Stuber: I still get a kick out of seeing Dave Batista in the movies doing his thing and I have dug Kumail Nanjiani in many things before, but this felt like a movie that didn’t have much past the pitch of these guys as a duo. Like, Uber jokes? Really? **1/2
The Art of Self-Defense: Oh, I wasn’t expecting this to be as good as it was. It’s a Toxic Masculinity movie but really very good at being that. Jesse Eisenberg remains a fascinating guy to watch on a screen. Very good, both a lot of fun but also something that Says Something. ****1/4
Luce: This is so good. Luce is a black kid with white parents and he’s got a black teacher who thinks he’s up to no good. It handles the complicated conversations this issue creates well, offering no answers but providing a brilliantly layered portrait of this young man. ****
Sword of Trust: A little aimless, but a fun aimless with a charming core cast and a few excellent lines. Marc Maron is playing Marc Maron, and I happen to like Marc Maron so that will help. ***1/2
Monos: A wild Lord of the Flies kind of movie where I can’t say I was following everything but it sure just drops you in this world where there’s a war going on and a bunch of kids are being given way too much responsibility. Quality acting, gnarly landscapes, lots of questions. ***3/4
