Author: Mike Smith

• KRAVEN THE HUNTER
• Starring:  Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana Dubose and Russell Crowe
• Directed by:  J.C. Chandor
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  2 hrs 7 mins
• Columbia Pictures

Our score:  3.5 out of 5

Sometimes the Marvel Cinematic Universe is confusing.  The majority of films based on Marvel Comics characters are all related in some way to others, seamlessly stringing along a story that has stretched for decades.  “Iron Man.”  The Tom Holland “Spider-Man” series.  “Doctor Strange.”  They all go together like another piece in a giant jigsaw puzzled.  However, for every one of those films, you have characters like Deadpool, the X-men and Howard the Duck, whose films are basically stand alone stories, though Howard the Duck does make a brief appearance in the coda of the first “Guardians of the Galaxy” film.  Add to the latter list “Kraven the Hunter,” best known to comic fans as Spider-man’s foe.  Not here though.

Sergei and Dimitri Kravinoff (Levi Miller and Billy Barratt) are two young men attending a posh private school in upstate New York.  One day they are informed that their father will be calling on them.  Soon a long, black car pulls up.  The boys get in.  Their destination will change both of their lives forever.

As I always note when I’m reviewing a comic book film, the only ones I read as a kid were Batman and Superman.  I knew Spider-Man from the Saturday morning cartoons, but I was, and still am, much better versed in the D.C. Universe.  So not only wasn’t I aware of  Kraven’s Spider-Man association, I didn’t even know he was a comic book character.  That being said, he’s pretty darn cool!

While on safari with his brother and father, a Russian bad guy brilliantly portrayed by Crowe, Serfei is attacked by a lion and dragged away.  A young girl, whose grandmother has provided her with a special potion that heals anyone who drinks it.  She gives some to the badly mauled Sergei, who is rushed to the hospital.  He survives, but he is now more animal than man.  He is a hunter.

Action packed from beginning to end, “Kraven the Hunter” is an unapologetic film where the nastier they bad guys fall, the happier the hero becomes.  Taylor-Johnson, who starred as the title character in “Kick-Ass” and gave an amazing performance as the young John Lennon in “Nowhere Boy,” is excellent here as the now-grown Sergei, who spends his days tracking down the worse of the worse and dispatching them to hell.   Younger brother Dimitri (Fred Hechinger) is more a lover then a fighter, earning his living as a lounge singer and disappointing his hard-ass father.  Hechinger seems to be attracted to these roles, having recently appeared as the less-then-tough Emperor Caracalla in “Gladiator II.”  Oscar winner DuBose does what she can with an underdeveloped role as the mystery girl who saved Sergei’s life, now all grown up.

But most people don’t go to action films for the acting.  They go for the action, and this film is packed with it.  Director Chandor sets a frantic pace and the cast keeps up with it.

On a scale of zero to five, I give “Kraven the Hunter” ★★★ ½

• MOANA 2
• Starring the voices of:  Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson and Alan Tudyk
• Directed by:  David G. Derrick Jr., ason HandDana and Ledoux Miller
• Rated:  PG
• Running time:  1 hr 40 mins
• Walt Disney Pictures

Our score:  3.5 out of 5 

On an island somewhere in the ocean, a young girl and her companions – a pig and a chicken – make their way to the top of a mountain.  There they can look out over the land.  The girl, named Moana (Cravalho) blows into a large conch shell, hoping to get a response.  But she is only greeted by silence.  Maybe next time?

A beautifully presented continuation of the 2016 hit, “Moana 2” finds our title character growing up and mounting a long, dangerous tip to the far seas of Oceania, where she is convinced she will find other civilizations.  Besides her two animal pals, she is accompanied on the journey by youthful Moni (Hualalai Chung), the industrious Simea ( Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda), and the elder Kele (David Fane).  Their trip is full of peris, with each day bringing a new adventure.

