The Penguin (2024)

The Batman directed by Matt Reeves was a fantastic entry into the Batman universe, establishing a gritty, crumbling Gotham. You don't necessarily need to have seen it to follow The Penguin. The Penguin stands alone as a limited series that takes place shortly after the events of The Batman. The caped crusader doesn't make an appearance nor does he really need to. The Penguin is a far more interesting character. He's Tony Soprano, complete with the sick mother. And HBO gave us the best gangster drama character study since The Sopranos. Colin Farrell is completely unrecognizable under all that makeup with his old timey Queens accent. He's ruthless and scrappy.  He's vicious. And the series in later episodes goes back to show us what happened to make him this way a la Wicked. The plot and subplots are all devastating. It's a lot to handle. Not a show to binge in one sitting. He's not even necessarily the worst character. Cristin Milioti is maybe even more devious as Sofia Falcone. She is phenomenal. Love good dark storytelling. Surpasses The Batman.

Dumbo (2019)

Tim Burton's singular vision is stunning. Disney has totally nailed the animation turned live-action visuals. The CGI is so good. They had some practice animating elephants in The Jungle Book, and live action Dumbo is adorable. His eyes are real. There is so much emotion in those eyes. And many shots are in the reflection of those eyes taking on Dumbo's perspective. The first scene in which Dumbo takes flight is breathtaking. And to think Dumbo doesn't fly in the original until the end. This new version adds an element of humanity. The kids are great. Danny Devito is a natural ringmaster. The movie plays a little like a superhero movie: Dumbo's origin story, if you will. The super power is obviously flight. Dumbo is given motivation to use his powers, and ultimately uses them to save the day. Maybe that's why it got mixed reviews... because it is a little formulaic in that superhero template that critics have tired of. But certainly didn't expect that from Dumbo. And I like Arcade Fire.

Widows (2018)

Steve McQueen knows how to make an intense movie. Heist movies, by their very nature, are intense, but McQueen takes it to another level. Hans Zimmer's score as well as the moments of tense silence contribute to the mood. There are some gorgeous tracking shots. And Gillian Flynn of Gone Girl fame writes an engaging screenplay full of twists, grit and excitement.The plot is complex, intertwining race, power, money and gender roles. And the cast is all phenomenal.  Viola Davis is a badass.

Roman J. Israel, Esq. (2017)

There are a lot of interesting things in this movie, but I felt like the movie didn't really flesh out any of those ideas quite enough. The most effective theme was the inner conflict between cynicism and idealism. I think it's probably a dilemma that is not uncommon for civil rights lawyers. This is only theme that really plays out and spoiler alert...neither really wins out. Roman J. Israel has been nobly working for years on a brief challenging the plea bargaining system. Denzel Washington is excellent as the savant lawyer. For maybe just a minute, he gets to explain his brief. But other than that, this idea is not thoroughly explored. And there is a lot to be said. The plea bargaining system used around the country, and now even adopted around the world, is a miscarriage of justice. And I would have liked to hear more about the legal challenge. He does take care to explain his seemingly nonsensical legal challenge against himself. And it seems like Colin Farrell understands his legal reasoning. But I did not. And I can't find a proper explanation anywhere on the internet. So I'm just going to go on not understanding. That definitely could have been better explained.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

From the wizarding world of Harry Potter comes a prequel that no one really asked for. But it is a pleasantly enjoyable film. Other than a brief mention of Hogwarts and some familiar spells, the film bears no resemblance to the films we know and love from our childhood. This film brings us to the wizarding community in America, under the rule of the Magical Congress which forbids interaction with muggles, or No-Maj as the Americans so unelegantly put it. The costumes and period production design tinged with a magical aura and special effects transport you to another world as the old films used to. The film is self contained, with a clear beginning, middle and proper end. There is no need for a sequel but we're going to get it. Eddie Redmayne is delightful as Newt Scamander. I thought he was already in Harry Potter. I guess he just seems like he was a student at Hogwarts. Call it good casting. 

The Lobster (2015)

The Lobster is a super strange and awkward movie. It almost has a bit of a Wes Anderson feel to it. I love the premise. It is fresh and original. Colin Farrell moves into a hotel where singles have 45 days to find a partner lest they get turned into an animal. The first half of the film is highly enjoyable. It is a quiet kind of funny and you have no idea what is coming up next. The premise evolves and unravels and you're never sure what insane new rule the hotel came up with or what quirky guest is staying there. I won't reveal too much cause it's really insane. I do feel like the movie sort of falls apart in the second half. The hotel was so brilliant, that I was unsatisfied with the world created outside it where you have to learn a new set of rules.  I would've been happy if they had just fleshed out the story within the confines of the hotel. It's a shame because I really like Rachel Weisz, but the second half in which she appears was a little difficult for me to follow. 

True Detective: Season 2 (2015)

I feel like I wasted over 8 hours of my summer watching this. Season 1 was such a revelation, an incredible feat of storytelling. That made Season 2 all the more disappointing.  It lost all the magic, the surprise, and just everything really.  Cary Joji Fukunaga didn't come back to direct or executive produce this season, and maybe that was part of the problem.  But the biggest problem for me was in the writing and story.  The story was severely lacking in anything remotely interesting nor manageable.  The story is impossible to follow and I found myself unsure of anything going on after Episode 1.  It moves slowly and it was just plain boring.

There are four main characters, compared to two from last year. All four of them are extremely messed up and they just keep getting less and less likable with each episode.  Their dialogue is uninspired and unintelligible unlike the brilliant and memorable musings of Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in the car.  The actors try, but they are not given much to work with.  And as much as I like Vince Vaughn, I don't really like him when he is too serious.

The setting of California isn't nearly as spooky as the Bayou of Louisiana.  There was an atmosphere in the first season that was supplemented by the creepy cults.  California, despite the factories, suburban sprawl, and mansions is just a little too sunny to give us the same feeling.