The Mummy: Absolute mess, just a dumb movie where nothing hits. Nick Miller as a zombie was funny I guess. DUD
Murder on the Orient Express: Kenneth Branagh just made this movie to wear the mustache, right? This is a classic story and everybody is acting big, but it just didn’t feel on the pulse… little intrigue or stakes for such a big cast. **
Molly’s Game: A whip-snap couple of hours, with Jessica Chastain just nailing the Aaron Sorkin banter in a crazy real-life story. ***3/4
Black Panther: A high-end Marvel movie… it follows the Marvel format which is reliable but as with anything done so many times, a little stagnant. The format is boosted by incredible costumes, colors, and set pieces. It’s not just that this was the first black superhero movie, it’s that the filmmakers behind it used the occasion make everything so awesomely African and give tribute the parts of the culture not just defined by its’ American struggles. Also has a tremendous lead heel performance by Michael B. Jordan. ****
Permanent: A silly little comedy with a lot of wigs and not many laughs… Rainn Wilson and Patricia Arquette as parents in 80s is a fine way to get a movie financed but didn’t feel necessary. *1/2