It is amazing what can be done with animation these days.  I’ve always found the hardest things to animate realistically are hair and water.  Something always made them seem just a little…”off.”  Not here.  The film is beautifully rendered and the ocean waves are so realistic you may find yourself ducking for fear of getting wet when they splash onto the shore.  The story is straightforward but quite dark at times.  Thankfully there are brief respites of humor, most of it provided by the amazing Maui (Johnson), obviously having fun with the role.  The other characters are standard Disney-fare – Moni could be a distant relative of “Beauty and the Beast” tough-guy Gaston, while Kele is the atypical “the sky is falling” character, casting doubt at every turn.  But, also following in the Disney tradition, are some great songs beautifully performed.

Overall, while younger children may be frightened by some of the images, the older ones (my two grandchildren included) should have a fun time.

On a scale of zero to five I give “Moana 2” ★★★1/2.

• GLADIATOR II
• Starring:  Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington
• Directed by:  Ridley Scott
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  2 hrs 28 mins
• Paramount 

Our score:  4.5 out of 5

Screenwriter Carl Gottlieb once noted that “the only sequel to lose money is the last one.”  Translated, it means that Hollywood Is not afraid to stick a number at the end of a film title and will continue to do so until people stop showing up.  So I was very apprehensive when I heard that a sequel to the Oscar-winning “Gladiator,” release almost a quarter century ago.  I’m happy to report that I needn’t have worried.

Rome.  While once a mighty city rulled by beloved men, it has deteriorated into a city of unrest.  While Rome was founded by brothers Romulus and Remus, it is now run by the Latin versions of Tweedledum and Tweedledee, brothers Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).  When the two aren’t bickering over the smallest perceived injustice they are sending their best general, Marcus Acacius (Pascal) to conquer every neighboring city.  When his latest attack takes the wife of an opposing soldier, vengeance is sworn.  But how to get it?

On my short list of film directors who criminally have never won an Academy Award for their work, Ridley Scott is right at the top.  With films like “Alien,” “Bladerunner,” “Thelma and Louise,”  “Blackhawk Down,” and, of course, “Gladiator,” he has crafted some of the best films of the past five decades.  You can now add “Gladiator II” to the list.

The film follows the vengeance-seeking soldier, (Mescal) after his capture.  His fighting spirit leads him to be chosen to train to fight in the Colosseum, championed by Macrimus (the always brilliant Denzel Washington).  As he hones his skills by fighting everything from giant, wild monkeys to rhinoceroses, he continues to win, driven by the thought of one day hoisting Acacius’ head.  And a memory.

Action-packed, “Gladiator II” is wall-to-wall adventure.  Like the original film, the dialogue is short and direct while the action is over the top.  Scott’s pacing keeps the film moving quickly and the visual effects are top-of-the-line.  The film does have an association with the original Oscar-winning film, but to say more would spoil the surprise!

On a scale of zero to five, I give “Gladiator II” ★★★★1/2. 

• WICKED – PART ONE
• Starring:  Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande and Jeff Goldblum
• Directed by:  Jon M. Chu
• Rated:  PG
• Running time: 2 hrs 41 mins
• Universal

 Our Score: 5 out ot 5

Sometimes when you get your hopes up, they get dashed, especially when it comes to movie musicals.  For every “West Side Story,” you get a “Cats.”  For every “Les Miserables,” you get a “Cats.”  For every “La La Land” you get, well… “Cats.”  So you can imagine my trepidation as I sat down to see “Wicked.”  Thankfully, there was nothing to worry about.

Based on the still-running 2003 Broadway show of the same name, “Wicked” tells the story of two very different people whose lives are inevitably linked in Pop Culture.  The film begins with what could almost be a coda to “The Wizard of Oz.”  The wicked witch of the West has been killed and the residents of Oz are celebrating.  They are visited by Glinda (Grande), a beautiful witch who floats along in a bubble.  She confirms the witch’s death and begins to leave.  Before she can make her escape she is asked, “is it true that you and the wicked witch were once friends?”  And the story begins.

