Wonka

Actors: Timothée Chalamet, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key, Paterson Joseph, Matt Lucas, Mathew Baynton, Sally Hawkins, Rowan Atkinson, Jim Carter, Olivia Colman, Hugh Grant.

Rating: 9 out of 10, The latest film trying to capture Dahl’s immortal candy lord. I’ve never been a big Timothy Chalamet fan but after nailing Paul Atreides in Dune and his performance here, I’m a covert. He’s tone perfect as Willy and ably assisted by a very capable cast. The whimsical setting helps as Wonka’s undefeatable good will cannot fail to capture you. After the last disaster featuring Johnny Depp, this was a welcome return to the heartfelt character. I doubted it going in, but I was totally conquered by this movie. It helped that it was Christmas time and my granddaughter was sitting next to me. Turns out, just as good without accompaniment, just captures you..

MVP: Chalamet, against all odds, best Wonka ever

The Marvels

Actors: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Zawe Ashton, Gary Lewis, Park Seo-joon, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Samuel L. Jackson.

Rating: 7 out of 10, A disappointment, which is a disturbing trend on recent Marvel studio movies. The lead three actresses were all great, especially the young gal, as they exhibited a great deal of chemistry. The plot and pace of action really dragged these performances down though. I hear this is one of the shortest Marvel movies but it seemed much longer. There was a determined effort to show empowered women but the same message was much better done in the original Captain Marvel movie. The villainess wasn’t believable and didn’t add anything to the movie. I’m beginning to think the golden age of Marvel has truly passed and this is only the latest example. I feel bad for the actresses because they were very good but even they couldn’t make lemonade out of this lemon. However, much better on a second watch.

MVP: Vellani as Kamala Khan, very funny fresh voice

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Actors: Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, Karen, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, Mads Mikkelsen

Rating: 8 out of 10, A truly fitting send off to an old friend. Harrison Ford is still a bona fide movie star and effortlessly carries this action flick despite his age. It was so fun to root for him again, especially since he gets to take on his old tormentors, the Nazis. The first part of the film features Indy back in World War 2 and the de-aging process was amazing. In a few years they won’t even need actors any more if this is where digitization is headed. They followed the tried-and-true formula assigning appropriate references to earlier films while still pursuing a fun adventure in the late 60’s. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is fantastic as the female lead, a goddaughter to Indy and every bit as watchable as in her earlier roles. A very fun film that will serve as an entirely more worthy send off to this iconic character. Loved it.

MVP: Ford, who else, as the indestructible Dr Jones

The Beekeeper

Actors: Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Josh Hutcherson, Bobby Naderi, Phylicia Rashad, Jemma Redgrave, Jeremy Irons.

Rating: 8 out of 10, Statham plays a retired operative who sets out to destroy one of those hacking organizations that prey on the elderly. As he kills his way to the top, he runs up against some serious pollical backing of the bad guys. I was reminded of John Wick as the body count continuously increased but Statham is so adept with action that this was truly his own part. Ayer, the director, who was so good with the tank movie, Fury, shows, once again, he can handle the action with a lots of heart scenario.

MVP: Statham has raised chaos to an art form

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes

Actors: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Peter Dinklage, Jason Schwartzman, Hunter Schafer, Josh Andrés Rivera, Viola Davis.

Rating: 7 out of 10, An interesting look at the origins of the main villain of the earlier films, President Snow. Rachel Zegler once again shines as a spiritual forerunner of the Mockingjay. The young cast truly delivers and I was prepared to dislike this film as a needless grab for more moviegoers' money, but it works. The supporting cast ably deliver as we learn the origins and see early version of the Hunger Games in all their barbarity. A surprise, in a very good way..

MVP: Zegler as the songbird

The Creator

Actors: John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Allison Janney

Rating: 8 out of 10, A very interesting sci fi epic film, despite the obvious Chinese influence. John David Washington once again proves that he’s that rare son of a renowned actor who can more than hold his own. He plays a disaffected former soldier called back into service to hunt down a doomsday weapon developed by the enemy. The enemy is AI which seems to be the latest cinematic trend towards not offending any one ethnic group. Superimposed on the plot is an unconventional love story as well as a true test of parenthood. While the movie takes a while to get to the point, the acting and special effects make the wait more than worth it. There is also a very funny moment involving an automatic language translator, highlighting a love of mother. A well done and thoroughly enjoyable sci fi flick.

MVP: Watanabe is great even with only half a head

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Actors: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Randall Park, Dolph Lundgren, Temuera Morrison, Martin Short, Nicole Kidman

Rating: 8 out of 10, I know this latest version of Aquaman is not getting a lot of love from the critics which to me means it was probably pretty good. I was right. I truly enjoyed this latest venture into the undersea world which Jason Momoa has made his own. He continues to own the role and injects just the right amount of humor, danger, and recklessness. They brought back Patrick Wilson as his brother and they make solid chemistry with each other. The story moves right along with top notch special effects and a truly crazy final battle. I thought they missed a little by not giving the villain any redeeming qualities but everything was moving so fast that was a minor issue. This is a full-blown superhero epic that got misplaced from summer somehow but it certainly works. Critics wrong again, go figure.

MVP: Momoa effortlessly carries film

Anyone But You

Actors: Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Bryan Brown, Rachel Griffiths

Rating: 7 out of 10, I wasn’t prepared to like this movie as much as I did. I will admit the chance to see Ms. Sweeny in various bikinis did a lot for me but this movie is an equal rights teaser as my wife is now in love with Glen Powell. They both make a hugely attractive couple jumping through the rom-com hoops as required. I laughed a lot more than I thought I would and the setting of Australia was beautifully shot. The two stars meet in a Boston coffee shop (meet cute all the way) and spend a glorious day together only to fall afoul of fate (otherwise, no movie) and end up hating each other. They are thrown together with an invite to the Australian wedding where the predicable happens despite all the roadblocks they as well as their friends and family throw up. It was about an inch deep but a thoroughly enjoyable, harmless romp. The screen credits at the end were absolutely hilarious.

MVP: Sweeny’s bikinis