Dune: Part Two, a science fiction film, explores the enduring human traits of power-seeking and religious fervor, highlighting their timelessness despite technological advancements. The movie’s themes of power, ideology, and environmental concerns resonate with contemporary issues, prompting reflection on the persistence of human nature.
An overview of the dozen adventure films on the 2024 Oscar list and a look back at the best from 2023.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is an attempt to recreate the feelings of the old franchise. But, without the Spielberg magic, it feels stale and old. (2.5*)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 is a VFX masterpiece and the last in a trilogy of super-hero movies that are actually relatable and human scaled. Still, it isn’t as good as the last one.
Napoleon is visually stunning but fails to tell an emotionally engaging and understandable story. (1.5*)
The Creator is a disappointing science fiction movie that could have had a great story but instead gets lost in the special effects. (2.5*)
Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning is an action-packed thriller with everything you’d expect from the IMF. It is also an endurance test of adrenaline production. (4*)
Godzilla Minus One is a monster movie but it is also a surprisingly good personal drama that tells us much about Japanese national character. (4*)
The Boy and the Heron is beautifully crafted, but the musings of a man contemplating the end of his life and what it means to him. Not for everybody. (3.5*)
Society of the Snow is a very difficult film to watch, but it is probably an essential one. It effectively makes you ask what you would do when faced with these choices. (4.5*)
Elemental is top-notch creative world building on top of a mundane story! (3*)
Nimona may not be the best in animation, but it tells an important message about gender identity. (3.5*)
Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse is a sequel and like the original, it isn’t for everyone. If you are into comic book action heroes go for it. Otherwise, there are plenty of other movies to see. (3*)
So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)
An overview of 2023’s Oscar-nominated Adventure Films, including a look back to last year’s.
Turning Red is about a 13-year old’s experience with adolescence and her family’s reaction. Though with spectacular animation and colors, who is this story really for? (2.5*)
The Sea Beast has terrific computer animation, a Moby Dick story, a young girl as the leading character, and multiple political and social threads for adults. (3.5*)
Puss in Boots The Last Wish Is a terrific animated feature that will be enjoyed by children of all ages and their elders! It is the story of a legendary cat who faces his ninth life and discovers what is really important. (4*)
Avatar: The Way of Water is a visual spectacle, a story setting up the next three sequels, and, yes, long.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever starts with the death of the former Black Panther and moves through nearly three hours of sometimes beautiful, sometimes action packed, scenes but with so many obligations to fulfill that it is ultimately unsatisfying.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is an insane look at one woman’s romp through the multiverse as she learns what is really important about life. (4.5*)
Cruella (4*) – A delightful diversion with great chemistry between the two Emmas and an interesting story of how movies happen.
An Overview of this year’s Oscar Adventure movies, my recommendations of five of them, plus five more from last year.
(2.5*) Free Guy – Some good acting can’t quite save this fairly shallow movie.
(3.5*) Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is thrilling and a lot of fun to watch. It also involves a compelling story of family dynamics.
(4*) Spider Man No Way Home has great visuals but also tells a human-level story. A surprisingly good comic-book movie.
(3.5*) No Time to Die is exactly what you expect from a Bond film. Sixty years after Dr. No, the franchise has changed, but lives on.
(1.5*) Luca is fun for about twenty minutes and then descends into boredom!
(2.0 *) Raya and the Last Dragon is visually stunning, but is going to leave adults rather empty!
(0.5*) The Mitchells vs the Machines is quite possibly the worst movie I’ve ever seen and certainly the worst one this year.
(5 Stars) A stunning sensory experience and quite likely the next Star Wars.
An Overview of the 2021 Oscar-nominated Adventure Films (and a look back to 2020)
(4 Stars) A War-time Adventure that challenges White America at the same time that it doesn’t go far enough!
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