Where to start?  Among my fears was that devoting over two and half hours to the first act of the show, which only runs for ninety minutes on Broadway, would fill the screen with unnecessary clutter and nonsense.  But director Chu fills the screen with wonderful scenery, none of it wasted space.  He keeps the film moving at such a pace that you don’t realize you’ve spent nearly three hours sitting in the dark.

The cast is top notch.  As an “old guy” I am not familiar with any of Ariana Grande’s music.  That being said, I was blown away by her voice.  She also gives Glinda a likability that other actresses may not have been able to exude.  As Elphaba, the future wicked witch, Erivo excels at keeping the character grounded.  She has a sense of humor, which you most certainly need when you are green.  Her performance gives Elphaba a humanity that the audience can relate to.  It’s not her that’s bad, it’s those that bully her.

The film also has an inner message about accepting those around you and treating them as you would like to be treated, a message that is often forgotten in today’s world.  Fans of “The Wizard of Oz” will find many Easter Eggs and homages to the 1939 film.  And fans of the original Broadway show may even see some familiar faces.

But it’s the music that makes “Wicked” what it is, and each and every song are presented magnificently.  Both Glinda and Elphaba are iconic roles and it would have been easy for the cast, especially Ms. Grande and Ms. Erivo, to play it safe and sing the songs in the style familiar with audiences.  But both of them bring a new spin to the songs.  Even if you’re a fan of the show you feel like you are hearing these songs for the first time.

If you can’t tell by the title, “Wicked” is being presented in two parts, with part two hitting theatres next November.  Take it from me and get in line now!

On a scale of zero to five, I give “Wicked – Part One” ★★★★★

• RED ONE
• Starring:  Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans and J.K. Simmons
• Directed by:  Jake Kasdan
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  2 hrs 3 mins
• Amazon/MGM Studios

 Our score 3.5 out of 5

With the holiday’s approaching, many of us are already preparing for the upcoming festivities.  That includes a certain gentleman named Nicholas who lives at the North Pole.  But he can’t do it alone.  Meet Cal Drift (Johnson), Santa’s head of security.  He’s about to retire after several centuries on the job but he’s staying around for one more sleigh ride, one he will never forget.

There aren’t a lot of Christmas-themed action films.  There’s “Die Hard” and there’s, well, “Die Hard.”  “Red One” – Santa’s code name – is no “Die Hard,” but it is an entertaining two hours of fun.  The film begins in the mid 199os, where a family gathering introduces us to young Jack O’Malley (Wyatt Hunt), a boy who doesn’t believe in Santa Claus, quite possibly because he is sure to have been on the infamous “naughty” list.  Jump ahead to today and we learn that the adult Jack (Evans) is still a rotten person who actually DOES take candy from a baby.  Jack is known in certain unsavory crowds as the “Wolf,” a con man who can get you almost anything you want.  His current client is looking for Santa (Simmons) and his secrets.  When the big man is kidnapped Jack and Cal form an unlikely team to save him.

The film’s believability rests solely on the shoulders of the cast, who all give fine performances.  Johnson has continued to grow as an actor and he has an uncanny ability to appear both tough and tender at the same time.  Evans, as a father who has kept himself out of his young son’s life, is also well cast.  Simmons, one of the greatest character actors ever, is also solid, giving what could have been a very routine role some emotional depth.  Bonnie Hunt as Mrs. Claus and Lucy Liu as the Director of the security agency.  Special mention to Kristofer Hivju, who steals scenes as the fun-loving, not evil, Krampus.

The effects are well done and the action set pieces well crafted.  Not sure how many little ones will enjoy this – some of the humor is a little over their heads – but kids love Christmas.  Except for young Jack O’Malley that is.

Overall, I recommend you get in your sleigh and head out over the river and through the woods to see “Red One.”

On a scale of zero to five I give “Red One” ★★★1/2

• HERE
• Starring:  Tom Hanks and Robin Wright
• Directed by:  Robert Zemeckis
• Rated: PG 13
• Running time:  1 hr 44 mins
• Miramax

In 1994, “Forrest Gump” became a phenomenon, winning 6 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and grossing over $670 million worldwide.  Thirty years later, most of the creative team behind the film return for a new family drama, “Here.”

