Dune (2021)

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem
Runtime: 156 minutes
Viewed at: Regal Warren Moore (IMAX)

At last, the spice flows in this bombastic, enchanting adaptation taking you to the world of Arrakis like never before. Villeneuve and co. have made a film that won’t intimidate those uninitiated to the vast world of Frank Herbert’s epic sci-fi series, but will leave fans awestruck by sandworms, ornithopters and the battle between houses Atreides and Harkonnen on a planet filled with sand and spice. Everything is basically perfect – special mention to Zimmer’s score and Fraser’s breathtaking cinematography. They don’t make amazing big screen epics like this anymore, and the only downside is waiting for the second part. (99 words/A PLUS PLUS PLUS)

The Card Counter (2021)

Director: Paul Schrader
Stars: Oscar Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Tye Sheridan, Willem Dafoe
Runtime: 112 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Penn Square Mall 10

Add “enhanced interrogator turned card counter” to Schrader’s long list of tortured souls. William Tell is this story’s Travis Bickle or Reverend Toller – he tries to keep the demons of his past away through gambling, but meets a compatriot who makes his past life difficult to reconcile, and a woman who changes his life. This is an intensely dialogue driven film, especially elevated by Isaac’s commanding performance as Tell and Haddish in a rare dramatic turn as poker boss La Linda. The Card Counter deals its cards well, even if First Reformed was a tough play to follow. (98 words/B PLUS)

Malignant (2021)

Director: James Wan
Stars: Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young, Michole Briana White
Runtime: 111 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Robinson Crossing

At first blush, Wan’s latest pays homage to Italian giallo films, with its lead character, Madison, forced to watch people get killed in visceral ways. But Malignant is no ordinary giallo film – nor an ordinary horror film, for that matter. Despite its myriad influences, which lean heavily into Wan’s keen eye for action in the incredibly gory finale, it never feels boring even when the plot threads don’t line up. It’s rare to have a horror film that switches from dead serious to camp so effortlessly; it makes me wonder what goes on in the back of Wan’s head. (99 words/A)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Stars: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, Tony Leung Chiu-wai
Runtime: 132 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Robinson Crossing

Shang-Chi slots firmly into Marvel’s upper ranks to begin with, thanks to the MCU’s best action ever, amazingly crisp fight choreography, deep East Asian and Asian-American influences and representation, and all the humor and heart one expects from an MCU film. But among the stacked cast, one name firmly stands out: Tony Leung. Hong Kong’s finest actor couldn’t have had a better big Hollywood debut. Those not already in the mood for Leung will change their minds in his fine turn as Shang-Chi’s ancient father Wenwu, leader of the Ten Rings and probably my new favorite tragic MCU villain. (99 words/A MINUS)

The Suicide Squad (2021)

Director: James Gunn
Stars: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi
Runtime: 132 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Quail Springs Mall (Dolby Cinema)

Not only does The Suicide Squad earn that “The” to distinguish it from its messy predecessor, it cements Gunn as one of the superhero genre’s real visionaries. This film is like the culmination of everything Gunn is known for, blending the somewhat wholesome aspects of his superhero work – a band of lovable misfits, cute animals, hilarious dialogue, Easter eggs for longtime fans – with the carefree, gleefully sadistic violence and pointed satire of his pre-Guardians days, and even some surprisingly weird sci-fi horror. You’d be hard-pressed to find so much macabre cinematic joy this year. Also, more Harley Quinn. Yes. (99 words/A PLUS)

The Green Knight (2021)

Director: David Lowery
Stars: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sarita Choudhury, Barry Keoghan, Sean Harris, Ralph Ineson
Runtime: 130 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Robinson Crossing

Your dad’s chivalric romance, this is not;
For Lowery’s made a dark and wondrous tale,
That one year wait was worth it, yes indeed.
The epic scope is un-A24.
That cinematography makes me drool.
Patel makes for a handsome Sir Gawain.
Just don’t expect a merry tale, oh no;
There’s gore and sex, that’s why it’s rated R.
So just know what you’re getting into, yes.
But that’s not all there is, because behind
The classic trials and tribulations, thus,
Lies an illuminating perspective
The hero’s journey, yes, Lowery does discuss
It’s beautiful, and dark, and reflective
The grade, therefore: (99 words/A PLUS)

Old (2021)

Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Stars: Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Ken Leung, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abbey Lee, Aaron Pierre, Alex Wolff, Embeth Davidtz, Eliza Scanlen, Emun Elliott, Kathleen Chalfant, Thomasin McKenzie
Runtime: 108 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Robinson Crossing

Shyamalan’s upward stride continues. Yet again, he’s hit the mark with an ambitious thriller that takes its high concept (here, a beach that rapidly ages its guests) and runs with it. Every trademark of his is back: verbose dialogue, heavy themes, fine performances (Wolff and McKenzie being the standouts), uniquely chilling and visually discreet horror sequences, a surprising twist that still leaves questions unanswered. The concepts may not be terribly original, but the execution is, and fans of Shyamalan’s work will no doubt enjoy this trip. M. Night isn’t just back; with Old, he’s never left. (96 words/A PLUS)

Zola (2020)

Director: Janicza Bravo
Stars: Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Nicholas Braun, Ari’el Stachel, Colman Domingo
Runtime: 90 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Quail Springs Mall

Contrary to the Twitter thread Bravo’s odd odyssey is based on, Zola isn’t long. But you bet it’s full of suspense. It’s an electrifying cautionary tale that feels like a classic exploitation film – right down to the titles – yet is deeply steeped in modern day Twitter speak. It feels dreamlike yet realistic, to the point where even though we barely know anything about these characters, it feels like we do. And of course, it’s also about and set in the dark side of Florida. I think that says it all. (90 words/A)

The Sparks Brothers (2021)

Director: Edgar Wright
Subject: Sparks, a long running pop-rock band formed by brothers Ron and Russell Mael
Runtime: 140 minutes
Viewed at: AMC Quail Springs Mall

Sparks fits awkwardly somewhere between the underground and the mainstream – so who better to make a documentary about them than Wright, himself a famous fan? The sprawling celebration of this enigmatic band shows their sheer impact across 24 albums, big hits and hidden gems alike, and how this brotherly duo still refuses to compromise their creativity even after 50-plus years in music. But unlike many music docs, it doesn’t cross the line into hagiography. The Mael brothers’ charisma and humility shine as brightly as the brothers’ flamboyant performances and sophisticated lyrics. This doc’s big enough for all of us. (99 words/A)

Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, J. K. Simmons
Runtime: 242 minutes
HBO Max Original

When all’s said and done, Snyder’s real vision in his painstakingly profound treatment of superhero characters has finally shone through, using every bit of sprawling length to its advantage. Gone are the original JL’s unexplained plot holes and cringeworthy jokes. Instead, thorough backstories of characters we’ve yet to meet, and the ones we know and love, are matched with genuine moments of wit and wonder, leading to fearsome battles with Steppenwolf and Darkseid. ZSJL feels sincere in a way few superhero films do, a throwback to old epics, deeply rooted in modern myth from spirited beginning to bittersweet end. (99 words/A PLUS PLUS PLUS)