of a magnificent amusement park where the imagination of a wildly creative girl named June comes alive.
"Captive State"(http://focusfeatures.com/captivestate) - Set in a Chicago neighborhood nearly a decade after an occupation by an extra-terrestrial force, the movie explores the lives on both sides of the conflict - the collaborators and dissidents.
March 22
"Us" - A family's serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begin to terrorize them.
"The Ramen Shop" - A young man who is curious about his deceased parents' past takes a food journey to Singapore where he uncovers more than just delicious meals.
March 29
"Dumbo" (https://movies.disney.com/dumbo-2019) - A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
"The Beach Bum" - A rebellious stoner named Moondog lives life by his own rules.
"That's one step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
"First Man" film takes place during the age of the space race, chronicling Neil Armstrong's (Ryan Gosling; "Blade Runner 2049," "La La Land," "The Big Short" "The Ides of March," "Drive") life from being a civilian test pilot to a NASA astronaut and the first man landing on the moon on July 20, 1969.
It is more of a character study and the story is seen from the lens of one man, Neil. It also zooms into his family life. When Neil loses his daughter, a mere two year old, to brain tumor, a part of him dies too. It steely steers him towards NASA and put him on a sole path towards space.
The film gives a realistic look into the gruelingly dizzying training of astronauts. It's truly a feat of physical endurance, as well as intellectual and mental capacity. The training introduces Neil to his superiors, Deke Slayton (Kyle Chandler, "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Zero Dark Thirty," "Argo," "Super 8") and Robert Gilruth (Ciaran Hinds, "The Debt"), and colleagues such as Buzz Aldrin (Corey Stoll, "Ant-Man"), Ed White (Jason Clarke, "Everest"), David Scott (Christopher Abbott), Pete Conrad (Ethan Embry) and Elliott See (Patrick Fugit).
While not all the astronauts survive the test missions and Neil personally feels the impact of the losses, it doesn't deter him from dedicating himself to his hazardous work and eventual goal of going to the moon. It does take a toll on his relationships with his wife, Janet (Claire Foy), and their young children - from cohesive and supportive to apprehensive and cold.
At one point, his wife puts her foot down and insists on Neil explaining to their boys that he may never return alive from his moon mission. Stoically, Neil explains the highly risky situation to them matter-of-factly, like speaking at a press conference. Meanwhile, outside of NASA and his family, there are press and politics to deal with. Not everyone is onboard with space explorations; they cost lives and money and the outcome is unknown.
All these elements provide a human perspective into space travel. But nothing compares to the way "First Man" is filmed when it comes to traveling to and being in space. Space travel has typically been portrayed in movies as an alluring adventure, almost with a mystique to it. Filmed from a distance, astronauts coolly stroll in, then a rocket soaring into the skies and gliding gracefully in space. While "First Man" has these depictions, it shatters the over the moon image.
Director Damien Chazelle ("La La Land") takes a decidedly different approach. "First Man" is the closest you can feel to being strapped inside a spacecraft. Many closeups of Neil's face in a helmet show his internal emotions of severe disorientation, fear, relief, calm and awe. Gosling excels in portraying a wide range of expressions with minimalism.
There's nothing glamorous about being inside a rocket cockpit; it's cramped chamber and a potential death trap. And wait until it's airborne - it shakes, rattles, rolls and spins so turbulently. You'll feel the terrorizing intensity, velocity, vibration and sound. It's a wonder how the human body could survive such perilous voyage.
In space, the sight of a sliver of light and earth surface provide needed respite and tranquility. When the spacecraft finally hovers over the lunar landscape and Neil steps foot on the powdery surface, it's a hard-earned triumph. The lone human figure and silver moonscape mesmerizingly stand out against the backdrop of the black vastness of the space. The awe-inspiring music that accompanies the journey stops in stark contrast to the soundless of the deep space.
"First Man" is an immersive experience, a technical marvel with a poignant payoff.
[Originally posted on 02/01/19] February 1
"Miss Bala" - One woman finds a power she never knew she had when she is drawn into a dangerous world of cross-border crime. Surviving will require all of her cunning, inventiveness, and strength.
"Artic" (https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/arctic) - A man stranded in the Arctic after an airplane crash must decide whether to remain in the relative safety of his makeshift camp or to embark on a deadly trek through the unknown in hopes of making it out alive.
February 8
"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" (http://www.thelegomovie.com) - It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a new threat, invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
"Cold Pursuit" (https://www.coldpursuit.movie) - A snowplow driver seeks revenge against the drug dealers he thinks killed his son.
February 15
Happy Death Day 2U (https://www.happydeathday.com) - A young woman discovers that dying over and over was surprisingly easier than the dangers that lie ahead.
February 22
"How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World" (https://www.dragonshiddenworld.com) - When Hiccup discovers Toothless isn't the only Night Fury, he must seek 'The Hidden World,' a secret Dragon Utopia before a hired tyrant named finds it first.
"The Rhytm Section" - A woman seeks revenge against those who orchestrated a plane crash that killed her family.
