The 21-Word Review: The Year of Peril: America in 1942 by Tracy Campbell

What is it like to live through historic times? As we have recently re-learned, it really sucks. Fascinating and eerily timely.

The 21-Word Review: Dear Evan Hanson (HBO Max)

When I saw this in the theater, I didn't know the plot in advance. It eviscerated me. Please - see it live.

The 21-Word Review: The Night House (HBO Max)

I swear I did not click on this title, was several minutes into it before I realized, but finished it anyway.

The 21-Word Review: West Side Story (2021) (HBO Max)

It doesn't matter how many times you have seen the original, this version will lift your soul and crush your heart.

The 21-Word Review: Death on the Nile (HBO Max)

Significantly better that a movie that was shelved for two years due to a toxic Covid and cast deserves to be.

The 21-Word Review: The Go-Go's (Hotel Showtime)

I don't know whether to be appalled or impressed that these women rockers were just as debauched as the men rockers.

The 21-Word Review: Seeing Red (Disney+)

 I'm not in the core demographic, but it's a metaphor right? All of it? The red panda, the huge mother, Toronto?

The 21-Word Review: The Adam Project (Netflix)

Technology that is obviously decades advanced was all developed within Ryan Reynold's lifetime. Just one of many issues engineers will note.

The 21-Word Review: The House of Gucci (Delta In-Flight)

I'm just a little bit uncomfortable with an entire cast putting on Italian accents. Shouldn't they just be talking in Italian?

The 21-Word Review: The Green Knight (Hotel Showtime)

 I recall reading this. It was odd and I don't remember it. Based on that criteria, this was an accurate adaptation.

The 21-Word Review: Nobody (Hotel HBO)

See this is why I could never be a casting director. There is no way I could have imagined Bob OdenWick,

The 21-Word Review: Ghostbusters: Afterlife (Delta In-Flight)

I fondly remember sitting in the William G. Enloe High School cafeteria and discussing the revelation that was the original Ghostbusters.

The 21-Word Review: The Batman

By extrapolation, Batman 2030 will just be Bruce Wayne sitting in a dark room listening to a Cure album and whispering.

The 21-Word Review: Nightmare Alley (HBO Max)

With this title and this director I expected more literal monsters. A masterclass in updating the noir genre, nearly perfect throughout.

The 21-Word Review: Belfast (Amazon)

The 21-Word Review: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (Amazon)

Owen’s inconsistent accent, Cate’s waif miscasting - just for starters. Even Willem’s shorts, Dumbledore. and a Portuguese Bowie can’t save it.

The 21-Word Review: Spencer (Amazon)

If one shouts “Oh, come on!” or “That’s ridiculous” more than twice, then it’s not a good biopic. Kristen was good.

The 21-Word Review: Squeeze Me by Carl Hiaasen

It’s past time for Mr. Hiaasen to permanently retire his Skink character, but the addition of the Ur-Trump president was spectacular.

The 21-Word Review: Devolution by Max Brooks

There on page 11 is proof. I could perhaps believe in Bigfoot, but not a fictional radio host named “Kai Ryssdal”. 

The 21-Word Review: Event Horizon (HBO Max)

 I thought it was in the 10 Sci-Fi movies to watch, not the list of 10 horror films NOT to watch.

The 21-Word Review: Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

There are few joys as great as that of picking up an unknown novel at a used sale and being transported.

The 21-Word Review: Being the Ricardos (Amazon)

Your enjoyment will likely be proportional to how much you enjoy watching sausage being made. Exquisite, classic, brilliant, innovative, groundbreaking sausage.

The 21-Word Review: Free Guy (Amazon)

A very entertaining, worthwhile experience. Even more entertaining if you imagine it as a prequel or sequel to the Matrix movies.

The 21-Word Review: The House (Netflix)

When your daughter suggests that you watch a movie so you can discuss it, you watch it. No matter how strange.

The 21-Word Review: The French Dispatch (Amazon)

It felt like the movies my friends and I used to make where everyone we knew was guaranteed a speaking role