What I watched this month.
First-run movies
- Jurassic World Rebirth: 1.5 stars. When I saw the trailer for this movie, I realized Scarlett Johansson is one of the world’s top action stars of our time. She just kicks ass and has for a long time, just as she does in this sequel.
Unfortunately, this movie doesn’t bring anything new to the table and seemed like it was running down a list of check boxes: cute, endangered child; annoying side character; tense climbing sequence.
Everyone acted well; I especially liked Jonathan Bailey’s mint addiction and his well-acted awe of the dinosaurs. There wasn’t enough of the freaky, genetically modified versions to dispel the feeling that we’ve seen better versions of this story before. - The Fantastic Four: First Steps: 3 stars. Marvel’s First Family was utterly charming in their first go-round in the MCU. The actors are a believable family, and I am excited to see the team interact with the other heroes in upcoming movies. A big part of this movie’s world-building lies in its music. Michael Giacchino brings the same soaring, epic approach he did to the score for the first Star Trek reboot. Standout tracks include “H.E.R.B.I.E.’s Lullaby” and the Galactus cult’s anthem “Let Us Be Devoured.”
At-home viewing
- Psycho. I’ve been on a mini-run of Hitchcock movies this summer after starting with The Birds. Psycho focuses on appearances, showing viewers one thing, then switching it: Marian, Norman, Mrs. Bates, the sunsoaked setting, and the orderly motel are not what they seem, all capable of committing or hosting terrible things.
- Phoenician Scheme. The best aspect of this movie was Mia Threapleton. The worst was the basketball shot-calling interlude.
Featured image by Jake Fagan on Unsplash
Addictive Mints 