Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery  

I’ll admit it, I used to be a Rian Johnson hater. His brief entry into the Star Wars franchise was disappointing to say the absolute least, but with his first addition to the Knives Out franchise, my prejudice was tested. Now, with his second addition to the Knives Out series, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” he has scattered all my doubts and derision to the wayside. This movie is engaging from start to finish and offers the viewer a wild ride filled with incredible acting, hilarious writing, and perfect pacing. The movie is not without its faults though, as its twists and turns can in some cases be predictable, and many have faulted the plot for leading the viewer on a wild goose chase instead of offering genuine mystery elements. However valid, these criticisms do not take too much away from the film as a whole, and it remains a movie that I would wholeheartedly recommend.  

SCORE: 

4 out of 5  

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)  

Easily the best war film I have ever seen! A remake of the 1930 film of the same name – originally based on the German novel “Nothing New in the West,” written by Erich Maria Remarque – All Quiet on the Western Front (2022) introduces modern movie-making technology to the almost 100-year-old story. While the film is widely touted as the gold standard in anti-war storytelling, its true value, and the reason for its longevity in the cultural ethos is its discussion of meaning and its bleak commentary on the absurd nature of not only war, but life itself.  The main character, Paul, is shown that life is void of both sanctity and universal meaning, and his life and the lives of millions of others are only worth a few yards of territory in the French countryside. The main character is left to question the meaning behind his struggle. Remarque posed the existential question and left us to our own devices to find the answer. I cannot recommend this movie enough; it is amazing and is definitely in the running for my movie of the year.  

SCORE:  

5 out of 5 

Banshees of Inisherin  

This movie is absolutely gut-wrenching. “Banshees of Inisherin” is classified as a comedy/drama but contains much more drama than comedy. Set on an island off the coast of Ireland, it follows two former friends as they grow further and further apart. This movie is the emotional equivalent of watching an innocent dog in pain for just under two hours. Colin Farrel’s performance is both subtle and emotionally rich, and his co-star, Brendan Gleeson, offers an equally compelling performance. The film uses abundant symbolism and an almost dream-like atmosphere to offer a profound discussion of purpose and meaning to its viewer. If you are mentally and physically prepared for a movie that just might leave you in your feels for the rest of the day, this is the perfect film for you.  

SCORE:  

4.5 out of 5 

Triangle of Sadness  

Beautifully shot, masterfully written, absolutely disgusting, hilarious, disturbing, and thought-provoking, “Triangle of Sadness” is many things, but most of all, it is a scathing critique of late-stage capitalism and our obsession with wealth and beauty. The movie follows two romantically involved models as they go on a luxury cruise that specifically caters to the uber-wealthy. The first half of the film exists as a satire of wealth, juxtaposing the luxurious and shallow experiences of the privileged with the grounded and survival-focused lives of those that serve them. Then at the halfway point, the power dynamic is turned on its head. This movie’s anticapitalistic sentiment is vivid and entertaining, enough to keep you interested even if you don’t agree with the messaging. Overall, this was a great film, I would recommend.  

SCORE:  

4 out of 5 

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish 

I walked into the theater expecting a DreamWorks cash grab, a film produced for the sole purpose of prompting as many kids as possible to compel their parents to take them to the theater or buy merchandise, but what I got was a lovingly and artfully crafted film with a message that can be as impactful for adults as it is for younger audiences. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” is the second movie in the series, the first of which, admittedly, I have not watched. It follows Puss in Boots, a cat with nine lives, as he gets down to his last life and must confront his own mortality. This movie’s greatest strength is its animation which blends the modern crystal-clear animation which is best represented by the recent “Minion Movie: Rise of Gru,” with a surreal almost comic book-like animation style, making each action sequence uniquely engaging and entertaining. Overall, this movie is not the best animated movie ever made – its story is basic and its attempts at comedy often fall flat – but it is a welcome departure from the one-dimensional and frankly boring animated features that have dominated the market in recent years.  

SCORE:  

3.5 out of 5