In “A Star Is Born,” an Academy Award-nominated actor (Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper,” “American Hustle,” “Limitless”) and a singer superstar (Lady Gaga) come together to make music.
Grizzled country rock star Jack (Cooper) stumbles drunk into a bar and discovers an aspiring artist, Ally (Gaga), belting out a classic tune. The two connect on the spot and at one point end up in a parking lot of a grocery store, learning a bit about each other and start singing in the quiet of the night.
For all his success, Jack is a drug addict and alcoholic, growing up with a damaged childhood. Ally is a waitress and singer-songwriter, hiding herself behind self-doubt on the music front, insecure about her looks and abilities. Beyond talent, showbiz is also about persona and what people want to see. The glitzy dress, daring hair and bold makeup, blaring lights and choreographed dancers.
Smitten by Ally, Jack rolls out the red carpet by flying her to his concert and providing her with a backstage pass. When Jack sees Ally, he compels her to join him for a duet. Mousey Ally surprises herself and everyone when she sings her heart out on stage. In this age of social media, her performance goes viral. Soon she's scooped up by a producer, gets jazzed up and becomes a sensation.
While Ally's star is soaring, Jack's spiraling downward. Even so, their emotional, co-dependent relationship keeps them together through the highest and lowest times. Ally makes excuses for him, cares for but desperately wants him to clean up his messes, and eventually realizes even her love can't save him from himself.
Gaga and Cooper have authentic screen presence. Gaga for appearing in such a non-Gaga like image and acting so wholeheartedly. She's totally unassuming with her natural look and vulnerability. Cooper for singing with his own voice in a rock star facade. Also, as the film director, he directs the movie with taut frames, creating closeup portraits of Jack and Ally's relationship. A quibble is Ally's transformation from good ol' Ally to worldly performer goes in a flash, but it doesn't lessen the heartfelt performance. Both Gaga and Cooper are a revelation.
In “A Star Is Born," two stars and love songs shine.
The trailer of "A Simple Favor" makes the movie appear like "Gone Girl" or "The Girl on the Train." In some ways, it is. It's a female-lead, mystery thriller. The movie differs in a surprising aspect; it's also a dark comedy. It's got a similar vibe to a past TV show, "Desperate Housewives."
Emily Nelson (Blake Lively; "The Shallows," "The Age of Adaline," "The Town") and Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick; "Into the Woods," "Up in the Air") couldn't be more different. Lively and Kendrick play their complicated characters and messy relationships with pitch perfection and a sense of saucy self-awareness.
Emily is elegant and nonchalant, coolly blase in her sleekly tailored suits and trendy shoes. She has a high-powered career as a public relations director of a fashion house and lives in a modern mansion with her handsome husband, Sean Townsend (Henry Golding, "Crazy Rich Asians"), spellbound by her enigma. Stephanie is a nerdy mommy vlogger who dolls out lifestyle recipes online. She's also an super volunteer at her son's school. The two women strike an unlikely friendship through their sons.
The two bond over mid-day martinis at Emily's house and share personal secrets. Emily's life is not so perfect after all. The stylish house is a money pit and her professor husband is a novelist who hasn't written another book in a decade. She may not be the person she represents to the world. Stephanie has her own dark past, one that she carries with guilt. Their rapid exchanges about life, women's roles and desires are flavored with frisky humor and snarkiness.
One afternoon Emily calls Stephanie to ask for a simple favor, picking up her son from school, as she has to deal with putting out fires at work. Only one problem, Emily never returns home and she's gone missing. Left with the fallout, Sean and Stephanie become involved and they live under the cloud of suspicions.
Stephanie is obsessed to find out about what happened to her friend, including gathering tips from her vlogger followers. Her investigation helps uncover Emily's obscured past, connecting her to the warped present, and puts her in a hairy crossfire. The plot twists are better experienced totally unspoiled.
There's nothing simple about "A Simple Favor." Piling on bizarre turns and deliriously aware of its own outlandishness, it is a wicked whodunit.
[Originally published on 12/31/18] January 4
"Escape Room" (https://www.sonypictures.com/movies/escaperoom/) - Six strangers find themselves in circumstances beyond their control, and must use their wits to survive.
January 11
"The Upside" - A comedic look at the relationship between a wealthy man with quadriplegia and an unemployed man with a criminal record who's hired to help him.
"Replicas" - A scientist becomes obsessed with bringing back his family members who died in a traffic accident.
January 18
"Glass" (https://www.glassmovie.com) - A security guard uses his supernatural abilities to track down a disturbed man who has 24 personalities.
January 25
"Serenity" - The mysterious past of a fishing boat captain comes back to haunt him when his ex-wife tracks him down with a desperate plea for help, ensnaring his life in a new reality that may not be all that it seems.
Romcoms are typically cliche. Boy meets girl, throw in some lightweight drama, comedic antics, predictable resolutions, and voila, all is good with the world. "Crazy Rich Asians," a mainstream Hollywood romcom based on best-selling book by Kevin Kwan (part of a trilogy) puts a vibrant spin with all-Asian cast (the first since the "Joy Luck Club" in 1993), Singaporean backdrop, and fantasy-level wealth.
