Weekend #50 12/13/2019 is all about anti-climaxes.
First, we don’t get to watch either Uncut Gems (opens on Christmas Eve in our area) or Bombshell (opens next week in our area). Secondly, we get two fairly underwhelming sequels, one of which isn’t recommended, and another which is maybe recommended (read on!).
At least there is one star with a bit of a shine, and that film is this week’s #1 new film recommendation …
Richard Jewell ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
In case you didn’t know by now (I’ve mentioned this several times, so sorry for beating this legend of Hollywood home), Clint Eastwood is behind the camera and we get a tasty helping (again) of Kathy Bates playing a “momma” character like she did to Adam Sandler in The Waterboy. She is good, but it is silly to suggest she win an Oscar for her performance when it isn’t the first time she’s done this character.
My guess is the box office money is going to go first to the third film on our list, that isn’t recommended, but story-wise, Richard Jewell is the best of the lot.
Black Christmas (2019) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Am already catching crap for this one. Of course it’s from a man. I get it, this is a man-hater’s movie, so why should any man recommend it? You have to watch the video review and read my text review to understand this recommendation comes with all kinds of ifs and buts, but that’s the danger of a star rating. People want to make it personal when they dislike something a critic likes and vice versa.
Plenty of criticisms for this movie, including the terrible script and characterization, but saw seeds of ideas that had potential and were likable enough to say, consider it. It should never have been given the title it has, but is a better feminist movie than Charlie’s Angels (2019) ⭐️½. .
Jumanji: The Next Level ⭐️½ (ScreenX)
ScreenX is not the best way to view this movie. Our guess is that this film will win the most box office sales crown this weekend, perhaps based on the strength of the first two movies, but neither Kara or I enjoyed this film. It just felt too sequel fatigued. Stick a fork in this franchise is what we think. If you liked this one, that’s awesome. I’m happy any time somebody loves a movie because they will encourage their friends and others to go see the movie. That’s good for theaters and there are always other movies at the multiplexes.
Want to see what else we recommend NOW PLAYING at the theater?
Here are other movies we’ve seen at the theater recently (maybe they are available in your area still) that are recommended. Any movie rated at least 3-stars is recommended. You should read any 3-star review (click the title), because sometimes we do qualify those recommendations, meaning we were entertained, but it doesn’t mean that it was necessarily that good.
4-star movies are highly recommended and films we rate as 4 1/2 or 5 stars are must see. NOTE: of all 2019 movies seen in theaters (over 55 movies since August 12, 2019), there have been no 4.5 or 5 star movies rated. Zero. Just hasn’t been anything either of us felt was that amazing. Am hoping there will be at least one before the end of the year .. but time is running out.
- Ford v Ferrari ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ScreenX
- Knives Out ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Good Liar ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Joker ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
- Richard Jewell ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
- Dark Waters ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
- Last Christmas ⭐️⭐️⭐️½
- Frozen II ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Hold On ⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Black Christmas (2019) ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Don’t forget the butter on that popcorn! Have a great time at the movies.
Movies, Movies, Movies 