I think we all have our favorite memories about our childhood homes.  My father worked for the newspapers and by the time I was 15 we had lived in six different cities in various states.  My favorite memories were created in a house in Cleveland.  I used to visit the house whenever I was in town.  Even after 40 years I could tell you the layout, where my room was, etc.  It broke my heart in 2020 when I last visited to find that it had been torn down. “Here” not only takes place in a home, but actually in the living room of a home, spanning the length of time.  From the dinosaurs that roamed the land where the house would eventually be built to where it stands today.

Though told in a non-linear fashion, the film focuses mostly on the family that purchases the home shortly after World War II, remaining in it for several decades.  As the film progresses, we get intimate glimpses, framed like snapshots, of the various lives lived within those four walls.  Good times and bad, dramatic moments and times of sheer joy,  the audience is privy every secret.

One can’t help watch this film and be reminded of the creative team’s previous film, “Forrest Gump.”  As history goes by, we run into a few well known p;eople.  It’s not as hit-on-the-head obvious as in “Gump,” but what are the odds that Ben Franklin used to live across the street?  The musical score, by Alan Silvestri, echoes the Oscar nominated score he wrote for “Gump.”  Finally, a hummingbird, whose appearances bookend the film, is reminiscent of the famous “Gump” feather.

The film is well cast and it’s great to see Hanks and Wright back together on screen.  The film follows them from their teenage years until late adulthood, and the de-aging process used here is spot on.  The younger versions of the actors are quite believable, and fare much better than the process used in “The Irishman.”

Overall, the film is an interesting piece of cinema and definitely worth taking a trip to the theatre for.

On a scale of zero to five, “Here” receives ★★★1/2.

• THE APPRENTICE
• Starring:  Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova
• Directed by:  Ali Abbasi
• Rated: R
• Running time:  2 hrs 2 mins
• Golden Media

Fifty years ago, Richard Nixon address the citizens of the United States, trying to assure them that “their president is not a crook.  To drive home the message, Nixon added “Everything I’ve got, I’ve earned.”  He then tried to sell people oceanfront property in Arizona (thank you, George Strait).

The mid-1970s were a tough time for many cities in the USA, most notably New York City.  In 1975 the city literally ran out of money.  The city could not pay its bills nor could it borrow money.  President Ford – it turns out Nixon WAS a crook and had to resign -famously told Mayor Abe Beame to “drop dead.”  New Yorkers were furious.  Except for one wide-eyed man with a dream.

Released just in time for this years Presidential Election, “The Apprentice” delves into the rise of real estate magnate Trump (Stan) and his friendship with ruthless attorney Roy Cohn (Strong, in an amazingly uncanny performance). If you’re a student of history, as I am, you may know Cohn as one of the Justice Department prosecutors  who successfully lobbied for the Death Penalty in the espionage trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg in 1953, as well as Senator Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during the Army-McCarthy Hearings investigation suspected communists in 1954.

Our story begins with Trump, whose father, Fred, is currently being sued by the Justice Department for discrimination, meets Cohn in a restaurant and explains his situation.  Taking a liking to Trump, Cohn offers his assistance, and mentorship.  Not the most ethical person in the room, Cohn gets the case dropped and soon finds himself assisting Trump as he begins building his real estate empire.  Trump does his best to follow Cohn’s 3 Rules of Success, most notably to never admit defeat.

