Sinners (2025)

Twin brothers Smoke and Stack open up their own juke joint in 1932 Mississippi where they're visited by some unsavory characters who are out for blood.

God damn, it took forever for this movie to turn into From Dusk Till Dawn, and by the time it did, it was already over. There are some eerie and entrancing sequences set to music, but the vampire angle is all played out and it doesn't offer much else in the way that hasn't been previously explored elsewhere. As massively overhyped as it is, it does tend to stay with you regardless.

Be sure to stick through the credits; the story ain't over yet.

3 guitar cases out of 5

PITCH PERFECT 2 [2015]

A capella sensations The Barden Bellas are back in director (and co-star) Elizabeth Banks' Pitch Perfect 2.
This time around The Bellas are far past regionals and are now playing with the big leagues as they aim to win an international competition.  The first film had the benefit of taking everyone by surprise and actually being quite funny, so it only makes sense that they would have to step it up a few notches to keep it's audience.  Sadly they take it down multiple notches with some terrible jokes, forced performances and sloppy pacing.  The whole film feels rushed and even with the actual vocal performances, which were a highlight in the first film, are butchered with a distractingly heavy use of auto-tune.  There's still plenty of funny moments but nothing quite gels together and instead it feels like a Disney channel movie, which will probably please it's most dedicated of younger fans but repel the casual viewer who enjoyed the first film.

2 baby chutes out of 5

ENDER'S GAME [2013]

After nearly 30 years since it was first published, fans of Orson Scott Card's sci-fi/war youth novel Ender's Game are finally given the big screen treatment by director Gavin Hood.
Does it live up to expectations?  Thankfully it mostly does, with only a few minor "grumble-grumble" moments but you can't please everybody.  It doesn't quite get as into Ender's head as much as the book nor does it explore it's many themes and instead opts for more of a eye-popping spectacle and that's all right.  It never bores and has just enough character to keep the plot driving forward with each action sequence.  A very fine sci-fi film to introduce the kids to that will keep the parent's attention from beginning to end as well.

3½ Little Doctors out of 5

TRUE GRIT [2010]

Joel & Ethan Coen make a faithful adaptation of True Grit, the American classic serial Western by Charles Portis.
Unlike the John Wayne film and it's shittier sequels, this version stays true to it's source material by telling it from Mattie Ross' point of view (meticulously played by Hailee Steinfeld).  For a Coen Brothers film it scales down the peculiarities of their previous films but still manages to flow with bizarre dialogue structures, exaggerated costumes and beautiful music.  There's nothing particularly flashy or special about this film but it's simply just good ol' fashioned American storytelling.

4 introductions on the shitter out of 5