The Mother
As I reflect on Netflix’s mediocre actioner The Mother, Jennifer Lopez’s career keeps clouding my thoughts.
Action
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always is almost experimental in its nostalgia. It doesn’t nudge or wink at the viewer, and it shows that it isn’t “in” on any meta jokes or gags. And, it doesn’t feature outsiders trying to copy an older property (ala The Three Stooges). Instead, this exclusive hour-long special for Netflix, made by people who are more than experienced with this long-running show, plays out like a two-parter without Saturday…
Mafia Mamma
Mafia Mamma is a badly executed fish-out-of-water movie that features rushed filmmaking and a slipshod script, as well as lavish destination scenery and good-looking men and women practically straddling the leading lady. Not a good look for either director Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Twilight, Miss Bala) or producer/star Toni Collette, who reunite since working together on 2015’s Miss You Already.
Simulant
Simulant is a good recommendation for those looking for a solid sci-fi action/thriller and in-the-moment entertainment. The film doesn’t have much resonance after the credits roll, but I thoroughly enjoyed being in this futuristic story that’s executed well enough by director April Mullen (88, Farhope Tower, Badsville) and adequately written by screenwriter Ryan Christopher Churchill.
Violent Night
By: Jolie Featherstone This is Santa like you’ve never seen him before. Tommy Wirkola’s Violent Night is a bloody action flick blended with some heart-warming Christmas cheer. But yeah, lots of blood.
The Gray Man
A dependable cast (which includes Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton, and Julia Butters) is let down by weak storytelling and sloppy filmmaking in Netflix’s summer blockbuster The Gray Man.
Escape Through Africa
Ted Betz’s directorial debut, Escape Through Africa, is an ambitious action romp – but a limited budget and unpolished script make for a tedious viewing experience.
Jurassic World Dominion
By: Jeffrey Ching Jurassic World Dominion really had the potential to be something special. As some people have pointed out, Jurassic World actually is a fitting title, since the series builds up to the eventual plot of humans being unable to contain dinosaurs and, therefore, humanity is forced to co-exist with dinosaurs. Jurassic World then becomes a literal title as opposed to just the name of the theme park.