Rating of
2/4
Red One
Indyfreak - wrote on 12/13/24
For a movie with such a crazy idea, it was kind of boring. It went by quickly and didn't feel like 2 hours. But the cool stuff like fighting snowmen or meeting Krampus are not fleshed out as much as expected. J.K. Simmons is a good Santa Claus. Chris Evans had some funny moments but Dwayne Johnson looked bored. Some nice CGI eye-candy and a few decent action scenes here and there.
Rating of
3.5/4
The Order (2024)
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 12/13/24
It's a masterfully done nail-bitter. If you're a fan of "BlacKkKlansman" or the crime thrillers of such filmmaking maestros as Sydney Lumet and Michael Mann, the "The Order" isn't to be missed.
Rating of
2/4
Gladiator II
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 12/11/24
"Gladiator II" is a watered-down retread of a vastly better movie. Paul Mescal isn't bad per se, but he sinks into and gets enveloped by a production that Russell Crowe commanded with ease. It's a wholly lackluster, direct-to-DVD quality affair inhabited by dreadfully bad computer-generated animals and more than a few Razzie-worthy performances from its supporting cast.
Rating of
2.5/4
Moana 2
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 12/08/24
The songs and characters this time around are largely forgettable, and Moana herself neither grows nor learns anything she didn't already in her first adventure. If she learned anything at all.
Rating of
2/4
Nutcrackers (2024)
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 12/06/24
"Nutcrackers" isn't likely to put many people in the holiday mood. It's dim-witted, tripe, a little vulgar, and sometimes just plain gross. Look elsewhere for a helping of Christmas movie cheer.
Rating of
3/4
Wicked (2024)
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 12/04/24
Whether it's just glorified fan-fiction or not, "Wicked" assures itself a legacy separate from "The Wizard of Oz."
Rating of
3/4
Gladiator II
Indyfreak - wrote on 12/01/24
Good but not great sequel to the mega-hit Best Picture winner. The cast is fine but no one stands out besides Denzel Washington who is having the time of his life. The battle scenes are grand in scale and there’s plenty of gore to spare. But the script felt like a first draft. It’s enjoyable enough as popcorn spectacle but that’s it.
Rating of
4/4
Gladiator II
Norrin - wrote on 11/29/24
A terrific continuation of the classic original
While Gladiator II is not as good as the near perfect original, this sequel is wildly entertaining, pays perfect homage to the first movie, has some great acting from a first rate cast, and features several off the wall action sequences. Denzel Washington pretty much steals the movie, but Connie Nielsen (from the first movie) and Pedro Pascal both give great performances. As to lead Paul Mescal, while he does not have the gravitas of Russell Crowe, his performance, like the movie itself, …
Rating of
3/4
Gladiator II
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/28/24
Veni, vidi, vici... Once More
I always knew that it would be hard for a sequel to top the 2000 original film, but Gladiator II at least comes close, paying honor to the first and landing some killer casting choices. Ridley Scott also benefits from some advances in technology which create some even more epic showdowns in the arena.
Casting does indeed play a big part in what makes this work so well and on top of that list is Denzel Washington whose Macrinus reminds me of another on of his top roles - that of Alonzo in …
Rating of
4/4
Emilia Pérez
Logan D. McCoy - wrote on 11/25/24
Who says a movie can't be tragic and also beautiful? "Emilia Pérez" takes the crime drama into ethereal and spiritual new realms by crossing it with drama from a telenovella and music out of a Spanish opera.