As the film progresses we get a journey through Trump’s achievements, both positive and negative.  Building Trump Tower, revitalizing, if only temporarily, Atlantic City, meeting his future wife Ivana (Bakalova).  We also get a glimpse at his family.  His doting mother, Mary Anne (Catherine McNally), his disapproving father, Fred (Martin Donovan) and his brother Freddy (Charlie Carrick) an airline pilot with his own demons.  Along the way Trump also crosses paths with everyone from Andy Warhol (Bruce Beaton) to Rona Barrett (Valerie O’Connor).  Each actor brings their characters to life, doing more then just impersonations.  They all give fine performances but I would be remiss if I didn’t (as I did above) give high praise to Mr. Strong.  I’ve seen enough archival footage to be able to say that Strong nails everything about Cohn, from his tone to his body language.  A performance that I hope is remembered during awards season.  As Trump, Mr. Stan gives an admirable performance, which couldn’t have been easy knowing that the character you are playing did not approve of this film being made.

Let me say right here, in conclusion – I am not a political person.  Yes, I vote and yes, I’m passionate about the certain issues, but I never have, and never will, let my leanings effect how I review a film.  Like him or not, Donald Trump is a force to be reckoned with, though I think I can say with a great deal of certainty that he will not be a fan of “The Apprentice.”

On a scale of zero to five, I give “The Apprentice” ★★★1/2

• SATURDAY NIGHT
• Starring:  Gabriele LaBelle, Racel Sennott and J.K. Simmons
• Directed by:  Jason Reitman
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  1 hr 49 mins
• SONY Pictures

October 11, 1975.  I was a 15-year old boy living in Tampa and for the past two weeks I had been talking to my friends about the movie “Jaws,” which I had just seen (20) days earlier.  On that night I sat down in front of the television to tune in a new show that, fifty years later, and despite many highs and a few lows, continues to air weekly.  Live from New York…it’s SATURDAY NIGHT.

Late night programming on NBC was pretty much non-existent in the 1970s.  Johnny Carson, and “The Tonight Show,” ruled 11:30 pm on weeknights and was so popular that Saturday nights the network would run repeats of previous shows.  This changed when Lorne Michaels (LaBelle) pitched a show about the youth of the day featuring the youth of the day.  And despite deranged writers, a cast of nobodies and the network censor, the show went on.  Barely!

Brilliantly written by Gil Kenan and director Reitman, the film captures the true chaos of the ninety minutes prior to the airing of the first show.  We are introduced to familiar characters, including head writer Michael O’Donoghue (Tommy Dewey), Jim Henson (Nicholas Braun, who also portrays comedian Andy Kaufman) and, of course, the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

The casting is spot on, with each actor not only resembling but channeling their character.  We meet Dan Aykroyd (Dylan O’Brien), John Belushi (Matt Wood), Chevy Chase (Cory Michael Smith), Jane Curtin (Kim Matula), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris,) Larraine Newman (Emily Fairn) and Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt).  Each of these actors do justice to the characters, capturing their personalities perfectly.  It’s obvious that Reitman, whose father worked with many of the original cast members in film, wanted to make sure that each character was brought to life with love and respect.  Two veteran actors take on two very iconic characters with Brad Garrett portraying Rodney Dangerfield and J.K. Simmons as an insufferable Milton Berle.  And kudos to the film for highlighting Berle’s legendary “talent.”  As Max Bialistock says in “The Producers,” if you’ve got it, flaunt it!

The script is a love story to a show that has influenced multiple generations with it’s brand of humor.  Even in its worse times – I’m looking at you 1985-86 cast – the show continues to entertain.  The film is well paced and the jokes hit hard and often. It took me back to a time when there were only three television channels and you could get a burger, fries and drink at McDonalds for a dollar.  Really.

On a scale of zero to five, “Saturday Night” receives ★★★★★

• MEGALOPOLIS
• Starring:  Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito and Aubrey Plaza
• Directed by:  Francis Ford Coppola
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  2 hrs 18 mins
• Lionsgate

I’ve had time to think a lot about what I wanted to write because there are parts of “Megalopolis” that show the touch of a master filmmaker. That being said, a muddled story, and most unsympathetic characters, take a lot of the shine off of the project.

