David Diachenko

A masterclass in acting from Hugh Grant, whose choices of roles in the second part of his career have been staggeringly good. While he was always good as the charming fop he usually played in romantic comedies, his more recent roles have revealed what a deep layer of talent and variety he possesses. Chloe East's performance as Sister Paxton is also a marvelous character arc. No spoilers, but she changes over the course of the story, and I couldn't point to a specific moment when it happened. The photography and score heighten the suspense very effectively. But we really are watching this for Grant, and his Mr. Reed is incredibly nuanced and accomplishes the changes from warmth, to unsettling, to terrifying with the smallest facial movements and inflections of tone. It's a very contained but scary villain. Highly recommended!

Even if, like me, you have no interest in religion and/or don’t believe in God, Christianity, or specifically Roman Catholicism, this is a riveting drama. The performances by veterans Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, Isabella Rossellini, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, Sergio Castellitto, and newcomer Carlos Diehz are superb, the set and production design is gorgeous and evocative, and Volker Bertelmann’s suspenseful score keeps you on edge theoughout the film. My only complaint is that I wish the score hadn’t been set to underlying unease right from the start. If you’ve seem the trailer or heard anything about it, you know this will be a suspense drama, but as the story is told from the standpoint of Cardinal Lawrence (Fiennes), he enters the narrative thinking everything is normal, albeit filled with sadness at the passing of the pope and the weight of duty to oversee the conclave. The questions, doubts, and secrets later begin to emerge, at which point the score is incredibly effective. But a small quibble. This was well worth seeing.

This is essentially a comedic version of John Wick, and it’s a lot of fun. Dave Bautista is clearly enjoying his leading role as hitman Joe Flood who receives a terminal medical diagnosis and takes out a contract on himself, only to find out it was a misdiagnosis but the contract can’t be cancelled. Bautista has unexpectedly great chemistry with the always fantastic Sofia Boutella as his new girlfriend who gets caught in the action. Pom Klementieff owns her role as the lead villain, just missing a mustache to twirl. Ben Kingsley and Alex Kingston are terrific as Joe’s mentors and parental figures and Terry Crews is a growling fellow hitman of dubious loyalties. Two small roles that nevertheless hilariously dominate their scenes are George Somner as a not-too-bright driver who wants into the hitman gig and one of my favorite comedians, Dylan Moran as a very put upon parish priest. The action set pieces are well done and there is some very entertaining dialogue. A fun way to spend a couple hours at the theater!

David Leitch (himself a former stuntman and coordinator) delivers a fantastic action comedy that is as over-the-top as it should be considering it is a love letter to the insane and often thankless lengths that stunt people go and are put through to collaborate with the more famous names to create a movie. Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling have great chemistry as the leads, Aaron Taylor-Johnson preens and struts as the full-of-himself movie star (doing a hilarious blend of Matthew McConaughey/Woody Harrelson in his role as Space Cowboy), Hannah Waddingham is great as a pushy, I’m-making-you-all-STARS movie producer, with top notch support from Winston Duke, Ben Knight, a very funny Stephanie Hsu, and cameos from Jason Momoa and the original Fall Guy himself, Lee Majors. There are several terrific action sequences driven by great effects, stunts (of course), and Dominic Lewis’s propulsive score. Appropriately, the end credits includes a highlight reel of the stunt work on the movie, led by stunt coordinator Keir Beck. This was well worth seeing!

Godzilla x Kong: I love a good spectacle movie and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the previous Godzilla, Kong, and combined character movies. But the biggest monster in this movie is the gargantuan shark that it jumps while taking itself Way Too Seriously while utilizing often quite subpar CGI. Not the worst thing I’ve seen and a passable way to spend a couple hours, but it was all a bit much. Really going for 2 1/2 stars, but can’t get to 3.

This bonkers spy caper is completely nonsensical and loads of fun! Matthew Vaughn delivers an action comedy in a similar vein to his Kingsman movies (a mid-credits scene actually places Argylle within the same world), full of twists, uncertain allies and enemies, mostly terrific performances, fantastic set pieces, and a soundtrack with well chosen songs and Lorne Balfe's excellent score. The actors are clearly having a great time, although the only slight misfire for me is Bryce Dallas Howard as the lead, novelist Elly Conway; not terrible, but somewhat miscast (although that may be because I've always found her to be a mediocre actress). I would love to have seen someone like Emily Blunt or Karen Gillan in the main role. But, it's only a minor complaint. Sam Rockwell gives his usual slightly but brilliantly unhinged performance, Bryan Cranston's growling, grouchy villain is spot-on, Catherine O'Hara shines as both a mother and shrewd scientist, Sofia Boutella is magnetic as always in a far too small role, Samuel L. Jackson is as cool as ever, and Henry Cavill, John Cena, Dua Lipa, and Ariana DeBose are hilariously over-the-top as the characters bringing life to Elly's imagination in her sensationalistic books. And of course there's Chip as the adorable and much put upon Alfie the Cat. This was a very entertaining way to spend a couple hours!