Adventure

Napoleon (2024.32, Stunning , But Bad)

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Napoleon is visually stunning but fails to tell an emotionally engaging and understandable story. (1.5*)

The Creator (2024.31, Pale , Not Good )

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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 (2024.30, Thrilling , A Blast)

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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 (2024.29, Lots-of-fun Smash )

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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 (2024.28, Interesting , Spirit )

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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 (2024.15, Uncomfortable , Value )

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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 (2024.14, Disappointing , Light )

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Elemental is top-notch creative world building on top of a mundane story! (3*)

Nimona (2024.13, Good , Little-Known )

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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 (2024.12, So-So , Hero )

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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*)

Barbie (2024.4, Terrific , Energy )

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So far, at least, this is my favorite picture of the year. Full of sensory and storytelling delight. (5*)

2023 Oscar Adventure Films

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An overview of 2023’s Oscar-nominated Adventure Films, including a look back to last year’s.

Turning Red – Spunky but Lost (2.0*)

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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 – An Epic Moby Dick and Master Political Metaphor (3.5*)

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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 – Bright, Easy, and Frisky (4*)

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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 – (Superb Spirit & Beauty) (4*)

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Avatar: The Way of Water is a visual spectacle, a story setting up the next three sequels, and, yes, long.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Beautiful but Oddly Unsatisfying (2.5*)

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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 – Deep and Insane Look at the Multiverse (4.5*)

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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*)