The Night Comes For Us

Take Asian crime thrillers of the 80s & 90s, add in flavor of Free Fire & John Wick, or The Raid for you Raid fans, amp up the violence & blood, and you get The Night Comes For Us. The story goes slow at first, for the first 20 minutes or so....then, murder, fights, mayhem. That is the best way to describe this film and it is gorgeous.

Green Book

Peter Farrelly has delivered not just the best Farrelly Brother(s) flick in probably 20 years, but for a drama...it is also the funniest in that same chunk of time. A film with social commentary much needed for today, Mahershala Ali gives his finest performance and one of Viggo Mortensen's best roles, if not his best.

Boy Erased

In 2015 Joel Edgerton brought us the Gift,  a chilling,  creepy and for all extensive purposes a big budget Lifetime movie.  4 years later he brings an even creepier,  even more chilling film in Boy Erased.  This is a horror film,  it is more terrifying than horror films . Jesus camps and conversion therapy.  Beating the gay out of people,  telling them they are sick for choosing this path, placing blame on the devils work such as drugs and alcohol , judging a man based on stance or handshake. Edgerton himself gives a horrifying performance,  as does Russel Crowe.  Nicole Kidman is great and so is Lucas Hedges. Edgerton has become a director to watch.

Creed 2

By time the Rocky franchise hit Rocky IV,  it had already morphed into a slick,  big budget mirror of the 80s filled with excess. Creed(and 2006s Rocky Balboa before that) brought back the story and more serious nature of the first two. Creed 2 continues that tradition yet brings in elements of Rocky III and IV.  Apollo Creed's over the top theatrics are brought in to Adonis' Mania entrances,  but injecting more human nature in with his family and Rocky himself.  There is alot of heart in this film.  The Drago's are perfect heels here,  they make Viktor to be a beast,  yet he and Ivan are both torn.  If there is a third I'll be stoked,  but it ends perfectly,  so if it dies, it dies.

Superfly

I love blacksploitation films,  I love
Superfly, but when i found out they were remaking it,  I was conflicted,  the trailer did nothing for me but I read some good reviews from friends,  and they were right.  This is less blacksploitation and more 90s Urban drama,  and it has some amazing squib work in it and the plot unravels perfectly in this pretty stylish film . Now after this I say,  bring on Scarface.

Ralph Breaks the Internet

In 2012 Wreck It Ralph did what most Pixar films can't,  made me love a CGI animated film.  I thought a sequel would be along within 3 years or so,  but double it and here we are.  While I love the first,  I didn't quite love this one. I liked it,  I laughed at times,  snorted km fact, but the story don't do it as much.  I love the internet but this was more of a buzzfeed,  vine internet as opposed to Joblo.  The characters are still great,  and their are some great moments but I wasn't totally wowed....until the stinger.  Perfect troll of a stinger .

Juliet, Naked

Juliet,  Naked is a super charming look at music fandom,  love,  parenthood, past mistakes  and self worth.  I wish it had shown a bit more of 90s Alt rock but the human nature of not owing anyone anything and being able to change your mind should hit a chord with many.