Slightly Buzzed

Bird Box is glaringly stupid with a couple inventive set pieces that don’t really work. I don’t think its premise is the bones for a good movie, and A Quiet Place tackles the sensory-deprived horror much better. In short, it is an overhyped, underwhelming film.

Glass is Shymalan’s attempt at marrying two universes legibly into one world. It doesn’t work. James McAvoy is the reason to see this movie. Samuel L. Jackson is an underused talent, and Bruce Willis is crap.

First, I discuss the unjustified outrage over the latest Gillette ad. Next (at 27:52), I shift gears to talk about the awesome Spider-Man teaser trailer that dropped today. I have not been this fired up about a Marvel film for a while.

Nuance and grit from Joaquin Phoenix, and a great dramatic thriller with one of the best scenes of the year, in my opinion. Slow-moving and not very busy, it is a film to relax to with a glass of wine.

Review for “Bandersnatch.” At times, it felt like a gimmick to cover up a threadbare plot, as some of its “dark truths” are not sketched out as well as episodes from the TV series. However, I did enjoy it overall, and I recommend it for Netflix users.

After much deliberation, I have compiled my list of favorite films of 2018. For my top five films, skip ahead to 1:00:54. Note: I fumble for words in several instances. I'm new to this. Cut me some slack.

First, I review The Death of Stalin, a spoof on political history that is largely unsuccessful. Next, I review The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, an amazing genre film set in the Wild West with nonpareil story beats and script choices.

I review Mandy, a Nicolas Cage vehicle that captures his overblown acting style and serves up some gruesomely violent thrills.

I review The Hate You Give, a film with affecting, culturally relevant themes and a talented cast. However, it had several pacing issues, and it is overstuffed with unnecessary subplots.

I review Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, a delightful popcorn film that went above and beyond my expectations. It’s an artistic, entertaining, non-formulaic origin story.

I review Aquaman, which was not a complete garbage fire. It had good moments, but the VFX were murky and out of focus, the acting was shamefully bad in parts, and it was an unwieldy 2&1/2 hours long.

I review Vice, a documentary-style film about the two-term Vice President Dick Cheney (impersonated by Christian Bale) that takes a reserved approach and doesn’t level much criticism.