The Power of the Dog: It’s got a point of view, purposeful pace, and Benedict Cumberbatch puts in a chilling performance. I don’t know if I ever really enjoyed myself, but the acting and atmosphere is tremendous. ***3/4
Encanto: Good, lively and gorgeous-looking Disney movie if not one lacking in some things, as Mickey Mouse and Lin Miranda have stretched themselves a little thin. ***3/4
Respect: The music is great as is Jennifer Hudson playing Aretha Franklin, but I really need my 2-and-a-half hour music biopics to feel like more than every other other 2-and-a-half hour music biopic. ***
Venom: Let There Be Carnage: Tom Hardy is so into this character and the mid-credits scene popped me, but this just couldn’t settle on a tone: sometimes funny, sometimes violent, rarely good. **
Spider-Man: No Way Home: The first movie I saw in theaters since The Rise of Skywalker, so that might cause some bias. But as far as setup and delivery goes, this was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. *****