In this 'Meet the Family' story, Nick Young (Henry Golding) brings his girlfriend, Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American and fellow NYU professor, to his home country Singapore to attend his best friend's wedding. This is where Rachel realizes her boyfriend's true identity as Singapore's most eligible bachelor, the 'Prince Harry of Asia.'
Rachel is thrust into his extended family, old-money and part of the world's one percent. As expected, the matriarch of the family, Eleanor Young (Michelle Yeoh), doesn't approve of the relationship. She doesn't see how Rachel, a nobody American outsider, would fit into the Asian culture, rich tradition and privileged lifestyle.
It's easy to get starry-eyed with all the glut and glitter. First-class intercontinental flight, helicopter trips to tropical islands, secluded beaches, over-the-top parties, sumptuous feasts, exclusive shopping spree, opulent mansions, extravagant fashions and lavish jewels. This fish-out-of-water story has an added dimension of a culture and status clash. Personal passion, self-freedom and pursuit of happiness stacked against individual sacrifice, traditional values and family fortune.
There's also a side story regarding Nick's cousin, fashion icon and socialite, Astrid Teo (Gemma Chan), whose marriage is crumbling and not for the reason one may think. Behind the perfect facade, there's a layer to her and arc to her character.
This is a movie with strong women who make their own choices. Eleanor doesn't quite fit into an evil tiger mother or dragon lady mold. She's got her own pathos. Rachel is not a Cinderella who needs saving. She has the strength to face her fears and makes unlikely decisions. Her old college friend, Peik Lin Goh (Awkwafina, "Ocean 8"), beyond a comedic relief, provides unconditional support.
"Crazy Rich Asians" is a frothy and tiered feast, bursting with culture, glamour, color, humor and heart.
“Mission: Impossible” is a rare franchise that gets better with age. The trilogy reboot during this decade easily surpasses the previous three. The big, bold and breathtaking 'Ghost Protocol' and impossibly thrilling 'Rogue Nation' are now topped with 'Fallout.'
While each “Mission Impossible” is typically a standalone movie, 'Fallout' is a fallout of 'Rogue Nation.' Villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris) might have been captured and his Syndicate organization got dismantled, but his network isn't totally obliterated. His associates have formed Apostles and proceeded with his mission of a new world order; disrupting government structures and creating anarchy through sabotage, strategic assassinations and mass-annihilation.
Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise; "Edge of Tomorrow," "Oblivion," "Jack Reacher") failed a mission in Belfast because he refused to sacrifice his team, Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg). Plutonium canisters are now in the hands of the bad guys, which will be used for nuclear bombs. The CIA now gets involved, to the dismay of the secretary of IMF, Alan Hunley (Alec Baldwin). Head Erica Sloan (Angela Bassett, “Black Panther”) assigns an agent, August Walker (Henry Cavill, “ Justice League,” "Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice", “The Man from U.N.C.L.E."), to accompany the IMF team to recover the canisters.
To say that things are not as straightforward is an understatement. There's arms dealer White Widow (Vanessa Kirby) tangled in the web and she may or may not be what she seems to be. British operative Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson, “The Greatest Showman”) shows up, and like in 'Rogue Nation,' her intention and allegiance is not always clear. Even the CIA itself is fractured and there may be an enemy within.
Layers of twists and turns have always been the hallmark of the “Mission: Impossible” series and it's something that distinguishes the series from generic action movies. This, and Cruise himself. He may just be a superspy himself, defying age and limits of the human body. He continually performs death-defying feats with incredible audacity, vitality and velocity.
After scaling the Burj Khalifa and clinging to the side of an airplane in past movies, he thrusts into a brutal brawl, skydives in a lightning storm, rides a motorcycle sans helmet against Paris traffic, sprints across London rooftops, leaps between buildings, climbs up a rope tied to flying helicopter and free falls onto its cargo, takes control of the cockpit and engages in a heli pursuit in Khasmir, barrels down inside the heli dangling from the mountaintop, and scales a rock face to get to a detonator. See it in 3-D if you can.
Close-ups of Cruise doing daredevil acts and clear sweeping panorama make the scenes suspenseful and breathtaking to watch. Christopher McQuarrie ("The Tourist"), the only director invited back a second time in the series, films the scenes with deft direction and precise execution.
'Fallout' has multiple crosses, switcheroos, surprises, old-fashioned stunts, relentless pace and total momentum. It also manages to touch into Ethan's personal backstory and internal sacrifice he's made. The personal sacrifice is what enables Ethan Hunt to continue to do what he does. At this point in his life, his relationship with his ghost of a wife, Julia (Michelle Monaghan, “Source Code”) is in a good place and he may finally be ready to move on.
“Mission: Impossible – Fallout” is a breathless blast of honest-to-goodness action and a visceral treat for thrill seekers.