New Rome in the not too distant future is a city in shambles, with supporters of two very different men in a constant battle with each other.  On one side you have Cesar Catalina (Driver), an encentric visionary whose ideas are both embraced and ridiculed.  On the other side you have newly elected Mayor Cicero (Esposito), who considers himself a man of the people.  Both try to get their message to the people by the way of personality Wow Platinum (Plaza, in an amazing dramatic performance).  As each side tries to one up the other, the state of the City continues to deteriorate.  Who will save New Rome?

Packed with a cast that has sixteen Academy Award nominations (and three Oscars) among them, “Megalopolis” is an acting showcase for the audience.  Driver and Esposito, two of the best actors of their generation, give powerhouse performances, doing their best to sell a weakly constructed, and confusingly written, story.  Plaza, who I only knew from “Parks and Recreation,” is a revelation as the scheming and manipulative social media diva dealing with declining ratings.  Veteran actors like Laurence Fishburne, Talia Shire and Dustin Hoffman shine in smaller roles while Jon Voight proves why he has been one of the best actors of the past six decades with a featured role as Hamilton Crassius III, a man whose money helps things run.

The drawback for me is the script, also written by director Coppola.  My thought is that he was trying  to make a film similar in style to Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet,” mixing snippets of Shakesperean language with a modern vision but sadly some of the dialogue is clunky and falls flat.

Visually the film is breathtaking, and it is here that Coppola shines.  The man has fourteen Academy Award nominations and five Oscars and his place in the history of cinema is assured.  While not his best effort, there are still enough flashes of the master at work that make me give the film a favorable review.

On a scale of zero to five, “Megalopolis” receives ★★★

• THE WILD ROBOT
• Starring the voices of: Lupita Nyongo, Pedro Pascal and Mark Hamill
• Directed by:  Chris Sanders
• Rated:  PG
• Running time:  1 hr 41 mins
• Universal Pictures

Writer/director Chris Sanders has been involved, in one way or another, with some of the greatest animated feature films of all time.  “Beauty and the Beast,”  “The Lion King,”  “Lilo and Stitch,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “The Croods” are only a few of the classic films he had a part of.  This week he adds another title to his list of classics with the release of “The Wild Robot.”

Meet ROSSLUM unit 7134, the latest AI robot invented to help mankind and all of its tasks who finds itself stranded on a lonely island full of pretty much every species of animal you can think of.  Attempting to speak to the creatures, the robot – “Roz” for short – soon learns that nothing on the island, with the exception of herself, speaks English.  Built to learn she shuts down as she slowly learns to communicate with all the animals, learning each of their “languages.”  Enter Brightbill (Kit Connor), a gosling who thinks Roz is his mother.  And the adventure begins.

The story is a cross between “The Iron Giant” and “E.T.,” with love for others over oneself the message that is being delivered.  And it is one that should resonate with everyone.

Not sure if animated films are eligible for the Best Cinematography Academy Award or not, but if they are “The Wild Robot” would be a worthy contender.  The film is beautifully rendered, presenting images that could surely pass as post cards, and the accompanying music score, composed by Oscar winner Kris Bowers, is a perfect partner to the beautiful images on screen.

The vocal cast is at the top of their game, with Oscar winner Nyongo giving Roz not only a voice but a heart. She is joined by Pascal as Fink, a mischievous fox, Bill Nighy as Longneck, the leader of the geese and Hamill as Thorn the Bear.

As noted above, the animation is spectacular, though I’d expect nothing less from Mr. Sanders and company.

On a scale of zero to five I give “The Wild Robot” ★★★★★

• BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
• Starring:  Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara
• Directed by:  Tim Burton
• Rated:  PG 13
• Running time:  1 hr 44 mins
• Warner Bros

The Juice is loose.  And back.  And we are all better off because of it.

Michael Keaton is having a resurgence like no other actor since John Travolta.  He has done some solid work the past decade, beginning with his Oscar nominated turn in “Birdman” all the way up to last year’s triumphant return as Batman in “The Flash.”  This week, Keaton returns to the other 80s-era character he is best known for, the ghoulish Beetlejuice.  And he hasn’t skipped a beat.

