franchise

STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E6) "The Impossible Box": A Difficult Reunion
STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E6) “The Impossible Box”: A Difficult Reunion

While the 6th episode of Star Trek: Picard makes strides towards the franchise’s core ideas and is significantly more ambitious, it still struggles to know what to do with itself.

STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E5) "Stardust City Rag": Moving On
STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E5) “Stardust City Rag”: Moving On

While “Stardust City Rag” attempts to elevate the series, the whole episode feels tired, limp, and lacking in any coherent vision.

STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E4) "Absolute Candor": Computer, Freeze Program
STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E4) “Absolute Candor”: Computer, Freeze Program

“Absolute Candor” is the first properly disappointing episode that finds Picard treading water and lacking any discernible direction.

STAR TREK: PICARD (S1E3) “The End Is The Beginning”: We Have Lift Off

After two weeks of what was beginning to feel like CSI: Picard, it was nice to return to something recognizably Star Trek in “The End Is the Beginning”.

"The Dead Speak!" What RISE OF SKYWALKER Shares With Jewish American Fiction
“The Dead Speak!” What RISE OF SKYWALKER Shares With Jewish American Fiction

Star Wars traffics heavily in the tropes of “the hero’s journey,” and it has a rather neat analog in the patterns of Jewish immigrant literature.

Bad Boys For Life: The Boys Are Back With A Mixed Bag
BAD BOYS FOR LIFE: The Boys Are Back With A Mixed Bag

Bad Boys for Life’s plot is straightforward, the action doesn’t push any boundaries, and yet you still leave having had a pretty good time.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER: A Largely Disappointing, Occassionally Moving Finale
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER: A Largely Disappointing, Occasionally Moving Finale

It’s hard to predict how The Rise of Skywalker will age once the initial shock wears off, but if anything this is a reminder to support independent filmmakers and those willing to challenge the status quo.

JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL: The Replay Value Is High With This Game
JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL: The Replay Value Is High With This Game

If there is one thing this movie proves, it’s that star power can break through…

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE: Settles For Mediocrity
TERMINATOR: DARK FATE: Settles For Mediocrity

Terminator Dark Fate is a tentative move in the right direction for the series, acknowledging that the formula must be changed without fully pulling the rug out from under fans.

MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL: Magic Does Its Best To Shine Through An Unremarkable Sequel
MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL: Magic Does Its Best To Shine Through An Unremarkable Sequel

Maleficent: Mistress of Magic is a movie that feels at war with itself, but when the right side breaks through, it can be something beautiful, like the film that came before.

RAMBO: LAST BLOOD: The Franchise Ends On A Sour Note
RAMBO: LAST BLOOD: The Franchise Ends On A Sour Note

Stay home and watch the original Rambo films instead. Rambo: Last Blood was not needed.

Marvel's Killing Joke And The Unsuspecting Film Industry
Marvel’s Killing Joke & The Unsuspecting Film Industry

Slowly, over 11 years and 22 feature films, not to mention some admirable TV shows sprinkled in between, Marvel has been training audiences to return to their screens again and again.

Fantastic Fest 2019: SCREAM QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
Fantastic Fest 2019: SCREAM QUEEN! MY NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

Looking back on “the gayest horror film ever made”, Scream Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street is the kind of documentary you wait all year to see.

IT CHAPTER TWO: Overactive CGI Doesn't Spoil The Impact Of This Finale
IT CHAPTER TWO: Overactive CGI Doesn’t Spoil The Impact Of This Finale

The losers are as compelling as before, Chapter Two successfully binds this group to its former to give fans a nuanced end.

ANGEL HAS FALLEN: An Old Dog With A Couple New Tricks
ANGEL HAS FALLEN: An Old Dog With A Couple New Tricks

Thankfully, strong cast and fan following go along way to make Angel Has Fallen enjoyable despite its director’s shortcomings.