The following is part of a weekly compilation of movie reviews from The Buzz Track staff. These movies were watched in the previous week, and the reviews were originally posted on Letterboxd.
Traffik (2018)
DIRECTOR: Deon Taylor.
WRITERS: Deon Taylor.
MPAA RATING: R – Viewer discretion is advised.
GENRES: Drama, Thriller.
LENGTH: 1h 36min.
LANGUAGE: English.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★★★☆☆ | WATCHED: January 9, 2022.
The third act of the movie is a fluttering disappointment. However, the first two-thirds of it is interesting and dramatic enough to grab my attention and carry me through to the end.
Truth or Dare (2018)
DIRECTOR: Jeff Wadlow.
WRITERS: Michael Reisz, Jillian Jacobs, Christopher Roach.
MPAA RATING: R – Viewer discretion is advised.
GENRES: Horror, Thriller.
LENGTH: 1h 40min.
LANGUAGE: English, Spanish.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★☆☆☆☆ | WATCHED: January 10, 2022.
The ending needs more work in the writing department. The movie suffered from a lack of a more creative resolve to the 100-minute long carousel of conflict only to end with an unexpected bailout of an ending.
Sorry to Bother You (2018)
DIRECTOR: Boots Riley.
WRITERS: Boots Riley.
MPAA RATING: R – Viewer discretion is advised.
GENRES: Drama, Comedy, Fantasy.
LENGTH: 1h 52min.
LANGUAGE: English.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★★★☆☆ | WATCHED: January 11, 2022.
The movie feels like two separate stories mixed into one pile. It is not completely terrible, just slightly disjointed. The first half of the movie heads in the direction of a satirical drama with social commentary. Then it veers a sharp turn in a different direction with fantastical elements not blatantly foreshadowed earlier in the story.
Wild Strawberries (1957)
DIRECTOR: Ingmar Bergman.
WRITERS: Ingmar Bergman.
MPAA RATING: Unrated
GENRES: Drama, Romance.
LENGTH: 1h 31min.
LANGUAGE: Swedish, Latin.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★★★★★ | WATCHED: January 12, 2022.
Wild Strawberries is a great retrospective story about a septuagenarian who goes on a road trip to visit a prestigious college where he will receive an honorary degree. Along the way, he reflects upon the memories of his younger life and wonders where and why he veered away so far away from love and human interaction. Many years ago, this was the first movie I had ever seen by Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. He is more widely known for directing The Seventh Seal (1957). Introspective and personal observation is a theme in many of his films.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (2018)
DIRECTOR: Mari Okada.
WRITERS: Mari Okada.
MPAA RATING: Unrated
GENRES: Animation, Adventure, Drama.
LENGTH: 1h 55min.
LANGUAGE: Japanese.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★★★☆☆ | WATCHED: January 13, 2022.
If I am to boil everything down to the basic plot elements, this movie reminds me of The Age of Adaline (2015). Beyond this road bump, I think it is well-produced, and the animation is gorgeous!
Peppermint (2018)
DIRECTOR: Pierre Morel.
WRITERS: Chad St. John.
MPAA RATING: R – Viewer discretion is advised.
GENRES: Action, Crime, Drama.
LENGTH: 1h 41min.
LANGUAGE: English.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★★☆☆☆ | WATCHED: January 14, 2022.
Is it just me? Or is this movie Death Wish with a gender swap for the lead role? It is a struggle to watch this movie. It’s over-the-top acting performances in a few scenes. The horrendous short-haired wig placed on Jennifer Garner is a ragged nightmare.
Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)
DIRECTOR: Christopher McQuarrie.
WRITERS: Christopher McQuarrie.
MPAA RATING: PG-13
GENRES: Action, Adventure, Thriller.
LENGTH: 2h 27min.
LANGUAGE: English.
WHERE TO RENT: JustWatch or Prime Video.
★★★★☆ | WATCHED: January 15, 2022.
For being the sixth installment of a movie franchise spanning over two decades, I am surprised how well the stunts are designed. It is impressive to hear Tom Cruise signed up for a fast-paced course to learn how to fly a helicopter so that he can fly one by himself in this movie!
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