Lydia Deetz (Ryder) is an adult now and currently hosts a paranormal television show called “Ghost House.”  While filming her current episode, Lydia believes she sees a familiar face in the audience.  But it can’t be.  He’s been “dead” for decades.  Upset by her vision she and her boyfriend (and show runner) Rory (Justin Theroux) travel to the old house where Lydia grew up.  Upon arrival she learns that her bird-loving father has passed away and that her stepmother, Delia (O’Hara) has planned a funeral ceremony on the grounds.  Joined by Lydia’s daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega), things begin to get weird (or, considering the house, more weird) as the funeral approaches.

What a fun film this is!  A lot of familiar faces, and some new ones, at the top of their comedic game.  While I always felt Beetlejuice was almost a secondary character in the first film, here he is front and center and Keaton just lights up the screen in every scene with his cosmic energy.  He is joined by some new “dead” characters including Monica Bellucci as the title character’s former wife (beware a woman scorned – she’s a soul sucker, literally), Willem Defoe as an actor who excelled in playing cops on screen and now does his best to patrol the underworld and, a favorite from the first film, Bob – he of the shrunken head.

The script is hilarious, but not afraid to throw in a couple of thrills and Burton’s pacing is pitch perfect.  This is Burton’s best work since 2007’s “Sweeney Todd” and ranks up there with “Batman’ and “Ed Wood” as among his best films ever.

The visual effects are outstanding and it’s so nice to see Burton continue to use stop-motion animation as opposed to CGI.

On a scale of zero to five I give “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” ★★★★★  

Version 1.0.0

• DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE
• Starring:  Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman
• Directed by:  Shawn Levy
• Rated:  R
• Running time: 2 hrs 8 mins
• Disney

I apologize for the lateness of this review but, after writing 15 years of MCU film reviews right before they open, I always have to preface them with NO SPOILERS!  So I waited until I’m pretty sure everyone that wanted to see the film (and with a BILLION DOLLARS at the box office, that’s pretty much everyone) had so I could have some fun and talk about some of the things I really loved about the film.

We meet our “hero,” Wade Wilson (Reynolds) in mid-narration, explaining that he is on a mission to find, and work with, Wolverine (Jackman), assuming that he really did not die in the film “Logan.”  Bad luck, buddy.  All that remains is an adamantium skeleton, which he puts to good use.  Dejected he returns home only to be summoned by a mysterious agency who offers him the chance to save his world.  Cue the music.

Hilariously funny, and exceedingly violent, “D&W” is, literally, the film that Marvel fans have clamored for over the years.  And the wait was well worth it.

IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE FILM, SCROLL DOWN TO THE WRAP UP

 Traveling to different worlds (the MCU has actively embraced the Multiverse), Deadpool encounters several Wolverines – big ones, small ones, one who looks a lot like Henry Cavill!  Finally finding the one he wants, he does his best to convince him to come with him on his mission.  Along the way they run into a lot of MCU characters, both past and present, including Johnny Storm (Chris Evans), Electra (Jennifer Garner), Blade (Wesley Snipes) and, in what I hope is a teaser for a stand alone film, Gambit (Channing Tatum).  They decide to team up to defeat the villainous Cassandra Nova (Emma Corrin), who seems to really delight in her own evilness.  As the group embark on their journey, they also come across various incantations of Deadpool, including Nicepool, Lady Deadpool, Cowboy Deadpool and, the scene stealing Dogpool.

The script is equally full of hilarious moments and high drama.  Kudos to the people at Disney who allowed the cast to make some funny, but mean, commentary, with shots fired directly at the studio while showing a lot of love for the lamented 20^th Century Fox.  And the “I Can Take a Joke” award goes to Jackman, who endures barbs about everything from “The Music Man” to his recent divorce.

 Yes, it’s raunchy.  Yes, it’s bloody.  But it also one of the best films of the year.

