The Quiet Critic

★1/2 When we look back in 50 years at the age of IP in films, we’ll look fondly at The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Marvel movies. But when we examine the decline of our cinematic period, the first film on the list should not be a bad teen dystopian adaptation or the mediocre extensions of preexisting franchises. It should be Cruella , a truly awful film that fails to justify its own existence. Cruella is an attempt to create a sympathetic backstory for a horrific animal abuser. Estella, played by Emma Stone, is orphaned at an early age and is forced to join up with London street urchins as she pursues a life of crime. Still, she maintains her dream of being a famous fashion designer. She begins working for The Baroness – who is essentially a more evil version of Meryl Streep’s character from The Devil Wears Prada – and challenges current fashion norms to the tune of British punk rock as she devolves into a dark antihero.   There are a couple of pleasant things in...

★ ★ ★ Black Widow  is another additional to the long line of "pretty good" Marvel movies. This movie has a lot of good things – Florence Pugh being chief among them – but seems to be too little, too late, especially for a character whose (SPOILER) Marvel Cinematic Universe journey has come to an end.

With record heat waves scorching many parts the country, there has never been a better time to check out some new(ish) releases! Here are three films to see, ranging from good to fantastic!

★★ ★ 1/2 A couple of years ago, my wife and I went to see Mission: Impossible: Fallout .  After the film, she told me she didn't like the movie and was surprised that I enjoyed it.  She felt the plot was convoluted, the characters were flat, and nothing made sense.  She expected me to agree, but I replied, "Tom Cruise jumps out of a freaking plane—so who cares!?" Godzilla v. Kong  falls into the same category.  Don't get me wrong— MI: Fallout  is one of the best action movies of the decade; this film is not.  But both eschew plot and character development and put all their eggs in the "wow-look-at-that" basket.  

★★ THE GIST Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) investigates a strange, powerful force that brings Steve (Chris Pine) back from the dead and grants others their heart's desire.  ONE SENTENCE REVIEW Despite the thought-provoking theme and strong start, WW84  fails to overcome its cartoonishness, nonsensical plot, and unconvincing ending.

★★ ★ Movies are back!  And what better to open movies than the most movie movie ever.  Tenet is a mind-bending, fast-paced adventure that demands to be seen on the big screen.