On a scale of zero to five I give “Deadpool & Wolverine” ★★★★★

• SLINGSHOT
• Starring:  Casey Affleck, Tomer Capone and Laurence Fishburne
• Directed by:  Mikael Håfström
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  1 hr 49 mins
• Bleecker Street

Space.  Cold and quiet.  On board the spaceship Odyssey 1, John (Affleck) opens his eyes.  He is greeted by a soothing voice telling him that he has been asleep for nine months and a day.  He is also told that the drug given to induce his deep sleep has some possible side effects.  Boy, do they!

A beautifully shot film with a top-notch cast, “Slingshot” tells the story of the first manned mission to Titan, one of the moons of Saturn.  The objective is to gather an ample supply of the hydrogen that makes Titan the only place in the universe (that we know of) besides Earth that has clouds, rain and rivers.  It is hoped the mission will gather the hydrogen to bring back to Earth to help with the planet’s climate issues.

As the lengthy journey progresses (it’s an almost three year mission, which isn’t bad when you learn in would take almost thirty-one thousand years to walk it) John periodically goes back into his sleep chamber.  He constantly dreams of his past before the mission – a past of overachieving at every chance to be picked for the Oddysey 1 mission, as well as of his girlfriend, Zoe (Emily Beecham), who was also a psrt of the project.  John is accompanied by another crewman, Nash (Capone) and their mission leader, Captain Franks (Fishburne).  However, as the mission stretches out over the months, things go from good to bad, then from bad to worse, as the mental strain of the journey begin to affect the mission.

The film, whose title derives from the maneuver that is needed to make the trip a success (the idea is to use the gravity of Jupiter to “slingshot” around the planet and make it to Titan), is very similar to both 1972’s “Solaris” and 2013’s “Gravity.”  Like those films, the performances are outstanding.  Affleck has a knack of letting the audience see the emotions he is feeling effortlessly.  Capone, whose Nash wants nothing better then to abort the mission and go home, also has some fine moments.  And Mr. Fishburne is…well, he’s Laurence Fishburne!  ‘Nuff said.

As the story progresses the audience is almost as confused as those on board the Odyssey 1, not knowing what is real and what isn’t.  The film is well paced and the visual effects both well done and effective.

On a scale of zero to five I give “Slingshot” ★★★★  

• BONEYARD
• Starring:  Brian Van Holt, Curtis Jackson and Mel Gibson.
• Directed by:  Asif Akbar
• Rated:  R
• Running time:  1 hr 40 mins
• Lionsgate

New Mexico.  2009.  While out walking their dog, a citizen comes across what appear to be human bones.  Further investigation turns up no less then eleven bodies.  The place is a virtual boneyard.

I have been a champion of filmmaker Asif Akbar since I saw his 2012 documentary, “Top Priority: The Terror Within.”  He followed with such films as “Astro” and last year’s spy-thriller “MR-9: Do or Die,” films that I enjoyed immensely.  And just when I think I’ve got him pegged as an action director, he throws me a curveball with the psychological drama “Boneyard.”

After the above mentioned remains are discovered, it falls to Albuquerque detective Ortega (Van Holt) and his partner (Nora Zehetner) to investigate the grisly findings.  They are offered assistance from the FBI who send in the laid back, but to the point, Agent Petrovick (Gibson, in his best performance 2020’s “Fatmam”).  As the story backtracks via flashbacks we discover that both men are dealing with the demons of their past, making this case personal.  As the story progresses, we find ourselves trying to solve the crime with them.  It’s the once-disgraced detective Tate (Michael Sirow).  No, wait, it’s the quiet man who has a habit of trying to give young girls a lift (Weston Cage Coppola).  It’s…well, you get it.

The film is well cast, with Gibson and Van Holt leading the way.  Coppola (yes, he’s Nic’s son) is well cast as the quiet man of faith who may or may not be a killer.  And special mention for Mr. Sirow, who makes you care for what should be an unsympathetic character.

The script, co-written by Akbar and three others, is reverent when it needs to be, but not afraid to throw in some much appreciated humor now and then.

On a scale of zero to five I give “Boneyard” ★★★★